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New Band Up North - Number 20: Let's Buy Happiness | New Band Up North - Number 20: Let's Buy Happiness |
(12 days later) | |
Infectiously catchy, dark indie melodies wrap themselves around eerie, minimalist vocals to produce something that's both haunting yet uplifting and would make Björk proud. This Newcastle five-piece, Let's Buy Happiness, are remarkably good at building textures in their music. Each note is a delicate and thoughtful stitch on a beautiful patchwork quilt. | Infectiously catchy, dark indie melodies wrap themselves around eerie, minimalist vocals to produce something that's both haunting yet uplifting and would make Björk proud. This Newcastle five-piece, Let's Buy Happiness, are remarkably good at building textures in their music. Each note is a delicate and thoughtful stitch on a beautiful patchwork quilt. |
Having already played the John Peel stage at Glasto two years ago, caught the attention of BBC 6Music, Radio 1 and Amazing Radio, it's impressive they've not actually put out their debut album yet. Sarah Hall, James Hall, Mark Brown, James King and Graeme Martin, have just been lapping up the sunshine in Austin for SXSW. They've had the pleasure of bumping into Brighton band Tall Ships, walking past Dallas Green of City and Colour and enjoying playing in America for the first time. There's been one annoying moment though for Graeme Martin and James King. They were turned away from a venue they'd just performed in an hour earlier. Pretty awkward eh? | Having already played the John Peel stage at Glasto two years ago, caught the attention of BBC 6Music, Radio 1 and Amazing Radio, it's impressive they've not actually put out their debut album yet. Sarah Hall, James Hall, Mark Brown, James King and Graeme Martin, have just been lapping up the sunshine in Austin for SXSW. They've had the pleasure of bumping into Brighton band Tall Ships, walking past Dallas Green of City and Colour and enjoying playing in America for the first time. There's been one annoying moment though for Graeme Martin and James King. They were turned away from a venue they'd just performed in an hour earlier. Pretty awkward eh? |
Now you may be thinking: Let's Buy Happiness, they're so 2010. But there'll be some of you who are only discovering this band today. So that's my point really. I want to introduce you to music you've never heard of but also celebrate emerging acts that are really making waves up north that you might already know about (as the title of my column suggests). | Now you may be thinking: Let's Buy Happiness, they're so 2010. But there'll be some of you who are only discovering this band today. So that's my point really. I want to introduce you to music you've never heard of but also celebrate emerging acts that are really making waves up north that you might already know about (as the title of my column suggests). |
So, Let's Buy Happiness came together as a band after schoolmates Mark Brown and Graeme Martin met James Hall and James King at a party. They decided to jam together but then there was a slight problem. They had no singer. After a couple of weeks "James (who's my younger brother) asked if I would come to a practice and sing" explains Sarah Hall. Growing up with a guitar in the house obviously had a good affect on the brother and sister whose harmonies make up a lovely segment of the band's sound. | So, Let's Buy Happiness came together as a band after schoolmates Mark Brown and Graeme Martin met James Hall and James King at a party. They decided to jam together but then there was a slight problem. They had no singer. After a couple of weeks "James (who's my younger brother) asked if I would come to a practice and sing" explains Sarah Hall. Growing up with a guitar in the house obviously had a good affect on the brother and sister whose harmonies make up a lovely segment of the band's sound. |
After they played the New Music Stage at Sheffield's Tramlines festival last summer, I remember joining them on board the buskers' bus for a live performance. For those who don't know what that is, it's an old bus that does a circuit of the city while a band performs live for the joyful and hyped-up passengers. At first they were slightly startled when the engine revved up and we were on the move. I don't think they realised we'd be driving around as they played. Bassist Mark Brown says "it was fun. Slightly distracting though. We kept watching people out of the window and nearly falling on our faces." I remember laughing a lot as the band tried to keep their balance but being struck and captivated by the raw emotions coming from their guitars and voices. | After they played the New Music Stage at Sheffield's Tramlines festival last summer, I remember joining them on board the buskers' bus for a live performance. For those who don't know what that is, it's an old bus that does a circuit of the city while a band performs live for the joyful and hyped-up passengers. At first they were slightly startled when the engine revved up and we were on the move. I don't think they realised we'd be driving around as they played. Bassist Mark Brown says "it was fun. Slightly distracting though. We kept watching people out of the window and nearly falling on our faces." I remember laughing a lot as the band tried to keep their balance but being struck and captivated by the raw emotions coming from their guitars and voices. |
The beauty of slow, whirling guitars, a steady pulsing bass and striking vocals blend together to produce something cool and epic. As Paul Lester pointed out, this band could have easily come out of Iceland or Scandinavia. | The beauty of slow, whirling guitars, a steady pulsing bass and striking vocals blend together to produce something cool and epic. As Paul Lester pointed out, this band could have easily come out of Iceland or Scandinavia. |
I've had the honour of being one of the first to hear how the new record sounds. There are moments where I'm reminded of the mighty Sigur Ros. Let's Buy Happiness triumph in making a small, simple melody loud, big and ambient. Fast Fast takes your ears on an emotional journey. Starting off with a steady and optimistic tribal drumbeat. Then two thirds of the way in you start to feel nostalgic, mournful and sad. The haunting voice of Hall is downcast but is picked up again by the instrumental highs. | I've had the honour of being one of the first to hear how the new record sounds. There are moments where I'm reminded of the mighty Sigur Ros. Let's Buy Happiness triumph in making a small, simple melody loud, big and ambient. Fast Fast takes your ears on an emotional journey. Starting off with a steady and optimistic tribal drumbeat. Then two thirds of the way in you start to feel nostalgic, mournful and sad. The haunting voice of Hall is downcast but is picked up again by the instrumental highs. |
It's the combination of these hopeful riffs from the band with the unique yelps from Hall that work so well. This is also true of their track Works Better On Paper. The sound of the chorus makes your heart twinge but the undercurrent of optimism seeps through again. The minimalist approach to the way Hall sings makes lyrics like "sombre existence for something not there" have even more effect. Loose drums and echoes of reverberating electronic guitars are what make this song thought-provoking. | It's the combination of these hopeful riffs from the band with the unique yelps from Hall that work so well. This is also true of their track Works Better On Paper. The sound of the chorus makes your heart twinge but the undercurrent of optimism seeps through again. The minimalist approach to the way Hall sings makes lyrics like "sombre existence for something not there" have even more effect. Loose drums and echoes of reverberating electronic guitars are what make this song thought-provoking. |
When they're throwing ideas around in their practice room, the way each of them is feeling "can make a significant difference to how a song sounds or is constructed," says Hall. A song is often triggered by what's on "my mind at the time. Whether that's being internally fuelled or an external situation that provokes me to respond." | When they're throwing ideas around in their practice room, the way each of them is feeling "can make a significant difference to how a song sounds or is constructed," says Hall. A song is often triggered by what's on "my mind at the time. Whether that's being internally fuelled or an external situation that provokes me to respond." |
The sound of their debut album is "completely different to anything we have out there at the moment." Hall explains it's "more atmospheric, darker, melancholic and heavier." Her younger brother, James, reckons they "needed time to grow and mature" before putting out the record. He believes the album "sums up what and who" they are right now. | The sound of their debut album is "completely different to anything we have out there at the moment." Hall explains it's "more atmospheric, darker, melancholic and heavier." Her younger brother, James, reckons they "needed time to grow and mature" before putting out the record. He believes the album "sums up what and who" they are right now. |
Aside from the music Sarah's a self confessed "sci-fi nut" admitting she "could talk about battle star galactica until the cows come home". So maybe if the band thing doesn't work out she can consider going over to the US again for some conventions? Hmmm. Maybe not. We'll have to wait and see. | Aside from the music Sarah's a self confessed "sci-fi nut" admitting she "could talk about battle star galactica until the cows come home". So maybe if the band thing doesn't work out she can consider going over to the US again for some conventions? Hmmm. Maybe not. We'll have to wait and see. |
Their debut album 'Chants For Friends' comes out very soon so keep your eyes and ears peeled. | Their debut album 'Chants For Friends' comes out very soon so keep your eyes and ears peeled. |
Emily Brinnand is a freelance journalist, radio presenter and producer. You can follow her on Twitter @EmilyBrinnand If you're in a northern band, Emily wants to hear from you so please Tweet her links to your music. | Emily Brinnand is a freelance journalist, radio presenter and producer. You can follow her on Twitter @EmilyBrinnand If you're in a northern band, Emily wants to hear from you so please Tweet her links to your music. |
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