sábado, 28 de março de 2015

Up the Down Escalator with Velochrome - An Interview



Os alemães do Velochrome demoraram um pouco para debutarem nas páginas do TBTCI mas enfim chegou a hora.

A New Design for Love de 2013 foi um dos álbuns que mais escutei naquele ano, shoegazer climático com nítidas e fortes influências de pós punk clássico, leia-se The Chameleons, The Sound e afins.

Uma cozinha pesada e densa, com as linhas de baixo fortes e marcantes alias ao trabalho de guitarras ora pesadas e estridentes já em outras hipnóticas e climáticas dão o exato teor de tons cinzentos para a alegria dos fãs.

Uma banda cultuada que em breve soltará seu novo álbum, e ao que tudo indica vem outro disco acima.



***** Interview with Velochrome *****



Q. When did Velochrome start, tell us about the history …
T: The band actually started as a solo recording project around 2009 when I moved to Cologne and my old band Otis Optic & The Option People more or less disbanded. Back then a love affair with certain guitar sounds and ways of production led to the very first self-titled EP and then to the forming of a real band around that solo-recorded foundation.

Q: Who are your influences?
T: The initial Velochrome sound adapted a lot from that late 80’s/early 90’s shoegaze and wave guitar sounds and for that early EP phase can be considered as a straight concept project. Over the time however, as a band, we subtly started merging it with further elements, adding a more energetic and lively edge.

Q. Make a list of 5 albums of all time …
T: 5 is probably not enough but regarding what comes into my mind right now, spontaneously and from the spot, I’d say
13th Floor Elevators – The Psychedelic Sound Of …
Pink Floyd – The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn
The United States Of America – s/t
Ash Ra Tempel feat. Timothy Leary – Seven Up
Soft Cell – Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

Q. How do you feel playing live?
T: It’s a lovely thing performing this kind of sound for an audience and it can be fun traveling around for shows. Much to the concern of the other band members I feel more comfortable behind a mixing desk though, haha.

Q. How do you describe Velochrome’s sound?
T: Focused on atmosphere and energy.


Q: Tell us about the process of recording the songs?
T: All in all the songs were recorded within 3 days with the help of Guido Lucas. Everything has been recorded live to analog reel-to-reel tape with only a few takes per song. Finishing the songs beforehand and finally making the recording session happen took a hell of time longer though …

Q. Which new bands do you recommended
T: I like HTRK a lot, if they still count as a band now. Beyond that I’m more into ambient, industrial and underground dance music regarding current sounds.

Q: Which bands would you love to make a cover version of?
T: I think it’s songs rather than bands. We should finally record our version of “You’re my heart, you’re my soul” by the way!

Q: What´s the plan for the future …
T: Finally record and mix our new album. All the songs are written and we just have to find the right spot and mood to make it happen.

Q: Any parting words?
T: Read more and actively question everything. And thank you for this interview, Renato!
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Thanks

https://velochrome.bandcamp.com
http://velochrome.de
https://www.facebook.com