Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: Hi, we’re from the Wirral which is just over the river from Liverpool. It’s a peninsula, which I’ve always thought was interesting, you don’t hear about a lot of them, Iberia, Yucatan…Monster Island?It’s always sat in the shadow of Liverpool a bit, for obvious reasons, which is a pity because it’s a great area with a rich history.
Anyway I started writing music again after a long break, I was in bands years ago and then life got in the way, jobs, family etc. I’m finally in a position to have some free time to focus on creating again and hopefully improving on what went before. Still learning (aren’t we all?) but honestly the best thing is just having a creative outlet again. It’s a scary thing sharing it with people, genuinely terrifying.
Q: Did you have any formal training, or are you self-taught?
A: Self taught, I picked up a guitar at 16, bass just after and then in bands they would just slap a synthesiser or a glockenspiel in front of me and tell me to learn how to play it. Difficult to handle live when you play three or four different instruments in one song. Didn’t always nail it, but it was fun.
Producing is the same, self taught and only started last year, I do everything on a phone or an iPad and I think you can tell. Things are a little rough around the edges, I’m hoping that adds to the charm?
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences, and why the name ‘Aleutians’?
A: I just think it’s a cool sounding word, it’s a chain of volcanic islands in the far north near Alaska. Perhaps subconsciously I wanted to capture that bubbling energy in the music. But that sounds a bit pretentious haha.
The first CD I was given when I was little was the single Pure by Lightning Seeds, I think it came out in the late 80s, and they’d had a fair few albums since then, but even now it’s still stands up as an amazing, simple pop song. I grew up listening to other 80s stuff from my older siblings. The Smiths, New Order, The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen, I think some of that comes through melodically. My dad was into Beatles, Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, Travelling Wilburys, classic songwriting, I don’t think that bleeds through but still, love the artists themselves. The strongest influences are Death Cab for Cutie and the Postal Service, that’s pretty clear when you hear the songs. That three album run Gibbard had of Transatlanticism, Give Up and Plans is pretty much unmatched. Secret Stars, again an influence on melodies and sound. Sorry, I’ve rambled here, I also take a lot from Turnover, Alvvays, Weakerthans, Promise Ring….that’ll do.
Q: You have just released your new single, ‘Only This Time’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Yes and no, it’s inspired by that moment when you get a glimpse of what could have been after bumping into someone you haven’t seen for a while or going to a place you thought you’d never see again. Good memories you’d do anything to relive, even though ultimately you know it wasn’t right and you know how it has to end. Times, places and people that hurt to remember, but in a good way.
Q: Can we expect a new EP or even an album from you in the near future?
A: I’m always working on new songs. There’s a few close to release, but I tend to get bogged down in the details and over worry, then start again. Short answer yes with an if.
Also our old E.P, “Where they want you to stay,” will be back on streaming soon, it’s a collection of demos from last year and we’ve reworked it to make it less rough and ready. Those songs are on bandcamp now.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: I’d like to think if Death Cab grew up in a small, slightly faded, English, coastal town they might sound like us. Ultimately the songs all boil down to the themes of longing, loss, missed chances and especially home. The most evocative word in the English language.
There’s nothing complex, it’s direct and simple indie pop with a slightly emo twinge. I would hope the melodies come through and speak for themselves.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: I mean, yeah. On a personal level this is just for me. It’s been nice to have an outlet which, at least for a few years, hasn’t been possible. It’s a bonus if anyone listens to it at all, and even more so if someone likes it! So thank you for listening and giving it a chance.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: I tend to start noodling around on an acoustic guitar in the living room, with no real objective but to find something, a melody or a guitar part, or a lyric that pops into my head and I want to expand upon. Build from there, work out the structure, dynamics etc in my head and see if it works on a little voicenote to play over later. A lot of the time it doesn’t, sometimes it does. It’s quite a scattergun approach to songwriting, but I find that sitting down with a specific inspiration in mind can come off a little forced on occasion. For me anyway.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: I think, like so many people, the death of someone in the family is always going to be the hardest thing. That, for me, set off a spiral of anxiety, self doubt and depression. I really just wanted to lock myself away, quit my job, not talk to anyone. Doesn’t necessarily correlate with making and sharing music which is traditionally a very outgoing, social thing. Semi-anonymity helps but obviously there’s not that personal connection to listeners or an audience which holds things back to a degree. Playing live was something I always enjoyed in previous projects and yeah ultimately that’s the aim, it’s a long road I guess but I’m getting there!
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: I’m really proud of my kids. They’re funny, smart and talented, even if they don’t think so. I do my best to make them see that, and give them a great start in their lives. In terms of music, there were a few things in my old bands I did that I was really proud of, BBC session, touring, supporting some great bands, but with this project, I’m just pleased to have put something out there and hopefully I’ll see it grow.
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