Calling Apollo [Interview]
If you’re into bands who make a conscious effort to do something different, Calling Apollo are well worth checking out. Here, vocalist Chris Neale chats about creative development, Calling Apollo’s earliest days, and new EP Hunter/Gatherer…
Your new EP Hunter/Gatherer is a real step up from your last release. What did you do to push yourselves to the next level?
We didn’t do too much differently, I don’t think. We definitely focused a lot more on writing the EP as one entity rather than just a collection of songs. Even though the songs have different stories and meanings we focused on the dynamics of the EP and how it flowed for a listener.
We also demoed the entire EP before entering the studio, which helped a lot. We had a good idea of what would come out the other end. Add to that the awesomely talented Romesh Dodangoda (Funeral For A friend/Kids In Glass Houses) of Longwave studios and we were set. We can’t stress how great it was to work with this guy.
It was a fun week playing rock star! We just can’t wait for the 25th of May so everyone else can have their say.
Were there any specific albums/songs you were listening to while writing and recording Hunter/Gatherer? If so, which ones?
No, I don’t think so. We all vary in what we listen to.
Right now I’m loving the new Hozier album but I’m also listening to a lot of Deftones and Circa Survive. I know Kev absolutely loves Thrice and Arcane Roots so you can guarantee they are on his playlist right now. As for Dan, I know he’s really into Caspian and Balance and Composure at the moment. As for Luke, he is a mystery…nobody knows what he’s listening to…
What’s your creative process like?
It’s quite organic. Lately we find ourselves just jamming out some random melodies, usually started by Dan (guitar) and seeing where it goes. If we hear something we like, we go back to it. As well as that, Kev (guitar) is always tracking new demos in his spare time and mailing them to us to digest. New Kev Demo Time is always an exciting time for us.
What is Calling Apollo’s origin story?
Timing was everything in terms of the band coming together, with each of us looking for the right project at the same time.
We all responded to a band advert created by Kev who, after taking a break from the whole band thing, was ready to have another go. We didn’t know each other, so what sort of music we were going to create was a complete surprise to us but still as exciting as ever. After spending the early months as a four piece figuring out their sound, the decision was made to add a frontman to the mix – so another ad went up and I applied.
Kev sent me some demos, and that was it. Something clicked and Calling Apollo was born.
Describe each of the tracks from Hunter/Gatherer in one sentence each.
Hunter: A song exploring what remains of the Hunter from history who supplied food and safety for its tribe throughout the dawn of modern man.
In This City: This is a shout out to all those humans standing up for compassion and equality around the world.
Chemical Breaker: A song about the quiet people who just want to live their lives and what happens when they’re pushed over the edge.
Monsters: When you become complacent with what you have, should you demand better or risk losing everything?
Gatherer: This song is about humanity’s natural desire to explore and discover the unknown.
What’s your biggest ambition as a band?
I don’t think we really know. As long as we can make music that we love and enjoy playing, then we’re a happy band.
If it brings success to the point that it’s our full-time job then that’s amazing. Who doesn’t want to be paid to do what they love? But if we spend the duration of this band playing the pub and club circuit with our friends, then that’s amazing too.
Beyond the release of Hunter/Gatherer, what’s next?
I haven’t got a clue. We have already written some new tracks that we are really excited about to follow Hunter/Gatherer. But first we just wanna play some shows. Playing your own music live to other humans can be scary – but it’s worth it.
We are also going to be releasing a video to accompany the EP soon. We don’t have a specific date yet, but we’ll let you know as soon as we do.
Links
Calling Apollo on Facebook and Twitter.
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