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ON THE COUCH WITH: Howling Bells

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ARTIST INTERVIEW

Joel: Good Morning

Access All Areas.net.au: Good Morning, Joel.
Joel: How are you?

Access All Areas.net.au: I’m good, thank you. How are you?
Joel: I’m good, I’m good. I’m little tired but I’m good.

Access All Areas.net.au: Congratulations on completing a new album!
Joel: Thank you.

Access All Areas.net.au: How are you feeling about it?
Joel: At this present time…yeah pretty good I guess. I think…we did what we needed to do.

Access All Areas.net.au: What message is Howling Bells sending out to the world with Radio Wars?
Joel: Well, it’s kind of subjective. Everyone sees the painting different. But I guess the message we focused on, that subliminally seeped out through this album was analogue dying and technology is coming through in any sense actually. That’s not just technological, it’s the way people are thinking as well.

Access All Areas.net.au: What was it that brought producer Dan Grech-Marguerat (Radiohead) together with Howling Bells on Radio Wars? How is it working with Dan, compared to Ken Nelson (Coldplay) previously?
Joel: They’re completely, different people. The other album we did with Ken [Howling Bells] was a lot more raw…it’s stripped down. In simple terms, Dan was very much more keen on experimentation and exhausting all possible avenues…bringing more life to each song. So each person, you know, Dan and Ken both brought something completely different to each album. Dan challenged us a lot as well, which we’ve never had before. He had a lot of inspiring ideas. Basically it was like he was part of the band for the duration of the time we were working with him, which was really, really good.

Access All Areas.net.au: What was most memorable for you while making Radio Wars?
Joel: Probably writing the lyrics for “Digital Hearts”. We were sitting outside and it was a really warm, Los Angeles day…We sat on the street corner…There was a guy who was dressed up as a tree with emerald in his eyes. He’s about seven-foot tall…He was just walking around. It was incredibly surreal. That was definitely a moment while recording that album that will stick in my mind.

Access All Areas.net.au: You guys have mentioned that the creative process of making Radio Wars is richer this time, with the four of you throwing out ideas together. What has been the more challenging aspect of recording your new album?
Joel: I think, time really. I never feel we seem to have enough time to try many, many many things I guess. Especially this time around because it was more of a collaborative effort, so I guess we definitely would’ve liked a bit more time to try more things.

Access All Areas.net.au: You’ve written “How Long” for Radio Wars. I think it’s interesting how you described the song reminded you of a “sad child dragging his feet”. What is the story behind the song? What has inspired you to write it in the first place?
Joel: The story behind the song is really simple. It’s about…my heart being ripped out of my chest. [Laugh] There’s no other explanation for it. That was inspiration and that was, I guess just me writing a song, you know about complete and utter, you know basically being in limbo I guess.

Access All Areas.net.au: How’s it different from writing other songs?
Joel: It’s not really. Every song, you want it to be as real and as truthful as possible. I guess, I mean, for us as a band it’s a very, very important thing, you know. You don’t wanna lie to anyone. You want everyone to know exactly what you mean…Especially you know, about a song like this…it could be a more punk song to a slow, ambient song. You know, you just wanna be real.

Access All Areas.net.au: Do you have a personal favourite track on Radio Wars?
Joel: I guess it changes everyday. I haven’t really listened to it since we’ve recorded…I’ve listened to it a few times. For now it has to be the secret track, which I shouldn’t be talking about…Yeah that demo was recorded during an eclipse. The actual recording was recorded during an eclipse as well. So it was kinda special.

Access All Areas.net.au: “Into the Chaos” is the first single from the new album. What inspired the decision to put this song out first?
Joel: Management [Laugh]. Yeah, no we’re pretty easy. Like, we thought it would be something we’ll put out first. It’s colourful and flamboyant and we wanted to put it out there yeah.

Access All Areas.net.au: Would you have done it differently - to put out another song?
Joel: Nah. I don’t think so. I’m not good like that. I probably put out the most obscure song.

Access All Areas.net.au: How would you describe the sound that distinguishes Howling Bells from other bands out there?
Joel: Well, it’s hard to compare to other bands. I don’t know if I can do that actually. That’s like saying what’s the difference between yellow and red…Yellow is yellow.

Access All Areas.net.au: What do you think is the sound that sort of defines you, as a band?
Joel: I guess it’s the obvious things, I guess it’s Juanita’s voice. I think it’s just the fact that Brendan’s bass, Glenn’s drums, my guitar playing, Juanita’s voice, it’s all just who we are. You know, we want to be individuals and I hope it comes through in our music. I know that when I listen to some songs, one of us definitely shines through more than the other. And I really enjoy listening to that.

Access All Areas.net.au: When you guys first started out, how did you guys find that chemistry as a band and how did you first shape your sound? Did it come together naturally?
Joel: I guess. First album, as you know, wasn’t a collaborative effort…but we still connected quite um – what’s the word…It was an easy connection and when the four of us get together, the four of us write or even when we’re recording, everything’s quite easy. Yeah and we do challenge each other and we enjoy it.

Access All Areas.net.au: Looking back on your journey in the music industry, what do you think has changed for the band since you first started out? Or what has remained the same?
Joel: Well I got facial hair now. I guess the thing that has changed is us, I think we’re just learning…and learning. I guess that’s what you’re meant to do in life. And all those things we are learning we’re putting into our music. I’m not just talking bout about music…I’m talking about life. You know, every song that you come across can sometimes be a good thing, you know.

Access All Areas.net.au: Musically, do you think Howling Bells have grown since the time you were known as Waikiki?
Joel: Yeah definitely. I should hope so. You don’t wanna stay five years old your whole life. You wanna change, you wanna take new paths, you know…who wants to drive down the same road your whole life? I don’t think anyone wants to do that.

Access All Areas.net.au: Howling Bells has moved on from Bella Union to a new record label – Independiente. How has the transition affected the band?
Joel: Independiente are very, very uh…free. They’re a very free label. We’ve never experienced quite that much freedom. It’s quite amazing. I guess the most relevant difference would definitely be that we have a lot more creative…I guess control. Not that we haven’t had a lot of creative control before but in this case, we’ve finished the album and the head of the record label said if you guys got any more songs, you’re free to record them whenever you want and all that kind of stuff. The freedom and the creative control is quite beautiful. The head of the label is very…very keen on music, which inspires us all. It’s nice to see ‘cause you see too many people that are in the field, in the business just for the money, it kind of makes you sick. Yeah this guy you know, of course he has to make money but his passion to music is quite amazing.

Access All Areas.net.au: The music industry is increasingly competitive, as you’ve mentioned and always evolving. Do you guys always feel the need to keep up? How do you stay independent of expectations and pressure?
Joel: I guess the biggest pressure comes from ourselves ‘cause we always wanna keep moving forward. We definitely do take in…we definitely listen to what’s around us, and take it all in and we love it. We love when some great band comes out, and we’re like ‘wow, that’s really cool’. It’s inspiring. But we do try to better ourselves every time we write a song. We do try new things, so I guess, I could say the most competition comes from within ourselves and the band.

Access All Areas.net.au: Your new album has touched on technology for quite a bit…Internet piracy has been a great concern for the music industry for a long time now. So in a way, technology has both helped and hurt the music industry, as it deals with slumping CD sales. How do you hope this will change?
Joel: WE changed, to tell you the truth. I hope the way we’re dealing with it changes. I think the fact that anyone could get hold of any song at any point and buy it and hear it is absolutely, fucking amazing and it blows my mind. Obviously, the only thing that gets me down is that the artist doesn’t make any money. I mean, the artist needs to you know, in order for them to go on they need to make money. So yeah, there’s no bad or good. It’s just the way it’s going on. I love it to tell you the truth. ‘Cause I can go on the Internet and look for any band.

Access All Areas.net.au: Just quickly, is there anything you would like to shout out to your fans?
Joel: Yeah, Hi! Happy New Year! I hope to see them all soon.

Access All Areas.net.au: Thanks a lot for your time. Happy New Year! Bye.
Joel: My Pleasure. Thank you. You too. Bye Bye.

Interview by Sandy Tan

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY

If you think it’s been a long time since you’ve heard from Howling Bells – since the cinematic majesty of that self-titled debut back in May 2006 – then you should try being in the band. Bands as creatively prolific as this do not adjust well to sitting around for months at a time. “We’re an industrious lot. We never stop thinking and being inspired,” says singer Juanita Stein. “If it were up to us, we’d put out this record tomorrow and then start recording another straight away”. More so even than ‘Howling Bells’ (their debut album), however, this is a second record that is worth waiting for. The first won them critical acclaim, certainly, the likes of ‘Setting Sun’ and ‘Low Happening’ lodged firmly in the minds of most who encountered them (and Howling Bells are a group very much “encountered” rather than listened to). The new album, though, is a record that seems certain to elevate them into a far wider consciousness “This record is a great leap for us” continues Juanita,
“Our debut album was more of a lonesome creation, out of found and lost love, came the inspiration for most of the tracks, which were written in my bedroom. Brendan : “however, this time it was a collaboration between the four of us. Hearts, minds and ideas in equal measure. We’re all embracing new concepts and sounds. We perpetually challenged one another and the songs.” Joel: “It’s very important for us that the music would connect with people and elevate them bringing a growing optimism and unity”.

Glenn explains, “when writing for the record in a country house in Victoria, Juanita and I would hop in my folks beat-up Ute and try tune into certain stations, however, clearly the radio had a mind of its own, constantly tuning in and out different stations and frequency’s, it became a resistant friend of ours. We called this Radio Wars”. Juanita: “Out of that experience came the title to Radio Wars Theme as well as the lyrical content for Digital Hearts….. A song about the struggle we now have between us and it. Humans and the technological revolution”.

The (almost) title track of which they speak you may have already encountered, as the epic end to Howling Bells current live set. Mechanical drums pound out a robotic march, as squalling guitars and synthesisers – more on them in a minute – fight for space with an almost mantra-like, chanting vocal. It’s the most unsettling and strangest track on the record.

Elsewhere there’s opener ‘Treasure Hunt’, another very important track on the record for the band. A grand opus of stomping beats and pure optimism. The bass line thunders through this track with an urgency equivalent to that of the songs message itself. “In this track we focus all our energy on gathering as much of the collective spirit as we can. Marching onwards and forwards. It’s about what we can all achieve together.” Says Juanita.

There’s ‘Let’s Be Kids’, exploring lost innocence. The band explains, “this came from reminiscing about the past, desiring that safe refuge and naïve spirit that come with childhood.”

‘How Long’, meanwhile, represents another first for Howling Bells, in that it was written entirely by guitarist Joel. A heartbreaking, 50’s style ballad. Joel ads “It was a real highlight in making the record for us. A hugely creative process, the drums brought a new energy to the song. They act as the backbone for all the other instruments shuffling beside it. It reminds me of a sad child dragging his feet.”

This newfound adventure stems from two things. Firstly, producer Dan Grech-Marguerat, who has engineered records by Radiohead, Air and Sir Paul McCartney alongside Nigel Godrich. Along with him, the band reinterpreted a lot of older tracks, experimenting with different melodies, rythms and sounds. Seeing what magic could come of this process.

Single ‘Into The Chaos’ was one of the tracks that resulted, as Juanita explains: “Me and Brendan put this song together from other bits and pieces, it was originally an electronic track without melody or vocals” Brendan: “It took over maybe four forms before it was finished. It really took on a life of its own.”

So musically adventurous nature aside, ask Howling Bells the all important question about whether now, two albums in, they like the idea of being a big, big band, and their answers are simple. And correct.

Juanita: “Fuck yeah! On the first record we might have made songs that were subtle and dusty, but that didn’t mean that we weren’t bursting at the seams with intent and desire. This album is no different, it just feel like the doors wide open now. There’s a lot more colour splattered on this record. It has a strong message for us. We are optimistic, however, realistic about the future. We want people to feel as excited and inspired by the songs on this album as we do”.

Lofty, noble ambitions, then, but ambitions that are in safe hands. Prepare to be seduced once more. Howling Bells new album ‘Radio Wars’ is released in March preceded by the single ‘Cities Burning Down’ on Independiente Records.

www.howlingbells.net

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MY FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE

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I was very young - very very young – and I tried something for the first time and it was at Big Day Out and Sound Garden were playing and it was meant to be the last Big Day Out ever and I was lying down on the grass watching Sound Garden and feeling [ahh] pretty good. laughs

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Wow this could take me days to go through – The Birthday Party, Scientists, The Drones, The Stabs who are a Melbourne band, Hungary Ghosts… I could go on for ever!

Fave artist you've seen at a Music Festival?
Oh, when I was really really young, too young to be at a festival I got snuck in to Summersault Festival and saw Sonic You play… that was amazing!

Tips for attending a Music Festival?
Stay out of the sun definitely! I’m a very very white man and at Big Day Out I got burnt just walking from our band tent to the stage… 30 seconds in the sun – so definitely slip slop slap!