A group of friends came down to the Crypt to help us record a few parts for the new Album. This video is the footage from of one of the songs that we recorded that night. Thanks to everyone who came. It was a magical night. The bell chimes at the end of the track actually struck in real time on this take, as we all held our breath waiting for Ed to stop the tape.
Channel M TV Interview - recorded in October 2008 on Channel M in Manchester - check out those smart blue jackets:
..
The TV show includes 4 songs: 'Living A Lie' , 'Buzzer Goes', 'Looking For Answers' and 'San Francisco. Plus a glorious 3-piece trumpet section! Blinkin marvelous. Stand out track is definitely San Francisco...
The First Release by Hope&Social and what a stormer of an EP this is. 5 Gorgeous tracks recorded in a church crypt in deepest West Yorkshire.
1. Daylight Came 2. These Walls 3. Heaven Falls 4. Raise A Glass 5. Buzzer Goes
By buying this record you are helping a small indie label fund the release of the rather special debut Hope&Social album later in the year.
You are also buying something that has taken 12 unfunded months to create and we're really proud of that... The CD comes in a limited edition 100% recycled package - adorned with original artworks by the band themselves.
......life, for Hope&Social, started one drunken night in the Grove pub in Leeds in April 2007; a place indicative of modern England: a traditional pub hemmed in on all sides by Leeds’ garish glass giants and the cement palaces of new-wealth. Hope&Social wanted to create something to reflect this, something more than just a set of songs but a statement on English culture. Singer Simon Wainwright reflects:
“We wanted to make an album that was important. An album that wasn't just another set of love songs, but about the state of our lives and our homes; about our communities. We talked about Springsteen and his biography of his American home. We talked of Arcade Fire. We talked about Astral Weeks. We talked of Bowie. We talked about making something that matters.”
Time for change.
Hope&Social wanted to the sound of the classic albums of 3 decades ago, but positioned against a modern backdrop. A suitably classic sound for songs which are part call-to-arms, part lament. Dark but exalted tracks penned with brutal but measured guitars and lush vocal harmonies. Add in an ancient ‘knees-up’ piano and a ‘73 Rhodes, and you are only getting close.
A desire to keep the recording as live as possible and capture the magic of the writing process on tape led the band to the immediate ambiance of a church crypt in deepest West Yorkshire. The sound is lush, brooding and celebratory:
‘Sieved from the malaise of many a drunken rant we had some kind of idea of what we wanted to talk about: of Englishness and home and what it means to we five. Of simplicity and customs, and of God. ‘If it feels good turn it up’ / Fender Champ / a long list of drum fills / a child's accordion... All these things were thrown in the pot and we melded a selection of songs that I have never felt so excited about. They are real and they are us.’
..
..
There is a revealing new interview with the band here: Frogcast Podcast!
We have our next mini-festival at 93 Feet East on Saturday 25th July with an amazing line-up along with our usual Burlesque, performance art and Electro DJ’s. Check out the ticket link below. See you there.
'Americana, folk, gospel, soul and psychedelia in an attractive blend, served up by an ingratiating singer with fine vocal harmonies on the side. Tommy Tokyo and his band will be this years breakthrough Norwegian act' - Great Escape Festival
hahaha that picture of you in a freezer is brilliant!! you're welcome for last week, my pleasure. Give us a shout whenever you're next around London/southampton/portsmouth..well south really! and i'll give ya a hand again =] xxxxx
Online Now!
