Howling Bells just released their fourth album Heartstrings on Birthday Records. The UK-based band brought in Catherine J. Marks (PJ Harvey, Foals) and the renowned Alan Moulder (The Killers, Depeche Mode, Arctic Monkeys) to record and produce the album. Together, they’ve created an album that balances shoegaze, 90’s alternative rock and late 80’s synth-pop, all the while showing the band’s considerable growth and strong hand at songwriting. These are the types of songs you want to swim in, to feel the keyboards, guitars and reverb swirl around you as they shimmer and pulse. Glide Magazine recently spoke with the band about the new album, and what makes it such a step forward for them.
Your new album is called Heartstrings, and it’s your fourth as a band. What was different about making this record than the others? Did your process change?
The making of this album felt a lot more immediate a process than the previous few. All the songs were written in a few weeks and recorded over 11 days, which definitely effected the overall ambience of the record.
What sort of themes do you explore on Heartstrings?
There’s a lot of emotion on this record. A lot of defiance, frustration, sex, love and romance.
What’s been the response to these songs so far? Have you had the chance to road test them?
Were road testing them now. The response has been very positive. It’s always nice to see people singing the words so soon. I feel like this means it’s connecting which is all we can ask.
What was the hardest song to record? Why?
Probably the title track “Heartstrings,” we’ve already tried recording this about 3 times but it never quite manifested until this record. Not sure why, I suppose it’s all about timing.
Is there a song on Heartstrings that you really feel encapsulates the album, or where you are now as a band?
I suppose “Reverie” feels like a good summary for where the band are at presently. With the opening line being “I’ve come full circle I’m here again, I’m poised and ready for the lions den.”
BONUS: Tell us one of your favorite stories from the road!
Most recently we left Gary at a service station in Northern England , he was left without a phone or wallet hence had to hitch to nearest town where we found him wasted in a nearby pub singing with a bunch of bikers. That rates.
