Manchester’s Stalagmites present their captivating blend of alt-indie and dark pop with the release of their debut single Binary out on 9th June 2017 via Veta Records.
Lead singer Bradley Lynch explains Binary is about “coming from a dark place and finding a way out, hoping it might be a simple switch but knowing it’s much more than that”. As each instrument comes together, new layers are added bringing fuzzy guitars, melodic bass and minimalist electronics together. The feeling is almost hypnotic, sitting perfectly alongside Bradley’s warm and melancholic vocals.
Stalagmites have signed to London’s Veta Records for the release of Binary, with more material to come later this year.
[Tweet “UK based @Stalagmites sit down for an interview to discuss Binary and more! #np #nowplaying”]
How long have you been creating and sharing your music with the public?
Me and Al started the band in 2010 and have been writing since then. Nick joined us 3 years ago. And it like a proper line-up now. Were releasing stuff ourselves but not to many people cos we were rubbish with that side of things. Our new single is our first proper release out on Veta Records early June.
Who or what influences your playing and/or writing? Also, what motivates you to keep going?
Obviously from music and we’ve all got different tastes so it’s a nice melting pot but I think the environment you’re in affects you a lot more than you think. Out of the windows of our rehearsal room you can see loads of cranes and part of the city skyline so there’s that feeling of progress regardless of any other shit that’s going on, and that feels like us. Regardless of band members leaving and the climate of the music industry we’ve kept going, and our songs have been shaped by that.
Stubbornness has kept this band going, but that stubbornness comes from the belief we have in our music, thinking if it makes us feel like this surely other people will feel it too.
Were you trying to accomplish anything specific on this new project? Creatively or otherwise?
No, we just wrote the song and it was finished really quick. But as with everything we write we try and make it the best we possibly can and do something that we’ve not done in previous tunes.
What was the last song you listened to?
You Said by The Horrors. Proper tune. The album Skying that it’s off is a beaut.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
Vinyl to look at and feel and for some crackles on old ones. And for the artwork and the innersleeve. CD for the artwork on the out and inside too, and the songwriting credits etc. Used to love going HMV and reading them. Finding out who wrote what and what label they’re on. MP3s are convenient with the streaming services so we use them but they don’t really offer an experience other than listening to the tune.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Spotify is convenient as a listener but in terms of making any money from your music at the grassroots level you’re not going to be able to quit your day job until your dead. Although it is a good way to connect and share your stuff cos most of our mates use it. Apple music the same. Bandcamp offers more control and being able to present your world to people as a more whole experience and the potential for making a living with a small loyal fanbase. As a listener Bandcamp is better for finding hidden gems too. Soundcloud is good for that as well. Getting on a Spotify playlist is becoming just as important than getting playlisted on radio so it’s theoretically good if you get on a playlist like that but the reality is, as with everything else, those with more money and power will get their shit played and the rest get blanked. As a band we use any of the above to get what we need, dipping in and out of the different features they have that’ll help us move forward.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what are one or two of the biggest challenges you face when trying to attract listeners to your music?
Less people seem to take a chance on watching new bands at a tiny venue now cos they find everything online so one of the hardest things is finding an audience through social media when it’s all clogged up. Getting in front of a decent sized audience live is a challenge too cos it’s hard getting on to a decent booking agent who can get you decent gigs supporting bigger bands so you can get on to their fans.
Do you gig, tour or perform? Do you ever live stream? Where can music lovers see you live?
We do gig mainly in Manchester at the minute and a bit in London but we’ll be branching out over the next year. Never live streamed but we’re thinking of streaming a performance from our rehearsal room. Get some decent lighting going on and that. We’ll definitely have a gig after our next release in September/October time which will be a headline one in Manchester. Possibly one over summer.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more of your music?
You can listen to us on Spotify and find us on Facebook/Twitter/Youtube too, and our official website.
Any last thoughts? Shout outs? Words of wisdom?
Always wipe front to back. Also, there’s some top new music in Manchester at the minute. Check out TYPES. Quality sound, quality songwriting. They’re right up there.
