Introducing #158 - Hallan
Let us introduce you to Portsmouth four piece Hallan - who have just released their track ‘Modern England’. Fueled by the sounds of Sports Team to Joy Division, Hallan create their own take on post-punk using unique social commentary lyrics and chunky riffs. They took a moment to talk to us about their music.
Hey there Hallan, how are you? Your track ‘Modern England’ is out now - can you tell us what the track is about?
I guess the track could easily be seen as accusational but honestly that’s not the case. The track was written as a notice to myself primarily. The track is comprised of notes on self betterment and reminders to aspire to be more than my current self. Other parts of the track draw from everyday observation and derives from Gumshoe Boy's notes on the scene. He sits in the corner and sees the beauty in the reoccurrence of habit.
You are based in Portsmouth - what is your favourite thing about the city?
Our relationship with the city has always been a fluctuating one. We love where we’re from and love the people in the city. The people are honest and not the pretentious type you might find lurking in other parts of the South. Unfortunately the music scene is a mixed bag. Indie bands run rampant across ours venues with very few alternative artists taking a spotlight. A shining light has appeared however, with a few new bands revitalising the local alternative scene.
Where do you go for musical kicks?
With the large number of Portsmouth’s inhabitants being students, venues and gig spaces are often left neglected in favour of pop orientated club nights. A few havens for alternative music still remain in the city. We often visit the Wedgewood Rooms to see touring bands when they pass through and we also like visiting alternative club nights when we can find them. Apart from that its up to ourselves to explore and discover new music and sounds.
You write your music in an eighteenth century fortification built into the side of a hill - where does that sort of arrangement begin? / Do you feel the set up leaks into your music?
Despite it sounding rather interesting the building itself is an actual equipped rehearsal studio. We’ve had a few other experiences rehearsing elsewhere, one even being on a working farm. We seem to be drawn to these isolated locations. Perhaps its a subconscious desire to reflect and comment on city life without being in the midst of it itself. Away from prying eyes we pour ourselves over pages of confidential notes and findings, constructing our plan to strike back against the reanimated cadavers that haunt local stages.
What are your key musical influences?
Our music is built on the overlaps of musical interests. We each enjoy our separate preferences however we have a shared passion for creating music replete with integrity and honesty. These traits can be attributed to the bands that influence us the most. Bands such as The Fall, The Clash and Fontaines D.C. continuously remind us to write without constricting ourselves to genres and outside pressures. Classic songwriting is also something to take note of. Inside the Gumshoe Boy’s record collection you'll often find Bob Dylan classics and one of George Harrisons solo albums.