Band Of The Week #148 - Lonely The Brave
This week’s Band of the Week is alt-rockers Lonely The Brave - who have just released their third album ‘The Hope List’. With the music industry in a state of trouble at the moment, this album offers a beacon of light in these dark. times. We had a chat with Gavin Edgeley from the band about working with new vocalist Jack Bennett, late night horror films and how the release came together.
Hey there, how are you? So your third album is finally with us, how does it feel to have it out there in world?
I’m very well, thanks. I feel lucky being able to release an album under the current circumstances, and I know the other guys feel this way too. It’s been a long time coming but I’m ridiculously happy to have something we worked so hard on finally out in the world. I’ve made it sound like it’s a new born baby haha. Which it is in a way.
It is titled ‘The Hope List’, does that hold a certain meaning for you as a band?
Yeah it does. You have to have a little bit of hope otherwise things can seem pretty fruitless in the current surroundings. The whole album feels really hopeful, in my opinion. It’s a definite theme running through it. I really hope that people see it as an ultimately positive record because it feels that way to me.
Where was the album recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process?
It was recorded at Lapwing Studio, which is owned by our singer, Jack. He worked so hard on this record. Not just from a vocal point of view, but I must add that he absolutely nailed that too. He produced the record as well so he had his hands full trying to get us in shape. We recorded it in blocks so we really took our time with it. And I think that shows…
This is your first full release with new vocalist Jack Bennett, do you feel it has changed your sound at all? What new qualities has he brought to the creative process for the band?
It’s changed the dynamic of how we do things. You can tell that this is a Lonely The Brave record a mile off. Jack has a brought real uniqueness to this record and carved his own niche. He’s done a phenomenal job on it.
It says it on the album title - hope. Is this the key message you are trying to put out there to your listeners?
It’s a funny one because I always think that musically, our songs sound that way. I guess it’s all subjective though and it might feel different for someone else. Lyrically, that’s for the listener to decide. I guess that’s why you have lyric sheets to look through and piece it all together. That’s certainly what I do.
What are the key influences and themes on this album?
In the studio our key influences were tonnes of coffee and late night horror films. Not a great mix but it is what it is. Killer Clowns From Outer Space was a personal favourite of ours.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
I have lots of them from this album. I absolutely love the last song on the record, The Harrowing. Lyrically and musically it’s up there for me.
Now this album is done, what next for Lonely The Brave?
Good question. Hopefully we can play lots of shows at some point, providing the planet is in a better place. But for now, just very grateful to be able to still release music.