In Conversation With #224 - Asylums
Recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studio - Asylums have just released their new album ‘Signs Of Life’.
Asylums ‘Signs Of Life’ draws inspiration from a spectrum of human emotions and examines how they intersected with technology during the accelerated change of the last few years. With genre-bending ‘Manic Street Preachers’ producer Dave Eringa in the driving seat, ‘Signs Of Life’ is a record that evolves the Asylums' sound once again while still staying true to their musical and lyrical DNA.
The band took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Asylums - how are you? So your album is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
Its always a great feeling, we are not rock stars or anything like that - we are just creative friends who love writing, making music and creating visual art – creating albums kind of scratches all the itches in a way we can collectively enjoy – so we are chuffed.
It is called ‘Signs Of Life’ - what is the meaning behind that?
It was supposed to evoke the feeling I personally get when I’m very depressed and the mindset slowly begins to turn around to a more positive outlook - little by little I start to notice things around me that remind me how grateful I am to be alive.
Where was it recorded? Any behind-the-scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
It was recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Wales, with Dave Eringa who is most widely known for his fantastic work with Manic Street Preachers. The process was a little different for us because of the pandemic. We set the date and circumstances to make the album very early on, budgeted the studio time and a string quartet and worked towards the aspiration of making a diverse and musically challenging album. We didn’t know if touring would be an option because of the pandemic and wider economic issues the country was/is facing so we looked to The Beatles and R.E.M. for inspiration - both of whom had made some of their best records during a hiatus from live work and experimenting in the studio was a huge part of that.
What are the key themes and influences on the album?
Humanity and Technology. Depression and Expression. Life and Death.
If the album could be the soundtrack to any film - which one would it be and why?
Paris Texas – a lone figure slowly reconnecting with past / present and finding a peace in acceptance.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the album - if so, which one and why?
“There’s a hole that’s inside, a black cloud in my blue-sky thinking” I just like the visual imagery it conjures up and it sort of sums me up – I’m an eternal optimist but I’m also extremely fragile.
Now the album is out there - what next?
We have some in store performances for the release at Rough Trade East, Pie & Vinyl and others as well as some radio sessions – then I am finishing a movie soundtrack for a project in Texas with my friend Jenifer from the much-missed band Indian Queens. Then we are considering a tour in the new year and some other offers that are coming in. We also have a 10 year anniversary with Asylums in 2024 so there are some discussions around that too.
