In Conversation With #266 - Haunt the Woods
Cornish alt-rock quartet Haunt the Woods have just celebrated the release of their brand new album ‘Ubiquity’ via Spinefarm.
In the deepest reaches of the English countryside there is a sublime sound emanating from the landscape, and its name is Haunt the Woods. Timely and yet oddly timeless, this surprisingly youthful quartet span musical decades and worlds.
Recently signed with Spinefarm, it won't be long before you hear plenty more from these musical mavericks, and with good reason. Formed in the hinterlands between Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall, Haunt the Woods deftly interweave alt-rock, folk, prog and pop with an epic level of pomp and poetic elegance that suggests a far longer tenure than their young years suggest. There are tips of the hat to Queen and Muse, Jeff Buckley and Radiohead, and a sprinkled-in tinge of Beatles-loving pop sensibility and Manchester Orchestra-esque poignancy: Haunt the Woods have that rare ability to conjure legacy while creating a bold sound that is newly their own.
With two warmly received EPs and a debut album, Opaque (2020) which was released in 2020, the stage has been set for their overdue introduction to the world, which began with their stunning new single 'Fever Dream'. Cinematic in scope, operatic in texture, new album Ubiquity is a fitting illustration of the band's prowess and talent.
They took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Haunt The Woods- how are you?
Hey! We’re great, it's been a big summer for us. A chance to play songs from our new record at some of our favourite festivals, Reading & Leeds, 2000trees, Tunes in the Park & then putting on our own shows in London & of course launching our album in Carnglaze Caverns.
So your album is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
It feels great, one of the joys of releasing music is seeing how it connects with our fans. It’s astonishing how quickly people learn lyrics & belt them out with us at shows. Hearing stories of how our music has arrived in someone’s life at the right moment, that they’ve connected with someone & it’s become ‘their’ song or held their hand through a rough time. That stuff always feels amazing.
It is called ‘Ubiquity' - what is the meaning behind that?
It’s what the overarching theme of the album is. Joy, pain, love, loss, beauty, despair - these are all ubiquitous feelings that everybody feels at what time or another. Nature, also ubiquitous. The album explores the central question “what is my place in this failing world?”, with a realisation that every single thing in this world is connected, in a truly staggering way.
Where was it recorded?
It was recorded at Middle Farm Studios with record producer extraordinaire Peter Miles. One of the most beautiful settings for making music. And Pete, if we add inches to our record that guy adds Miles.
Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
Of course! There’s a video on our Instagram of us trying to record Sleepwalking, the three of us are around the mic & Jack is at the piano, we can’t stop laughing, every time we try to sing. Jon & Olly are usually the ring leaders of this…
Jon broke his toe running through the control room which was a huge shame because it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Olly & Izzy wrote a song about it, Jon then did the exact same thing to the same toe on the other foot a day later.
What are the key themes and influences on the album?
Loss, life, love, joy and the ubiquitous nature of connection and consciousness. Collaboration was also a big part of this record, we had a lot of friends & session players coming in for songs like Ubiquity & Fever Dream. It was such a blessing, Pete has it set up so that the monitoring is unparalleled, I think we all feed off everything in the room.
If the album could be the soundtrack to any film - which one would it be and why?
A film where the character goes from the brutal depths of despair, loss and depression, to the highs of ecstatic, unimaginable joy.
It would probably have to be a pretty depressing and epic film.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the album - if so, which one and why?
I'm proud of all of the lyrics, they work at their best as one whole piece. The album is like a novel and each song a chapter.
Now the album is out there - what next?
Who knows? But while we are alive and breathing we'll always be working on the next record.
