In Conversation With #215 - LIFE
Alternative Hull four-piece LIFE have just released their fourth studio album ABSTRACT / NATURAL via EMI North label partner Launchpad+.
An adventurous body of work that showcases the band at their most ambitious and experimental, it’s a collection that draws on folklore, mythology and the natural world, unified by the lived experiences and stories that weave in and out from beginning to end.
Across its ten tracks, the album moves between sweeping landscapes, folklore myths and personal stories with remarkable ease. Anthemic opener 'Wild Grasses' quickly establishes these themes, while 'The Dollywaggon' traces an epic coast-to-coast journey via Sanders-Green's stream-of-consciousness delivery over Mick Sanders' razor-sharp guitars and Stewart Baxter's lightning-quick drumming. Exploring fatherhood and recalling a memory of a trip to the Isle Of Mull, 'Turning In' strips things back to something tender and disco-grooved, while 'Thistles Kiss' builds from its delicate ambient piano intro before blossoming into bold, cinematic territory; a pagan-tinged adventure about escape and new beginnings. Meanwhile, 'Mermaid Feet' offers an intricately layered, dreamlike lullaby inspired by the mythical Mermaid Pools atop The Peak District's Kinder Scout.
They took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there LIFE, how are you? So your album is out now – how does it feel to have it out there?
We are so proud of this record. It was forged from a loving and wonderful community. It was a collective effort and not just about us as four best mates in a band. It means the world to us that its out there from track 1 to 10 it tells a story of journey, escapism, love and letting go. The album is our everything and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
It is called 'ABSTRACT / NATURAL' – what is the meaning behind it?
These two words actually reared their heads very early in the process. As a mission statement of how we wanted to approach the writing and recording of the album. ‘Abstract’ seems to sum-up how we wanted to go about creating some of the soundscapes and tones that would later be crafted into more directional songs and ‘natural’ embodied the re-connection with nature that anchored so much of the lyrical content. I think the title also suggests a theme of fusing the abstract with the organic. I weave lyrics steeped in folklore, myth, geography, place and time. These elements converge into universal themes of escapism and journey, creating a vivid world in which we have broadened our creative lens. The aim was to create a body of work that was story-rich anchored by musical dynamism.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories you are willing to share with us?
We recorded the full album in our studio in Hull. The Moon Factory. Our studio sits on the banks of the Humber. It’s a beautiful space that feels so familiar and really allows us to lean into our creativity as four best mates. We set up so we can all see each other - often the music starts as loops, lullabies, hooks and jams and then I place my words over the vibes. Recording this record was liberating. We felt like we were writing for ourselves not chasing genres or scenes but just being us!
What are the key influences behind the album?
A lot of the influences on the writing process and some of the sounds of the album came from various tracks Mick and I shared between each other for example the leftfield anthemic sound and scale of Sea Power's brilliant back catalogue gave us a sonic scope. We also re-immersed ourselves in some of the folk-tinged leanings of our childhood, from pentangle to petebog faeries. Our summer holidays involved stone circles and gonzo festivals with our mam and dad.
If the album could be a soundtrack to any film – which one and why?
I think it should be the soundtrack to a new Shane Meadows film. A Northern Western set in the Cumbrian Fells. A cat and mouse type scenario where some whacked out Pagan is on the run from the clergy. I can see some maypole fuckery, earth, rituals and mermaids in the mountain lakes. A modern day Wicker Man type vibe. Proper.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
I’m really proud of the lyrics on the full record. I see each track as a chapter of a book/story. The content all came from pages of a book of poems I am writing. I really love the lyrics on tracks like Thistles Kiss, The Dollywaggon and Buried Giant. But personally my favourite is Turning In as it's about the adventures me and my little boy get up to. The track recounts an adventure on this Isle of Mull, off Scotland.
Wild ponies turn
into the hills in the rain.
It’s been four weeks now and
I can feel the drain
of not turning in, of not turning in.
At night
we fit so perfectly.
Hand in hand
I know we dream, we do.
That’s me and you,
that’s me and you.
I wake to hear you humming,
outside our tent in Mull.
My boy
The Gidge
by the stream.
By the stream, he whispers to Heron.
Now the album is out there - what is next for you?
I’m typing this from the van as we ride to Liverpool from London. We are playing record stores and signing the album all week. We then play main stage at Deershed Festival before our UK tour in October where we play some beautiful hand picked venues like Trades Club in Hebden Bridge.
