http://hernameiscalla.com/
Her Name is Calla's debut album 'The Quiet Lamb' is utterly majestic. The bands thoughtful and considered approach to songwriting really pays off and rewards the listener with a slow-burning emotional journey.
The painstaking attention to detail during the records creation results in a complex layered sound which will take your breath away. The 17 (seventeen) minutes of "Condor and River" simply pass in an instant as you are immersed in its grandeur.
Sophie Green was kind enough to take the time out to answer some questions for me. Thanks, Sophie!
What inspired you to start making music?
For me personally, it was seeing Vanessa-Mae perform at the Palace Theare in Manchester when I was little - it was the loudest, most amazing thing I'd ever seen. I refused to go home, even when my ears hurt so badly. When I got home, I was happy I was sick. When I was older, I saw Owen Pallett support, and then perform, with Arcade Fire, at Academy 1 in Manchester. The room was hushed into reverence, and that was probably the most beautiful performance I'd ever seen - or have seen since.
For the boys, I think they wanted to be a Muse cover band.
What genre of music do you consider your work to be?
Everyone calls us post-rock, but then says we're revolutionising the genre by having vocals. I don't know if that means we're technically not post-rock. We're not sure what genre we are, as we never try to conform to a particular style. Some songs are quite folksy, others are very loud. And some songs have both those styles in one!
Of your own songs, which are you proudest of?
Condor and River, and New England. Before I joined the band, I'd seen the boys perform as a four-piece, and these songs blew me away. I wrote a big essay in second year at university with Condor and River on repeat - it's seventeen minutes long, with a long, rock-fuelled crescendo to the centre, and falls away with strings, brass, piano and vocals.
As for New England, that is a song that disintegrates into noise and chaos. When I finally got to play New England live myself, it was so exhilarating - it's still such a fun song to play.
In a selfish way, I'm proud of the string arrangements on Pour More Oil and Thief. In a non-selfish way, I'm proud of all of the songs on the album - they might not be recorded to perfection, but they were the songs we managed to get out whilst each going through some of the darkest periods of our lives.
Which artists do you feel have influenced your work and continue to do so?
We don't try to draw from certain artists, but we are inspired by beautiful, emotional performances.
Which song do you wish you had written?
Wake Up, Crown of Love, or In The Backseat, all by Arcade Fire. They're so full of elation and sadness.
What's the best gig you've attended in recent memory? Or a band that you’ve played with that made you go "wow"?
David Thomas Broughton puts on an amazing show - I remember sitting cross-legged at the very front of the audience, and being terrified and in awe. He strides about the crowd, singing a capella, playing all sorts of instruments... amazing!
If you were to curate an ATP event, who would you want to invite along?
Arcade Fire, Cat Power, Útidúr, Low, David Thomas Broughton, Shearwater, The Mountain Goats, Ólöf Arnalds, Peter Broderick, Mew, and a huge orchestra to play Ennio Morricone pieces.
Recommend to me, an artist that isn’t getting the attention they deserve.
Útidúr - I saw them play in Iceland when I was on holiday with my boyfriend, Gavin, and they blew me away. Huge amount of instruments, and the happiest and most beautiful band members ever.
http://utidur.bandcamp.com/
http://www.myspace.com/utidur
Thanks again, Sophie.
You can order 'The Quiet Lamb' now via Denovali and from the same site you can download mp3's of their debut mini album 'The Heritage' and 'Long Grass EP' for free. Also available on super sexy vinyl and CD. The CD box set is nearly sold out so hurry up if you want one of them, do because it looks lovely!
The band have some UK dates pencilled in for early November (not finalised yet) - make sure you go to your local one.
As I've done with the my other interviews so far, here is a mix-tape of some of the songs Sophie mentions, enjoy:
Her Name is Calla Mix by morrisday
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