Brian Hancheck é o The Arrctic Flow e vice e versa.
Desde 2008 o Arctic Flow vem nos brindando com uma série de belíssimos eps e um lindo e delicioso álbum All The Way Until December.
Basicamente a obra do The Arctic Flow transita entre o dreampop com doces pitadas de shoegazer, prevalecendo as doces melodias de Brian nas canções.
Seu último ep é de dezembro passado, Lost Wishes, o nome do disquinho e perfeito para se ouvir caminhando contemplando a vida e a todo o restante.
Brian me confidenciou que vem um novo ep pela frente e certamente vem a já conhecida classe e elegância do The Arctic Flow para conceber lindas e tenras canções.
Acima.
***** Interview with The Arctic Flow *****
1. When did Arctic Flow started, tell us about the history...
I began The Arctic Flow in 2008. I grew up playing in bands and had always written songs, but my songs never quite suited the bands I was playing in. I knew I had to venture out on my own and do a solo project. After I purchased a digital 8-track from a friend I started doing demos and was amazed at how I could use the 8-track to layer sounds and so I began to experiment with guitar soundscapes. Shortly after that, I started piecing together tracks that would eventually become the I Saw The Silver Sun EP. Back in those days the only music I listened to was Shoegaze, so A.R. Kane, Slowdive and Chapterhouse were the inspiration for those first songs.
Fast forward to 2009, I received an email from Jacob Graham, who is now a member of The Drums. He was running an internet-only label called Holiday Records. Each Friday, Holiday Records would release a single, or EP from a band and offer it as a free download. Anyway, Jacob emailed me out of the blue after hearing some songs I had up on Myspace and wanted to know if I would be interested in letting them put out something. He and I exchanged some ideas and he designed the cover and in July of 2009 our first EP, I Saw The Silver Sun, was released.
2. Who are your influences?
I feel my influences are pretty broad and diverse. I like all kinds of music. My main influences are The Smiths, followed by The Radio Dept., The Cure, New Order, The Cocteau Twins, Slowdive and Starflyer 59. I've also really become a fan of Sarah Records over the past 5 years. I think my guitar style is influenced by Jason Martin of Starflyer 59, Robin Guthrie of The Cocteau Twins, and Johnny Marr of The Smiths.
3. 5 top albums of all time
1. My Bloody Valentine-Loveless
2. The Cure-Disintegration
3. New Order-Substance
4. The Beach Boys-Pet Sounds
5. The Smiths-Meat Is Murder
4. How Do You Feel About Playing Live?
I used to feel indifferent about playing live, mainly because of a lack of confidence. I've never really fronted a band before and I never thought that anyone would be interested in seeing me just play guitar and sing some songs. All of that changed after I was invited to play the 2014 New York City Popfest. That was a turning point for me. Although I felt a bit awkward, I really enjoyed it. Now I'm in the process of booking shows for 2015.
Obviously, I can't tour or anything, but I'm definitely open to playing more shows this year.
5. How do you describe The Arctic Flow's sound?
I can't help put throw my influences into everything I do. However, I like to think of The Arctic Flow as an indiepop band. I think the "shoegaze" tag sort of puts us in a box, but that is what we first started out as. I think "dreampop" is the tag most associated with The Arctic Flow. I just like shimmering, dreamy sounds and soft vocals.
6. Tell us about the process of recording the songs ?
Recording is an exhausting process, because it's just me doing everything from writing and recording to playing all the instruments and singing all the vocals. I would love to have someone to come along side me and help during recording...especially when it comes time to mix, because I take an extremely long time to mix.
I usually always start out with drums and bass. I spend the most time tracking guitars. I used to spend an excruciating amount of time layering guitar tracks, but lately I've been adding more keyboards to my songs, and allowing just one or two really good guitar tracks into the mix.
Vocals always take the longest, but that's basically how the recording process works. It's not very glamorous.
7. Which new bands do you recommended?
There are so many new bands that are worth your attention, I can't possibly remember them all, but here are the ones that I have really liked lately: The Bilinda Butchers, She Sir, Alpaca Sports, The Luxembourg Signal, Work Drugs, Craft Spells, and Cascading Slopes. Not all of the bands are new, but they're new to me as I have just recently started getting into them, except The Bilinda Butchers and Alpaca Sports. Those two bands have sort of taken off on their own and I'm very excited to see them gain as much popularity as they have.
8. Which bands you love to made a cover version?
Actually, I've done three covers. I did a cover of "Imperial School" by Horseshoes in 2010. Then I recorded a version of "If You Need Someone" by The Field Mice for a compilation in 2011 that hasn't been released yet, but it's on our Soundcloud page. Thirdly, I contributed a version of "Until The Dream Gets Broken" by Trembling Blue Stars for a Dufflecoat Records compilation for that band.
I would like to cover a Beach Boys song or possibly a Cure song, put my own spin on them.
9. What´s the plans for future....
I have a lot planed this year. This month I'm going into the studio to start work on our next EP, and will also be recording tracks for a couple of compilations. There is so much more exciting news, but I just can't share it at the moment. Would it be OK if I share it with your blog when the time is appropriate?
10. Any parting words?
I just want to thank you for the interview and for the support. It's blogs like yours that really help little artists such as myself get listened to in places I never would have dreamed. I never would have thought that when I started The Arctic Flow in 2008/2009 that I would ever get anyone to listen. It's amazing how quickly things change. I'm truly grateful for everyone who supports The Arctic Flow. Cheers.
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Thanks Brian
https://thearcticflow.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Arctic-Flow
