We interviewed Angel Pier last March and since then lead singer Darragh Nolan has been our main insight to the mind of an indie rocker. On top of that, the music from the Ireland-based ensemble pleases us.
The group just finished recording a pair of tracks and plan to release an album this coming Fall. We got an opportunity to pick Darragh's brain regarding the recording process and the direction the group is heading.
MUF: Seems like you changed a little bit.
Darragh: We have changed quite a bit. We're happy with the direction, it's more us, less derivative - I hope.
MUF: How long were you recording?
Darragh: We recorded on and off for I think eight days. Most of the recording was done in the first few days, then we spent quite a while shaping as we knew the sound we wanted and had to figure out how to get it.
We definitely spent a lot longer on these tracks than any previous recording. Sacrifice EP was recorded in three days, but that was just a live band recording what we played. With these tracks we wanted to bring it that couple of steps further- create recordings that aim to grow over time, with repeated listens things should jump out or reveal themselves.
Experimenting with different keyboards, samples, arrangements, layering and layering vocals, somehow without crowding the recordings.
Jimmy Eadie produced them and he treated them like his babies, so we shaped and moulded the whole time we were in there... all for only two tracks but we're happy with the results.
MUF: Do you have other material you might test run at live shows, or are you satisfied with the two new tracks on top of the your previous work
Darragh: We have a couple more new tracks that we play live but they still need a bit more work before recording.
In terms of our previous work we're generally happier with the direction than before. Before we were trying lots of different directions all at once, not really sure where we were going...
MUF: It's encouraging to see that for a group from a fan's perspective. Some groups have five albums that all sound the same. Even if you have to find your groove over five years, it is much better than hearing manufactured filler.
Darragh: I guess we seem to have found what we're best at, without trying to be like anyone, you know?
MUF: Absolutely.
Darragh: Or at the very least the beginnings of the direction.
MUF: Did you have to take off from work during recording, or did you have a bunch of long weekends?
Darragh: A few days off, some weekends, a lot of evenings...
MUF: One last question about your recording - did you find it easier to deal with a different style/feel than what previous direction you were going at?
Darragh: In some ways it was easier I guess since we were already excited about the new tracks & getting them into the studio, but in other ways we had to work harder to get the exact vibe we were looking for, we were going to get them right if it killed us.
Thanks again to Darragh for taking the time from his busy schedule to answer a few questions. "Belong" and "Align The Seas" can be found on Angel Pier's Myspace. Their EP Bullet Holes & Broken Sectors is on iTunes while the Sacrifice EP can be streamed on garageband.com.
Upcoming tour dates for the group are below.
5/22/09 Stables - Mullingar #
5/23/09 Liverpool Sound City Festival Heebie Jeebies Court Yard - Liverpool, UK
5/28/09 Spirit Store - Dundulk #
6/1109 The Pavilion - Cork
6/12/09 Greystones Theatre - Greystones, Wicklow #
6/18/09 Dolans (Upstairs) - Limerick w/ The Kinetiks
8/1/09 Castlepalooza - Main Stage, Charlevill Castle, Tullamore
# - w/ The Kinetiks
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