Second weekend in lockdown complete. While the days are still unconsciously blurring into one, we can take solace in the fact that it seems guidance is finally being followed – travel on London tube and trains is reportedly down 90%, government press conferences are now being tabled via webcam – it seems people are beginning to actually take this seriously. That’s not to say things are about to get better, much still needs to be done. Please continue staying at home.
Glaswegians Vlure are one of a number of prospective groups that this year had begun to truly make a name for themselves, before Coronavirus wiped out the live music industry for the foreseeable future. Their utterly encompassing live show has quickly become the talk around the proverbial water cooler – urgent, destructive and completely absorbing.
Brutalist in form – unyielding, massive-sounding, distinctive – their atmospheric, yearning mood is overflowing with inclination and exposed tenderness – vulnerable and exasperated. They pound the door down with every inch of blood, sweat and tears in their vessels.
Today, the group share with us their Sounds of Defiance for Isolation Selection. Not only an empowering collection to balance and will you on but also an insight into the way in which the band ticks themselves, a revealing behind the curtains peek at a band only just beginning to find the peak of their powers.
These really are unprecedented times, how are you, how are you all feeling in all this?
Hamish: Bored beyond belief, just trying to keep busy. Cleaned behind the fridge and then freezer today, that killed an hour”
Alex: I have only just processed the longevity of this situation. It’s hard not to feel hopeless… but it’s so important to use this time to slow down, check up on one another and try to find some light in this darkness.
Niall: It’s odd, feels like I’m back at school and it’s the holidays. Except this time round I’m learning to enjoy watching 5 movies a day and how not to get on the nerves of everyone I’m living with.
Conor: It’s important to focus on positivity. It’s been a good time for reflection thus far. Artistically, and personally it has provided space, understanding and clarity that sometimes the sheer pace of the world doesn’t make room for. When externals are removed, you have little choice but to look inside yourself.
Carlo: It feels like I’m now part of one of the post apocalyptic movies I always watch. Though instead of fighting zombies I’m writing my dissertation…
Can you quite comprehend the impact this is having on the music industry?
H: No, I don’t think it will be even remotely comprehendible until well after the dust settles and things start moving forward again. It’s been such a drastic shift in momentum for the industry, now not being able to rely on live shows, for the foreseeable. This time that we’re living in having a huge impact on the self employed, non-contracted and freelance workers of the industry most, such as photographers, sound techs, producers, session musicians, hospitality workers etc. we all need to look out for and support each other the best we can! So go and buy the records, magazines or any merchandise, if you can afford to!
I know at this stage it’s perhaps not the most important of things to consider, but do you think when all this is said and done, the foundations and the nature in which the industry runs will change?
H: Well, I think the way in which music is consumed by everyone from industry to public is gonny change tenfold. Especially in this time when everyone will need to rely on the release, without the live show or tour to go with it. It’s going to be an extremely busy time for any band digitally and it’ll be a fight to keep up the pace. But hopefully, at the end of it all there’ll be an abundance of new music and shows/pubs/restaurants/theatres will be full to capacity most if not every night because we shall all rejoice in being able to experience what we’ve been deprived of during this captive time.
As a new band starting to find your feet, particularly within the live circuit, how have you found it so far?
H: From our first practice; to our first show; to right now. It’s been pretty surreal, we’ve been able to play up and down the country with so many class bands and great friends. For us this started with the five of us coming together through the love of tunes and very shortly got to love one another like family. Being able to kick about, release cool things, share experiences and play shows with your best pals is what it’s all about. Like all artists the right decision was made to postpone all upcoming shows, but we can’t wait for this to end and for us to get on with doing what we love.
Take us through your playlist, what does it mean to you?
We decided to create a “Sounds of Defiance” playlist, made up of three songs from each member. Songs to spur us on and keep fighting through this difficult time!