Turbulent Interview
WORDS: Yasmin Begum (Sprout Editorial Group)
We Love Turbulence! are a two-piece Belfast?alternative post-rock group in the vein of modern experimental?outfits such as Explosions In The Sky (see video) and Caspian.
The variety in their sound is astonishing, with spectacular effects being created from just guitars and drums.
Despite being relatively small on their local?scene, they are gaining popularity?with talk of an EP.
TheSprout: Adam, you're in a Belfast-based band called We Love Turbulence! Why the name??
Adam Horner: The word turbulence is actually nothing to do with plane turbulence, it was just a word that we used when it got to the more frantic parts in our work (which we loved), hence We Love Turbulence!
TS: Your sound is distinctive on the modern independent music scene. You take such an experimental approach to your work: walls of sound, guitar pedals and no vocals. What inspires that?
AH: Neither Peter or I could sing for a start! We both started listening to a lot of instrumental bands. I decided to go and see the band Explosions In The Sky in Dublin and after seeing them, my life changed. I realised that music doesn't need lyrics to be good. However, if the time comes when we feel we need a vocalist, we'll look for one. As for the experimental part, to be honest we want to do something different. We would love to start a new scene in Northern Ireland for this type of music. I think that the indie scene has gone on for too long.
TS: What do you think of the British music scene at the moment, both mainsteam and underground?
AH: The British music scene at the moment is brilliant- I can actually listen to Radio?One during the day without cringing. The music industry it would seem is getting much more entertaining and I think people are becoming more aware of what good music is. The underground scene is good, but I'd love dubstep to become much more popular. I'm currently obssesed with this type of electronic music. The scene in Belfast has never been better, there are more bands than ever and I have certainly been influenced by this. I've come to realise that all I really want to do is either play music or work in the music industry in some shape or form.
TS: That's an incredibly strong feeling and drive to have. What bands influenced you to become so passionate about what you do?
AH: On the international side of things, Ian Mackaye (singer of the new-defunct Minor Threat and lead man of cult-group Fugazi) is the most inspirational person in my life. His DIY attitude baffles me. I love Explosions In The Sky, as I mentioned earlier, and Therapy? Also, Tool and Cat Power have been two bands/artists who have helped me through some difficult times. As we speak I'm currently listening to a local band that have inspired me the most called And So I Watch You From Afar.
TS: You're part of a two piece, how did you two meet?
AH: Pete and I met at a friend's birthday party. He was wearing skate shoes so I thought that he'd be cool to talk to. Funnily enough, he was! He's now one of my best friends- we're both musically on the same wavelength and love the same bands. It's great playing and performing with someone who's as passionate about something as I am.
TS: Weren't you part of a former band called These Hills Have Eyes? What happened there?
AH: Yeah, we've been through a lot to get where we are now - at one stage we were a four piece - but I think Pete and I wanted to do something different which didn't really appeal to the other two.
TS: The songs on your MySpace profile are really promising, are there any plans for an EP?
AH: We're working on music at the moment, so an EP will hopefully be out for around Chrimbo. We're going to call it If You Lick The Lollipop Of Mediocrity, Then You SUCK!
TS: How has the local scene in Belfast responded to your music?
AH: Well, truth be told we've only played one gig so far, but it went really well. The crowd seemed to like what we were doing; we've got gigs coming up and plan to gig all over the summer.
