Welcome to another Beneath the Surface session, today with brilliant with the brilliant Northampton garage rock duo Fountain! Having just released their new EP ‘Talking To Ghosts’ to widespread acclaim, the pair are riding a high. We asked them some questions about the release and their upcoming plans:
What inspired the overarching theme of Talking to Ghosts? Can you elaborate on the idea of “death and rebirth” that you mentioned as a central concept of the EP?
The themes of Death and Rebirth were extracted from the construct of time. The ever changing and impactful events that can alter the course of the future. The phrase “Talking to Ghosts” speaks to (pun intended) the concept of being able to communicate with a previous self and a future self.
The EP was recorded in a chapel. How did the unique atmosphere of the recording space influence the sound and creative process? Did it add a particular energy or tone to the tracks?
When we began recording the EP in the Chapel… The almost obvious connection to the supernatural was something that we established after we had finalised the title. The association with the setting, title and message seemed to be a result of one of those moments that sort of magically create themselves. Perhaps even without our knowledge.
Your music draws comparisons to bands like The Black Keys and Queens of the Stone Age, yet maintains its unique identity. How do you balance your influences with crafting a distinctive sound?
From the beginning we were determined to have a sound that when anyone heard it – They would immediately say, “That’s Fountain”. Our objective was to not fall into the cracks of regularity and be thought of just as another band, so we have made a conscious effort to stand out. We refined our abilities and decided to only settle for something we are completely satisfied with.
Our influences would seem to reveal and let themselves be known, when our listeners make the comparison! Fortunately, the comparisons that are and have been made are the artists we respect and admire! The compliments are never lost on us.
The EP captures the energy of your live performances. How did you translate that high-octane intensity into the studio recordings, and was it challenging to maintain that rawness in a produced setting?
We have the benefit of being able to find inspiration from each other and from our surroundings. We capitalise on the energy in the room we are working in, we take note of the feeling in those moments and retain them so they can be used in any setting.
What themes or personal experiences shaped the storytelling on this EP, and how do you hope listeners will connect with it?
Within each track lies a story, either from real life experience or as a product of fiction. We as story tellers thrive on the ambiguity of those stories. We decorate the lyrics with pieces of truth and fantasy. The objective is for the lyrics and music to resonate with our listeners. We hope they can identify with them as both something they long for or something they have experienced.
What’s the plan after the tour? New music? More live dates next year?
Absolutely. Undeniably. Irrefutably, to all questions! We are continuously writing and producing new music and with our strong desire to share it…. We will be back on the road before you can say, “Fountain, are coming to town…. I HAVE TO BE THERE”
Listen to the new EP below: