Love and loss are emotions which on paper may seem to sit at opposite ends of the spectrum, worlds away from each other, but those who have experienced both can honestly say that the two go hand in hand like a match made in heaven. Like light and dark, good and evil, one cannot exist without the other and are always nearby. Oxford based quintet Lastelle know all too well the relationship between the two, as their latest EP Delicate explores the lives once lived to the fullest and put pen to paper to muse on the pain as a healthy outlet. Having just recently signed to Year of the Rat records however, have allowed the band to grasp new opportunities;
“Signing with them has allowed us to reach a wider scope of people and The Delicate EP to be heard by those who hadn’t heard about us prior. We're thankful for the hard work that James has put in, and as a new label it's allowed us to both grow together.”
What kind of differences do you find this EP has compared to your previous material? Anything different about the writing/recording process?
“We found our feet a lot more with this record, and it was written much more to our strengths. Some parts of the first EP Harrow were written before LASTELLE ever existed, whereas this EP's material was entirely composed by us as a collective, with everyone's tastes and opinions materialising throughout. We went into it with a lot more confidence in ourselves, and a much clearer vision of what we wanted to come out the other end.”
Which track off of the upcoming EP are you most looking forward to playing onstage when gigs return, and having crowds hear in a live setting?
“I feel like ‘Coping Without A Cure’ will be great to play live, as it's just a wall of sound made up of huge emotional melodies. It's weird to think that the EP will be out and we won't have played any of these songs live! Every band is in the same boat, but we really can’t wait to play gigs again! It’s the best part of being in a band.”
The bands ethos and beliefs weave a pattern throughout their art, from their lyrics to their imagery, and their logo embodies it all;
“We've always resonated with the imagery of flowers. They're something we as a society heavily associate with love and loss, which is the primary lyrical focus of our music. It just kind of made sense for us. We also always wanted something that people could see and immediately associate with us, and I think that’s worked.”
Having mentioned that the track ‘Departure’ was written in response to losing an uncle whom had great influence and importance over Freddie Whatmore, he states:
“I think one of the biggest things he taught me was to just enjoy music. He had such a genuine love for it, and that reflected on to me. Yes, we play sad music, but we love doing it, and there's no point if you’re not enjoying it. To deal with it, the lyric that says it for me is; ‘I was blessed to have loved you and lost you, than to never have loved you at all.’”
Bearing your soul lyrically, are there any hurdles, bumps in the road, or difficulties you came across whilst trying to convey your feelings?
“Personally I find that lyrics either flow or they don't. Sometimes the harder the subject, the easier it is to write about. That personal connection can make it easier when there's actually something you want to get off your chest.”
You’ve claimed that this band is a creative and healthy outlet for your emotions; which of your lyrics would you say are the darkest, and which lyric is the happiest?
“Happy lyrics definitely aren't our strong point… I'd probably say "Take me back to the bluebells in spring, where two hearts were in bloom and this love evergreen" from our track ‘Bluebells’ because it at least conjures up pretty imagery!
For the darkest, the whole of our song "The Silence Hurts The Most" from our first EP Harrow. It tells the story of a car crash and the accidental death of a child due to their father's anger. Not very cheery at all!
Was ‘Reverie’ intended to be a light and blissful instrumental to break up the poignant atmosphere within the EP?
“Yes it was, as we wanted a reason to focus on the more ambient side of our music without shoehorning something into a song unnecessarily.”
Subduing the dark cloud is a constant battle, sometimes won and sometimes lost, and never truly over. The events of 2020 didn’t help the situation, and people had to find new and inventive ways of keeping themselves distracted from reality. When inquired about what hobbies had been keeping the band preoccupied during lockdown, they state:
“Music has definitely kept me sane. I’m trying to take the time to write as much as possible, but you do find yourself lacking motivation when every day is so similar. All my other hobbies are fairly social and have come to a bit of a halt for the meantime.”
“I’ve become more glued to my phone and it’s really annoying! Having to rely on social interactions via the internet has made it more essential and I hate how much I find myself looking at it. It’s the only way I can talk to the people I want to talk to these days.”
What day jobs do you all do? Do you enjoy them?
“Rich and Adam run their own video production company PurpleYam Productions, who’re responsible for all of our music videos. Mike and myself work in retail, and Fred is usually doing all sorts of musical odd jobs, function bands, van driving, tour managing. I’d much rather be touring with the band than at work, but being able to work in a music shop is great when we’re not doing that!”
Lastelle’s new EP Delicate is available from 26th February across all streaming platforms, as well as physical copies here. To keep up with the band and stay updated with tour dates, follow their social medias below.
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