Southampton six-piece, Haunted Stereo, have come a long way since signing to indie label Sotones. The gang are about to release double A side single On A Pin / Lock The Doors (out May 17th) but kindly stopped by Panic Dots HQ to tell us about the release, their dream festival line-up and what’s haunting their stereo…
1. Please introduce Haunted Stereo to Panic Dots…
We are a six-piece from Southampton and formed in late 2007. Lewis and Andy started the group from a shared desire to break away from the classic rock band format. We wanted to be as creative as possible and not place restrictions on structure and arrangements. It was very liberating at first, but we have come to realise that you need some limitations – otherwise you may never make up your mind on anything, or find a direction.
2. You seem to be a band of many! What are the pros and cons of being in a band with lots of members?
It is really great for getting people to gigs and it is fun all hanging out together. The difficulties can be matching up so many people’s diaries and getting everyone and all our equipment about.
3. Haunted Stereo is an interesting name… do you believe in ghosts? And if ghosts haunted *your* stereo, what would it sound like?
Our drummer believes in ghosts, no one else does though. If our stereo was haunted it would probably sound like Kate McGarrigle having a cup of tea with Jimi Hendrix.
4. Some of your tracks sound a little like Arcade Fire spliced with a little bit of Dirty Three – would you say this is accurate?
We did not know Dirty Three before you mentioned them. But they sound ace! Thanks for bringing them to our attention… Arcade Fire are also a very special band, but we do not really take a particular influence from them. The nice thing about being a six-piece is that you end up with such a mixture of inspiration. Lewis, for example, very much likes The Decemberists and Devotchka, Andy draws influence from more classic singer-songwriters, such as Neil Young and Anja loves composers, such as Michael Nyman, the combination of which can be quite interesting.
5. There are lots of indie bands floating about nowadays – how do Haunted Stereo stand-out from the crowd?
We hope we stand out… Collectively we bring lots of different influences to the table, as we have such varied background, and we think our songs are concoctions of that. But most importantly, we try to have fun with it all.
6. You release the double A side single “On A Pin / Lock The Doors” in May – have you any plans to release an album / EP thereafter?
This is our first single with Sotones Records, which is a co-operative Southampton-based label. We will probably follow this up with another single later this year and possibly get involved with a collaborative project with some of the other Sotones artists. Of course we also would not say no to the idea of an album and would love to start working on that at the end of the year.
7. If the single was the theme tune to any TV show past or present – what would you like it to be?
Andy and Lewis live and breathe Seinfeld at the moment, so maybe that could be an idea. Although we are quite happy with the way that sounds as it was and is.
8. What would be your ideal festival line-up (with you on the bill of course!)?
There are so many bands that we like, we could all easily put on our own stages each. But on them we would definitely have to include a late night performace from Mercury Rev, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Björk, Justice and Cornelius – and of course all our friends from Sotones.
9. Who are your favourite ladies in music (past or present)?
Oh there are so many! Definitely Björk, Anne Brun, Nina Nastasia, Joni Mitchell, Josephine Foster, Beth Gibbs, Kate Bush, Kate McGarrigale, Camille, Abigail Washburn and maybe even Beyonce…
10. Finally, what’s your band wish list for 2010?
We would love to do the festival circuit and are hoping for general Sotones take-off. Their roster definitely needs to be heard!
The double A side single On A Pin / Lock The Doors is out on May 17th 2010… Keep checking Haunted Stereo’s official website for more details…
