INTERVIEW + MUSIC PERFORMANCE WITH FOLK ACT SOUND OF THE SIRENS


Sound Of The Sirens is the U.K. Folk act featuring artists Abbe Martin and Hannah Wood. The duo's new album, 'Damage Control,  is out buoyed by the lead single, 'These Are The Days'. The album showcases a body of work that is beautifully evocative and filled with layered harmonies, an album that cements why Sound Of The Sirens is quickly becoming a mainstay in the U.K. Folk and festival scene. I got some time to chat with the duo about the album, their creative process, artistic background, and more. The duo also provided an exclusive stripped-back performance of 'High Hopes' as well. Check it all out down below!


THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How did Sound of the Sirens come together? Can you delve into your artist's backstory a bit?

SOUND OF THE SIRENS: We met when we were both working at a nightclub in Exeter -Timepiece. We would sing on the walk home from shifts and on various nights out. We loved that place and George the owner was kind enough to give us our first ever gig as Sound of the Sirens-one Thursday in Sept…..what feels like a million years ago.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What has the creative and writing process been like this time around when it to this album? What about the recording process?

SOUND OF THE SIRENS: It's been a different experience as some of these songs started life in 2019 and we were gigging them and trying them out on audiences and then in 2020 the whole world stood still. We continued to write and some of the songs have a direct link to this time-like the final track on the album-The hope that we sail on. It was during the gaps in various lockdowns and rules changing that we were able to travel to Scotland to record this album. It was such an exciting trip for so many reasons. We finally got to record an album we had been working on for so long, with not just any change of scenery but the incredible backdrop of the highlands and lochs of Scotland.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: How do you feel you've grown as artists from your debut 'A Long Way to Fall’ to now with 'Damage Control'?

SOUND OF THE SIRENS: Our accents are less American! There are certain phrases on that recording that make me giggle although we are still so proud of the songs and the journey we’ve been on since we recorded that album in 2013. Recording that first album was the key to us offering something to our live audiences and certainly helped us get where we are. All artists starting out should have something to sell! That album was recorded live over 2 days with just our vocals, guitars, and percussion. This album has layered vocals, we play with more guitars, Han adds her piano, and then Andres added some incredible drums and Saul adds Bass and more. This album was produced and so the sound is fuller and stronger. 

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Do you have a lyric from Damage Control' that you find particularly felicitous to our times? 

SOUND OF THE SIRENS: ‘This is my head, this is my role, and the damage I must control’

This means ….we will all experience difficult emotions. But whatever mess that causes to ourselves or others we must remember that we are responsible. We picked this lyric for some Hoodies that are available from our Townsend store.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What's your process for dealing with performance anxiety?

SOUND OF THE SIRENS: Breathe. Focus on what you want to feel and how good that feeling is and don’t stop until you get it. Get the audience on your side, talk with them, laugh with them …and then they stop being scary.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: If you were to describe your (upcoming) album in only three words. What are they? 

SOUND OF THE SIRENS: Powerful, intriguing, catchy

SOUND OF SIRENS

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: If you were to throw a message in a bottle into the ocean, what would it say?

SOUND OF THE SIRENS: Abbe -You’re it! (That would make me laugh anyway)

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What was your favorite book as a child?

SOUND OF THE SIRENS: Abbe- I loved the story of the Elves and the Shoemaker when I was really little. We used that song to help us write a track called ‘All for the best’ on one of our EPS from 2015.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: What’s your earliest music memory?

SOUND OF THE SIRENS: Abbe- I think it would be singing in the car with my family. My Dad would hit the steering wheel whilst we all sang out. They were always quick silly songs that we still sing now.

THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER: Lastly, what is up next for Sound of the Sirens

SOUND OF THE SIRENS: After the success of our Album launch in London, we are so excited to take this album out on the road with Lucy Piper on Drums. We have 20 shows in the next 2 months and we will also be supporting Tony Hadley on his tour during this time. We have festivals over the summer including Kendal Calling and more to be announced soon. Keep an eye on our website and socials for more details. We also post almost daily on our Patreon page with regular Podcasts, behind-the-scenes photos, live streams, etc!


https://videopress.com/v/oHgaovC1?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true

Abbe and Hannah are a lively bunch! Thanks for sharing your music with us. Please if you live in the U.K. do check out a live show of theirs!


SOUND OF THE SIRENS // SOCIALS

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Stream Sound of the Siren's new album "Damage Control" out now


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