There is so much happening in the Electric Black camp at the moment. I just had to catch up with frontman Alistair Shiach, to discuss the new album ‘Late Night Lightning’ and what we can expect from the band at the start of 2024.
Electric Black
DD – Album 2 ‘Late Night Lightning’ will be released on Jan 20th. How did that title come about ?
AS – The Album title was birthed over a pint at The Hatton Locks pub after a busy weekend/evening recording session. We recorded the album just down the road from there at Gospel Oak Studio. Due to time constraints/diary clashes, tracking (after drums) took place across a period of a few months and weekends involving much back and forth travel between Warwickshire and Hertfordshire. As such there were many late journeys back down south reflecting on the sessions, hence ‘Late Night Lightning’. Additionally there’s some fruity moments on the album, and, well, we all know what happens after dark – ‘Late Night Lightning’!
DD – What have you learned since your debut ‘The Calm Before’ ?
AS – I think the biggest change from The Calm Before is our focus on the mood of songs. This fundamentally starts with the writing, ensuring ideas are worked and reworked to become most impactful. You need to live and breathe with songs for a while. This attention to execution ramps up when going in to record, ensuring the sonics and tones reflect the track and lyric as best possible. In summary I’d say we had a much better idea of how we wanted to sound on this album – and subsequently knew what wouldn’t make the cut.
DD – Have you done things differently this time around ?
AS – The approach for this album was massively different; bigger budget, bigger timescale, and critically working with a producer. We chose to work with Mike Exeter off the back of him recording our EP (a project to test the waters). Mike really brought a lot to the LNL project both personally and professionally – an obvious wealth of recording experience and production ability as a Grammy winner, but also a human element to bring out the best in us as individuals. I think that’s the biggest task with a project like an album!! This was also the first album project that we’ve all signed off on together; the first album was almost entirely written and ready when Ry and Matt joined the band (and we became Electric Black as the world knows us). With LNL, song ideas myself and Jon brought to the table were developed further as a collective and I think that’s evident in the final sound.
DD – Looking at your Facebook page, tracks were written as far back as January 2021, how did you decide on the final 12 ?
AS – Deciding on the final tracks was fairly easy to be honest – they naturally build their case in rehearsal spaces or fall by the wayside. There’s a track ‘Calendar Queen’ on the aforementioned EP which I originally had plans to be on the album but as new tracks developed it became clear it would be better suited as an EP lead. It happened to win track of the week on Planet Rock which was nice, and we’re seeing further Electric Black support and adoption with LNL tracks. Some of the tracks (or riffs at least) were initially conceived during Lockdowns as we traded ideas across the internet to keep creative juices flowing – funny when you get in a room again together for the first time and realise how differently people interpret what they’ve heard.
DD – You’ve already released singles as tasters, what response have you been getting ?
AS – We’ve honestly had the best responses to the singles so far, quite unbelievable actually. Of course we each have favourite tracks, but I genuinely feel this album could be 11 or 12 single releases (although I could be a little biassed aha). We purposefully flavoured the album with sonic diversity, and that’s been reflected in the range and strength of reception by public and industry alike. The album-only tracks are killer in their own right – we’ll leave those for fans to discover once they’ve tried the record out!
Watch the video for the first single – Sick Of Myself
DD – How important is it for you, to see your music high in the charts ?
AS – Chart placement was never really on our radar but has become a strategy that up-and-comers like to play, so it made sense to throw our hat in the ring too, but was never a motivation in the writing of this album. Having said that we want to massively MASSIVELY thank everyone who’s trusted us enough to preorder LNL and assist our chart campaign – the realisation of your support throughout this album campaign has been wonderful and very affirming. We’re sure you’ll love the product so lets see what happens come release week.
DD – What can you reveal about the meaning behind some of the tracks, Is there a general theme ?
AS – There’s not a general theme to the album but there are some reappearing topics – sex and chemistry, self awareness, and conflicts (politically and within oneself). Guess you’ll have to give the album a listen and see how it makes you feel!
DD – Your marketing strategy is phenomenal , so much merchandise and choices for fans, do you agree that it’s part and parcel for bands these days to offer such a wide range ?
AS – Thank you for those kind words. To be honest we just like creating products that we’d enjoy, in the same way we record songs that we enjoy. I think in this era it’s extra important to create and maintain connection with your real organic fanbase otherwise it’d be so easy to get lost in the noise of the digital age. New merch drops, limited runs, and fan clubs are all ways to have fun with your followers when not sharing the obvious gig environment that we all love. I hope our Electric Black brand feels accessible, that WE feel accessible – until we get onstage of course, then it’s time to put on a show and do rockstar sh*t.
DD – The Album release party is on January 20th at Club 85 in your local town of Hitchin, does that venue hold any special memories ?
AS – Club 85 is very special to us. We all cut our teeth there in various projects over the years and watched touring bands play through there as teenagers. We also launched the first album and The EP there, to a beautiful full hometown crowd – more of the same for LNL release party on Jan 20th please! This album release show will be extra special for us as it will almost certainly be our last time playing Club 85; it is unfortunately due to close in the coming months to become residential property. Special thanks to Bob Mardon and his team over the years for all they’ve done for the local scene. Come down and give us a big send off on Jan 20th!
DD – Are you planning a tour to promote the new album, When can we see you on the road again ?
AS – Looking beyond the Jan 20th album release show, we are going on tour with Bad Touch and The Karma Effect running Feb 16th – April 13th. Playing some mega venues all across the UK so please do come join us. Tickets available across all 3 bands websites. Cant wait to see you all on the road!
AS – Thank you to everyone for your unwavering support on our musical journey so far. Depending on when this goes to print you can preorder Late Night Lightning NOW, in all formats and numerous variants, at www.electricblack.co.uk. All orders right up to Jan 19th count for our chart push. Many thanks and see you at a show real soon. Ali x
Thank you Ali , I’ll see you on tour next month xx
Keep up to date with Electric Black on their socials, where you can pre order the new album and bag some awesome merch – FACEBOOK WEBSITE
