No Bodies: No Bodies (2014)

Esencias Psicodélicas

Uno de los mejores Ep´s del año pasado lo editaron este combo llamado No Bodies, del que poco sabemos realmente. Tan sólo que publicaron su Cassette para Poncho Records, una compañía con base en Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canadá. 
¿Su sonido? Pues algo así como una aproximación Psicodélica a ciertos sonidos oscuros de los sesenta, en los que incluiría tanto la propia Psicodelia como el Garaje, el Raga o el Folk-Rock. Su forma de actualizarlo: acercándolo al Rock alternativo noventero. Muy muy interesantes. Os dejo con una entrevista aparecida en la publicación digital It´s Psychedelic, Baby:

Who are No Bodies?
Craig: James, Justin, Keith and me (Craig).
Where are you coming from?
Craig: Halifax, Nova Scotia.
You released an album on cassette, that I’m currently digging so much on Poncho Records from Halifax, Canada. What’s the story behind making this album?
Craig: It was recorded with James and Craig. We wanted to do a psych influenced band so we each wrote some songs and recorded them at the echo chamber which is a recording studio that James works at as an engineer. We weren’t sure what would come out of the recording, but it turned out pleasant enough and we were happy.
Where do your influences come from?
Craig: Well, for me I like melodic stuff like The Kinks, Flying Burrito Bros, Byrds, Jefferson Airplane but also other older bands like Morgen, 13th Floor Elevators, Pink Floyd, etc. the usual stuff that people like.
How is the local scene in your city? Are you involved with it? Any bands you would like to recommend?
Craig: Our scene is fantastic. Lots of great bands. Walrus, Shadow Folk, Best Fiends, Saffrons, Moon and many, many others.
I do a lot of booking and am fairly involved with the band scene.
Where did you record the album and what can you tell us about the recording process?
Craig: James can tell you about that more.
We just went to the studio late at night and tried to feel good.
James: We recorded it at Echo Chamber Audio in Halifax, NS. I work there as a part time engineer. We took a very experimental and relaxed approach to recording. Some songs were done with a single mic planted in the room recording both drums and guitar for a very live feel. Other songs we done with more modern techniques, recording each instrument individually with multiple microphones.
Do you all like to record?
No Bodies: Love it.
What gear was used?
James: We used a lot of different microphones to shape the sound. Anything I could find in the mic closet that I hadn’t used yet and was curious to hear. Hardly any condensers, mostly ribbons and dynamics for a darker/softer tone. Analogue and digital delays and spring reverbs. An ’70s MCI console for the front end. All recorded to a computer!
How about the cover artwork?
Craig: Wanted a picture for the bandcamp so searched public domain images. I thought the picture was a good fit for the music, as pretentious as that might sound.
How many copies were made?
Craig: 60 I think.
Do you have any new material?
Craig: Yup. A song hastily recorded for a comp on Poncho Records. A fair amount of other songs waiting to be recorded.
Does anything else exist? Were you in any other bands before this?
Craig: James and I have played in a lot of other bands before. Playing all sorts of different kinds of music.
Do you do any concerts or have a plan for the future?
Craig: I would like to record more. We probably will play house shows once and awhile. I suppose we will probably play different places if people ask us.
Lately there is a nice vinyl and cassette comeback and I myself am fucking crazy vinyl head and when I got your cassette it was really special feeling listening to it on tape deck. What’s your opinion about vinyl comeback and do you own a collection?
Craig: I have a huge vinyl collection. I love vinyl and I would love to have “No Bodies” on a record some day. I love everything about records, they create a special feeling for me which isn’t comparable to any other medium.
Poncho Records seems to be a really cool underground record company, that has been releasing some really rad stuff. How did you come in contact?
Craig: After we recorded the EP we were looking for someone to release it. I was a big fan of Walrus and it seemed they had their own label with Poncho. I thought our songs fit well with theirs so I asked Justin if he would be interested in doing something with it. Luckily he was.
What would you say are your songs about?
Craig: My songs on the EP are meant to be eerie. (Hopefully) Pretty melodies and song structures but with darker themes. Exploring concepts that have troubled me and giving that discomfort validity and purpose through “art”.
James: I try to make them ambiguous as possible. I like to think I’m creating a mood with a song rather than telling a story.
Well, thanks for taking your time guys. Would you like to share anything else with It’s Psychedelic Baby Magazine?
Craig: We are happy that you would take the time to interview us and have an interest in our band.

Poncho Records