More about: InHeaven
They've already got the seal of approval from The Strokes' Julian Casablancas, and now they're here for the rest of you. A dizzying bed of shoegaze underlies their sound, but enough enough edge and compulsion to send them racing into the future. Ladies and gentlemen, meet INHEAVEN.
We're pretty excited about what the rest of the year holds for INHEAVEN. But before we look too far into the future, we thought we'd ask frontman James Taylor about his past, and the ten albums that helped to shape him as a person and artist.
Make sure you catch INHEAVEN at Live At Leeds festival on Saturday 30 April, where they'll be performing on Leeds Beckett's Second Stage at 7pm. For tickets and more information visit here.
"Being in band you discover and listen to music all day, everyday," he said. "However some records hit you at the right moment, and shape who you are. Whether they are the records that soundtracked your misspent youth or bands you discovered at a more poignant moment in your life. Some records you can listen to over and over again, whilst still discovering something new to fall in love with. Here are 10 albums I feel changed my life and that became the blueprint for my band INHEAVEN."
Low - A Curtain Calls
"Low made music that was the polar opposite to their contemporaries of the time. Try listening to Coattails without getting goosebumps. I listened to this record purely because I fell in love with the cover and it has since become one of my all time favourites. Harmonies and melodies that could fill oceans."
Nirvana - In Utero
"Beauty and destruction in equal measure. Widescreen despair. Far superior to any other record of its era. Beatles worthy songwriting and a tragic flame that burns forever."
Sonic Youth - Sister
"Harsh experimental noise with glimmers of brilliant pop songwriting. A glimpse into what was to come. Opening with my all time favourite Sonic Youth song Schizophrenia. ‘My Future Is Static, It's Already Had It’ Also Kim Gordon, I love you. Thanx bye."
Deftones - White Pony
T"his album really did change my life, I must have listened to this record a million times and each time I fall in love with it again. A mix of metal, dream pop and shoegaze, Chino’s melodies are absolutely beautiful. Romance and violence set the mood and listening to it makes you feel like you’re floating."
Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream
"Following up from Gish (another great SP record), Siamese Dream is an explosive fuzz pop gem full of teen angst and daydreamer melodies. A massive influence on our band, and Billy Corgan is a huge influence on my songwriting. Doesn't really get better than this. Made me want to move to Chicago and grow my hair long."
Mazzy Star - So Tonight I Might See
"A beautiful cinematic record with a huge beating heart. It grabs you from start to finish, Hope Sandoval has a voice you could marry. This whole record sounds like it was recorded in the desert (but it probably wasn't)."
Suede - Suede
"Male or female, it's hard not to fall in love with Brett Anderson. This record is filled with venom, spite, tales of bored housewives and abuse, what else could you possibly want!? Some of the best guitar / lyrical work of the early 90's. Pre-dates the Britpop explosion and deserves a lot more recognition. With Bernard on the axe they were absolutely unstoppable!"
The Cure - Disintegration
"Robert Smith is surely one of the greatest songwriters of our time. And this for me is his masterpiece. An epic pop album that buries you deep into his world. 'Plainsong' is probably one of the best album openers ever, Robert’s vocal doesn't come in until the half way mark - but when it does it sweeps you off your feet. Surely also a massive influence on Deftones White Pony album."
My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
"It's hard not talk about MBV without sounding like you've fallen head first up your own arse so I'll keep it brief. The songs bleed into each other like nothing else. A soundscape of burning romance and desire. I fell for the love story and Kevin shields is a fascinating genius."
The Clash - London Calling
"Listening to The Clash makes you think and feel like you could change the world, like nothing can stop you. You can do anything you want. The Clash mean more to me than The Rolling Stones and The Beatles put together. A pinnacle of fearlessness and revolt. I love Mick as much as I love Joe. 'Train in Vain' is my favourite song on this album (although not originally printed on the track listing)."
'Baby's Alright' by INHEAVEN is out now. Check out their upcoming tour dates below.
27th April Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
28th April Fruit, Hull
30th April Live at Leeds Festival, Leeds
11th May The Rainbow, Birmingham w/ Yak
12th May Bungalow & Bears, Sheffield w/ Yak
13th May Stereo, Glasgow w/ Yak
14th May Deaf Institute, Manchester w/ Yak
15th May Brudenell Social Club, Leeds w/ Yak
17th May Purple Turtle, Reading w/ Yak
18th May The Exchange, Bristol w/ Yak
19th May The Cookie, Leicester w/ Yak
20th May Green Door Store @ The Great Escape Festival, Brighton
21st May The Bulingdon, Oxford w/ Yak
24th May Dingwalls, London w/ Yak
29th May Liverpool Sound City Festival, Liverpool
More about: InHeaven