Neu Love Inks

Austin, Texas dream-pop three-piece Love Inks are gearing up for the release of their debut album, having just released their first single ‘Blackeye’ on limited edition 7’ vinyl through Italian label Hell, Yes!. We sent over a few questions to find out more about them.

Hello Love Inks! Who is it we’re speaking to here? What’ve you been up to today?
Hello! This is Kevin, I play bass in the band. I am just getting up for the day and letting out our dog Nixon who was recently sprayed by a skunk. Last night we played with Pure X and Real Estate, it was a fun show.

How was SXSW this year? How do you think your experience of it differs, being from Austin?
It was ok, we pretend like we know much more being from here but it’s a different city during that week. Most locals hide out and hold their ears in their hands. I guess you have to do that sometimes, I know I’ve done it before. It can be super inspiring. Sometimes I write the best music knowing that something good is going on and I’m missing it; more times than not you’re not missing much if you know what I mean.

We’ve not seen much of you in the UK yet?
Love Inks have never been there yet, but we hope to soon. We are getting ready to play more shows, get a drummer and synth player. We’re mostly getting ready to tour the U.S. and then we’ll see about plane tickets and Europe. We are excited for the UK though. Sherry and I just traded her mom who has a Chrysler van; we gave her our Volvo station wagon so we’re ready come May.

Your debut album was self-recorded; did you teach yourselves to do it, or are you trained?
I don’t think you can call it teaching yourself when you learn by fucking it up over and over again. I still don’t know what I’m doing. Neither does anyone in the band. At this point we can pinpoint where excessive white noise is coming from or amps hissing, but every time you record you find snags. Every time you do it you learn something, I don’t think that changes.

The method, using an 8-track reel-to-reel, sounds very interesting. Can you tell us a bit more about it?
It’s just more simple I guess. All the instruments go straight to tape. We started using that machine years ago and it’s bulky and a pain in the ass and nobody really wants to deal with analog equipment these days except for freak audiophiles, but we could get one on the cheap. Then you find out that the companies who make the tape are going out of business and if they break down then you’re fucked. I guess I have been really avoiding technology and still do. It goes back to the type writer— I’ll always prefer that to the computer, but which one is more efficient, it gives me a headache. Really though, when it comes down to it and someone wants to jack your shit, what are they going to go for first, your typewriter or your computer?

You guys sound quite experimental in your techniques?
It’s nothing crazy. Simple is the new experimental!

Finally, what are your aspirations as a band? Do you have any particular goals in mind?
We are ready for the next album. But before that, touring.

Love Inks’ debut album ‘E.S.P’ will be released on 2nd May via Hell, Yes!.