News Lanterns On The Lake

What’s the best way of finding out lots and lots about a new artist in quite a short period of time? Just ask them lots of questions really quickly.

We put our quickfire Q&A to Hazel Wilde, from recent Bella Union signing Lanterns On The Lake. The band are currently gearing up to release their debut album, ‘Gracious Tide, Take Me Home’, on 19th September.

Why did you, personally, join the band?
I think I’ve wanted to be in a band or making music with other people since I was pretty young and I started writing songs. I can’t really remember a time when I didn’t want to be in a band so I couldn’t explain the reasons for wanting to start or join one, it’s just something that I’d always intended to do.

Where did you all meet?
We got together about 3 years ago but we’ve all known each other for a lot longer. Me, Paul and Ol have been close friends for a long time. The three of us wanted to put together a band because we had some songs that we’d been writing. Me and Sarah went to school together and she lives round the corner from me. Brendan and Adam are brothers and we’d got to know them through playing in various bands on the Newcastle music scene.

What’s the best thing about being a band in Newcastle?
There’s so much going on in Newcastle at the moment and there’s no particular musical style or a cohesive ‘Newcastle sound’ so I think that’s quite a healthy thing. Also, more and more bands seem to be becoming proactive too like self-releasing their music, putting on their own nights etc. I guess there’s always been that DIY element here since the whole Slampt scene in the early 90’s but it seems to be more prominent now. I suppose technology and the internet has made that a lot easier for people and more of the ‘done thing’ nowadays.

What’s your favourite ‘being in a band’ perk?
It would have to be the luxury toilets at festivals. Come to think of it, that’s probably the only ‘being in a band’ perk.

When you first started to get into music, who was your favourite musician?
Some of the first music I think I can remember giving me shivers is Fats Domino’s version of Blueberry Hill. It must have been on a mixtape of my parents or something. I found it really captivating.

Name one album that would appear in your Top Five of all time so far.
Blue by Joni Mitchell

If you had to learn a new instrument, what would you choose?
I’d love to be able to play the drums properly.

Describe your forthcoming debut album, ‘Gracious Tide, Take Me Home’, in three words.
Fragile. Warm. Honest.

Which is your favourite track on the record?
That’s a very difficult question because I feel quite attached to all of them. If I had to choose just one I’d possibly pick ‘You’re Almost There’ – I love Paul’s guitars on that one. Although if you asked me this again tomorrow I’d probably pick a different song.

Which is your social network of choice?
I don’t know that many social networks to be honest but I’ll go with Twitter as it seems the least complicated and less likely for people to bombard you with their personal thoughts, opinions, photographs.

Where would you most like to be right now?
In bed. That would be lovely.

What would your superpower be?
It would definitely involve time travel a la Sam Becket in Quantum Leap or the ability to freeze time like that kid in Bernard’s Watch. Actually, I think being able to travel in time would be the best because the novelty of just being able to freeze time would wear off after a while and you’d feel like a bit of a creep just looking at frozen people all day.

What’s your most unappealing habit?
Sleeping in late.

Who would you most like to go on a huge world tour with?
The National, The Cure… actually I’ll stop there because there’s far too many to list.

Would you ever go solo?
At the moment it isn’t something I think I would enjoy at all but who knows, things might change. Lanterns is where my heart is for now though.

What was the last album / single you bought?
PJ Harvey – Let England Shake

If you could bring back a long-gone band, which would you choose?
The Beatles.

Recommend us a new band.
Grandfather Birds .

Where would you like to be this time next year?
I’d like to be starting on the next record.

What’s next on the cards for Lanterns On The Lake?
We have lots of shows coming up including a support tour with Yann Tiersen in October. It’s going to be a pretty busy few months and we’ve got a few ideas for new songs that we’re looking forward to working on too when we get the time.

Lanterns On The Lake - You’re Almost There by Bella Union