News Soft Metals

Soft Metals are Patricia Hall and her boyfriend Ian Hicks. Having recently released their self-titled debut LP through Captured Tracks, DIY caught up with the Portland Duo to discuss labels, LA & the future.

How did you meet and get together as a band?
Ian: I was living in SF at the time and came up to DJ a party in Portland that Patricia was putting on. We kept in touch on the internet and when I moved back to Portland, I heard a track that she had done vocals on. I then contacted her to see if she’d be interested in contributing vocals to a few songs and sketches I had been working on. First, we recorded a cover of Souxie & The Banshees ‘Red Light’ and then we began to work on what would become ‘Another Goodbye’.

What’s the best thing about being based in Portland?
I: Portland is nice because it allows you to have a high quality of life at a low cost of living. There are always great shows and DJ nights to go out to and plenty of amazing restaurants as well. We’re soon going to be relocating to Los Angeles though so that I can attend grad school. We’re excited to explore a new city and meet more like-minded musicians and friends.

Your music seamlessly blends a vintage 80s electronica sounds with a thoroughly modern twist. Was this a vision for your music that you’ve always held?
I:I feel like any vintage 80s electronica sound comes strictly from the instruments we use. A lot of times the interfaces on the older pieces of equipment can actually have an influence on the sound. I wouldn’t say that we approached the creative process with any sort of agenda to sound a certain way, we just sort of let the jamming take us where it will. I think that the modern-ness comes through because, well, we are modern and lots of music that has been made since the 80s counts as influences on us. We both love house and techno music and I think that it shows in some of our work.

Are there any concepts and topics that you like to revisit when writing music?
Patricia: Romance, conflict, dreams, technology, psychedelic experiences.

We’re excited about the release of your self-titled debut album next month. What can people expect from the record?
I: 10 original songs, two of which (‘The Cold World Melts’ and ‘Voices’) are completely new versions of songs from the EP. The LP delves deeper into the sounds and lyrical themes that were present on the EP and presents a more complete and developed picture of us as a band.

How does it compare, lyrically and musically with your debut EP ‘The Cold World Melts’?
I: Musically the LP is much more complex. There are many more layers and instruments being used in each song. The overall mood of the LP is more psychedelic leaning than the EP as well.

You’ve released your recordings on Captured Tracks. What’s it like working with them, and who would you say is your favourite artists on the label?
I & P: We’re very happy working with Captured Tracks, Mike and Katie are amazing: quick, supportive and give very sound advice. Don’t make us play favourites! We’re really into Cosmetics, Led er Est, The Soft Moon, Thieves Like Us, Wild Nothing, Beach Fossils, Craft Spells, Blouse, Blank Dogs, and we’re really looking forward to hearing more from Further Reductions.

Who and what continues to inspire you both when creating music?
I: I am very inspired by sound textures and music technology. A lot of the time music that I make comes from a place of experimentation: ‘what would happen if I hooked this up this and ran it through this’ sometimes the results work out in a way you’d never expect and can be really inspiring.
P: I get inspired by things happening in my life- like my relationships to others and my self and the films and documentaries I watch or books I read. For example: The film The Lives Of Others inspired the lyrics/theme of ‘The Cold World Melts’. ‘Psychic Driving’ was inspired by the Adam Curtis documentary, The Living Dead, ‘Eyes Closed’ is a song about making peace with someone you love who died suddenly and whom you had an unresolved conflict with. It’s about realising the spirit is wise and finds peace and unity with the cosmos.

What was the last album and single you bought?
I: Conrad Schnitzler - Ballet Statique and Disco Nihilist - It’s Grim Up North
P: Philippe Laurent- Hot Bip, Jeff and Jane Hudson- Flesh.

If you had to learn a new instrument, what would you choose?
I: Probably the Cello, I really like the range of it, deep but not so deep that it couldn’t be used that well solo.
P: Maybe the sitar or some African or Latin American drums. It would be fun to be part of a Gamelan orchestra.

Recommend us a new band.
Innergaze from Brooklyn, NY

Where can people see you perform in the UK this summer?
P: Wherever we get flown out to play. Nothing is in the works as of yet, but we are very eager to make it over to the UK and other worldwide destinations as soon as possible.

What’s next for the Soft Metals?
I: We’re having a release party in Portland on the 27th July, then we are going to be moving to LA in early August. After we get settled I’m sure we’ll start working on some new material, we’ve kind of had some ideas that could turn into an EP or maybe even a start for a new LP.
P: I am really excited to see how LA influences our work. It’s pretty much the opposite of Portland. The first thing I want to do when we get there is start some new recordings.

Soft Metals’ self-titled debut is out now via Captured Tracks.