Ultimate Painting: “We don’t see it as a side-project”

The two guys behind the project are Veronica Falls’ James Hoare and Mazes’ mainman Jack Cooper. “Jack’s band Mazes came on tour with my band in Europe for three weeks,” continues James. “I vaguely knew Jack and had seen his band play; neither had left a particular strong impression. [Then] as soon as the tour started we got along really well and I realised we had a lot in common. We grew up listening to the same 60s bands and had the same references. After a week in Germany, culminating in a Munich dance club on acid it became clear to me we had to start doing music together.”

The beginnings of Ultimate Painting, then, really were that simple. “A short while after, we started recording in my flat. The whole album was done in my bedroom on my 8 track, all mixed live: no computers. Just tape and a spring reverb made out of a drainpipe.”

If anything is the element that bonds the project together, it’s keeping things natural. “For me,” adds in Jack, “this is far nearer to my comfort zone than Mazes is. I write Mazes songs with the way Neil, Conan and I play together or the way we play best. So to write like that is more like a craft. It’s fun to write like that, but this is way different… far more natural, so it’s never felt challenging.”

It’s also not something they want to give a label; the pair are clear that this is not their bit on the side. “We originally set out to make a single, which became an EP and then an album,” Jack continues. “Then we booked some shows so it’s all been very organic and our ambitions for the band grow alongside it. We’re both super excited about it so we certainly don’t see it as a side-project, but we both still like making music in our other bands. Who knows? It’s an open relationship.”

Taken from the new DIY Weekly, available to download for iPhone, iPad and Android or read online now. Ultimate Painting’s self-titled debut single will be released on 18th August via Trouble In Mind Records.

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