Times of Grace # Issue 1
Interview conducted in February 2006 by Yan
timesofgrace.com
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timesofgracezine@gmail.com
timesofgrace.com
myspace.com/timesofgracedotcom
timesofgracezine@gmail.com
1. Hello, could you introduce HFADS in a few words ?
# Prck #
Heat From a DeadStar is the result of the association of two musicians fond of
experimentation. The band does exist since the beginning of 2004. It has only
become a trio in April 2005 when a drummer joined it.
2. HFADS music blends a lot of musical currents, was it something
premedited or did it come progressively as the rehearsals went on ?
Did you settle for a common musical ground or did you jam like madmen
until something came out? Has the musical past of the members shaped
the actual style ?
# Ph. #
Nothing is calculated or prearranged. Our way of creating relies on spontaneity
and on what could be called “natural instinct”. Prck and I have a quite different
musical background and that’s what makes our music be so rich. If you guys
carefully listen to some of our songs such as “Black Swans”, you would be able
to discover some features related to each of us: Prck’s guitar sounds noisy
whereas the bass remains heavy and raw. The result remains homogeneous
though. But having said that, we know that it’s more than difficult to put any
“label” on the music we play or to classify it.
# Prck #
And that’s exactly what surprises the public during our live performances. I mean,
our interpretation of all the songs is always open and often quite far from what has
been recorded. Improvisation is a key word.
3. In five words and only five words, how would you describe
the HFADS music ?
# Ph. #
Experimental, hypnotic, punchy, melodic and ethereal.
4. Since part of the band is located in France, and the other in England,
how do you manage for rehearsals ?
# Prck #
The master piece of the job is the composition and Ph. and I are working together
something like three times per week. All demos are recorded using a “rythm box”.
We only need to be back to Paris to rehearse with the drummer.
5. “From Nowhere To Nowhere” is the longest hfads song so far, yet it displays the
strongest atmosphere, do you intend to go into that song structure on a more
often basis?
# Prck #
“From Nowhere To Nowhere” was the last track composed for this recording session.
It was different from the others since it was lacking of any structural scheme.
It was some kind of impro, close to what some bands have already tried (Sonic
Youth, Swans, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, or even Sun-Ra). And this is the
way we are currently following...
6. The fact of being an instrumental three pieces intentional?
Did you originally wanted a singer?
# Ph. #
We never manage to integrate any singer yet. Not that we definitely don’t want it.
There might be some lyrics on the future songs, we remain open to anything. We
actually tried some vocals during an acoustic set in London. Prck sang on a very
new title. And considering the public reaction on this night, I think we’re going
to give it another go.
7. You released, 2 demos on an 8 months time, how have been the press reactions?
And by the way, have you received any label interest so far? On which label would you
like to be signed, and why?
# Prck #
The reviews of both EPs are positive should they come from European magazines or webzines
or from U.S. ones. Thanks to them we’ve started slowly building up our reputation within
the Underground “scene”.
# Ph. #
The production of the second record “Lighten Our Minds” done by Kevin Porée at Berry Street
Studio in London is really good, and thanks to that we’ve been approached by some independent
labels. However, we are still waiting to be signed. Well if we had to chose let’s say that we
would consider rather positively any proposition from Neurot Recordings, Mute Records, Touch
And Go Records and Ace Of Hearts Records!
8. How do you manage to reproduce all the HFADS atmospheres on stage?
# Prck #
We never tried to reproduce what has been recorded but we rather try to catch the atmosphere
of the venue or to concentrate of that we would like to sound like at this precise time. And
every performance is different so that the only way you could find out is to come to hear
and see us play.
9. How difficult is to come gigging on the continent? Would you like to play more often
in France or even (as I would love) in Belgium?
# Ph. #
As we mention above, our music is difficult to classify so that it’s not that easy for a promoter to
integrate it to any program. In the UK, venues and promoters are much keener on programming
experimental music, and the public seems to be more receptive too. However, let’s be honest, we
would love playing more often on the Old Continent and particularly in France and in Belgium.
We currently are working on it, and have focused on several festivals. We should be said soon.
Wait and see...
10. Thanx a lot for the interview, the last words are yours...
# Prck #
Thanks for having thought of HFADS for this interview. Well, we would love to hear from our fans.
We opened a forum on our website few months ago to be able to get directly in touch with anyone
who would be interested in our music.
# Ph. #
But most of all, we are looking forward to seeing you in one of our next gig!
# Prck #
Heat From a DeadStar is the result of the association of two musicians fond of
experimentation. The band does exist since the beginning of 2004. It has only
become a trio in April 2005 when a drummer joined it.
2. HFADS music blends a lot of musical currents, was it something
premedited or did it come progressively as the rehearsals went on ?
Did you settle for a common musical ground or did you jam like madmen
until something came out? Has the musical past of the members shaped
the actual style ?
# Ph. #
Nothing is calculated or prearranged. Our way of creating relies on spontaneity
and on what could be called “natural instinct”. Prck and I have a quite different
musical background and that’s what makes our music be so rich. If you guys
carefully listen to some of our songs such as “Black Swans”, you would be able
to discover some features related to each of us: Prck’s guitar sounds noisy
whereas the bass remains heavy and raw. The result remains homogeneous
though. But having said that, we know that it’s more than difficult to put any
“label” on the music we play or to classify it.
# Prck #
And that’s exactly what surprises the public during our live performances. I mean,
our interpretation of all the songs is always open and often quite far from what has
been recorded. Improvisation is a key word.
3. In five words and only five words, how would you describe
the HFADS music ?
# Ph. #
Experimental, hypnotic, punchy, melodic and ethereal.
4. Since part of the band is located in France, and the other in England,
how do you manage for rehearsals ?
# Prck #
The master piece of the job is the composition and Ph. and I are working together
something like three times per week. All demos are recorded using a “rythm box”.
We only need to be back to Paris to rehearse with the drummer.
5. “From Nowhere To Nowhere” is the longest hfads song so far, yet it displays the
strongest atmosphere, do you intend to go into that song structure on a more
often basis?
# Prck #
“From Nowhere To Nowhere” was the last track composed for this recording session.
It was different from the others since it was lacking of any structural scheme.
It was some kind of impro, close to what some bands have already tried (Sonic
Youth, Swans, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, or even Sun-Ra). And this is the
way we are currently following...
6. The fact of being an instrumental three pieces intentional?
Did you originally wanted a singer?
# Ph. #
We never manage to integrate any singer yet. Not that we definitely don’t want it.
There might be some lyrics on the future songs, we remain open to anything. We
actually tried some vocals during an acoustic set in London. Prck sang on a very
new title. And considering the public reaction on this night, I think we’re going
to give it another go.
7. You released, 2 demos on an 8 months time, how have been the press reactions?
And by the way, have you received any label interest so far? On which label would you
like to be signed, and why?
# Prck #
The reviews of both EPs are positive should they come from European magazines or webzines
or from U.S. ones. Thanks to them we’ve started slowly building up our reputation within
the Underground “scene”.
# Ph. #
The production of the second record “Lighten Our Minds” done by Kevin Porée at Berry Street
Studio in London is really good, and thanks to that we’ve been approached by some independent
labels. However, we are still waiting to be signed. Well if we had to chose let’s say that we
would consider rather positively any proposition from Neurot Recordings, Mute Records, Touch
And Go Records and Ace Of Hearts Records!
8. How do you manage to reproduce all the HFADS atmospheres on stage?
# Prck #
We never tried to reproduce what has been recorded but we rather try to catch the atmosphere
of the venue or to concentrate of that we would like to sound like at this precise time. And
every performance is different so that the only way you could find out is to come to hear
and see us play.
9. How difficult is to come gigging on the continent? Would you like to play more often
in France or even (as I would love) in Belgium?
# Ph. #
As we mention above, our music is difficult to classify so that it’s not that easy for a promoter to
integrate it to any program. In the UK, venues and promoters are much keener on programming
experimental music, and the public seems to be more receptive too. However, let’s be honest, we
would love playing more often on the Old Continent and particularly in France and in Belgium.
We currently are working on it, and have focused on several festivals. We should be said soon.
Wait and see...
10. Thanx a lot for the interview, the last words are yours...
# Prck #
Thanks for having thought of HFADS for this interview. Well, we would love to hear from our fans.
We opened a forum on our website few months ago to be able to get directly in touch with anyone
who would be interested in our music.
# Ph. #
But most of all, we are looking forward to seeing you in one of our next gig!