The Agency – In the Haunted Woods

By starrymag | December 18, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) I’m always most interested in how other people would describe our sound. We’ve had some pretty good efforts from journalists… “northern gothic” and “dystopian rockers” are two of our favorites. There are often Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen comparisons. Usually anyone with a baritone vocal, but Steve Lamacq on 6 Music recently said the comparisons are fair yet there’s more to us than that. Stylistically we feel less bound by rules and the storytelling is an essential element of our sound…There are folk influences but at times we’ll squeeze ion post-rock. It’s definitely best to listen to us and decide.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) Surprisingly not Nick Cave. [laughs] Our influences are so mixed from the Beatles to Godspeed, you Black Emperor! Maybe you can detect a slight Jazz influence on the new album, too. But also, more out there Space Rock like Monster Magnet. It’s all in there.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “To Fumble is Devine.”

 

A) I think a lot of people believe this is a murder ballad – which would be typical of our storytelling. But it is actually about following a spirit of nature, pursuing the other side of life. Where there are refences to danger “body warmers and torches, shotguns in their hands,” that’s more about social contemporary social constructs trying to rain on the parade. It’s a positive song with a positive message: if in the end the narrator questions his experience, it does not diminish it.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) It’s quite an unusual song in that is as much about space and silence as it is about sound. We’ve got to really lay off and slow down when we play it live. It’s also a total contrast with the first single of the album Defender, which is more of an indie rocker. I think the slowness and subtlety lure the listener in, like the spirit of nature itself and the storytelling element means that people want to figure it out.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) The videos for the album so far have been partly a product of the global situation and lock downs. Andy, our bass player, has been putting them together from his own archive footage. The fumble video traces a slow walk through the woods and represents another attempt to uncover the spirit of nature.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) I tend to write both simultaneously. It largely starts with a chord or a word and builds as a patchwork. As I go along the storytelling takes over. So, I’ll think “this needs to be said – how should it sound?” But even then, I might have to adapt the lyrics to match the new melody. Every bridge and refrain are about the story.

 

Q) How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) We do it all. At least three members of the collective are sound engineers. I’m not, but I sometimes sit in the chair and move things really slowly while the others get frustrated. We’re curiously precious about outsourcing our sound. I sometimes think that using an external producer would be interesting…Maybe we’re in denial and we’re actually control freaks…

 

Q) Your new album In the Haunted Woods is out now. What are some themes you explore on it?

 

A) The album is about being lost. We do deal in dystopia and misanthropy, but it all tends to be quite tongue in cheek. The first song “Numb” is a six-minute epic about a banker going on the run with funds he’s embezzled. “Abigail,” which has a saccharin sweet Radio 2 sound, is a typical tale of graduate dreams being broken in the Big City. The last song “Two Strangers” is an exploration of mob mentality and manipulation of the masses, while “Poor Robin” is straight up political corruption – songs for our times. I think the worst character appears on “Affluent” (the song was originally titled “An Affluent Bachelor”). It reflects on his largely perceived betrayal at the hands of his own victim. That left little to the imagination…but there’s someone to avoid and yet we all kind of know someone like that.

 

Q) Where does the title for this album come from?

 

A) In the Haunted Woods seems to reflect that idea of being lost. The last album was called Of Ghosts and I guess there’s ghosts (not literal – unlike the last album) on this album, too. But it sounds kind of cookie, too. The Agency…In the Haunted Woods. Hence the album cover has us dressed in Halloween type outfits in a fashion inspired by the photography of Diane Arbus.

 

Q) What are some songs that personally hold a special place in your heart from this album and why are they so significant?

 

A) That is hard! They all do. I guess “Summer Town” was quite cathartic for me from a writing viewpoint because I’ve written a few songs now about “ghost towns,” but this one really works. Also, some of the instrumentation and vocal “harmonies” at the end are incredible. It’s not a song that goes where you’d expect. “The Last Time” is also a personal favorite from a writing perspective. I decided to write something positive that would sound about as dark as I could make it. The song is actually about standing by someone no matter what, but there’s lines like “Did that bird come on swooping, after circling for days? We both know what that means, better fetch your shovel, babe.”

 

Q) Any chance you’ll be hosting some live stream performances to promote the album?

 

A) We’ve done a couple already. Due to lockdown here we’ve been having to stream solo shows. That’s been fun – I’ve done some, but I think it’s more exciting when the others do it and put a different voice to and change the phrasing of the songs. We want to do something as a band, but at the moment the UK government has banned us from meeting.

 

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to In the Haunted Woods as a whole?

 

A) We hope they get the kind of surprises that make them want to listen back. What’s great about the album is how these songs which are all quite different hang together as a cohesive body of work. So, we hope people appreciate that about the song writing and production. It’s best listened to in headphones. Mostly we just hope people connect with it and enjoy it.

 

Q) With concerts currently on hold, what do you miss most about being on stage?

 

A) The obvious thing is the audience. It’s great playing to a full venue of enthusiastic supporters. However, I also miss listening to Andy introduce songs (we take turns). I never know what he’s going to say and often it amuses the band at least as much as the audience. I’m more to the point – Andy is a natural frontman.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) Hmmm…this could go in all sorts of directions. I wouldn’t mind doing vocals for an electronic act… But really, we do like a good guest female vocalist. Maybe Rita Ora for pizazz…actually Lana Del Ray might be a better fit. People can feel at liberty to apply, though Carly does a great job on “In the Haunted Woods.”

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them?

 

A) I’m currently digging the Swedish artist Christian Kjellvander – his music is deep and soulful. John Murry has also been releasing some great covers recently and his album The Graceless Age is one of the most underrated albums ever released. Ben is a big fan of another local band, Hector Ganett. They released a great album Big Harcar a week after us. Steve is really into Protomartyr at the moment – we all dig them. Their videos are amazing, especially the one for “Processed by the Boys.”

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) I think it’s a sign of the times. We should be better at it really. Different social media forms attract and work with different audiences – so you have to cover all bases. It can be time consuming and I’m always wary that the next dopamine hit might start the addiction. But it’s a great way of connecting in real time.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) Thank you for your support and we promise we won’t take as long between albums this time. Also, feel free to message us with any suggestions for songs or promo. We’re thinking of auctioning Andy, is anyone is interested?

 

All Questions Answered By Steve