An Interview With Buckley's Angel
A new EP release from Buckley's Angel brings that underground 90's alt-rock tonality with fuzztone bass and guitars that float as vocals drift along through waves of sonic reverb and color.
The EP boasts several outstanding singles one of which is dubbed "Exit Culture" which is a staple song of the bunch for the band's signature feel for the EP as a whole.
Distant textured sounds, ambient sheen, and a driving percussion that gives additional life to the already youthfully energetic songs.
The single feels almost like a dream and when it's over you want to start it again to make sure you heard everything or even just to feel the warmth the song gives off.
The entire EP is packed with brushing guitar work and haunting vocals that keep you afloat just above ground and all has this incredibly nostalgic and fuzzy undertone that makes you feel at home in a way.
The EP is actually quite beautiful and really creates such a lush soundscape that you have to almost snap out of it once it's all ended.
Layers of notes that all let you get washed away with everything. And it's a great feeling to do so. Let yourself get washed away and forget about everything else for a little while.
The Pinnacle Room EP does exactly that.
Songs creep under your skin in the best possible way and by the end you feel satiated and even happy.
With such a wonderful release, we wanted to have a chat with Buckley's Angel to find out where this all came from really.
Here is what happened.
TSWS: Okay so let's start with "Exit Culture". This track has that classic 90's underground alternative rock feel to it! Where did this track come from?
This track really came out of nowhere for me. I’ve never really written anything like it before but I really wanted to do something with a really driving and dirty bass line. The riff was so compelling I started to build a song around it and the rest just fell out of my brain.
TSWS: The song makes me think of bands like Sonic Youth at times. What bands actually influenced this song?
Funny enough I was just starting to explore their records at the time I wrote this song. I actually hear a lot of different influences with this song. I drew influences from Screaming Females, Beach Fossils, and Women on this track to create droney atmosphere with a grunge twist.
TSWS: How did all of this come about? How did it all start for you guys?
Around 2 years ago my former band, Ash Williams came to an end. We were in the process of writing a new record and we were really ramping up to make something special. When all plans of recording/writing were suddenly gone, I really wanted to continue with the creative momentum I had and and pour everything into a record. Any record. At one point I just decided to write everything myself and get all of my talented friends to help out and record. Once the rough demos were all recorded I sent them to my good friend Ricky Schmidt of Western Settings/ Hey, Chels and we sat down and hashed everything out. The songs really started grow and we jumped in the studio to record.
I love the lyric video and only adds to that 90's aesthetic! Can we expect more releases from you this year?
Pinnacle Room will probably be the only release in 2021 but 2022 is right around the corner :)
TSWS: What are you guys doing when you're not working on music?
If i’m not doing something related to music, i’m either watching trashy reality TV or watching even trashier horror movies.
TSWS: Are you planning any live performances this year?
I was lucky enough to get my friends together to perform a song at San Diego’s Tower Bar on the night of the release. I had a blast and I’m planning on getting a permanent lineup and start playing shows once COVID starts to really go away.
TSWS: Who are you all listening to right now?
Currently, I can’t stop listening to Dehd, Ratboys, Mannequin Pussy, Ice Baths, Acid Ghost, Current Joys, IDLES, and Shame.
TSWS: What's next for you guys as a band?
I’m trying to write as much as I can. I want to build off of Pinnacle Room and develop a live set and work towards a full length for release next year.
TSWS: How do you record your tracks? What software are you using?
When I demo, I keep it simple with Garageband. I plug directly in for guitar/bass and use a condenser mic for vocals. For Pinnacle Room, the EP was recorded mainly with Logic Pro. I recorded all of the bass tracks and half the guitar tracks using a DI unit. The rest was used with a live amp and all sorts of different mics and auxiliary percussion. Ricky Schmidt even made a makeshift kick mic and timpani drum just for the session.
TSWS: What kind of advice would you have for other up and coming bands out there?
Write as much as possible. Finish every song you write, no matter how awful it is. That’s the only way you’re going to grow as a musician
TSWS: What are the best places to find your music?
Pinnacle Room is available to stream everywhere. Paper Street Cuts is also doing a small run of vinyl and can be ordered at https://www.paperstreetcuts.
TSWS: You wake up in the middle of the night starving. What is your go-to midnight snack? (a question of character)
Wrapped tortilla after being in the microwave for 30 seconds with hot sauce. A true gentleman’s treat.
TSWS: Before we go, what would you like to say to fans of your music?
I’m blown away with all of the love and support I’ve gotten so far with this release. Thank you all so much for the kind words and encouragement. I had no idea I would get this kind of response and you all make me feel like 10 million dollars.
Buckle's Angel Twitter
