Haunting folk from Nottingham.

Like the extreme ironers of this world, Nottingham folk-rockers Seachange seem to relish a challenge more than most. In the late 90s, while sharing a house at Nottingham University, the five-piece, as they were then, decided they’d put together a band. So far so ordinary, except in one respect. Avid gig goers and fervent music fans they may have been, but musicians they most certainly were not. Guitarist Dave Gray had yet to even pluck a string.

“The fact we couldn’t really do it was a great inspiration really,” says Dave over the din of a Camden pub. “The challenge of five people who couldn’t even play instruments, trying to write their own songs, was one we just couldn’t resist.”

“It was all very ramshackle,” confesses singer Dan Eastop. But then again, their aspirations were hardly grand – it was all just a bit of fun. “At the time we were just happy to be playing. We had no great desire or motivation to break out.” Consequently, the band’s first gigs were dreadful. But then Seachange member number six, drummer Simon Aldcroft, moved in.

Unlike the others, Simon was not a band virgin and brought with him more than just fiery enthusiasm. With his experience Seachange refined their art into the vast and sonorous sonic landscape of their astounding debut, Lay Of The Land. Bands like Galaxy 500, Spiritualized, Low and Dirty Three hugely influenced Seachange but, says Dave, they were constantly consuming different kinds of music as band members communally aired their tastes.

Even the actual house itself left its indelible mark on their music. When odd things started happening, it slowly became apparent that the house was haunted. That was when, says Dan, their music took a turn towards the dark side.

The cumulative effect is astounding. Howling with the blood-rushing energy of Mogwai, Lay Of The Land is a hugely powerful album infused with raging guitars, streams of raw emotion and driven by Jo Woodnutt’s graceful, wailing violin, while Dan’s fierce vocals tell bittersweet tales.

“I tell people our music’s folk that goes very loud and very soft,” says Dan, grasping for words to sum up his band’s sound. “It’s very intense, emotional, English-sounding but with American guitars…” He glances at the lunchtime drinkers around him. “But by then,” he continues with a rueful smile, “they’d probably have gone off to get another drink.” Alexia Loundras 05 March 04

Seachange – Lay Of The Land, released 08 March 04 on Matador.

useful link: www.seachangemusic.com