In case you actually need to get away from all of it, Chale Abbey is perhaps the spot. Located on the southern tip of the Isle Of Wight, the studio is housed inside a superb sixteenth Century barn, all authentic oak trusses and pure stone partitions. “It’s out in the course of nowhere and a 10-minute stroll to the coast,” enthuses multi-instrumentalist Jordan Lehning, flipping his telephone digital camera to offer Uncut a digital pan of the studio. “We’re within the management room now. It’s simply stunning, completely remoted. An amazing place to make a document.” Even when it means travelling all the way in which from Nashville, which is the place Lehning, Andrew Combs, Dominic Billett and Romford-born Spencer Cullum are normally primarily based. Their new group, Echolalia, is rounded out by bassist Eli Beaird, multi-instrumentalist Juan Solorzano and Lehning’s brother Jason on synths and engineering duties.
“A number of years in the past I advised Jordan about this magical place, so we ended up reserving some days to document right here,” explains Cullum, peering over Lehning’s shoulder. The pair cherished Chale Abbey a lot that they’re again there now, engaged on one other venture. However earlier than that, Echolalia’s self-titled debut is due out in February – it’s a heat, psychedelic folks set that always feels peculiarly English, evoking the pastoral spirit of Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers or Cat Stevens. “Quite a lot of the songs have been written on the spot, actually,” says Cullum. “Then we’d all begin chipping in concepts.” There was little or no dialogue beforehand, intentionally so. “I believe we every introduced three tunes to the desk, and just about our first instincts guided the path,” says Lehning. “We type of simply dove in. I believe we minimize the document in three or 4 days.”
The key to the venture’s success, it appears, is belief. These musicians have all been associates for a while, showing on one another’s data or at dwell exhibits. But they’d by no means performed altogether earlier than. “It felt like a type of issues that you simply discuss with associates while you’re out for a drink however by no means appeared prone to come to fruition,” says Combs, becoming a member of us over Zoom from the States. “However Jordan made it occur. I believe ‘collaborative’ and ‘enjoyable’ have been the important thing phrases for me.”
Jason Lehning chimes in from Nashville: “With most data, you’re simply framing one character, placing all of your power into making that particular person sound nice,” he observes. “Echolalia has singers and artists, however there was none of that type of power. It was like hanging out together with your childhood associates and using bikes across the neighbourhood. But it surely nonetheless has that artistry. That was a extremely fascinating ingredient for me.”
This overriding sense of bonhomie is mirrored within the album’s closing monitor, the spontaneous “In The Pub”. Primarily a geezer-ish East London singalong, it proved a cultural schooling for the visiting Individuals. “I believe it was the primary take,” laughs Jordan Lehning. “We couldn’t have completed that two or thrice. It was the very last thing we tracked and it was actually humorous.”
“I used to be channelling Chas & Dave,” chirps Cullum. “Me and Dom are huge followers!”
It stays to be seen if Echolalia shall be a one-off. Schedules being what they’re, everybody concerned is hopeful that the celebrities will align once more quickly. The prospect of touring, most probably within the UK and Europe, can also be on the agenda. “For me, it’s the right band,” says Cullum. “Each band member is somebody that I like, musically and personality-wise. Often, while you’re youthful and in a band, the bloomin’ bass participant needs to do a Snow Patrol track and your drummer needs you all to put on hats…”
Echolalia is launched by Full Time Passion on February 28
