INTERVIEW: This Island

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Hi guys, welcome to VENTS! How have you been?

Rachael: ​Brilliantly busy with this project and trying not to lose track of the ideas for the next one.

Can you talk to us more about your latest single “Into Stars”?

Rachael: It was the ​second to be started but it was the first to take on a life of its own. Which is quite appropriate really. The lyrics are my attempt to reflect, to find a way of expressing, the instinct we humans have to tell stories. The life of storytelling that everyone carries, a piece of what makes us as human as our genetics. Or so it seemed to me after a strong coffee on a lazy day! What are earthbound stories now will one day became extraterrestrial.

Did any event in particular inspire you to write this song?

Rachael: ​Lyrically? No one event. Just time spent watching the weather, a little reminiscing and a little imagining the future.

How was the filming process and experience behind the video?

Rachael:​We’re always happy to collaborate and the video was passed to the trusted hands of others.

Why naming the record after this song in particular?

Rachael: ​What better thing is there to aim for? It’s an exciting thought that music played today transmits beyond the atmosphere. Somewhere, sometime This Island may, no will, have an alien audience bouncing.

How was the recording and writing process?

Rachael: ​Up and down, round and round. Plenty of long evenings sending emails back and forth. It starts with the first instrumental demos over which I sketch a lead vocal. When we both hit the creative rhythm simultaneously everything moves quickly. I think that for every track 85% of what you hear is put down in one week. After that the real carousel begins as we add, subtract and polish.

And so we could sit back feeling good about life the responsibility then got passed to Danny Saber for the final touch of Californian shine.

How does all of your creative background comes together to influence your music as a whole?

Rachael​: ​Up until this project I’ve always worked with guitars both as a writer & performer. Whether on my own and acoustic or in front of an electric band it’s poetic folk melodies that attract me. It’s rare in this electronic, dance style of music for the lyrics and vocals to be more intended for more than anything but easy popular appeal. I’m not happy unless I can achieve a personal emotional hit for the lonely listener as well as a melody that captures a crowd.

What role does Liverpool play in your music?

Rachael: ​There’s not been a deliberate decision to draw on any Liverpool influences. If others can spot any that would be great to know. Be nice to think on what comes out subconsciously.

Where did you find the inspiration for the songs and lyrics?

Rachael: ​Lyrically it is all about balance. Certain words, symbols, associations may mean everything to me but are too obscure, too personal or too close to gibberish to connect with an audience. Which is why I think the natural world crops up so often for me. Everyone knows the pleasure of a sunrise but at the same time the shape of pleasure for that one person is unique to them. And of course they have to sound good by matching rather than forcing the melody.

Any plans to hit the road?

Rachael​: ​Not for now. This is one EP with five tracks. We’re greedy so when we do come to play live we want an audience on their feet for as long as we can get away with. So more writing, more recording and then we can piece it all together in a multimedia extravaganza.

What else is happening next in This Island’s world?

Rachael: ​More of the same. More, more, more.

Watch here