Noah, the Whale and all sorts of characters are back with their follow-up to their popular debut, Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down. On The First Days of Spring, the English band delves into more serious territory with an album and accompanying short movie about the decline and eventual break-up on a relationship. It features a lot more strings and even some choir parts.
I talked with lead singer Charlie Fink on the day the album was released in the U.K. and on the eve of his brother Doug leaving the band. We chatted about conceiving the new album, their aspirations for their live show and a near-miss meeting with Wes Anderson. This is my second chat with the band, so I would like welcome back Charlie to this space.
How was your summer?
It was fine. We played loads of festivals. We did this one a few weeks ago called Green Man Festival in Wales. We saw Wilco, Dirty Three, Jarvis Cocker and Grizzly Bear, so that was a big thrill. It kind of feels that this summer we're learning our trade as musicians. We added a new member, so it's real good so far.
When we talked last year, you were already working on the second album. Did you feel that you had to work on a second album, when the first was still fresh in people's minds?
With anything creative idea you want to work on, you want to get to it right away. These songs came pretty quickly in the writing process, for whatever reason. Also, the songs on the first record were written at least three or four years ago. So it felt time to get into that mindset of writing.
Was the album originally designed as a concept album about the breaking up of a relationship?
I wouldn't call it a concept album, but it does have a narrative and themes. I did want the album to have a structure with three sections. Don't get me wrong, I love pop music and pop songs, but I wanted this to feel like a full album -- like it was meant to be listen to from beginning to end. I think it improves by being taken as a whole.
It's obvious to ask that when this album has such a strong theme, that something in your life inspired you to make this album. Is that the case?
Well, there's this writer called W.H. Auden, who has the idea that artists are creators, they are not men of action. I can say that the album draws from specific points in my life. In the end, people can project on it what they want.
Are there things on this album you wanted to avoid that you did on your debut?
Not at all. People have been telling me that it sounds vastly different. I think if you listen to the first, you'll hear the seeds of what becomes on this one.
I think what people are looking for on this album are pop songs.
I can see that.
Do you have a background in classical music because the arrangement are really impressive for a relatively young four-piece band?
I do not, but Tom (the fiddle player) is classical trained, so he did all the arrangements. I think what he did was fantastic. He took some references from classic films scores.
Was The First Day of Spring the first song you had in mind for the album?
Yes, but I actually wrote "I Have Nothing" first, and then First Day of Spring Came. When I saw where I was heading, I laid out the narrative and took it from there.
"The First Day of Spring" is such an elaborate song. Was it difficult to bring that together?
What was great is that it all came together in the studio. I kind of thought the song would be heavier in tone, but when we came to the studio, we had the arrangement done live. Tom's strings really made the song what it is.
"My Broken Heart" is my favorite song on the album. I like how that simple guitar part makes you feel lonely and detached.
I think the big difference between this album and the last, is that the lyrics fit directly with the music. That song is definitely about being alone and that guitar does capture the mood.
Did you leave out any songs from the album?
Nope, no B-sides or outtakes. When we brought it to the label, they did ask us for a couple of more songs. I guess they wanted a marketable single. I had to explain that the album is balanced on purpose and adding a song would not fit.
What the short film conceived hand in hand with the album?
Yeah, before I even had the album written, I had wanted to do a film and soundtrack together.
It would be great if you performed this album as a whole with an orchestra.
That has always been a goal, but it just talks now. There's also talk of playing the album live along with the film.
Do you get nervous on days like today when the album hits the stores?
Not really. The satisfaction comes from finishing the album and hearing it realized.
You're brother is leaving the band, and Oasis just broke up. So is there any Gallagher like animosity between you two?
Nothing compared to the Gallaghers. He's leaving to finish his studies to be a medical doctor.
You should just replace him with a robot.
Exactly, a drum machine. No, we have a replacement lined-up.
You ever notice that he has these strange facial ticks when he drums?
All the time. When he played Reading and Leeds, they had a camera focused on him for a while. The whole crowd was laughing and we realized that they were showing him on the big screens with his big ridiculous facial expressions.
I know you're a big Wes Anderson fan, have you met him at all?
[laughs] Umm, sort of. We are fans, but I don't want to give the impression that we're nuts about it. So, we were doing some sound editing on the film in this editing suite. Down the hall, he was working on sound editing on the Fantastic Mr. Fox. I was going into the lift, while he was coming out and he walked right past me. I didn't say anything.
That was your chance!
I guess, the strange part was that five minutes later. I heard sirens and the building next door burned down. I don't think the two instances are related.
I disagree. I think the next album should have a song about this.
Okay, it will be a concept album about burning buildings and movie directors.
The First Days of Spring is out now.
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