Yes, that is us dressed up as birds. Our manager thought it would be the best thing to advertise our new collection of songs (Note, we don't like to say Album because we did not put enough work into it to be able to call it an album).
The collection is called No Birds. Don't ask why.
Here is the cover.
As you can see, The General loved being dressed as a bird. I appear to be very confused about it all. I know what a lot of you are probably thinking, Where is our other musician, Simon S. Steps??? Well he was sick that day, bird flu. I dunno.
But he is certainly on the record so don't you worry those pretty little faces.
Oh well, let's tell you about the album anyway.
Well it certainly has less of a theme than the last few. It also has more songs than any album we've released before I think??? Will have to check the wiki for that.
16 tracks though ay!? Whatever.
1. Feathers and Glee
This was inspired by fake news and university students.
2. Lighthouse
We were listening to a lot of Beatles and they make lots of skitter skatter noises as we eat them and that's what inspired this seaside track. Originally the song ended with a boat crashing, but i thought that ruined the love story and also seemed pretty predictable for us. So decided to keep it happy.
3. You don't need to be dead
Was feeling very down when I came into the studio this day. Kept shouting at the General whenever he played something good. Then as soon as I began to cry to myself an icecream van drove past and I just had to stick the song in there. We really really like this one though.
4. Again
This one pretty much just came from experimenting with sounds. Making music from something a bit more absurd than we have before. But we ended up just making another really depressing song but this time sung by Mr. Blobby. I really like the chorus actually, completley written by The General. What a guy. So nice to have him back from the US. Some nice synths from S.Steps as well. You can tell we have brought in a more electronic sound his he came on the scene.
5. Crayolalola
It's so loud! So powerful! One our faves. A story about losing a love, but not just any love! A creative, intelligent, brilliant love! And also about how moving on, how difficult that can be. We still not found her by the way. She's not even behind the sofa.
6. Forgettable
Here is one that goes all over the place. We do bring in the slightly heavy and traditional instruments here. Hard to say much about this one. It's crazy but it was mostly jamming! But in all seriousness. Both myself and us as a band, we do feel forgettable sometimes... all the time. Forget my face, forget my life, forget my feelings. It's sad. But it's life! I'm just a dog.
7. Comfortable
Another one of our faves! It's kind of half relaxing and half sad and scary. I'm no good at maths. I also mention Taylor Swift in this one.. due to her obsession with love/breakup songs. We do the same you know, they just creepier. Taylor and I are pretty much the same. Also i got high on mocha so I was trying to replicate that experience in music. I really love the 'loooooveeeeeeee' bit. That was all me you know. Kind of makes me sad, this one.
8. Dumb
I was not sure if I should put this one on. Musically it's very simple, and all the lyrics are all improvised. But for whatever reason we liked the simplistic desperateness of my words. Yeah, that's what the band told me anyway. To me it's a filler. And another depressing one.
9. Social Anxiety
This was all S.Steps and The General. S.Steps had experienced problematic Social Anxiety in his earlier years so suggested we make this song. He also wrote most of the lyrics!! Well done chap I say. I did suggest he sing as well but he was too shy. S.Steps wrong the depressing bits and The General wrote the chirpy bits. The bell sound is the sound of the bus bell.. caus wanna get off you know.
10. Short Boat Song
The name kind of explains it. We went out on a boat and it was actually really nice.
11. Jean Shirt
Bringing out the more acoustic instruments for this one. This one is kind of about obsession with social living. Which can be good in small doses. But it is really healthy to stay away from people sometimes.
12. Today's Date Is
This one I wrote after a holiday I had by myself. It's just about regretting not being something better by now.. in our lives and careers. I was quite content with being a nobody until I saw someone from the past pop up doing what they love on tv. It broke me a little.
13. Never Be Happy
While this is another sad look at the world from Ekalopse.. I do think it is one of our finest produced songs. Being an adult is not great, kids are right to be curious of the future.
14. Discolour
This is a instrumental track we just love. We were jamming and General was playing all dem beats and then brought some horns in and we had such a nice track. In the end we realised any of my awful words may ruin such a pretty track.
15. mm dancing
This is literally about dancing and nothing else.
16. Goodbye
This one (if i was a fan) would say this one sounds like it's come straight off Reality Therapy! But in the same vein as 'you don't need to be dead' it was made in times of depression.
LISTEN NOW!
Please don't listen at all.
-----------------------------------------
Here are some other pictures from the photo shoot. I'm not sure why they look they are on pieces of paper but hey! weird lighting, he was a cheapo photographer no offence.
Yes, they brought a real pelican into the studio.
The General came up from behind me and made me jump!! Actually, that's why i have no more beard in the other pictures, it all just shot out of my face in shock. Closest shave i've ever had.
The General liked dressing up. This was the head mask that ended up not making the final cover.
Photographer started getting a bit creepy here, did not know what was going on! I could sue for this one i reckon.. i dunno. i'm tired.
Oh yeah of course they got a picture of me sick to death of wearing those stupid costumes.
- Pupendai