talons says...

Prior to the weekend release of their debut, self-titled album (now available here), Kluster’s editor, Kat Hartmann, spoke to Talons drummer, Benjamin James, about the fruitfulness of fundraising, the potential for collaboration between bands and box kites and his impending pregnancy. All that – and, unbelievably, more – right here.

Kat Hartmann: How was it that Talons came to be, well, Talons?
Benjamin James: Well if this is referring to how we all met, it's quite a boring story. I had woken up in what seemed to be a ghost town, butt naked, to find my clothes, money, and trusty colt had been stolen. All I could see in this horror of a hotel room was my Stetson and some wine glasses next to a half empty bottle. I had been fooled and drugged by a saucy mistress named Jezebel. Long story short, Christo and Mitch couldn’t have crossed paths with me at a better time. I was inches away from being tarred and feathered by a gang of crazy Mexicans looking for Jezebel. They got me out of a real hot spot there. I owed them my life, and they needed a drummer... so it all worked out rather well in the end.

KH: Your sound has been described as all manner of things, ‘driving’, ‘punk’, ‘post-punk’, ‘frantic’, ‘hardcore’ and even ‘tribal’. We’re not big on hearsay and some of us are too lazy to click through to your MySpace or pilfer illegal downloads; can we have a description from the horse’s mouth please?
BJ: Horsecore.

KH: Your debut album is set for release on May 30. Is it similar to, or a departure from, your 2007 EP release, Ducats? Still self titled?
BJ: There are definitely similarities in the two; the EP just kind of happened though. They were the first six songs we wrote, and we were still getting used to writing together. That’s what I like about that EP; we were just chucking together some songs so we could start playing some shows (with) not too much thought going into anything.

So after the EP it was, “well, I guess everything we write now is going on an album,” so we pulled our socks up (interesting fact: did you know Christo has an amazing sock collection? it is really quite to die for, socks from all over the world, all different colours and styles, he even dabbles in the risky field of tube socks) and just thought about things a bees dick harder, as far as sounds and structure were concerned. After we’d written about half the tracks, we started thinking about what the album was going to need, which was just swell. It forced us to attack certain sections from a different angle. They’re the only real differences I’d say. Sometimes if you think about things too much you can lose the energy. So since the EP, we wrote 10 songs all up, and they’ll be on the LP. You get everything we write, I guess.

Yes, self-titled. Names are for babies.

KH: There are a few months in the time between 2007 and 2009. From where you sit does it feel like the release has been a long time coming?
BJ: Yes. But thanks to amazing fucking gems like Tim Carr (producer of our debut LP), Julia Wilson and Ben Shackleton at Rice Is Nice (our label), my mother has a copy on her coffee table. We are not the most pro-active bunch, which is why I gotta thank aforementioned legends for giving us a fun and friendly whip on the pecker to get things moving along.

KH: It’s been reported you did some fundraising to gather money to record your album.
a) Was said fundraising fruitful?
b) Would you recommend it as the way forward for other bands looking to put out an independent full-length release?
BJ: a) Yeah it definitely was fruitful. The bands that helped us out were Holy Soul, Further, Dead China Doll, Sherlock’s Daughter and Atrocities. All amazing bands and all friends of ours who played for no dough at a show we organised. It re-instated my faith in humanity for a while even. Everyone got on board; plenty of peeps showed up and really helped us out, which we’re really thankful for. Obviously.
b) Yeah I would recommend a fundraiser for sure. They brings da people together also, which is a good thing I’ve heard. The fundraiser (Papa Needs A Brand New Bag) had a good vibe, there was love in the air. Independent labels are my cup of tea, though they’re usually not exactly cashed up. So it helps to get your shit as close to print ready as possible. Plus, owing people cash is some boring shit.  

KH: You have played a pretty strong set of gigs over the past three years at The Annandale, Oxford Arts Factory, Hopetoun Incentive, festival slots... Any highlights or standout shows?
BJ: Hehe, yeah the Hopetoun Incentive was a definite highlight! I love the Hoey and we have played countless shows there, but band comps are strange as all fuck. Our first and last I’d say. I think a highlight is the LP: we have all been itching like needle nerds to release the ol’ long player.  

As far as standout shows, I like ‘em all, even shit ones are fun most of the time. But I guess there are shows were you play with someone like Future Of The Left, amazing band (McLusky also), and ah, you know when you meet a guy/girl out of a band you like and they’re just dog shit? I was praying this wasn’t gonna happen, and it didn’t. They were just normal chaps, really fucking cool. You get the private show (FOTL sound check), have a few too many drinks, you all play and that’s that. Standout show for sure I’d say.

KH: What can the world expect from Talons over the next six months/six years?
BJ: Well I’m pregnant so there is gonna be a little baby Talon running around wearing BABY GAP and little misfits baby shoes. Umm, to tell you the truth we are all stinging to record again, so I reckon we will play shows in support of this album as long as is needed, and then record again straight after, however long away that may be. I’m gonna try and track down some sort of box kite appreciation society and see if we can put on an outdoor festival together. Bands and box kites, bridging the gap – that would be fun.

talons