INTERVIEW: The Chapters

If there's one thing The Chapters can be admired for, besides their music, it's their determination. Having met in college, the band had been building to the release of their debut album for some time, but it almost didn't happen for them.

In 2008 the Dublin-based band gigged to large crowds nationwide supporting Neil Young, Cathy Davey, Chuck Berry and, of course, The Coronas to name but a few. On the back of interest in their single "Looking for Love", the band entered into negotiations with a promising new company. Demos were recorded, the bulk of the album was written and the songs were coming along perfectly, and a deal was on the cards. However, the promise was short lived. The economic crisis that we're all too familiar with hit, and the label's backers pulled out. But, even though the band were heartbroken, they didn't give up. They were extremely passionate about what they had put together as a group and were utterly determined to prove it. Thankfully the band were offered another deal soon after with 3u Records. Within two months they were in the studio putting down the album with up-and-coming Irish producer Ciaran Bradshaw. That album was their fantastic debut, Perfect Stranger.

Perfect Stranger is more than just another indie-rock album from a hardworking Irish band. Infused with modern synth pop, touches of funk and 80s-inspired vibes, the album is anything but predictable. Throw into the mix some great lyrics, catchy melodies and infectious harmonies and you've got yourself an 11-track ensemble of top quality songs. Lead singer McNally's vocals are at different times gravelly yet soft, adding to the uplifting and atmospheric vibe of the album. A promising debut that hints at success for this great Irish band? I predict so.

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to chat with Turlough Gunawardhana (right) about Perfect Stranger, The Coronas and how far The Chapters have come.

Elaine: You got together in college and were set to release the debut album for some time. What kept ye?!

Turlough: The general ethos in the band is don't rush and make sure we get things right before we make any decisions. When we started out we sounded completely different to what we sound like now. We tried different styles and different instruments, for instance, I used to play the Cello quite a lot in the band but since Perfect Stranger I've been playing nothing but keyboards, percussion and a few cha chas here and there. With this, we took our time and wanted to make sure the album had songs which were cohesive with each other. Even up to a few weeks before we went into the studio we wrote songs like "Ukiyo" and "Videotapes". I also must add that money played a huge role in why we took so long to get our album out. And as you know we had a few slip ups along the way...

E: Yeah, you sure did. Would you consider what happened your biggest challenge as a band? It must have been quite disheartening.
T: Our biggest challenge as a band was releasing the album. When our deal fell apart we were a bit disappointed. We had no manager and no label. We did everything ourselves, so we were trying to broker deals while writing, rehearsing and touring. We had interest from several labels over the years, some big ones, some not so big ones. So we were used to the knocks. However, we knew that we had prepared to record our album with a major producer with a massive push behind it. We had prepared 30 tracks demoed and ready. We were rehearsing 4 days a week in the thought of being ready to record the album. So when the deal fell through we all agreed that we needed to get this album recorded. We tried many different avenues but literally within a few weeks, a few emails later and a bit of pushing from Danny O’Reilly [The Coronas] we had landed our record and publishing deal with 3u, and also signed a management deal with Curve Music Managent. So in hindsight, the deal falling apart made us stronger and more determined.

E: Perfect Stranger carries indie-rock sound infused with an influence of modern synth pop; there have also been some 80s comparisons. What was the inspiration behind the songs on Perfect Stranger?

T: Around the time of us writing many of the songs for Perfect Stranger we all got into different types of music. Every week we would exchange albums with each other. Some were new releases and some were old classics from the 70s and 80s. During this time we listened to a lot of Fleetwood Mac, Bruce Springsteen, Talking Heads, The Cars, Huey Lewis and the News, but also new music from bands such as Phoenix, LCD Soundsystem, The National and Vampire Weekend. At this point we brought these influences onboard with us. We just wanted to write interesting pop songs which we thought would appeal to people, but also songs we would enjoy playing.

E: Can you tell me a bit about how the album came together? Who writes most of your lyrics?

T: When we set up in our studio in Inchicore, some of us might have ideas. These ideas can be complete songs, a few chords or a groove. We always try everything. The lyrics are written by Ross. We see lyrics as important as a drum hit or a guitar lick. In the band there is no singular thing that comes to the fore. It's the combination of all our ideas and personalities that make our songs. What's most important to us is the songs. Before we went into the studio our producer, Ciaran Bradshaw, sat in with us and recorded us roughly. We re-worked the songs (pre-produced them) with him and structured the songs. As we knew we were recording the album live, we knew we had to be very tight as a band and know our parts inside out. Ciaran whipped us into shape as we spent 3 weeks rehearsing the songs inside out. It was as if we were training for the Olympics or something! We all gave up alcohol and went to the gym and got fit. When we went to record live in Beechpark Studios in Rathcoole, Co. Kildare, we had 15 days to record 18 songs. So we were doing 11-12 hours a day with a few breaks. This was really tough but immensely enjoyable. Once that record button was pressed we each knew if any of us fucked up we would have to start again, and if this happened we were letting the side down. So we had to keep concentration and energy up at all times. But I have to say, we had some amount of banter on that recording session. We eventually had to do overdubs in the Loft Studio’ in Clara for a week. Then Ciaran Bradshaw mixed and once ourselves and the label were happy with the tracklisting it was sent off to be mastered in Sterling Sound in New York.

E: Sounds intense! What is your favorite track off the album and why? Which is the most fun to play live?

T: "Black Room" has to be my favourite track on the album and its also my favorite live track. I get to shout CHA CHA in it! Great fun!

E: Heart of Glass sounds deadly live and you do a great acoustic version of it, but it didn't make the album. What are you going to do with all the tracks that didn't make Perfect Stranger? I hear there are quite a few.

T: We actually recorded "Heart of Glass" for Perfect Stranger but we decided that it just didn’t fit. We had quite a few difficult decisions to make while deciding what to keep and what to dump. I hope we can use the tracks we didn’t use for Perfect Stranger again but it's hard to say.

E: The band have been receiving critical acclaim since the release of Perfect Stranger, even making the Hotpress Top 30 albums of 2009? How has it felt getting that great of a reception?

T: To be honest, its been very flattering. But nothing makes us more happy than when we go on tour and get the feedback we get. Sometimes we don’t know how many people will show up to the gigs, but on the last few tours we’ve been so flattered by the amount of people coming to our shows. We got a great reception at our gigs in London and Italy, which has been most flattering.

E: Even before Perfect Stranger was released you had built up a loyal following of fans because you toured a lot. Was that important to you as a band, getting your music out there by performing live?

T: I think for us it was. We loved to play live and we felt that it was important to constantly gig a few years back. But we realized that if we didn’t have an album out that we couldn’t follow up on these gigs. We decided around a year before Perfect Stranger that we would only do support shows and tours with higher profile acts in order to gain experience on the road and also learn from them.

E: Any plans to promote the album abroad, like in the States?

T: We have many interesting developments happening at the moment but we cannot say just yet. However, we really want to go to America. We feel and we have been told that our sound really suits the American taste...but only time will tell.

E: Is it weird now to look back and see how far you've come? Especially seeing as it sometimes seemed the album would never get out there.

T: It's funny, when we’re on the road we often discuss funny moments in the past. We recently talked about bands who we gigged with who are not together anymore. Of course we feel sad that they aren’t going anymore but we look back and realize, goodness we’re still going. We never thought about giving up. There was never a question that the album wasn’t going to happen; we were determined to do it.

E: You've played at festivals such as Oxegen and Indie-pendence as well as smaller venues around Ireland. What was the best and the worst gig venue you have ever played?

T: The Olympia is possibly the best venue in Ireland. How it's designed, the sound and the size of it. It's a beautiful-looking venue and great to play in. The worse venue…I can't really answer that!

E: You've supported the likes of Neil Young, Cathy Davey, Chuck Berry and The Coronas to name but a few. Who was your favourite band/musician to tour with?

T: Well I have to say touring with The Coronas is possibly the best experience any band could hope for. We’re all really good friends. The lads are so humble and modest but yet so much fun too. As we all know the popularity of The Coronas has sky-rocketed; sometimes it's like Beatle Mania being around those boys! We have learned so much on how they work from management up. They are so supportive of our music, I can't stress enough how good they have been to us. But both ourselves and The Coronas have 3 things in common: our love for music, drinking and women! This is what makes touring special with those boys!

E: Ha-ha, interesting...Was touring with Neil Young a "pinch me, I'm dreaming" moment?

T: It certainly was. I still can’t believe we toured with him. My Mum was a huge Neil Young fan. She used to play his albums all the time when I was a kid. It was a surreal experience but one we’ll never forget.

E: Who do you think is doing a good job on the Irish music scene at the moment? Who do you admire?

T: I  came across James Vincent McMorrow years ago on MySpace. I couldn’t believe this guy was an Irishman.

E: I love James Vincent McMorrow! I interviewed him recently for this blog; he's amazing! [Read my interview with James Vincent McMorrow here]

T: Yeah, since then both myself and him have become good friends. But I can honestly say his voice and his songs will give you goosebumps. Another band/artist I like are Miracle Bell. They played with us in Navan and also in the Button Factory. I really like what they're doing at the moment. Another artist I really like is DJ Lorcan Mak… Yes I’m not just into Indie Rock Music… I think this guy is so talented and he’s only 20. Another act I'm very excited about is Niamh Danger. She'll be unleashed to the world soon enough. I think alot of people in Ireland are looking forward to the release of Villagers debut album; Conor O’Brien is a very talent guy. I really admire what they’re doing and looking forward to that album.

E: You've had singles featured in Emmerdale and Raw- how did it feel to hear that news?
T: It was great to hear. I guess getting our songs on TV shows is important for exposure, so we were very chuffed.

E: How's the second album coming along? Any plans to record yet?

T: We’ve managed to write 8 or 9 songs so far. We’ve had a busy schedule touring so we still need to work more on them. But we’re very excited about the new songs. We’re hoping to record album 2 next year but we have to wait and see...  Let's hope we don’t wait as long as we did to record Perfect Stranger!

E: It's tough time for the music business at the moment. What advice would you give people who are struggling to get their music out there?

T: Learn how the industry works. Don’t believe everything people say and don’t ever give up!

E: What should fans look forward to from The Chapters for the rest of 2010 and beyond? 

T: Tours, festivals, tours, festivals, tours, festivals, new songs, tours , festivals…

The Chapters have recently been confirmed as one of the acts taking part in the Hotpress/ Jagermeister Freezer Sessions, which will also feature bands Director, Codes, Supermodel Twins and Walter Mitty and the Realists. The sessions will take place in 4 cities across the country; Dublin on 18th May, Cork on 3rd June, Galway on 4th June and Dolan's Warehouse, Limerick on Friday 11th June. For more information, and for your chance to win free tickets to the gigs, visit here. For further information on The Chapters, visit their official website or MySpace page. 

The Chapters- Tour Dates 
May 30th - Gaisce Event - Leopardstown

June 3rd - Hot Press/Jagermeister Tour-Crane Lane , Cork

June 5th - Livestock Festival, Kells

June 10th -  Hot Press/Jagermeister Tour- Dolans Warehouse, Limerick

June 17th - White Trash - Berlin

July-August - Tour of Italy

August 1st - Indie-pendence Festival Mitchelstown, Cork

All photos in this post by Dara Munnis