After gigging in the city of Bristol for a number of years, Scarlet Rascal were signed by one of the city’s music pioneers in the form of Portishead’s Geoff Barrow to his Invada label. The self-titled debut promises hazy sonic textures, driving guitar and motoric reverberations matched with the strikingly deep vocals of front man Luke Brookes. I was able to grab a few words with the songwriter about the upcoming LP and what the future has in store for the group.

Can you give us a brief history of the band and how it was formed?
We formed in Bristol although I don't recall exactly when. We started out as a two-piece then eventually grew to a four-piece.

How would you describe your music?
Warm, cuddly and nice.

What can we expect from the album and what did the band set out to achieve with the LP?We wanted to make something concise. We recorded a lot of songs for this album but kept trimming them off until it felt like one thing. I'm still a little too close to it to really be able to describe it in any kind of meaningful way, perhaps in a year or two I'll see it clearer.

Can you pinpoint the influences behind your music?
Bob Dylan, PJ Harvey, Richard Hell, Television, Anika.

Tell us about the Bristol music scene, it’s traditionally had a more dance orientated vibe, how does that effect you as a guitar band?
To be honest I couldn't tell you, I've never really felt part of the scene. Not to say that it's bad, I've just never really gone in for that stuff. I couldn't tell you about the dance stuff either, I tend to stay out of the clubs.

Is there a particular process that your song writing goes through when crafting the tracks?
Not really, when you find yourself going down a usual route it doesn't work so well.

What does the next 12-18 months have in store for the band, are there plans for a new album?
I would hope we'll be playing as many shows as possible.

If you could work with any artist, who would it be and what would they bring to?Scarlet Rascal??
John Parish. About once a year I find myself stood behind him in a crowd at some event but never bring myself to tap him on the shoulder.

What music are you listening to at the moment?
I've been listening to an album called You Never Heard So Sweet. It's a compilation of a capella recordings made in the 1950s. It's kind of like the Lomax recordings only it's recorded in the south of England.

Are there any exciting releases coming through your label, Invada Records, which we should keep an ear out for?
They always have something interesting coming out. Off the top of my head the soundtrack for the show Stranger Things is being released by them.

Is there a particular ethos that drives you as a band?
Yes but it's generally unspoken. When you play together for a while you tend to form a similar set of ideas of what you want to do by doing it, or if that doesn't happen then you just stop. Better not to talk it to death.

You have played down in Brighton a few times now, how do you find the city and are there any future gigs planned?
I like the city, it reminds me of Bristol only you guys have the beach and we have the harbourside. The audiences are more similar to Bristol audiences than they are to the London audiences as well, people tend more to come up and talk to you after the shows. We haven't got anything booked for Brighton right now but there should be something in the not too distant future.
Paul Hill
 

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