Last of the Fallen Angels are a dream pop / trip hop duo originally from Darlington who now live in Newcastle and Teesside. Returning with their new album, which includes work with some super producers, Damian Robinson caught up with the duo to find out about what’s coming.
Congratulations on the upcoming album – 2 Scorpions – it’s great and has a very unique sound. Could you tell us a little about the album, how long it’s been in the creation process, and where its origins came from?
Our sound is a mix of our influences. We mix the beats and vibes of Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky and Cocteau Twins with dreamy and bluesy female vocals.
The LP is 10 songs of dreamy experimental pop and is out on vinyl through the Butterfly Effect label. It follows a couple who run away to Berlin via Amsterdam. We’ve spent about a year writing and recording. The song cycle just flowed so easily. We’re very proud of it. It’s been a joy to make.
Amsterdam Flight plays a particularly specific part in the album and is a fantastic album opener. Could you say a few words about that track and why you chose it to open the album?
It’s about escape, which sets out our stall beautifully. I just love the slow build which draws people in. It’s the song which opens the set when we play live. We wear it like a cloak. It fits very well. One of the first songs we wrote together in fact and I think it will always be my favourite.
The vocals and lyrics play a very specific part in the song’s atmosphere and dreamy intensity – what inspires the words and their delivery?
The album is a love story about a couple escaping to Europe to start a new life. We set out to create a narrative of positivity and worked out a path to tell the story of the couple’s journey through music. The inspiration is love.
You’re working with some serious producers on the album – Mark Saunders and Simon Ellis – what impact did they both bring to the album and what were they like to work with?
It’s been an inspiration to work with Mark and Simon. They have a vision for our music which echoes our own. Mark has worked with Bowie, Neneh Cherry, The Cure and Tricky so is a perfect match for our sound. Simon brings a more pop element. It’s the push and pull between his pop experience and our indie sensibilities that really creates something special. Working with Simon and stripping the song back to piano really inspired me to feel the words I had written and feel the story.
Night People will appear in an upcoming horror film – could you tell us a little more about that experience and about the film.
We wrote the song for LP and then the Director heard it and chose it for the film. It’s a low budget Canadian horror movie which premiers in New York later in the year. The Director thought it had the right vibe for his film and a suitable level of menace! I’ve always wanted to make music for a film, so this is a dream come true.
In terms of the rest of the 2024, what’s next and where can we catch you?
First up we’re opening for China Crisis at The Cluny on Sept 14th. Next, we’re touring the UK to promote the LP in October and November, taking in London, Liverpool, Sheffield, Manchester and Newcastle. It’s the first time we’ve gone on the road, so we’re very excited.
To find out more about the album and tour https://www.facebook.com/thelastofthefallenangels/