James Blake, Laura Marling, Underworld: Belfast’s avant-garde auteurs Chalk tell us about the tracks that inspired their new EP, “Conditions III”.
A thrilling amalgamation of glitchy electronic and thumping post-punk, Belfast trio Chalk are delving deeper into their own sonic stratosphere. New EP “Conditions III” is fiercely creative and seamlessly adept, the third prong of their accomplishment series of projects, perhaps the strongest and most adventurous of the three projects. Wonderland wanted to know some more, which hits DSPs on 21st February, so asked the band to share what tracks inspired it.
Listen to the EP’s latest teaser single…
Read Chalk’s On Repeat…
James Blake – “Thrown Around”
I’m a fan of anything James Blake puts out in all honesty, and I particularly love just how catchy the refrain is when it comes around in this track. He’s just brilliant and continues to innovate, and it’s hard for us not to be inspired by him when we navigate electronic soundscapes and try to write unconventionally.
Laura Marling – “Patterns”
Laura Marling’s album Patterns in Repeat was easily one of the standouts of last year, and this single just tugs at the heartstrings during every listen. Her voice is endlessly beautiful, and the instrumentation in this track is like one big pillow—it’s so comforting. I’m inspired by her lyricism and how personal her music feels.
Nine Inch Nails – “Discipline”
Nine Inch Nails are always on repeat. As a drummer, I just love how much this track pounds rhythmically right from the get go, such a fat drum sound. They blend hard rock and electronic sounds like no other. Huge influence on me when composing drum parts and making it fit the samples and electronic inflections that Ross is producing.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Spitting Off the Edge of the World”
I’ve been playing this track a lot the past couple of years. I’m inspired by just how grand and mystical the chorus feels, it creates such an enormous transition from the pre-chorus and Karen O’s vocal is just so epic, no voice would fit it better. A great lesson in choruses driving the feeling and mood of a song.
Holy Fuck – “Luxe”
The multiple builds in this song are something else. Not many bands could get away with the approach Holy Fuck bring here, I can’t help but be captivated by it. This was a big influence for me when it came to the build in our song “Tell Me” towards the end, and finding the right spaces and timings to add the snare drum. I love this band and their mixing of both live and programmed drums.
Underworld – “Two Months Off”
We’ve tried to rip this off for the last two years but has always been a failure. My favourite Underworld track – “You bring Light In”.
DJ Koze – “Burn with Me”
Has been in our inspiration playlist for a long time from the opening of the film Victoria. I love the bass and playfulness of the percussion in this.
Sextile – “Contortion”
One of our favourite bands, their latest album Push was a favourite for us. Love the music video for this as well.
Daniel Avery – “Wall of Sleep”
The atmosphere that Daniel Avery builds in his tracks is a big influence for us. There’s a lot of cool YouTube videos breaking down his production techniques.
“Boy Harsher” – Underwater”
“Underwater” had a big influence on a track called “Pool Scene” for the new EP. I love the vocal effect on their vocal which makes you feel the coldness of this song.
