For those people that haven’t heard of Happy Science could you tell us a bit about the band, your story?
We met in North London. It was our shared passion for music and production that brought us together. Everyone in this band is a songwriter and a producer in their own right. We all had aspirations to not be another band that simply stands on stage and thud’s their guitar strings; we’re passionate about making music that will live forever in people’s minds.
We have our own little corner of Alexandra Palace where we write and demo songs. Fin, our drummer has a studio there, so we’ve been fortunate enough to have a space where we can go and churn out song after song.
We got together as a band and started writing songs only a few years back. We were due to launch the band in early 2020 and had lined-up a raft of shows but like everybody else in the world, were affected by the pandemic. So instead, we spent various lockdowns and periods of isolation writing and recording. This left us with an array of songs we’re very proud of.
We finally launched the band this summer with a sell-out show at the beautiful Shacklewell Arms in Hackney.
Who inspired you to get on stage and perform?
There’s probably a list as long as my arm. From Ian Curtis to Debbie Harry. Hendrix, Cocker, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Bowie, Jagger, Richards, Janis Joplin… this list is endless.
Are there any particular artists or albums that inspired your sound?
Yes… and no. I don’t think you can pinpoint our sound; which is what I love about it. We have songs that are heavily influenced by hip hop, and my love for East Coast Hip Hop and I tend to sneak it into my work in a subtle way. For example, we have a tune that has a very Nas type bassline and a riff taken from an OBD song. Mix those hip hop grooves with Gang of Four type guitars and Joy Division type lyrics, I guess you start getting that Happy Science sound somewhere down the road.
Do you have any songwriting rituals?
No. I write songs whenever I feel them coming on. If I’m at my home studio, I’ll quickly record an idea to Pro Tools and try and build a full song around that. Often, it can be just an acoustic guitar and a Dictaphone. Sometimes it can be just me and a bass guitar. Me and Calum will often bounce ideas off each other too.
Could you tell us a bit about the writing/recording of the Syncr Music winning track “Future Vertigo”?
Calum brought that song to me a while back. I remember listening to a very rough demo while in Aldi in Archway and instantly thinking “that song is the next single”. We demoed it very soon after and that formed the basis of what you hear now. The guitars are very Velvet Underground ‘Heroin’ inspired; along with those primal drums that pulse over and over like a heartbeat. The last part of the tune picks up and takes it to another stratosphere.
What are some of your favourite venues to perform at?
There’s a lot of venues I’ve fallen in love with… off the top of my head I’d say The Castle in Manchester, The Shaklewell Arms in Hackney and The Joiners in Southampton.
Do you have any plans for an EP or album?
We have a big announcement soon. I can’t say much more than that right now.
Here at Artistic Echoes, we are always on the lookout for new artists do you have any to recommend?
Aerial Salad, The Sovereigns, The Altered Hours
What plans do you have for the rest of the year?
To play to as many people as possible!
Find out more:
https://happyscience.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/happyscienceofl
https://twitter.com/HappyScienceOFL
https://www.facebook.com/HappyScienceOFL/
