Romantic realists: Alpines talk Second Albums and UK Tour Dates

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There are two possible ways you could interpret Another River, the spellbinding, genre-melding and instantly immersive long player Bob Matthews and Catherine Pockson unveiled to widespread acclaim at the back end of last year. 

Informed in equal parts by pop, soul, downbeat and glitchy electronics, at times it feels like a stark, desperate cry for companionship. In other moments, the atmosphere is more empowering, a testament to the importance of knowing yourself- both strengths and weaknesses. 

Those with less of penchant for sonic theory might prefer a different reading altogether, mind. Alpines, the duo in question, summon spellbinding vocals, lush waves of harmony, and weighty, staccato beats to create a very modern take on R&B born out of the creative melting pot that is London. At once big enough to command a huge room, yet unarguably intimate and personal. 

Put simply, these are exactly the kind of tunes that were made for live performances, which is good, as the pair will be hitting the road this month for their first full-length headline tour, kicking off in Birmingham on Valentine’s Day. Keen to catch them before the inevitable mayhem begins, we picked up the phone to talk difficult seconds, battling nerves, and ideal dates. 

Hi guys, how are things today? 

Catherine: Well, I’m wearing three pairs of socks, it’s that kind of time really. We’re in our studio right now and have this really crap heater that takes about seven hours to heat up. So trying to work and keep motivated is difficult.

I read somewhere that in Scandinavia they have a word for coping with the winter. The idea just involves taking everything down to a basic level of survival. Loads of clothes, focussing on keeping warm and eating. 

Bob: It basically just gives people an excuse to eat lots of crap food and not go outside. 

That sounds pretty good actually. So what are you working on? 

C: Well, we are writing our third album, we just don’t want to leave it too long and want it to come out as soon as possible, rather than ending up waiting years, which is very easy when you start touring.

There was a bit of a gap between the first and second though? 

B: It was about two and a half years I think. Which is not too bad, but we’re aware we might be a lot busier with touring this time round and so want to get some legwork done.

In terms of momentum, was it difficult getting back to writing after your first record? 

B: Well we do try and write all the time but there definitely was a bit of a challenge to get going properly again. It’s more figuring out what you’re aiming for, stylistically. It’s hard when you have a blank page. So we’re trying to get started now.

For Another River we wanted to be true to ourselves, in terms of writing honest music that we believed in and not worry about anyone else and make sure we moved on from the first. Keeping all that in mind whilst being creative can be quite tough.

C: We wrote nearly 100 songs for Another River, so it was a really intense process. And a lot of the songs were good but didn’t quite hit the mark of what we were trying to achieve. We were determined to find our feet a bit and had no team around us at all when we began the writing process. So part of it was about getting back on the map, creating something really worthwhile- I think we’ve done that, which means the hard work was worth it.

Sounds like you put a lot of pressure on yourselves- so the difficult second album cliche was bang on for you guys? 

C: Well, it’s a bit different for us really, because of the process we’ve been through. When we were first signed we thought we were going to release an album with Polydor. We didn't, and then went through a funny phase of having to rethink and re-jig. So actually our first album is... 

B: Our first kind of feels like our second.

C: Yeah, exactly. The reason second albums are notorious is that often the debut is made up of songs that have been written over time, forever really. Then people have to smash the next out as quickly as possible, but there’s no material saved up. 

B: It was more that for Oasis, our first - because it was self-released it didn’t make much of an impact. So we knew if we really wanted to keep doing this the only way we could make sure people sat up and took notice was if we made it the best we could. Make sure the music was there - ultimately that’s all that matters.

You’re touring off the back of the record, and it’s your biggest live push to date. How are the nerves? 

C: Yeah, I mean there’s always pressure with a tour, as there’s the build up, then you have to go and do it. I think there are ways though, of coping and handling it. How I’m planning on approaching things is just taking one date at a time. We have a few fans in each town that we have had conversations with over the years, so it’s nice to know there are these hardcore fans already there. 

For me what helps with the nerves on stage is knowing it’s not just about you. It’s about people who have made the effort to be there and this may be the first time they have seen us, ever. That actually helps and makes you enjoy it more. You have them there, everyone is in the same space. That’s what it’s about, playing live - you’re all in it together and you all root for each other.

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The first date is Birmingham, on Valentine’s Day... 

C: Yep, big night out!

Well, you’ll probably get all the fun people - the ones who couldn’t get dates. Or the ones know what a real date should be. Obviously your music is very emotive, and concerned with matters of the heart, but how romantic are you guys really? 

C: I think I’m a bit of a romantic but also, and mainly, a realist. This album comes from a very honest point of view, and I didn’t want to hide my true feelings behind a wall of sound. This is what I’m going through, this is what I’m feeling, this is what hurts. Hopefully that comes through and reaches people, as it was the most important thing for the album. So yeah, it’s romantic, but the realness is the key. 

So let’s say you weren’t playing on Valentine’s Day. Thoughts on ideal dates? 

C: Err, definitely not going to a restaurant. Probably using it as an excuse to eat lots of chocolate and watch something like Love Actually. And maybe being with my girlfriends, a couple of them have had some really shit breakups recently and I think Valentine’s Day is always the worst for those people. I would imagine Bob hasn’t thought about it at all though...

B: I don’t know. Is there any football on? To be honest I’m happy just going to the pub - that’s my perfect date. It doesn’t have to be candlelit or anything, just some place that has nice beer, that’s enough to make me happy. 

C: Bob does love the pub.

Don’t we all. And once you’re done with the U.K. dates you’re off to Europe, is that more of a big deal- playing in other countries? 

B: It’s definitely really exciting, we’ve never played these places before at all. But the U.K. is kind of more important for us- we are from here, have fans here, if we were going to choose one place to be successful, it would be here. 

The gig experience is very different in Europe, though. You get treated differently. I don’t want to be harsh on the U.K., but there are times when you don’t get treated that well- a bag of crisps and warm lager. In Germany that maybe would be an actual hot meal and a really nice experience. 

Why do you think there is that difference? 

B: I think in a lot of places they are grateful for British bands to actually visit. Obviously there are great bands everywhere, but to many people Britain is still seen as a hotbed of musical talent. In the U.K. there are just so many bands on the circuit, so there can be a view that if you don’t want to play for free someone else will. 

C: But then there are a lot of acts that I know that have made the move over to Berlin, so maybe it’s changing. 

Finally, then, what comes after Europe? 

C: Well, we will be doing some festivals in the summer, and then back touring again after that.

B: Yeah, so there’s more live stuff to follow, and every moment between we will be spending in the studio.

You can catch Alpines on Valentines Day in Birmingham's Hare and Hounds, tickets below.