Many listeners of Folk Radio UK will already be familiar with Laish frontman Daniel Green who is also the monthly resident guest host for the splendid Simple Folk Radio whose show we feature every week on Folk Radio UK. The band have been busy of late having just returned from a tour in Germany and are about to embark on their UK Autumn tour (details below) so we caught up with Daniel for a quick chat.
Anyone who has followed Laish will know they are constantly evolving and developing, exploration seems to be a fundamental part of this. “Well since the first record was released, Laish now has entirely new players” Daniel explains “and the sound has developed accordingly. There seems to be an increased intensity from feeling that the louder we can be the more effective the quieter moments become. We are still interested in exploring song structures and various lyrical themes, found sounds, real instruments being played and the balance between subtlety and straight up satisfaction.”
The lifestyle of these band members is hardly the sedate life some may imagine such a collective to be. “It is a hectic lifestyle” Daniel confirms “we all lead to maintain this project and the music we make is definitely a product of our circumstances.”
I ask him about musical influences but its clear that their lifestyle is their biggest influence and driver. “This pressure is our biggest influence. More so than listening to a lot of bands from a certain genre. With Laish, we usually have just three hours a week together. Three hours to do all rehearsing, working on new song ideas and even to discuss tour logistics. It is such a short and precious amount of time but we have become very efficient, very focussed. I think these obstructions are an important part of the creative process, or at least they can be if you embrace them. I would love to spend every day working with the band, but unfortunately we are not in that position. I do spend a lot more time of my own doing things like writing songs, maintaining band websites and taking my girlfriend to dinner.”
One of this year’s highlights was the No Direction Home Festival which Daniel explains was “Entirely positive.” It turns out the experience was also a euphoric one. “The festival itself was very inspiring – great music in an intimate setting. From a personal point of view it was dizzying as it was the biggest stage I have performed on as a front man. I skipped around the rest of the weekend like an idiot child, giddy and drunk.”
Daniel, whether out of passion or necessity (or both) is involved in a number of other projects. “I have played drums for the awkward avant rock band, Sons of Noel and Adrian, since 2008. I have learned so much from hanging about with this misfit bunch of alcoholics and musical geniuses. It is endlessly rewarding and challenging. Composing, arranging, organising tours, drinking.
“I also drum for Redwood Red, Emma Gatrill and occasionally find myself working on material with friends like Animal Magic Tricks and Kristin McClement. As your listeners may have noticed, I present a monthly show with pre-recorded exclusive live sessions for Simple Folk Radio which goes out on Folk Radio UK. This definitely keeps me on my toes with what my peers are up to.”
I ask Daniel about their recent tour of Germany and what else is in the pipe line, there is always something else going on in their relentless creative pursuits. “We have just returned from a tour in Germany where we had the wonderful Kari from Like Spinning supporting us. Germans know how to keep a band happy I am pleased to report. Home cooked dinners, free bars and quiet appreciation. Then we have a UK tour this November which is a pleasing mix of city venues and country pubs. Should be a joy. Next year it will all happen with new albums and things to see but currently we are at the drawing board stage of how to get it all done properly. My head hurts to think about it but I am pleased with what we have achieved with the album and looking forward to getting stuck into the next one.”
“Lastly we are recording a track for the Lo-Fi Dogma project next week. It is about producing music where they capture a single performance and lay it down without studio trickery or the usual stupid amount of time mixing it. We will surrender the process entirely and just trust we sound good on the day.”
Laish – Obituaries EP
UK Tour Dates
26th Oct, BRIGHTON, The Hope – Tickets
2nd Nov – TOTNES, The Blackbird Collective at Studio Lounge – Tickets
3rd Nov- FALMOUTH, Miss Peapod’s – Tickets
5th Nov, LONDON, Slaughtered Lamb: Tickets
6th Nov, BRISTOL, Golden Lion
7th Nov, NORWICH, Bicycle Shop, Tickets
8th Nov, BIRMINGHAM, Ort Cafe
9th Nov, HEBDEN BRIDGE, Puzzle Hall Inn
10th Nov, ELSTREE (HERTS), Waggon and Horses