Page 465 - Guildhall Coverage Book 2020-21

The band have been waiting to release the album ever since it was first recorded a
little less than a year ago. Black Country, New Road, containing a hefty seven
members, usually come up with the music before 22 year old Isaac Wood includes
his quivering almost monotone lyrics, although some exceptions exist. ‘‘We usually
work quite well together; we know when to hold back and when to push to make a
song come together,’’ says the bands violinist Georgia Ellery, trained in jazz violin at
the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

One notable absence in their schedule is the lack of live performances. The band
note that, as much of their music is created whilst touring and playing live, future
projects recorded over this period may have come out differently than expected in an
almost inconceivable non Covid-19 world. After garnering much attention from
allegedly electric performances in the South London venue The Windmill, the venue
for which the band teamed up to raise funds to prevent Covid- related closure last
December, the band are eager to return to live performances and having people
respond to their music in person. A sense of quiet desperation seeps in, as this band
who thrive off playing live remain locked at home for the near future. Yes, their sound
is also fascinating enough to be experienced from home but it’s the live cosmos in
which it makes the most sense, something they share with other Windmill-related
bands like Black Midi and Sorry. In an almost shamanic ritual you see the band
break loose, resulting in an intoxicating experience. This new generation isn’t
interested in pleasing the Spotify playlist system, they feed from the raw physical
experience of their live concerts and the connection with the audience. Needless, so
say this is a horrible time for these folks. Still, they are looking forward to people
streaming their album at home. The wait for the release of For the First Time has
been lengthy and talking to the band members on the eve of its release, the
excitement at its final release is palpable, with plans being made over Zoom on how
best to celebrate.