Get to know: The Desert, Bristol's freshest trip-hop outfit
Posted on: 16 Nov 2018365Bristol.com caught up with Bristol's freshest answer to trip-hop, The Desert. Bristol, love and loss: get to know a band on the radar of many.
With Massive Attack’s imminent return to Bristol, we’re all reminded of the trip-hop revolution they fronted. Enter The Desert. Bristol’s freshest take on the genre, The Desert is headed by frontwoman Gina Leonard alongside guitarist and producer Tom Fryer, who met five years ago at the Cambridge Folk Festival. Since, the pair’s sound has recruited the help of fellow band members Jonny and Ryan, while dominating the BBC’s new music radar.
Merging the contemplative folky, yet velvet melodies of Leonard, The Desert’s growing persona stays loyal to trademark triphop accents. Oozing, impassioned progressions, lurching beats and slight electronica, which seeps through piano and guitar; the nostalgic sound of The Desert is poignant, but remains satured by mature hooks.
Hey! Let's start with where your friendship started - what were your first impressions of each other?
Gina: My first impression of Tom was that he was very friendly and confident. He clearly knew a lot about recording and production - which was something I was clueless about!
Tom: I thought Gina was a great songwriter and had a very captivating voice, despite being quite a shy performer back then.
Gina, as the founder of the band, who inspires you musically?
When I was younger, I was obsessed with Jack Johnson - now not so much - but I still listen to lots of music that stems from guitar and vocals. I get pretty excited for good lyrics. I’m also a sucker for a good melody, and listen to a lot of pop music; Rihanna, The 1975, Jorja Smith, Drake, Lana Del Rey…
You’ve recently released a new track, 'Gone.' (I really love it!) How has it been received?
I think when we play it live it goes down well as it’s pretty upbeat and quite intense! In terms of its reception online, it’s been very positive - lots of references to the Bristol Trip hop scene and Portishead - which is cool. We're looking forward to the rest of the EP coming out which will give the song more context.
'Gone' deals with sudden loss. Could you expand on this inspiration? Is this related to a personal event?
Gina: Yeah, without giving explicit details it’s about being left suddenly by someone I was in a relationship with. Although it was a sad and confusing time, there was also an element of excitement and freedom. Hopefully, the song conveys that.
.jpg "A quote from The Desert")
What draws the band to the trip-hop genre?
Tom: Mezzanine and Dummy were two of my favourite albums growing up; along with The Bends, Leftism, Fat of the Land, amongst others. Essentially, my Dad got a 5-for-3 deal on CD's in Virgin Records one time that he didn't realise would end up shaping my entire life. I was always aware of Bristol from a young age as a result, and that's a big part of why I ended up moving here for music. Inadvertently, I suppose that's why Gina ended up living here too.
Has the city inspired your sound at all?
Most of what we have released so far was recorded in Tom's bedroom in St Pauls. It's a pretty noisy area. There are also more deliberate samples interweaved into Tom's production taken from other parts of the city, too. Our music often explores themes of isolation and escapism, but also the need for human connection. Bristol embodies these themes. As a city which can be lonely, it also has a strong sense of community.
Name your fav Bristol venue.
The Leftbank on Stokes Croft: the manager, Tom Eagan, is so passionate about the Bristol music scene and does a lot to support musicians and bands from loads of different genres. He has programmed some absolutely brilliant bands over the last few years. They also do a great deal on tuaca shots.
Different problems face Bristol's music scene right now. What do you take to be the most pertinent issue?
Probably gentrification and the closure of small music venues. We attended the 'Save Hamilton House' rally recently. If the Canteen goes, once the Carriageworks are converted into luxury flats, then it will be pretty different around the Stokes Croft area. But then these things always move in waves. Here today, gone tomorrow.
.jpg "A quote from The Desert")
Minus yourselves, who should we be listening to?
We’re all really enjoying Micheal Clarke’s new stuff. Also our friends, Ålesund, have released some new music recently you should check out. Alesund will be supporting us at our next Bristol show on the 10 December. Our good friend Chaz Thorogood has a released a great single recently too, and he's playing that night as well.
What can we expect from your upcoming Bristol show? (@ Crofters Rights on 10 December 2018)
We’ve been gigging a lot so we’re feeling like things are pretty tight and that we’re able to sit back into the songs and enjoy it. We're really excited to play with our mates and put
on a good show for a friendly crowd.
What's next for you as a band?
We've got a few more tracks coming out over the winter which is really exciting, and we're working hard on getting our first album finished so lots of writing and recording sessions. We’re also busy with gigs across the UK as part of Funnel Music’s tour.
The Desert is playing The Crofters Rights on 10 December 2018. Like their Facebook page to keep up with new releases.
