Scottish rockers, Twin Atlantic, are back! The group has just released their brand new album ‘GLA’ and their new single ‘No Sleep’ reminds us why we fell in love with the band all those years ago. This week, I caught up with the group’s Sam Mc Trusty as he opened up about the band’s biggest challenge while working on the album, the new single and live music.
Your previous album ‘Great Divide’ was fantastic. What state of mind did you go into the studio with before recording ‘GLA’?
Our state of mind was pretty clear and for this first time we had a definite vision. We wanted to make a rock album that as music fans we wanted to hear in 2016. Something we would actually listen to. It gave us a lot of drive and we were pretty selfish about the whole process. From making home demos right through to naming the album after our hometown.
How is this album different from your previous albums?
Every album is an evolution of all previous attempts. This one has more sparks and grit. A realness. Our other albums are very much about dreaming and escapism whereas this deals with reality but in a very artistic way.
‘No Sleep’ has gotten a fantastic response. What inspired the song?
Just being able to have a no nonsense rock song. Strip it all back to the things we love. A huge riff and a huge vocal to match. No more f*cking around trying to make everything perfect. I also go through bad patches from time to time that relate to the words in the song so it’s a bit of a self-therapy exercise!
What has been the biggest challenge working on this album?
I would say having to relearn how to be a band again. We completely deconstructed our methods of writing and recording for this album and started from scratch again. So the whole thing was a challenge. Every aspect!! But we wanted it to be that way. We were bored or at least self-aware that we had found a formula that works and that’s not very rock and roll.
Why do you think your music identifies with so many people around the world?
I honestly couldn’t say why… I could maybe guess at it stemming from the way we make it. From the heart. Always honest. Always daring to be larger than life and a little bit unpredictable?
You’re a fantastic live act. What do you believe goes into a great live show?
Blood sweat and tears. The old cliche!! And time. Years of f*cking up and learning from your mistakes. On a more personal note I think you need to be conscious of people too. What makes them tick. How to control or manipulate someone’s emotions.
The band is constantly on the move. What is the best and worst thing about touring the world?
Best thing is the crossing of so many different cultures and histories of cities. Fully being a tourist and broadening your mind. The worst is probably lack of routine and how much anxiety that can breed in a person.
What is the one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started your career?
Everyone is making up this shit as they go along and people who operate in a world of fear should never be followed or listened to.
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