INTERVIEW: Henge — Music Musings & Such

INTERVIEW:

Henge

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THANKS to Henge…

for talking about their new single, Indigo Dust, and what sort of themes inspired their debut album, Attention Earth! I ask whether there are going to be gigs coming up and whether the group have any ambitions for the year ahead.

Henge recommend some rising artists get behind and discuss influences; the advice they would give to artists coming through and how they spend their time away from music - they choose some cool tunes to end the interview with.

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Hi, guys. How are you? How has your week been?

Phantasmagorical.

For those new to your music; can you introduce yourselves, please?

Greetings, humans. We are Henge. We bring you the gift of Cosmic Dross - a kind of music that is new to your world.

Indigo Dust is the new single. Is there a story behind it?

Indigo Dust is about the thrill of making art – the rush you feel when inspiration has you in its euphoric grip…

Attention Earth! is your debut album. Are there particular themes that inspired it?

Attention Earth! tells of our space travels; we celebrate the importance of water and admire the beauty of the moon; we use the record to reveal our involvement with your planet and your species and, most importantly, it contains our message for mankind – demilitarise, unite and colonise space or face extinction.

How did Henge come together?

Our history spans many billions of years and covers vast amounts of space. There is too much to tell you now...

Which artists did you all grow up around? Do you have any personal musical idols?

I grew up on the planet Agricular in Cosmos Redshift 7. There was music all around us – the distinction between 'musician' and 'non-musician' was not as clear as it is here on planet Earth...but I absorbed the sounds of 'Cosmic Dross' (the traditional music of my people the Agriculans) and its influence have pervaded every moment of my existence since.

What do you hope to achieve by the end of 2018?

Our mission on planet Earth has taken us to many gatherings and festivals. And we have scheduled numerous landings in the U.K. (with a tour in November and December)...

In that same vein; do you have plans for 2019 in terms of what you want to accomplish?

We aim to reach as many humans as possible and share with them the sounds of Cosmic Dross. We wish to see the continued proliferation of joy among peoples. We will continue to encourage human beings to put aside war, to achieve their potential and set up colonies on other planets. Only when the path to mass extinction is past the point of no return will we leave planet Earth and seek new worlds where we may be able to have some positive influence on other lifeforms.

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PHOTO CREDIT: Savvy Creative

Have you got a favourite memory from your time in music so far – the one that sticks in the mind?

We have had a myriad of wonderful experiences on planet Earth so far...we have travelled Europe and Australia, played Cosmic Dross to many receptive human beings and catalysed euphoria at many, many festivals. The other members of Henge might have specific highlights – but, as a group, our most significant action on this planet so far is to release the album Attention Earth!

Which one album means the most to each of you would you say (and why)?

We are unable to load more significance onto a single record – to do so is a dangerous trap. Your life-in-listening should be full of highlights; to get stuck on a favourite will narrow your horizons. Either we give you a list of a few hundred albums...or you must accept the answer: Attention Earth! by Henge...

Can we see you on the road this year at all?

Yes:

31st Oct - The Lost Arc, Rhayader (Wales)

1st Nov - The Bierkeller, Exeter

2nd Nov - OMA, Bristol (SOLD OUT)

3rd Nov - Nos Da, Cardiff

8th Nov - The Lexington, London

9th Nov - Hope and Ruin, Brighton (SOLD OUT)

15th Nov - The Cluny, Newcastle

16th Nov - The Warehouse, Penrith

17th Nov - Yellow Arch, Sheffield

22nd Nov - HiFi Club, Leeds

23rd Nov - The Continental, Preston

24th Nov - Kilmarnock Festival

24th Nov - The Craigdarroch Hotel, Moniaive

25th Nov - Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh

29th Nov - The Bodega, Nottingham

30th Nov - The Donkey, Leicester

1st Dec - EBGBS, Liverpool

7th Dec - The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge (SOLD OUT)

8th Dec - Gorilla, Manchester *** two shows - all ages matinee + evening show***

What advice would you give to new artists coming through?

Do not set out to copy a particular artist, no matter how much you love them. Listen to a wide variety of music and do not shy away from music that you don't understand. Do not get lost in your ego. When choosing musicians to work with seek to find their particular gift and play to their strengths. Try out ideas without putting yourself under too much pressure. Have fun in rehearsals.

Never bully a bandmate. Enjoy your own abilities without arrogance; where you lack ability – be kind to yourself. If you try to cover up your insecurities it will sound ugly. If you try and show off your abilities it will sound ugly. Get comfortable. Don't care. Don't try to second guess what you think the audience is thinking. Make what only YOU can make. Be unique or die trying.