Fear, loathing, and pages of notebooks filled in between; North Manchester’s Dirty Laces edge closer to their anticipated debut LP.
The past 12 months may have been tough, but Dirty Laces’ relentless work ethic has seen them become signed, collaborate with Ride drummer Laurence Colbert, and continue to release a stream of new music. With acclaim from BBC 6music (Chris Hawkins), Planet Rock (Wyatt Wendels) plus memories of shows at Salford Lads Club, a sold-out headliner at Manchester's 600-capacity Gorilla, Tim Burgess’ North by Northwich, packed out tents at festivals such as the prestigious Kendal Calling, and their legion of Laces supporters never far from mind... the band will hit the road with a new UK Tour this Autumn and Shiiine On Weekender in November. In the meantime it is just a case of finalising that debut album tracklist.
New single, 'Breathe' saw the band return to their Liverpool home at Parr Street Studios and reunited them with Seatbelts’ Alex Quinn (production/mixing). Together they have conjured an atmosphere previously unheard in the Laces’ catalogue from its Beatles-esque piano ballad opening, to capturing Queens Of The Stone Age recording techniques through pushing the studio’s vintage drum kit to its limit. “The space in this song allowed us to experiment sonically with instruments you wouldn’t usually associate with Dirty Laces,” Tom says, “arpeggiated synthesisers, the famous Parr Street Mellotron and lap steel guitars. We wanted to create a psychedelic journey as the song progresses to its climax.” Filmed by sonic voyeurs Happy Daze, ‘Breathe’s video reflects its unsettling Fear and Loathing inspired lyrics through mind-bending depths of field from bird and bug eye views. Casting shadows among the bricks, wire fences and gravel of an apocalyptic end of days northern wasteland, Dirty Laces are the last band standing and between towers of flaking silver birch and crumbling painted staircases, Manchester’s city skyline looms in the mist – a stark reminder of the fleeting nature of time as the vast expanse lies defenceless under gentrification’s imminent threat.
‘Breathe’s psychedelic trip is further enhanced through the weird lines and bold artwork of Fruit Tones’ Tomas Walmsley; his illustrative eye-catching creations for Cabbage and The Goa Express now aligned with the Laces’ own experiential observations. Wider awake than a dreamscape, the song’s sleeve ignites the physical feeling of being completely aware of blood pumping around your body, heart and lungs keeping you alive, protected by nothing but bones and skin, and how external factors affect it.
As Charlie sings on the track, Dirty Laces are “building a puzzle” and it is only a matter of time before all the pieces slot into place.
Dirty Laces are Tom Edwards (bass), Charlie Jordan (vocals), Luke Dec (guitars), Jacob Simpson (guitar) and Luke O’Reilly (drums/percussion).