Interview: Underdark
This album was written to tell a story. I wanted to write about the British rust belt, but to do so in a way that highlighted how we got from active industry and thriving communities to where things are today.
Creators of some of the most apocalyptic sounding music in the UK underground, Nottinghams Underdark fuse black metal, post-metal and whole host of diverse influences to create their vital sound. The band’s brilliant new album Managed Decline is out very soon on Church Road Record. Gavin Brown caught up with vocalist Abi Vasquez and guitarist Ollie Jones from the band to hear all about it and also discuss various other topics including cover songs, their Nottingham hometown and some of their favourite music from this year.
E&D: Your new album Managed Decline is out very soon. How excited are you about getting the album out there?
Ollie: Writing this album and getting everything in place for release has been a long process and it sometimes felt that we’d never get it out so, so yeah we’re very excited for people to hear it!
E&D: How has the new material been received so far?
Ollie: The reaction has been really positive which we’re very grateful for.
E&D: The titles of the songs on Managed Decline reference certain dates. Can you tell us about these and what they represent when it comes to the the album and did you want to tell a story with this record?
Abi: This album was written to tell a story. I wanted to write about the British rust belt, but to do so in a way that highlighted how we got from active industry and thriving communities to where things are today. I decided the best way to do this was through telling a multi-generational story of snowballing poverty that’s affected so many communities under Thatcherite neoliberalism. The dates represent the points in that story where each of the songs takes place.
E&D: Was the creation of the album a smooth process?
Ollie: Dan (Drummer) left towards the end of the writing process so we had a while looking for a new drummer. Apart from that it was it a pretty smooth process although it took a lot longer to write than we’d have liked.
E&D: What were the biggest influences on the sound of Managed Decline?
Ollie: For me when writing the sound is heavily influenced by visuals/films. Particularly on this album films by directors Mike Leigh and Shane Meadows and a bit of folk-horror too.
Abi: I wanted to try some different things with my vocal approach. I’d been doing parts live where I’d put the mic down and just scream to the room and thought it would sound cool to have that on a track. There’s a section of throat singing too – I was really out to broaden my horizons as a vocalist.
E&D: Did feel any pressure following up such a well received album in Our Bodies Burned Bright On Re-Entry?
Ollie: A little pressure but we were quite confident we could meet the expectations people might have. There were things about the first album we weren’t entirely happy with and we knew we could learn from those things and make a better album this time around.
E&D: This is your first album on Church Road Records. How are things working out with the label and how does it feel to be on such a forward thinking label?
Ollie: We’ve always been very keen on working with Church Road so we were very happy when they said they wanted to put the album out. It’s great to be on a roster made up of such a diverse range of artists. We feel at home.
E&D: You released a cover ‘Unfinished Sympathy’ by Massive Attack earlier this year. How was the experience of doing that song and what has the reaction been like?
Ollie: It was a challenge and a learning experience as It’s so far removed from our own style. It sounds like such a simple song on the surface but once you start to deconstruct it you realise how many layers and subtle variations are woven through it. It turned out to a lot more time-consuming to arrange than originally thought but totally worth it.
Abi: I found it tough, because Shara’s vocals are so captivating and so difficult to translate into harsh screams without losing all the charm. Obviously it wasn’t going to be possible to match all the subtleties in her runs at ad-libs but I think what I ended up with suits our rendition well.
E&D: What was it about that song that made you want to do your own version of it?
Ollie: It’s such an iconic and loved song. It’s also one my all time favourites. We also wanted to challenge ourselves by covering something so far removed from our usual style.
E&D: You’ve previously covered ‘Plainsong’ by The Cure. What other songs would you love to give the Underdark treatment in the future?
Ollie: I’ve wanted to cover ‘Stay’ by Shakespear’s Sister for a while now. I wouldn’t be surprised if and when we do another cover it’d be an 80s or 90s pop song.
Abi: I really want to do a Manic Street Preachers song. Richey Edwards is one of my all-time favourite lyricists and it’d be an honour to have his words come out of my mouth on a record.
E&D: What are some of your favourite ever cover songs?
Ollie: Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards cover of ‘To Have And Have Not’ by Billy Bragg is the first one that comes to mind.
Abi: Boris’ version of ‘Sometimes’ by My Bloody Valentine.
E&D: Would you ever consider doing a black metal cover or do you prefer to keep things away from that when it comes to covering songs?
Abi: Part of the reason we picked the songs we did is because by adding our elements to them it’s transformative and interesting. Maybe if we covered a black metal song in the style of Múm.
E&D: Is black metal still a big influence on the band today and do you see yourself as a black metal band today?
Ollie: Underdark use a black metal aesthetic so in that way it has a big influence on us but I wouldn’t consider us black metl necessarily. There’s so many influences and genres bleeding into each other in our music.
E&D: What black metal bands and albums have had the biggest influence on you?
Ollie: The first 4 Cradle of Filth albums.
Abi: Sadness – Leave, Deadspace – The Promise of Oblivion, Weakling – Dead As Dreams.
E&D: Are the pos-metal and shoegaze elements to your sound still important to you?
Ollie: There’s still strong elements of both those sounds in our music and even though we don’t go out of our way to use them we often end up using them so, yes I suppose it must be.
E&D: You have previously stated that hardcore, post-punk and hip hop have also been an influence on Underdark. Would you say that is still the case?
Ollie: I’d say even more so. I feel Managed Decline is essentially a blackened post-hardcore album. At least from my perspective.
Abi: More than ever honestly. My approach to storytelling on this album is heavily influenced by Kendrick Lamar. Sonically I think we have a lot of hardcore/post-hc influence on this record, but then again I always thought we sounded like Envy.
E&D: You’ve got several live shows coming up with Cruelty once the album comes out. Are you looking forward to them and will you be playing a lot of material from Managed Decline?
Abi: Yes, and yes! So excited to play some of these live. There are parts where people will kiss, parts where people will kick the shit out of each other. All things goods.
E&D: What are your plans for gigs going into the new year?
Abi: Watch this space! We’ve got some really fun stuff in the pipeline but we’re not meant to be announcing anything just yet.
E&D: I saw the band support Conan at Rough Trade a couple of years ago and you blew me away. What have been some of the greatest gigs that Underdark have played to date?
Ollie: Thanks! That’s great to hear. Restart The Heart at the Black Heart, Doomlines. I also really enjoyed our run of shows with Inhuman Nature.
Abi: My favourite recently was with Trading Hands at the Angel, but honestly that’s like asking a parent to pick their favourite child – every gig is my favourite!
E&D: What is the extreme metal scene in your Nottingham hometown like at the moment and what bands would you recommend to check out?
Abi: Scene’s great! There’s a few different promoters going about booking grind, hardcore and bm/dm so we’re well served. Local bands I really like are Avoid, Shrykull, & Lindow Moss
E&D: What are your favourite music spots, venues, record shops etc in Nottingham?
Abi: SOAN all day erryday! I really like Billy Bootleggers too.
Ollie: JT Soar and The Chameleon are great too.
E&D: Who are your favourite ever bands to come out of Nottingham?
Ollie: Sleaford Mods, Iron Monkey.
Abi: Plaids, Bismuth.
E&D: What have been your favourite albums to come out this year?
Ollie: Din of Celestial Birds – The Night Is For Dreamers, Lankum – False Lankum, Reverend Kristen Micheal Hayter – Saved!, Jane Remover – Census Designated, King Krule – Space Heavy
Abi: City Morgue – My Bloody America, Astrophysics – ENTITY, Atomçk – Towering Failures.
E&D: What have been the best live shows you’ve seen this year?
Abi: Jodie Faster at Gnarfest were sick.
Ollie: I was dragged along to see a Rammstein tribute band called MÖRDERSTEIN. I’m not a huge Rammstein fan but these were brilliant! Most fun I’ve had at a gig for ages.
E&D: What are Underdarks plans for 2024?
Abi: Hit the road, play some gigs, wipe the smiles off all your lovely faces (then maybe put them back if you ask nicely).
