TPL: Amber Run Tour Diary

Some of our UK The Photo Ladies crew set out to cover one of our favs, Amber Run, on their most recent European tour this past Winter in support of their newest album 'For a Moment, I Was Lost'.

Featuring coverage from:

24.02.17– SWX – Bristol - Courtney Farrell
25.02.17 – Kentish Town Forum – London - Jess McPhee

Interview with Tom Sperring (Amber Run bassist): Carolyn Lederach

Joe |  Bristol - Courtney Farrell — Joe | Bristol - **Courtney Farrell**

-Give me your best door to door salesman pitch for the new album:

The best album you’ve heard since our last album.

-I think one of the most interesting song pairings on this album was “White Lies” into “Perfect”. To me the tracks sort of contradict each other, but in a good way. Going from “I’m a failure. I’m a disaster. I don’t want to be anything else” to “I want to be perfect just like you”. Was that something intentional with internal conflicts vs. pressures of being told what to do and who to be?

Being perfectly honest, we decide on the order of the songs to provide a natural ebb and flow to the album - it’s less to do with subject matter, and more to do with pace. However, in this circumstance, the juxtaposition of these songs did seem really natural. The whole album is really honest about our experiences within the industry over the past few years, and these two songs are expressions of the emotions you feel. "White Lie" focuses on the self doubt, whereas "Perfect" is feeling pressured to be something you’re not.

Tom |  Bristol - Courtney Farrell — Tom | Bristol - **Courtney Farrell**

Will |  Bristol - Courtney Farrell — Will | Bristol - **Courtney Farrell**

-There’s clearly a solid theme to this album. Did you guys find that the writing came super easy and quickly, given all the events that happened over the last year with Amber Run?

It definitely wasn’t what I’d call an easy process. It was a really uncomfortable time for us where we were trying to impress the right people to ensure that the band would stay alive, and then expressing our frustration across other songs. Ultimately, our best work has come out of it, but I really feel like you can feel the tension that we were experiencing on the record.

-What can fans look forward to with the new songs and live show crossover with the new album? Do you guys have anything exciting in the works?

Well the majority of the album was recorded live. We’ve always had people saying how our live show has more edge and impact, and we wanted to bring this to the record. So, whilst none of the songs have been thoroughly road tested, we really feel that they will translate naturally live.

-Do you have any advice to give for other artists struggling with label pressures and feeling of inadequacy or depression in this crazy industry?

Persevere. When you go through the really hard times, you realise whether or not you actually want it badly enough. If you don’t, there’s no shame in ducking out - it’s not worth your mental health. If you decide to stick it out, be prepared for it to get worse before it gets better. Don’t worry though, it all gets easier to bear.

Will |  London - Jess McPhee — Will | London - **Jess McPhee**

Joe |  London - Jess McPhee — Joe | London - **Jess McPhee**

-(semi-serious question) How do you not cry playing “Wastelands”?

There are no more tears left to cry.

-What are your favourite(s) off the new album?

Tough, and I reckon it would depend who you ask. I’d go with "No Answers" or "Island". "No Answers" because it was such a direct response to not feeling like we were doing anything right. It was born out of the frustration of being at a loss on how to write a “game changer” or something “next level” or other bullshit industry terms, and I think you could say we might have achieved that with this song, it’s quite different from our previous work, but still relatable. "Island" was the most recent song we wrote before the album, so I think it’s always going to be a favourite. I think it encapsulates quintessential Amber Run. Plus, I reckon the bass line in it is my favourite I’ve written…

-Do you guys have any drinks of choice while playing and recording?

Tequila and coffee, and shit loads of tea.

Tom |  London - Jess McPhee — Tom | London - **Jess McPhee**

-If/When you have downtime waiting for shows or traveling between shows, what kind of things do you guys do to pass the time?

If we ever get a chance to kick a football around, we will. But mostly just drinking, eating nice food.

-What else are you listening to right now? / New music recommendations

A band called NGOD are putting out non-stop gold, they are amazing. And you’ve probably already heard of The Amazons, but they’re gonna be the next big thing.