INTRODUCING: healthyliving
HEALTHYLIVING are a trio from Edinburgh whose music encompasses a whole host of sounds from post metal to doom and alternative rock with a constant, ethereal shine coursing through as well. The bands debut album Songs Of Abundance, Psalms Of Grief is nine songs of everything that represents those sounds and we caught up with all three bands members in Amaya López-Cand, Scott McLean and Stefan Pötzsch who talked us through the album, how the band started and more.
We started off by talking about HEALTHYLIVING‘s debut album and the band are excited to be getting the record out there for people to immerse themselves in as Scott begins. “It’s always exciting to release an album especially when it’s a debut album. We’ve also been very fortunate that we’ve been able to get from the recording phase to release phase really quickly, so everything still feels very fresh which is something that doesn’t always happen when making albums.” These are sentiments that Amaya agrees with. “It was definitely a new experience how uncomplicated this album has been to create! We’re super thankful to all the people who have helped us (and continue to do so) make it a reality.”
Talk then turns to the making of Songs Of Abundance, Psalms Of Grief and what influenced its vibe and creation. “One of the biggest influences on the vibe of the album is actually related to Stefan’s rehearsal space in Dresden where we first jammed. Whenever you play music in a specific room, the length of decay/ambience in the room often influences how/what you play. The majority of the songs were written in this space,” Scott tells us as Amaya adds. “Mood wise I think that both Edinburgh and Dresden as locations were quite a big influence for me. The light (or lack thereof in Scotland) has really affected the imagery that I got from the demos.”
Stefan then tells us about how HEALTHYLIVING got together as a band in the first place. “Scott and myself met when he lived in Dresden and we just got into playing and writing music together pretty much instantly which resulted in Scott also becoming the guitarist for the band I played the drums in at the time, Lasse Reinstroem. Scott and Amaya had known each other and worked together well before that so I think it was just a matter of time that they would end up doing something again. Then, when I met Amaya, I asked her to do vocals on a track of Lasse Reinstroem’s and I think that sparked the idea of the three of us doing something in a rock sort of direction.”
When it comes to playing their first ever live show, HEALTHYLIVING are not doing anything by halves as they make their debut at the mighty Roadburn Festival after the album is released, and this something the band are understandably very excited about too as Stefan tells us. “Of course we’re excited! It’s basically a once in a lifetime chance which we are incredibly grateful for to Walter and Becky from Roadburn,” and Amaya is just as enthused. “It’s a festival that has been super formative for me artistically, so yeah. EXCITED!”
HEALTHYLIVING then tell us about the form the debut set will take with Stefan starting by telling us, “we’re going to play the full album and I guess people can expect to witness a heartfelt performance of the tracks that we’re going to put every single ounce of ourselves into to hopefully connect with the audience and leave them somewhat moved and wanting for more while Amaya tells us about something she would like to do. “I have been pitching the idea of a cover for a while to no avail. Maybe you guys can pressure Stefan and Scott in the comments!” Scott concludes, “we’re currently planning on playing the full album but I don’t love concerts that are full album performances so perhaps we will find some way to disrupt that!”
Scott also tells of further live activity from HEALTHYLIVING after Roadburn so fans here can get a taste of the band live as well. “In August we will be playing our first UK show but that hasn’t been announced yet! Other than that we’re still sorting out more live shows for later in the year, hopefully we will manage some touring in the Autumn.”
Whether the live aspects of the music of HEALTHYLIVING will take on new elements when presented in a live environment, Scott cryptically tells us, “we’ll have to wait and see,” while Stefan adds. “To me, playing live has always been a more primal and sonically wild experience with a much more direct feel to the dynamics of the music than rehearsing or recording an album. So I’m really excited to get that aspect of it across.” And Amaya tells us, “I actually really love the ‘performance’ aspect of doing vocals and being able to express stuff with my body – something which I haven’t done for a while with MAUD THE MOTH, I’m sitting behind a piano most of the time. So I’m really looking forward to having legs again in pictures and being able to move!”
We finish off a great chat and introduction to HEALTHYLIVING as the band tell us what else they want to achieve with the band this year. Stefan starts off by telling us, “personally, I’d like to see the band gain enough traction to be able to go out there and perform live as much as possible first and foremost, and with that comes evolving and growing as a band and basically setting sails to new ideas and experiences.” Scott adds, “definitely to be able to play more shows!” And Amaya finishes off with the promise of both more new music and more live shows too. “I’m a bit of a studio addict, so I’m already rooting for another album. Also a tour would be great. European bookers: get in touch!”
Songs Of Abundance, Psalms Of Grief is out now via self-release/La Rubia Producciones.
Like HEALTHYLIVING on Facebook.