INTRODUCING: High Rise
The UK heavy music scene, in particular UK hardcore, is absolutely booming. From VENOM PRISON to ITHACA, ARCHITECTS to WHILE SHE SLEEPS, the quality of our homegrown talent is stratospheric. Therefore, for the next generation to succeed, the weight of expectation is even greater. Enter HIGH RISE, who for five years have been slogging it away in the hardcore underground. As their brand new EP Endeavours looms on the horizon, vocalist Jovic Staddon explains that for him and his bandmates, they have found their ideal sound.
“This is the sound that we are sticking with; we are very happy with where we are right now. Someone described us as the UK BEARTOOTH, which for me is great as they are one of my favourite bands, so that’s just perfect! Obviously the sound has more of a jumpy, bouncy sort of vibe to it and then we’re more groovy with some of the songs on the EP, but I think we’re hoping to capture a new fanbase with it as well, extend that and just get better and better.”
If Jovic and his bandmates hope to get better and better, then the future is genuinely exciting for what comes next for the gifted hardcore troupe. However, for now, what they have with Endeavours is a bucket-full of promise; cascading riffs of mayhem swirl into soaring choruses that strike an instant connection. Sure, it’s melodic hardcore done by the book, but when it’s this good no one is complaining. Jovic explains that the choruses on Endeavours demonstrate a band coming of age. “I always write something that has happened to me, with the guys in the band or something we’ve learnt on tour. This was quite more of a personal one on this EP, in that it is more about ourselves as individuals – everyone picked a song that they either wrote most of or a little bit for. We were going over different versions and making sure that either everyone can hum it in their head, that it’s something they’ll always remember or they can relate to themselves. For me, that’s something that’s great, because if you can capture that it’s a good start at least. I think Endeavours is a step up from the last EP with the choruses; I think this one really blows out a lot of the other songs we’ve had with them and I also think it’s better structured and written. I definitely feel we’ve grown up a little bit in that part.”
Indeed, what Endeavours shows for HIGH RISE is a band finding their feet, finding their sound and running with it at full-throttle. This is a highly emotive and captivating listen, one which surely will cement their place in the UK’s thriving heavy music scene. And yet, there is still experimentation, a drive to push their sound forward, as Jovic explains, in particular, the EP’s title track. “Endeavours as a song is lighter than the others, because we want to show that we have variation and want people to understand that we’re not a band constantly doing heavy song after heavy song. We all listen to different music ourselves; I can listen to A DAY TO REMEMBER one second and go straight to Adele the next. With Endeavours, I’m hoping it will bring a new audience because 80% of the track is just singing. It’s something we want to branch out into, and it makes it easier for people to listen to us. I think with the EP, this one in particular, I think it has a variation of stuff, and that gives a nice diversity for people.”
Sure, the competition for new and emerging talent to establish a name for themselves is tougher than ever, but a prospering scene can bring a wave of opportunities for bands to become successful. Jovic concludes that the health of the scene is something truly exciting and he is proud that HIGH RISE is a part of it. “The scene at the moment is amazing! Where I’m from in Kingston we have Banquet Records and they put on shows every single week; I’m always down there once a week as a result!” he explains. “HOLDING ABSENCE were there the other day and they’re a phenomenal band; great guys, great people. DREAM STATE I’ve seen there before as well. They just come down, do a few acoustic shows and it’s just nice to meet people that are doing the same as you. Some are pushing more boundaries than others and are doing bigger and better things than you, of course, but you have that hope that you’ll get the chance to do that later on. The overall result is that the scene is great at the moment! The amount of shows and stuff that is coming out at this time of year is always phenomenal, it’s always exciting stuff!”
Endeavours is set for release on March 29th via self-release.
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