Long Distance Calling: Man Versus Machine

Quickly becoming the He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named of viruses, COVID-19 has caused more calamity than anyone could ever have imagined. Through such a difficult and challenging time, music has been a constant for many, and despite a handful of records being delayed (some indefinitely) there has still been more than enough output to keep us collectively entertained while we are chomping at the bit. Uncertainty and doubt will not be high up on many people’s lists of welcome emotions, but we have been tested to our limits, and so has the industry we love. Making music in 2020 has been a thankless task. Through our conversation with German post-rock contemporaries LONG DISTANCE CALLING it was clear to see just how mountainous the challenge might be, as they stick a finger in the wind in a futile attempt to plan for the future.

Their new album How Do We Want To Live? is hurtling towards release, and frankly it is exactly the kind of progressive post-rock the world needs. Scintillating electronics wrap tastefully around instrumental riffs in an eclectic combination that makes for one of year’s most daring records. And more importantly, the band are intent on sticking to their deadline.

“We did think about postponing the album but in the end spoke to our label and we both decided to stick to the plan. We think that somehow it’s the perfect soundtrack for the situation we are in right now,” says drummer Janosch Rathmer. Referring largely to a lot of the themology portrayed in the music, this slightly coincidental timing means that LONG DISTANCE CALLING are sat on an album that they think could be more relatable than ever. The album title How Do We Want To Live? is a perfect preposition, and one which is intended to be anything but rhetorical. Janosch says, “we think it is a good question, because how far do we want to go with all this technological development, and things like social media? In countries like Taiwan there aren’t really any big problems with this virus, but the reason for this is that everyone is tracked by mobile phone. It’s like Big Brother is watching.”

Asking us to take a step back from society and analyse some of the world’s problems is a bold ask, but it is a theme that continues throughout. “This whole situation is maybe a chance to change some things. It is the perfect time to ask ourselves what we want.” Such in depth themeology is difficult to portray for an instrumental band; a problem tackled by the band’s constant desire to evolve. “Vocal samples and spoken word allow us to communicate our thoughts. I think that now is an important time to be talking to people, and tied in with artwork, these voice elements are important for sending a message.”

Daring to delve ever closer into experimental territory, this feels like the most evolved record that the band have produced. Janosch says, “we listen to all sorts of music from jazz to electronic to hip-hop and trip-hop, so for this record we have more influences than ever. When it comes to the electronics, it was very important for us to keep a warm sound, we didn’t want it to sound industrial. Some of the synth has a real retro vibe going on.” They have not lost the LONG DISTANCE CALLING sound, but open minds have allowed them to combine progressive ideas with German precision and create an album that they themselves describe as near perfect.

Everything was recorded live in studio and mixed analogue; a mash-up of antiquated equipment and modern technology that is no accident. Janosch talks about how the album deals with artificial intelligence and the coexistence of man and machine. Deep it may seem, but this is a reality to which we are becoming more accustomed as the years flicker by, and we ought really to be aware of its implications. The pride that they feel for the record is not something he opted to hide, and the impending release ought to be equally impactful for the listener. “On two albums we have more vocals, which was probably not the best decision for us. The last record Boundless was 100% instrumental, but this time we thought it was a good idea to have one vocal track. Being instrumental is a real benefit for us because we can always add new elements without it being a major change.”

How Do We Want To Live? is out now via InsideOut Music.

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