After breaking through with their much-loved self-titled debut album earlier this year, UK outfit Laurence O 'n The Blistered Mirrors are back once again to deliver their vibrant comeback single 'Like An Autumn Dream'.
Channelling more of that rich and riveting guitar-driven aesthetic they have been honing lately, 'Like An Autumn Dream' makes for an incredibly warm and inviting listen. With its swaggering textures, dreamy atmosphere, and stellar hooks layered throughout, they continue to shine as one of the more exciting names on the rise right now.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with bandleader Laurence O to find out more about his origins and what has been inspiring him most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
It was the guitar !! Even to my incredibly young self, it was and remains a portal to another realm. I went rather primal and feral when I first heard it (primarily in Glam Rock records !) the thrill of playing it and the sonic possibilities of it never leaves me.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
My earliest memories of music was my mother playing Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys on a Dansette record player that sat on the floor of our flat. I sat for hours watching the rainbow at the centre of the record going ‘round and ‘round and the vocal harmonies must have entered my psyche via some sort of sonic osmosis. I still adore close vocal harmonies.
What was the first album you remember owning?
I showed an interest in music from a very young age and my aunts and uncles very kindly started clearing out their old Beatles records and giving them to me. I think that the 1st one I owned was With The Beatles. It was mind blowingly brilliant and I was hooked. I had to be in a band and play and write music after hearing it!!
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
There are so many songs that amaze me and/or have changed my life, but actually, I’m going to opt for Jaques Brel’s , If You Go Away. I write in many different styles, but I still find the tone, moods and sweeping changes in this song almost impossible to get my head around !! I just cant imagine writing this!
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Not any more! I used to imagine that I was writing for other artists a lot, so I’d get into ‘character’ and that included a bit of dressing up !!! I’d spend whole days trying to download the ‘essence’ and look of Bobby Gillespie, Pete Townshend, George Harrison, Julian Cope, Scott Walker etc etc . Noddy Holder days were fun!!
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Currently I’m listening a lot to Steven Stills, James Taylor and Elvis Costello again, for the vibes and songcraft. Oddly, I’ve recently gone back to re-explore some bands that I used to listen to, but haven’t for a while, like XTC, The Teardrop Explodes and The Temptations (psychedelic period!).
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
As Bowie is sadly not alive anymore, I’d have to say Dylan or Neil young as I think and hope that their fans would get my songs and what we do!
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Laurence O 'n The Blistered Mirrors' new single 'Like An Autumn Dream' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.