Having spent the last few months releasing a wave of bold and impressive releases, emerging outfit Pylon Heights now return with their latest offering 'The Bridge'.
Channelling influences from the likes of Hot Chip, Cut Copy, Holy Ghost! and Metronomy, 'The Bridge' sees them return in stellar form. Filled with bold and euphoric production, sweeping tones, and some wonderfully soaring vocals, give this one a good listen after a hard day's work.
So with the new single out now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has inspired them most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
JON: Probably the piano. I especially loved Einaudi as a kid, and when I first started writing as a teenager, I liked to imagine a scene in a fictional film, and then try and score it. I think I only really fell in love with it when I started using it to write.
CHRISTOPHER: Unequivocally it has to be the guitar for me, it's felt like an extension of myself when it comes to my music, and our creativity.
HEATHER: Definitely the trombone. I've been playing since I was 8. Nobody knows.
CHRISTOPHER and JON: What?
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
CHRISTOPHER: Well, if you look at our discography, we draw a lot of inspiration from relationships; both the good and the bad! We've always leaned towards weaving a strong narrative into our music - using it to tell a story.
HEATHER: It's just life, init.
What kind of music did you love as a teenager?
JON: 'Beirut' was pretty formative for me, as well; I love his slightly drunken vocal delivery on 'Gulag Orkestar' and how he weaves in and out of the brass. 'Doves' are great, too. More recently, I find 'Foals' and 'Everything Everything' pretty inspiring, because they've carved out some great and unique alt rock sounds.
CHRISTOPHER: Without the likes of 'Eric Clapton' and 'BB King' I certainly wouldn't be interested in the guitar, as these were the artists my dad would play in the car! But without my teenage obsession with 'MUSE' I certainly wouldn't have taken to learning the guitar like I did.
HEATHER: I was a little emo as a teenager, so 'Panic! At the Disco' had a big piece of my heart. I also loved 'Nothing But Thieves' and it was possibly one of the best gigs I've been to.
What do you find is the best environment to find inspiration for your music?
JON: Generally speaking, I work best in a vacuum - sometimes even without listening to anything else. This is definitely when I write the best lyrics, and the most unique music.
CHRISTOPHER: In a vacuum? Like space? Or a Dyson?
JON: Dyson.
CHRISTOPHER: That must suck.
HEATHER: I tend to just write when I've got something to say. And usually that's at 3 am, because I don't have a sleep schedule.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
CHRISTOPHER: 'Phoebe Bridgers' has dominated my repeat playlist lately, along with the usual mix of ‘John Mayer’, ‘Bear’s Den’, and ‘Frightened Rabbit’.
JON: 'Big Black Delta' and 'Joywave' are some of my more recent favourites. Ever since I heard 'Huggin' & Kissin'' on The Sinner, I've been obsessed.
HEATHER: Been big into some more chill vibes at the moment. The boys got me into 'Bear’s Den' so their entire discography has been on repeat. Although my taste in music varies drastically, so I've also been listening to a lot of ‘Ashnikko’.
JON: We also quite recently all sat in the car together listening to 'Englishman in New York' about 7 times back-to-back. We weren't even driving anywhere.
How many of your songs have you written about people you wish you’d rather forget?
JON: Personally, if I wanted to forget about someone, I wouldn't write a song about them.
CHRISTOPHER: I’ve yet to write a song specifically about myself.
HEATHER: And I’ve yet to write a song about these two.
What has been the funniest moment in your career so far?
CHRISTOPHER: Jon and I believe that we could do it as a duo.
JON: Agreed.
HEATHER: Joining ‘Pylon Heights’.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
JON: It would probably suit us to open for ‘The National’.’
CHRISTOPHER: I agree with Jon about ‘The National’ but I would jump at the chance to open for ‘Childish Gambino’, just because that would be such a surreal experience; we could literally go in any creative direction we wanted.
HEATHER: I vote ‘S Club 7’.
If you weren’t a musician, what other path do you think you might have taken?
JON: The path of least resistance.
CHRISTOPHER: Considering I went to university to study Theatre, I’d probably be working in a cafe.
HEATHER: I think I’d start a rebellion. So, I guess… The path of most resistance?
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
JON: I don't think anyone's ever given me any advice.
CHRISTOPHER: Jon once gave me some advice, he said: “Write good songs”. HEATHER: Jon once gave me some advice, he said: “Join the band”.
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Pylon Heights' new single 'The Bridge' is available to stream and download now. Have a listen to it in the player below.