Shout Out Louds: Interview (Live Photos)

I want to start off this exclusive with the quote “Good things happen to those who wait”. Good things did indeed happen to me last week when Ruben - our kick-ass staff photographer - was offered the chance to shoot none else than the fabled Shout Out Louds at Club Apollo in Barcelona. Eager for the opportunity to make more out of it, Ruben managed to get me a quick interview with the influential Swedish Indie act.

For those not aware of who Shout Out Louds are, you’re in for a real treat. The acclaimed indie band originates from no other than Stockholm, Sweden and in 2005, they make their debut with the release of "Howl Howl Gaff Gaff ". 7 years and 3 albums later, The Shout Out Louds are one of the most renowned and active indie pop bands in the industry.

Very recently, the band released “Optica", their fourth album. The album is a fusion composed of a marvelous ‘80s synth-pop essence embellished with warm, soothing and quixotic rhythmic melodies. Time, travel, experience, maturity and creativity seem to be the main influences that orchestrate the production of this album, the result is its meticulously crafted and sonically sprawling essence. “Optica” doesn’t hesitate to offer the listener an invariable dose of chime and shine; just plain good music.

Everyone who’s grown up with the general Indie scene for a longer term in time, knows that there are some tracks and bands that are filed as timeless and highly influential to the scene, these belong to the basic repertoire of any independent music lover. With Songs like “Please Please Please”, “I wish I was dead Pt 2”, “14th of July" or “Ilussions”, the Shout Out Louds  have clearly earned to be ranked in this category.

Eduardo: Firstly and foremost, I always have the particularity of asking bands where they got the idea for their name. How does "Shout Out Louds" come about?

Shout Out Louds: It was a combination of words from songs we’ve written, Very Loud was one of those songs.

E: You’ve recently released "Optica", tell us a little bit about this record. What makes it different from your other releases?  

Shout Out Louds: We produced it ourselves. We took a long time in the studio, on and off for about a year and a half. But more than anything we pushed ourselves to get out of old habits and look ahead, a creative record to make.

E: Who would you say are your main influences? 

Shout Out Louds: Nature, art, memories, seeing old events in new perspectives.

E: You guys have been around for sometime, I remember when you first released Howl Howl Gaff Gaff (one of my favorite albums of all times by the way), and you have come a long way since to release "Optica", what comes next?

Shout Out Louds: We’re gonna have some quiet time and just play around in the rehearsal space for a bit.

E: You guys are obviously moving around at the moment, what comes after Barcelona ?

Shout Out Louds: Like I said, Stockholm is waiting.

E: What are 3 upcoming bands you could recommend to our audience off the top of your head?

Shout Out Louds:

Forest

A Nighthawk Ted’s other project.

 Arbin Carl’s other project

E: If you could collaborate with any musician(s) or artist(s) of your choice, who would it be and why?

Shout Out Louds: James Turrell, he does wonders with light. Maybe do a show together? Light installations and music in a magic combo.

E: If the Shout Out Louds could hop on a time-travelling machine and go back and change one thing in their musical career, what would it be?

Shout Out Louds: No regrets.

E: Any particular advice you would give out to any upcoming musicians of this day and age?

Shout Out Louds: Say no to everything.

A very special thanks to Ruben, Juan and the Shout Out Louds for taking the time to make this happen. If you want to stay updated with the band, here is their Twitter and Facebook pages.

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