Pelican Speak To Stereoboard Ahead Of Their New EP Release & UK Tour (Interview)
Tuesday, 03 April 2012
Written by Ben Bland
Pelican have been away a little while, but 'Ataraxia / Taraxis' is one hell of a return for you. How has it been re-starting the Pelican machine after a couple of years of limited activity?
It's been awesome! By 2010, I wasn't sure what the future was going to be for the band. We were all burnt out on touring and some band members were dealing with big things in their family life. We had a couple songs we had been working on post 'WWACTN' and we all wanted to track them sooner than later. The new EP was originally going to be a 2 song 7", but we had a 2 more ready in time to make it longer. We did a little touring in summer of 2011 which felt good to get on the road again. This upcoming tour is our first time to UK/Europe in almost 4 years.
The humble EP is often an overlooked format these days. Why did you decide to return with a shorter release rather than press on and record a full-length?
We wanted to get something out because we knew it'd be a while till a full length was ready. We didn't want too much time between releases. We enjoy EPs and have had good luck with them in the past. Plus with the iTunes generation is the full length as important as it used to be?
Should we expect a full-length relatively soon?
Yes, it's being written as we speak.
The EP really flashes by and it feels very complete. Was it always envisaged as such?
Yeah, I think it flows really well. Trevor created the opening track which is the perfect intro to the EP. Each song has its own personality. Track 2 is the stormer. Track 3 the slow creeper. And track 4 is the surprising closer which hits some new territory for us.
What was the inspiration for choosing the EP title? “Ataraxia”, I believe, is a Greek term for being free from worry…
We wanted to come up with a theme for the EP much like we do for most of our records. Our last EP 'Ephemeral' reminded us that life is short and we are only here temporary. This EP is similar, dealing with living simply and not leaving too much of a "footprint" because of humans "parasitic " relationship with earth. Side 1 is a bit more optimistic while side 2 is pessimistic. Ataraxia is the perfect title for that song.
When people mention Pelican they often hark back to 'Australasia' as being what they see as the greatest thing the band has ever done. Is that something that comes across to you and is it frustrating if so?
I think it's great that people were so receptive to that LP. We were young and unknown and didn't know really what we were creating just yet. I think some of our best songs are on there, 'NightEndDay', 'Drought', 'Australasia'. It’s a very organic record for us. We recorded it in a few days. Live takes to tape, no click tracks. Sanford captured us at probably our heaviest era.
'What We All Come to Need' was the first album to feature guest vocals on it. Do you intend to come back to that idea on the next album perhaps?
Hopefully, yes. I would love to maybe have Al back for round 2 and maybe add another guest as well. We'll just have to wait and see though I guess...
You’re coming back to the UK after a long time, four years in fact. Did you get a bit burned out of being on the road or was it more that you never got around to it?
We were burned but also had family situations that were being dealt with at home. Laurent was expecting his first son, who is doing very well. Trevor was dealing with his mom who was very sick. So we had to postpone it.
I always find that when I speak to instrumental bands they tend to have wildly different views of touring. I think some get really frustrated with sound limitations and feel it is sometimes very difficult to get the audience truly involved. What are your views?
Yeah decibel limits suck! It's a rock show, it's meant to be loud. If your ears can't handle it, wear ear plugs. It's simple really.
Members of the band have always been involved in lots of different projects away from Pelican yet the band is still an on-going concern. What is it that has made Pelican such a long-term project in your mind?
The fact that we keep writing stuff that's new and fresh to us. We keep each other excited with new material. Bryan and Trevor are writing together more than ever. I think the new LP will be more new territory for us. We also still enjoy each other’s company after all these years.
Thanks very much for your time, love the EP and can’t wait to see you play it live!
Thanks! See you soon!!
Pelican tour the UK from the 7th to 13th April. 'Ataraxia / Triaxis', the new EP from Pelican, is released on the 9th April via Southern Lord.
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It's been awesome! By 2010, I wasn't sure what the future was going to be for the band. We were all burnt out on touring and some band members were dealing with big things in their family life. We had a couple songs we had been working on post 'WWACTN' and we all wanted to track them sooner than later. The new EP was originally going to be a 2 song 7", but we had a 2 more ready in time to make it longer. We did a little touring in summer of 2011 which felt good to get on the road again. This upcoming tour is our first time to UK/Europe in almost 4 years. 
