The Lounge Society were a mere 15 years old when they signed to Dan Carey’s cult indie label, Speedy Wunderground. The Orielles, too, were in their early teens when they started out and released their debut Silver Dollar Moment aged 17 to 21.
When local Calder Valley bands trigger excitement across the wider music industry, they tend to do so at a very young age.
The Short Causeway too, on the cusp of exiting their teens, look set to follow suit. Having played regularly at The Trades Club over the last few years, they have gradually honed a unique and bedazzling sound: Slinky, funk-tinged bass melodies, jazz-dappled rhythms and distinctive shoegazey vocals reminiscent of Stereolab’s Lætitia Sadier or Broadcast’s Trish Keenan. There’s even a bit of Nico in there.
Fully formed, they are now aiming their sights beyond the Calder Valley, having lined up a bunch of dates in other parts of the UK.
Claudie, vocals and guitar: “It’s always nice playing here. But absence makes the heart grow fonder. We want to branch out and meet new people, new bands, new promoters, venues – and when we come back it’s going to be even sweeter.”
Hayden, bass: “We haven’t touched the south, really. It’s just the whole experience of it. People who’ve grown up in the countryside in the north rarely visit London. I’ve only been to London a couple of times. It’s just a completely different place. It’s quite alien and it would be nice to experience all that with the band.”
Having taken a gap year after A-levels, bassist Hayden and Claudie moved to Manchester to study English & Multimedia Journalism and Philosophy & Religion respectively. Meanwhile, drummer Rufus stayed in the Valley to do an apprenticeship in cabinet making. Remaining in such close proximity enables them to stay fully focused on priority number one – exploding the band.
Hayden: “You go through the structured approach of education but there’s nothing really like the band for us. So, in any way we can keep it going, we will.”
One thing has changed. Their approach to songwriting and recording. A renewed commitment to progressing their repertoire, instead of simply rehearsing a known set, has led to them spending more time at Airtight studios in Manchester.
Rufus: “We’ve been getting a few tracks together there and it’s all going really well. We’re really happy with it. We’re writing new stuff that we’re adoring.”
Hayden: “Writing new music is the thing that keeps the spark alive. We’ve been in ruts where we feel like we’re just repeating the songs we’ve already got. But the excitement’s back. Personally, with the prospects of the gigs, getting ourselves out there, emailing venues, not being shy to just force ourselves out there – it’s been the most exciting thing that’s happened in a long time.”
Claudie: “We used to jam something that sounds nice, which typically came from Hayden, like a bass line or a guitar part or something, and then take it from there. But we have really been trying to start with a melody, more vocal or, something lyrically focused, because then you get more of a coherent concept of a song. And all of our musical tastes have opened up.”
Hayden: “I was just listening to a genre and not feeling like I could go away from that genre. Which is bullshit, really, isn’t it? You want to expand what you’re listening to.”
Despite their tender years, the trio have known each other and been making music together a considerable length of time. Claudie and Rufus were in Hebden Bridge Brass Band together and used to rehearse beneath The Trades Club.
Claudie: “I didn’t keep it up. Rufus did. But it gave us such an interest in music. At our Year Six Christmas performance, we played a song together on trumpet and we just found it such a great feeling. And then we met Hayden in high school.”
The Short Causeway – a tight unit, as friends and as a band – are also well connected to the successful local artists that have gone before them. Some ties are quite literally family ones, Hayden being the brother of Lounge Society singer, Cam.
Hayden: “I was inspired by my brother’s love for music. I wanted to pick up any instrument, no matter what it was. I practised Seven Nation Army with my cousin and they put me on bass.”
Claudie: “The Lounge Society have always been super supportive. Cam would fill in on drums when we were just starting out and would help us write songs. Archie would let us record for 20 quid and do a great job. It was pretty much a freebie. The Orielles have always had good things to say.”
As they embark on a new chapter, The Short Causeway are unequivocally appreciative of their roots and the support they’ve enjoyed for their homegrown talents. Between those jaunts to London (and beyond), we can expect to see plenty more of their live shows in the Valley.
Support the artist
Follow the The Short Causeway on Instagram for their latest tour news – in the area and further afield. And keep an eye out for new music, scheduled for release later in the year.
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Words & media: Stephen Desmond
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