Bdrmm (or Bedroom) create fuzzy shoegaze from Hull. We caught their winter show at The Victoria in Dalston and can’t recommend it enough – a reverb-heavy experience that verges on transcendental.. Definitely one for your to-do list once concerts resume.
July will see the release of the band’s debut album, Bedroom. With mastering from Heba Kadry, who has worked alongside Slowdive, Deerhunter and Beach House, the record looks set to be an immediate classic. We caught up with Singer/Guitarist Ryan Smith to talk influences, ambitions and – of course – abit of pandemic chat.
Firstly, how have you been spending the lockdown period? And how does it feel to be preparing for a debut album in such strange times?
I’ve been reading a lot, watching a lot of movies. I’ve actually been surprisingly productive in my writing as well, I’ve gotten a lot of demos done, as well as numerous fake nights out taking place in different rooms in my house – thank god for LED disco balls! It’s taking its toll now as I’ve been burdened with an ear infection. It’s my sister’s birthday tomorrow too; Zoom calls just aren’t the same as the real thing, yanno? We were meant to be on tour this month, too, but the less said about that the better…
Heba Kadry seems like a dream collaborator for the album, how did this come about?
It really is – it was Nat from Sonic Cathedral that introduced us and we just went from there! She did a great job and it’s overwhelming to have somebody fiddle with our debut record, especially someone who has worked with the artists who influenced us.
Any artists who touch the world of fuzzy rock will receive comparisons to bands from the 90s, but are there any inspirations on the album who will surprise people?
I don’t think there’s anything overly surprising. I like to think we all have a very open mind when it comes to music, there is a bit of sampling on the album and the idea for that probably came from listening to a lot of DJ shadow and A Tribe Called Quest. I do remember I was listening to a lot of Prince when I wrote ‘Forget The Credits’ as well.
Bdrmm’s sound is tied together so perfectly as a full-band, reverb-heavy affair; do you write as a group in rehearsals? or are tracks initially born using acoustic methods?
I’m usually the one who will write the track at home and then bring it to practise where the track will change completely by everyone putting their own imprint on it, that’s what I love about this band, no demo has ever really come out sounding as I first intended. The only track we wrote together was ‘Question Mark’. I still remember that day, it came from nothing so quickly. I think that’s where the best tracks come from.
Your live shows cast a real sense of atmosphere across a room, where would be the dream venue to take your show?
I’d love to play the weird amphitheatre stage at Primavera. I saw Angel Olsen there and it was one of the best live performances I’ve ever seen. Having the sun set behind you must create an experience for you and the audience that no lighting tech could recreate.
Bdrmm’s debut album is released in July, check out their Bandcamp in the meantime.
