A couple of weeks ago, we got in touch with Eric Pollard, aka Actual Wolf, as he’s released a brand new album, Itasca, and we fancied catching up with him. There were a few troublesome bits with the conversation (thanks, Telmex) but we had a great time talking about Itasca, short stories, merchandise, social media, the convenience of tape, the new Retribution Gospel Choir … Continue reading Podcast: A conversation with Actual Wolf
A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to catch Retribution Gospel Choir at the now defunct The Grapes. Not only were they a fierce live monster, they all were very approachable people. Then I saw Low a year later and lo and behold, the beast behind the drums was on keys. Fast forward to a sampler I downloaded out of pure curiosity from a label called Chaperone Records, which included an Americana tinged band called Actual Wolf which I instantly dug.
30 seconds later, I realise the guy behind Actual Wolf is Eric Pollard, whom I’ve seen in both Retribution Gospel Choir and Low. Thanks to the wonders of social media, I catch up with Eric Pollard in a small apartment in Austin during SXSW 2014 and we talk about life, music and catharsis. Dressed mostly in black, like any modern cowboy should, we talked for a good half an hour.
Here’s the verbose gist: Continue reading “Interview – Actual Wolf”
A few years ago, I had a bout of insomnia. Although this wasn’t good for my health, it opened the floodgates to many a band, film, book and show that I’ve never got around to until this. This monthly column will mention a few of these discoveries.
Continue reading “The Insomnia Diaries – Low”
It was a strange, funny day when Retribution Gospel Choir came back to Sheffield. It snowed heavily in the morning (not a problem for the Duluth trio of rockers) and by the time their set ended, the snow was all but gone. There’s some possible witty remark/pun/fanboy musing about their music melting snow, but can’t think of any. Drenge opened the night. Loudly and fast, the way they know how … Continue reading Retribution Gospel Choir @ The Harley, Sheffield
In 2008 Alan Sparhawk violently smashed up his guitar during Low’s performance at the End of the Road festival in Dorset, abruptly ending the set with what Sparhawk later attributed to a “crappy day”. Proceding that performance the singer-songwriter formed Retribution Gospel Choir, also featuring Steve Garrington of Low and Eric Pollard on drums, being the triumphant outcome and Sparhawk’s new musical outlet. 2 is … Continue reading Album review: Retribution Gospel Choir – ‘2’
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