Holed up in a Sheffield studio with their sound tech on production duties, Deaf Havana experimented with hip-hop beats, vocal samples and electronic drum loops. After writing some tentative demos last year, James scrapped them, describing them as "budget rock songs" and too derivative of their existing work.
This led him to totally invert his songwriting approach, starting with one-word titles and building from the ground up on a computer, only bringing his bandmates into the process when the record had taken shape.
In terms of the production, I remember listening to that Justin Bieber record when it came out. Although it's Justin Bieber, some of the sounds they've got on this record are insane. I wanted to keep as many fans as possible, but I also wanted to change direction again. That tension between what people want from Deaf Havana, and what the band themselves want to play has always been part of following the Hunstanton outfit.
But we just sort of wanted to cover bands that were in our scene at the time. I've always been frustrated that I got into that emo, heavy music. After two years of careful consolidation, however, it was time to make a record for themselves.
I know it's a massive risk to do, but I had to do it. I've always written songs in a pop format, verse chorus verse chorus middle eight chorus. It's still got the same miserable lyrics; it's still got the same lift in the choruses as I've always had.
I think the only thing that's different is that there's more electronics. Despite the religious themes hinted at in their titles, the songs largely deal with the same personal struggles that have always been a part of Deaf Havana's music; being lonely, drunk and beautiful. Some of it's semi-fictional; the way I've treated people in the past was a big subject matter on this record. I like playing with the idea of them being sins and the record was like a confession.
That's part of the reason I wanted to get it out in the summer, that's something that we've never done. It's always been winter records and misery. It just made it harder. Confessions rain down. Every single band I listen to is incredibly miserable as well.
That always just chimes better with me. I like the lowest points. It surprised us, as well. Most famous artists are wankers. If I was really being an arsehole, it would be arrogant. Avoid at all costs. The whole thing was like that. The lyrics I normally write, I spend hours agonising over. This was so natural. It might be an age thing. Instead, it closes with James on a ledge, ready to jump. I was in a really bad headspace.
I just imagined my life if I could start again. I wanted to turn it into a full song, but it ended up being okay on its own as an outro. At all. But at that point, I did. I imagine most people do.
I know everyone in our band has done at some point. Deaf Havana are okay being vulnerable. I want to do everything. And I have been, which is weirdly satisfying. I want this record to be for everyone. Deaf Havana have always just gone with it and whatever happens, happens. James Veck-Gilodi, Deaf Havana.
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