Altered Skys Altered Setup

Today started out with delays but end on a happier note as I got to know new band on the block, Altered Sky perform and chat about their future plans.

Travelling to Leeds feels like something I do too often now but is something that I love to as it is vibrant city with lots going on, maybe one day I could save the hassle and just live there! The main reason for travelling to Leeds for me has to be the music, the shops and the venues as YORKSHIRE always appreciates bands that come through the area.

The one band in question today is, Altered Sky, a Scottish four piece (five live) that are hotly tipped as the next big thing with their powerful vocalist and infectious rhythms. To promote the debut album, Without Wonderland, they have partnered with Pulp stores and clothing label Jilted Generation to tour around the UK playing the album in full, acoustically. It has certainly helped in their favour getting many fans, new and old excited for the future of where this band can go. Arriving fashionably early as ever to chat with the band before they take to the floor in Pulp store I was greeted with no band and miserable staff. However, this is be expected as working in the music industry is a waiting game full of ups and downs. The band came together to greet the audience 45minutes later than expected, well it isn’t easy parking in a big city you know. To the delight of the fans and the band they do eventually start playing and it was certainly worth the wait as they play through the album (roughly) chronologically. With the audience sat on the floor listening intently and occasionally singing along to the tracks, it’s easy to spot a connection between fans and band that feels almost like a family reunion. 

As they go through the album lead vocalist, Ana pauses between each song to plug the album and discuss the making of or stories behind the songs which is a special insight future fans might be gutted to of missed. The band look like they are coming of age in the music world, ready to step up and this debut album, reflects that with a coming of age spirit, which only furthers the connection with the younger audience. After the set finishes everyone connects sharing pictures, signatures and kind words about this special set. I chatted to them about their new album before bringing out my “excellent” random question ball generator, which all bands seem to love. The small chat will be on-line in September (2015) podcast but for now here is a quote “Rich would be hitting on them zombies like crazy”. A signed poster, pictures and two fingers up to the rude Pulp staff, I was out back off to Hull, feeling very privileged to hear their entire album in full acoustically. Next stop pre-order?!

Overall, the record sounds good enough to stand against other artists such as, We Are The In Crowd or Moose Blood on a record store shelf. It is well constructed and establishes who they are, the only criticism I could find is it does not feel experimental or edgy enough which means they might get type cast to a certain scene. With this said am sure as they mature as people so will their sound as they certainly have the potential and talent to be a shining light on the UK rock scene.