Five-piece indie band First Day of Spring explores a swath of watercolor textures and warmly-lit melodies in their luminous EP Fly Over Apple Blossoms, which they will self-release on February 26th. The London-based group’s latest single “Moon Boy” is a sample of the sun-washed songs to come on Fly Over Apple Blossoms. First Day of Spring discussed the roots of the new project, and the meaning behind the poem spoken in “Moon Boy” with us—read our interview below.
How did you initially encounter the poem ‘Be Drunk’ by Charles Baudelaire, which is featured in your most recent single “Moon Boy”?
My mother has always been interested in poetry and read poetry to my brothers and me as children. It was the lighter stuff, but for me, it was a start to what would go on to be, through being inquisitive and becoming older and more mature, the heavier stuff. I have always clung to the idea of needing some kind of vice and ultimately, at times finding what can feel like an escape from the bleak, grey, macho state of everyday life. This poem relates to all of that.
In what ways do you practice mindfulness, both in and out of the studio?
My approach to mindfulness has ended up being pretty practical. So, for example, I run near enough every day. The therapeutic process of preparing a meal, cooking that food, and then sitting down and enjoying that time is hugely beneficial and peaceful. Creative practices like recording and writing also give that same sense of “I’m not thinking about anything else right now,” The way that writing works, however, means that it can’t be as consistent or reliable as the others, which is fine. I’ve done a load of other practices and therapies. I would say that it’s a learning curve that you need to go through as an individual to find what’s best for you.
Your EP, Fly Over Apple Blossoms, is a meditative exploration of indie and shoegaze textures. Why did you feel called to tap into more experimentation in sound on this project?
I’m glad that the word texture has been used there because one of the most exciting things for me when making this EP was putting together a collection of songs that could carry that ethos. I used a whole load of different synthesisers and crazy old MS 10’s, Casio Organs, vintage Music Man amps and a Mellatron to name a few. Things I would never have access to if I wasn’t working with Simon, my engineer. Each piece I feel, offers something different texturally, and having an actual listening experience for someone beyond just songs is something I have always enjoyed with music. Low’s ‘Double Negative’ blew my mind when it came out. When I came out of finishing that record, I was like, ‘Fuck, where am I?’. If I can get anywhere close to that, I’ll be happy. On a more personal level, though, it’s very much a love letter to being in the studio and recording, which for me, is my favorite part about being an artist. And I apologize to my bandmates in advance, but that is over anything. Whether it’s gigging or being in a band rehearsing or whatever. It is the thing you come out with at the end that will go out into the universe forever. Well, maybe not forever, but you get where I’m coming from.
Who first sparked your love of music?
I’ve always loved music. Since before, I can remember. That doesn’t, however, necessarily mean I liked good music to start with. Personally, the people I met influenced the direction of travel I went in. In particular, a friend of mine, Conor. There were probably about 6 of us that were all showing each other things when we were younger, and it was all very exciting for a significant period, but I think when you start to take yourself seriously as an artist or even just accept you are a writer you start to rely on or care about everybody else’s taste very little and become completely obsessed with your process, your condition and where you are at.
When did you begin writing Fly Over Apple Blossoms, and how did you determine it was complete?
I have written a lot of music over the last 3 years and those I thought were the songs that partnered up together best. My engineer Simon has definitely taught me a lot of patience. I am now able to come away from mixes, sit on them for a while and 90% of the time there is something that needs to be changed. Once there isn’t anymore we are ready for lift off. That’s the best way that I can summarise time wise really.
How did your band name come to be?
I couldn’t think of a name for a very long time, and my bandmate suggested going through song titles we had and seeing if any of those would stand out as a band name. So we chose that. When I close my eyes, it makes me feel like I am swimming in a pool of infinite white space. I like it.
What do you hope listeners glean from the project?
That we have just started, that we are going to continue to put out music that is going to keep being interesting and hopefully provide something new.
Follow First Day of Spring on Spotify.
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