Deafening Words With Shout Out Louds

"I met Ted (bassist) on the Stockholm gig scene, we had known each other for a long time and it just felt right to start a band" frontman Adam tells Gigwise while flicking through a book on his home country that this writer hastily bought to feel affinity with a bunch of pretty strangers. "This is actually my first band, but Adam has been in many bands" we are told by Ted and it's hard to determine whether it's a playful dig at his friend for not being able to find his feet as quick as him - or whether it's just a matter of fact statement. You see, according to the book, Swedish humour is so subtle, it's almost invisible to the naked eye. This taken into account, the members of the Shout Out Louds are a funny bunch. It's almost as if they do not realise the talent they have between them. This is deduced by their distinct and endearing shyness both on and off stage.

 

A month ago, we witnessed signs of this coyness at the Coachella Festival, where first band of the day happened to be this amiable group. "Forgive us, we are just small, shy people from Stockholm" they said preceding the most surprisingly enjoyed set of the whole festival. Consequently, the American and UK music press decided to hail Shout Out Louds as the best thing since sliced Strokes. "We were just honoured to be sharing the same stage as Bright Eyes" we are told by Ted, but judging from Conor Oberst's performance that night (awful) he may have been counting his lucky chickens to have shared a stage with them.

 

It’s not hard to pinpoint the band's influences, as it comes out in the music, but for confirmation purposes we ask them anyway. "We are of course influenced by some Swedish bands, but mostly from Elephant 6 bands and Belle & Sebastian". Its obvious really; Shout Out Louds have a touch of tweeness about their music, and they are never afraid to be ever so slightly cheesy when it comes to putting across a sentiment. The Elephant Six collective influence is also apparent in the close harmonies of Bebban and Adam, and the use of slightly obscure instruments such as the Theremin can be seen in E6 bands such as Olivia Tremor Control and the mighty Apples in Stereo. "American Lo-Fi has had a large influence on us, but we are also influenced by  Nature". Nature is a big part of Swedish life and its only natural for it to come across in the music. The organic sounds of skandi-life can be heard in such songs as 'Seagull' where we are treated to the sounds of the aforementioned bird juxtaposed with unorganic noises such as.... instruments!

 

"We originally released this album in 2003 in Scandinavia, but now its going to be released across the world" proclaims Adam, without his face betraying even a hint of arrogance. Are they ready for the world stage though? Their performance at Coachella certainly gave them a good head start. "The biggest gig we have done was a free festival in Sweden.. it was about 20,000 people" - it's a stark contrast to tonight's surroundings. They prepare for a gig in one of London's most cramped venues, the Push Bar in Soho. You could probably fit 30 malnutritioned gymnasts in on a good day. This does not deter them though as they realise they may have the world at their feet, but unfortunately London is a different story.

 

The intimateness of 'Howl Howl Gaff Gaff' is akin to the works of Granddaddy, where lo-fi ethics are seamlessly blended into Brian Wilson style epicness. Songs such as new single 'Very Loud' which employs the art of dynamics to tremendous to create a poppy style, commercial rock anthem which can not fail to recruit new fans. Another standout track is the much-loved 'Please Please Please' which marries Beatles-esque simplicity, to Kings of Convenience or even Postal Service style indie-kookiness.

 

The Swedish have a name for the laid-back approach to life; they call it "lagom" and it's apparent in the songs it produces. When Gigwise tries to approach Adam about this, he seems a little disturbed. "To say someone is lagom is quite a negative thing in Sweden, but it's an element that's intrinsic in music from Swedish bands". So they have a relaxed attitude to life; noted, but gigwise was about to test this resolve and try to provoke them into a different kind of emotion. Anger! This can be achieved in two ways. Talk about Norwegians or ask them which bands they currently hate. We opt for the latter to prevent bloodshed. There is a dramatic pause and in unison they chant “The Killers and The Braveryâ€�, which is met with a knowing nods all round. “What is the point of bands like that?â€� Ted tells us with vitriol. “It's not proper music is it?â€� adds Adam. This writer felt quite pleased at that point, as the illusion of apple-pieness shatters and the realisation that they have the same feelings as the rest of us Europeans creates an overwhelming feeling of unison. Everyone hates The Bravery regardless of colour, creed or ears.

 

So to the future. Debut album ‘Howl Howl Gaff Gaff’ was released in North America last month, but we will have to wait until September for our turn. There is absolutely no way that the Shout Out Louds will fail in being one of the UK’s favourite bands. Everything about them points in the direction of world domination, but if we get it wrong, Bebban has a back up plan. “I want to write Swedish horror films, that’s what I like doing…� That’s why we love Swedish girls no?