Waiting for more
Throughout the past eight years, the masses have seen them perform a range of covers, along with some of their originals, at a local pub or a gig. It was their alternative, contemporary and rock sound, combined with their own artistry which made ‘The Slipping Chairs,’ a renowned name in the industry.Despite their fame, the band have yet to release an album, that is — till now. As we found out the group is nearing completion with their first record, which will be released this year.
We met up with the band just before they took the stage at Clique, Colombo, on a Wednesday evening. Their drummer and bassist were jamming, as we walked in, while their lead guitarist, Pasan Fernando greeted us.
While the other band members exchanged smiles amongst themselves and sit down with us, we talk to Dylon Manuel, their vocalist/rhythm guitarist. When asked about where the inspiration to create a new album stemmed from, Dylon Chuckles, “It’s about time noh?”
“We were waiting for the correct lineup, and we didn’t have a drummer till recently. Once we got the correct lineup, we decided to go for it,”he tells us. He adds their lineup was completed once drummer, Sithija Dilshan, joined.
Their album will be a collaboration with local artist Sankha B, we find out. It includes a total of ten songs, six of which were written by the band themselves and four by Sankha. Dylon explains the songs contain a mix of genres, ranging from Rock, Jazz and even a few ballads. “It has a bit of everything for everyone.”
He recalls, the whole process started back in February, 2016. The band was hoping to release the album in March, this year, however following their tour to India and several other projects, its been delayed but now set and ready to go and they’re hoping for a release sometime in June or July, this year.
We probe a little more into their music on the record. Their single “Waiting for more” is already on the radio. The song has a nice upbeat sound to it, along with certain rock elements and a good strong hook. However, it will be re-recorded for the album, we learn.
Dylon tries to maintain a straight face when we ask him to explain the meaning behind the song. “It’s the same story so, some girl left a guy and the guy gets depressed. It’s a love and boot story, but it’s not as bad as the other boot songs out there, it’s worded nicely,” he tells us, all the while with a cheeky smile on his face.
The album is not only based on such songs alone, Dylon goes on to say. Without giving away too much, he tells us, there are some songs, which are lyrically more complex than the rest, while there are also some really catchy tunes that you can sing along to.
At this point in our interview it is their Bassist Joel McShane, who continues.
“We initially started off with a double album, which was to include ten covers as well,” he explains. But sooner, the band began to realize the ten covers which they were recording at the time weren’t quite relevant today. They finished recording the covers, but decided not to release them with their originals.
Anyone going to one of their gigs would notice ‘The Slipping Chairs’ performing several covers. However what makes them stand out is that a majority of their covers have their own, unique twists to it. This is because the band members come from different backgrounds of music.
When it comes to the artists and other bands, that inspire them, we find that it’s a collaboration of everything. Their musical tastes range from Dave Grohl to Pink Floyd to Dave Matthews, Dream Theatre and lots more.
“We put the same amount of time and energy that we put into our own songs, into our covers as well. This is because with the covers we break it down and build it up again, but working on our own songs is a little more fun,” Joel says.
They maintain the structure of a particular song they play, but colour it in their own way. “The songs have their own sound, but were created in a way where people have to come to us, to listen to that song played in that particular way,” Joel explains.
We found that it is this level of brilliant artistry, that has kept the band relevant and exciting and this is just what their new album promises.
“The Slipping Chairs” are currently recording with SheeamDeen at Qube studio.Dylon tells us, this is because it’s“easy to work with him. He doesn’t try to impose his sound on us. He gives us our space to do what we do, so it works out well.”
Our conversation moves to the industry in Sri Lanka and what it’s like for local bands to produce their originals.
Dylon explains, this is the best time for Sri Lankan bands to be more original, because there’s so much of new talent coming out, which enhances room for more creativity.
“But I wouldn’t say be extreme and only do original music, because that might not work for everybody,” he adds.
The band’s percussionist Jith Sirimanne tells us, there is a growing enthusiasm to listen to original music.
“People ask us to play our originals at gigs and we’ve also been approached by a lot of tourists asking about our originals, when we played in Mirissa,” he says.
Our interview concludes, with us asking the band if they could pose for a few pictures. They are eager to grab their instruments and sooner, Dylon begins to strum along and the rest follow suit. They build up on their instruments individually, slowly coming together as one strong unit, whilst creating a sound that is their own. This was a mere preview for what the band has in store for its fans this year and it’s definitely worth the wait.
For information and updates follow the band on facebook.com/theslippingchairs/