Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
SO NEAR AND SO AFAR
The word ‘titans’ has prefixed the words ‘And So I Watch You From Afar’ on many occasions. Usually with the word ‘rock’ somewhere in the mix – and maybe the words ‘North Coast’ as well. And it makes sense. The four piece – based in Belfast but founded up Portrush/portstewart direction – are big and bold – with everything they do. And there’s two other things I’ve always found utterly remarkable about these guys. First off – they are properly jaw dropping live. They win over everybody. Countless folk have fallen for them after attending a gig, despite ’not usually being into that type of thing’. Secondly – the fact they have made straight up instrumental rock so…. full of ideas. They’ve songs – or bits of songs – that are epic. Relentless. Aggressive. Cute. Sweet. Monstrous. Tropical. Reflective. Over five albums they’re explored all sorts of sounds and ideas – putting in their place anyone who’d make the assumption that a guitar band with no vocals are surely a bit... boring.
To mark album number five then – ‘The Endless Shimmering’ – on which all these ideas come together to form their most varied – and interesting record to date – here’s ASIWYFA kingpin and founder Rory Friars to talk us through some of the big moments in this most unique band’s remarkable journey to date. We formed on the north coast of Antrim about 11 years ago, having our first jam in a little art studio near the beach at White Park Bay. The band was Rory Friers, Johnny Adger, Chris Wee and ex member Tony Wright.
We played our friend Ruth’s birthday party in a pub near portrush. We possibly didn’t even have a name at this point and only played four songs. I remember Ruth telling us we had to keep going and write more music, and we did.
We organised a festival called A Little Solidarity in 2008 across a few venues in Belfast during a particularly fertile time in the music scene up there. We played right before Fighting With Wire on the main stage at the Mandela Hall and it was somewhat of a mile stone show. A beautiful weekend where it felt so exiting and vital to be amongst the music scene that had taken hold.
We were asked to play the Ulster Hall in 2009. It was a huge deal for us as we’d all grown up watching bands there. There was an incredible atmosphere and anticipation leading up the to show. A clatter of riffs resolved with gorgeous strings and gentle reflection. A special moment on a special album. Although we were headlining, it felt like a real water mark for the local music scene in general.
Our very first tour was a short run of shows with our friends PRE from Leicester. It was our first experience of travelling in a van together and being in a different city everyday and it really resonated with us. On that tour we met a young band called Maybeshewill and unbeknownst to us we’d end up playing more shows alongside those guys than anyone else. Sleeping on floors, eating very little food and playing to no one for the largest part but feeling like we were really living it and being a real band.
The first time we arrived in Russia was in the depths of winter in January, playing 10 or so shows around huge cities, many of which we’d never heard before. Bitterly cold, sometimes below -30 C, we were met by the warmest people – passionate music loving kids making for the most incredible shows. The police on the other hand – they weren’t just as receptive. When your favourite record label signs The opener on the (now classic) debut album is the most aptly named track of all time. your band – it’s a good day. Home to many of the bands that inspired our music in the first place, Sargent House took our music and helped get it heard around the world. Based in Los Angeles, they’ve been a home from home for us and have helped us through some very difficult times, signing us when we were on the brink of financial ruin and managing us out of a tough spot to become a fully functioning band again.
China, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, India – all places we dreamed of visiting. We could write a book about the experiences we have had on those trips, 50°C stages, sneaking to the roofs of skyscrapers, diner with Sonic Youth, allergic reactions, getting electrocuted on stage, huge storms whilst playing at festivals, insane food poisoning….
We put so much into this record, taking time off from touring to make sure it was something we could be really proud of. We also went to record with one of our favourite producers in Rhode Island. It’s our densest record to date, it will challenge people as there’s a lot to take in, but, as always, we know our fans will be there to do that. One thing that’s already started with regards to the e
Northern Ireland playoff against Switzerland – is grumbling about lack of tickets. Casual and new members of the GAWA are always welcome – of course – b but everyone should understand that the IFA’S policy for tickets to these games is about as fair as it can be. Those of us who have a ‘block booking’ – i. e have been to every game so far this campaign – are guaranteed tickets. Fans who joined up to the membership scheme at the start of the campaign then get second ‘dibs’. Any tickets left over (to be fair – can’t see there being too many….) go on general sale – first come, first served. It’s horrible missing out – but how else could this be done? Keeping in mind – the demand for tickets far exceeds the 18,000 capacity of Windsor Park. Which is absolutely incredible, when you think about it…… Who’d have thought wonky riffs and weird time signatures could be so… catchy?