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Bella Clava could not have picked a better time to come out with their much anticipated album debut “Holy Crow”. As the leaves start to turn colour, the temperatures start to get cooler and of course Halloween around the corner, Bella Clava is definitely in season with this release which will definitely heat the ice in your veins. With Sir Ian Blurton behind the boards, the quartet that make up Bella Clava will make heads freeze and listen to their original and unique sound. Other bands should definitely watch as Bella Clava are not only spot on but they definitely rock the spot. Which is why FERNTV enjoys the service that they provide to you as we get an interview with Caitlin Dacey who is filled with so much character and above all passion about Bella Clava’s music Not like other bands who just say bleh, bleh, bleh...
FERNTV: Can you tell us a little bit of what your gameplan or your blueprint was before you started recording Holy Crow?
Caitlin: Well, it involved fighting off rats the size of Splinter in our jam space, having our van towed, playing through a snow storm in Thunder Bay and hanging out in cemeteries (as seen in our photos)...then throwing all of these spices into a giant cauldron, salting to taste and drinkin' it up. The only plan was to have no plan.
FERNTV: After receiving praise for your EP, of course the expectations were high for this upcoming album, how did Bella Clava deal with the pressure for recording a debut album?
Caitlin: We saw Zack and Scott playing together with The Inhumanoids (an EP that I listened to until IT got sick of ME!) and they were tight as faaaaaak! When we started jamming together, Steve and I were thrilled to be playing with such a killer rhythm section...and writing songs together was really exciting. Everyone cared about every single part of every song...sometimes too much. We had not experienced this kind of collaboration on the previous EPs, and we welcomed the pressure....no pressure, no Neil Diamonds!!!
FERNTV: Can you tell us when did Bella Clava start recording this album and what the feeling like when your were putting the finishing touches?
Caitlin: We started recording the bed-tracks at the end of March and it was a busy time...most of us play in other bands, and we were scheduling our recording sessions around a lot of activity...including Steve's moustache trimming appointments. We would be up into the wee hours of the morning...over-tired and over-caffeinated....and completely delirious. These were our most adventurous moments, throwing on some mellotron, reverse-autoharp and spaceship sounds. When we'd come in the next day, we were always completely floored by what we were hearing....we couldn't remember recording all of the different layers. Hearing the finished product was very cool. We've never sounded like this, and never will again. Those spellbound moments were unique to Holy Crow.
FERNTV: What did (you) Caitlin learn most about studio time and the whole experience with the other band members of Bella Clava?
Caitlin: -This was the first time we spent any time doing post-production. The last album, "The Craic", was recorded live off the floor at Albini's studio in Chicago. It was finished lickity-split with no time to reflect or ponder whether or not you want to throw on some Moog. We spent many hours together at Bernard Maiezza's Highfield Sound Recordings where I learned some key things about Scott, Zack and Steve. Firstly, all three are risk takers...willing to try anything. In fact, everyone played Moog at some point on this record. Everyone pushed themselves vocally, no one was "too cool" to belt out some falsetto all alone in the basement isolation booth while the rest of the band sat upstairs listening...it was a very supportive, non-judgemental atmosphere. I've recorded on other projects with people who criticized what I was doing, or flat out told me what to do...which completely killed my creativity. Throughout Holy Crow, we encouraged each other's sense of adventure and as a result, we've recorded an album that challenged us yet reflects who we are as a band. Secondly, I discovered that these guys are truly my brothers from different mothers. Like siblings, we bug each other, pull pranks on each other and fight over who controls the stereo....but ultimately, we're bound by blood and manage to get the best out of each other.
FERNTV: Tell us a little bit about what can we expect from this album?
Caitlin: Well, this is definitely not "sheep" music. We did not write these songs and record them so that people think we're cool. In fact, more and more often we find ourselves saying "If that's what cool is....then we don't wanna be cool". We were ecstatic when we met some truly incredible bands while on tour in the US. Mad Anthony and Banderas, two bands from Cincinnati, showed us that independent rock (not indie rock...there's a HUGE difference!!) is alive and well...and is kicking serious rump. They took us to "Shake It" records and turned us on to some cool new music. Hanging out with them reminded of us that being in a band and having the opportunity to travel and meet other bands is a valuable experience. When we got a message from them upon our return to Canada that they had listened to Holy Crow and loved it....we were satisfied. You can expect honesty...a sincere effort to make music that speaks to the people that we think are cool. We're not looking for everyone's approval.
FERNTV: Since Bella Clava always had regular gigs here in Toronto wouldn't you say that this of course has helped you in the direction of your debut album?
Caitlin: Toronto is a very interesting city...on the one hand, it has this insatiable hunger for rock'n roll. It craves real music...real bands with heart...yet it tends to celebrate and revere some of the worst bands I've ever heard in my life. One hand is making a fist while the other is trying to hold onto whatever obnoxious trend is infecting the masses. This frustration has definitely influenced the album's direction...it's also why we wanted to work with Ian. C'Mon is one of our favourite bands and Ian doesn't give a shit about what other people think. To quote my friend Hunter Collins "People who whine about 'the mainstream' are often just a part of some less popular, but equally shitty, stream." This album embraces the fact that it will never be mainstream.
FERNTV: What did you learn most about working with Sir Ian Blurton on this album?
Caitlin: Because we all have a lot of respect for Ian, we really wanted him to like the songs. We worked at them until we thought they were the best they could be before we played them for him. We took his suggestions, like "I wanna hear more of that riff" or "that part doesn't do anything for me" , very seriously. We trust Ian's taste in music, so it was liberating to have him conduct us throughout the recording process. He'd say things like "This is gonna sound crazy, but can you try....", we'd do it, and it would sound cool. He is an extremely talented man...hence why so many bands want to work with him. He takes your pile of rocks, throws them in the tumbler, and makes them shine.
FERNTV: Can no one read your Bella Clava face????
Caitlin: Yes...this is true...the mask conceals our deepest darkest secrets...or just how ugly we are!
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