- It was over 2 years ago that I put you guys on at Liverpool Calling festival, that booking was off the back of 'Cynthia' which is track 7 on 'Colours', how long coming has the album been?
The album has been in planning since mid-2014 really. Once we got Niall in and started fleshing out a lot of the new music we had been writing and re-writing some of the older songs we started discussing how the next logical step for us was to do this album. We had always talked about doing one since after the release of our first E.P but it only seemed like the right time to start properly planning for it all during the middle of last year.
- The best songs from a band don't necessarily, always suit a particular album. Have you chose the best of the best Vasa tracks or did you look at it as more of a cohesive work that highlights were you are as a band now?
I think it is a bit of both to be honest. This music is easily some of the best we have written and I think it all fits very well together. The album as a whole is very bright yet very powerful all the way through. We're all extremely proud of how it has turned out and I think it is a very strong example of how our band has evolved and grown over the last 4 years.
- What are your expectations for 'Colours'? I think a lot of people out there are shaking with excitement, do you expecting to widen your fanbase too?
First and foremost, we are just hoping that people enjoy the album, obviously. This is the first album any of have ever done so we are a little in the dark as to what to expect. We certainly hope that this album will open some new doors for us and showcase us to a much wider audience and strengthen the fanbase we have already spent years building up. It has been very cool seeing a lot of people voicing their excitement to hear it. Always a positive for us to see just how many folk are looking forward to it.
- All in all, you have had a big year as a band, a nationwide tour in the early parts, then onto playing a huge show at ArcTanGent and now releasing your debut album. How do you plan to keep the ball rolling at such pace in 2016?
As far as 2016 goes, we have ideas of what we want to do but it's just making sure that all these plans are viable. We will definitely be continuing to tour, as that is pretty much what comes naturally to us. We've got one solid idea for something in 2016 but I am going to keep that very secretive and vague about it, as per. I think the main thing for next year is to just continue the hard working ethic that we are known for and have been praised for. We've got a vision for this band and we want to work as hard as possible to achieve that.
- Vasa is quickly becoming a recognizable name amongst the scene in which you operate and the release of 'Colours' is only going to spur that on. As a member cemented firmly into the Post/Math/Experimental/ Prog-rock community that the likes of ArcTanGent nurtures, you will find that you may have a solid and fervent group of supporters behind you but moving onto claim a widespread following may be another story. Where do you see your ceiling as a band in terms of success?
I don't think we really do see there being a ceiling for a band like us. As much as we are cemented into the math/post/prog scene I think we do have a lot of different styles in our music that allows for some crossover into other less nichey genres. 'Colours' will surprise a lot of people. As much as there are some mathy parts and typical post-rock sections there are some parts of the album that are very pop orientated and some pretty dancey sections as well.
- Of course the above question isn't to imply that every band wants to be a commercially successful, faceless behemoth, do you think that there will come a point where you have reached a comfortable plateau or would you always be pushing yourself to reach new heights?
We'll always push to reach new heights.
- The album's artwork is definitely eye-catching, a sunshine person like myself would be attracted to that even if it said 'Jive Bunny- B-Sides and Rarities' on the cover. What was the thought process behind the artwork, does it represent any particular feel from the album?
The artwork was simply something that we thought fit with the name of the album. It's a very bright sounding album and we think the artwork will help reflect that.
- What is the biggest headache you came across when releasing 'Colours'?
Biggest headache was easily the amount of money that goes into making it. Things cost money and we have none.
- What made the making of this album run smoother?
I think just the fact that, going into the studio, we were all functioning strongly as a unit and it helped a lot when we were recording. It was pretty easy to bounce ideas off each other that only helped strengthen the recording process.
- What advice can you offer the Yeah Buddy! readers and its family with regards the best way to go about getting the best results out of your debut album?
Turn it up loud and enjoy. Maybe have an Irn-Bru with it as well.
Vasa release their debut album 'Colours' on October 16th. You can free download the first release 'Fat Ronaldo' here;
https://vasa.bandcamp.com/track/fat-ronaldo