Today we introduce the intriguing band Spill Gold who blur the hazy lines between electronic and psychedelic music to craft sonorous enticing pop. Their sound is typified by their recent single ‘Dali’ with its dexterous keys, playful percussion and a buzzing background that is threaded with delightful choral harmonies their work is for fans ojf Stealing Sheep , Beak> and Broadcast. It was written as “a musical impression of what would happen if Dalí was sipping on a pina colada in your house”.
Spill Gold formed in the Netherlands in 2017, releasing their debut self titled EP at the end of that year. Born from members of Dutch dream-pop ensemble Bird On The Wire, they have gone on to tour around the world, sharing stages with the likes of Exploded View and Bealso.
Synth wizard Jochem van Tol also joined them for the recording, and the song was mastered by Uwe Teichert in Brussels, who also counts Nick Cave amongst his clients and mastered Yann Tiersen’s soundtrack to the film Amelie.
To get to know them better, we sent Nina and Rosa of Spill Gold our introducing questions.
How did you meet?
We (Nina and Rosa) met years ago, in Amsterdam. We have played together for a while and formed Spill Gold in 2017 with Jessica Tucker. Over time Spill Gold has been a very fluid project, now we sometimes play live with sound artist Jochem van Tol.
What was the first song you ever wrote?What was it like?
Rosa: a folk song, inspired by Leonard Cohen and because my voice wasn’t low enough I didn’t dare to sing and used a melodica instead.
What was the first thing you released?
With Spill Gold we released a self-titled EP in 2017, it was picked up and re-released on deluxe tape format (a beautifPortland-basedack box) in 2018 by Portland based Beacon Sound Records, who also release music by Colleen, Terry Riley, Peter Broderick etc.
How would you describe your sound in five words?
Trippy
Trance
Hypnotic
Psychedelic
Disco
I love your new single ‘Dali’ what inspired it? What was the concept behind the video?
Rosa: The song came to the light when I was having an online conversation with Jessica Tucker, the musician we wrote our first EP with. Complaining about the amount of work we do behind our computers, while the universe was screaming in our ears that we should head over to the studio and create! Make music! We decided this feeling was best to be described as if Dali was drinking a Pina Colada in the corner of your living room, patiently waiting until you let yourself be free to what you really want: write a weird, poppy, song to dance to.
The video was made with the decor of the theatre group BOG. Nina made a drum part for their piece ‘Iemand die slaapt’, a hypnotizing existential piece. One day they were not playing yet and we figured the turning stage was an amazing fit to the ongoing pulse in the song that slowly spins out of control. It reminded me also of a clock, ticking impatiently until it’s time to get up and go out.
You recently toured with Beak> how was that?
A beautiful experience. Since Nina was busy with the theatre piece we made a special set with sound artist Jochem van Tol. The music became more electronic and intimate in a way, which was in contrast to the rooms full with hundreds of people.
What’s the music scene like back home?
We are part of sound art collective Meduse MagiQ, and have our practice space and creative home in a wonderful place called Plantage Dok. A place filled with all sorts of artists, musicians, genres and dreams.
Which artists do you admire?
It depends the mood we’re in. We listen to a lot of different things. Gnawa music in Morocco, Can, Fever Ray, Soulwax, so many things! Repetition, trance, mixing of the electronic with the analogue are things we are very inspired about.
What would be your dream collaboration?
We would love Thom Yorke to come and sing one of our newest songs, I can hear his voice already. Nick Cave also wouldn’t be bad on another one.
Are you working on any new songs with a view to an album?
Yes we are! In full writing process.
Are you playing any shows/festivals this summer? Which ones are you look forward to most?
The Blue Dot festival looks amazing! Who better to celebrate the moon with than Kraftwerk?
Spill Gold are currently on tour and play Blue Dot this summer:
19 April – Waiting Room, London
20 July – Blue Dot Festival
