Portsmouth’s Hallan have announced their second EP The Noise Of A Firing Gun, set for release 31 March via Nice Swan Records (English Teacher, Sports Team, Courting). Its sees the band move towards the synthesised sounds of the ’80’s whilst retaining their raw post-punk edge. Hallan also share the lead single from the EP ‘Unwomanly Face Of War’. Its a rapid fire track, perfect encapsulating the harrowing subject matter. Raucous and frantic, live this will be a highlight of their set. The wild synths turned up the static fuelled energy levels along with drum and guitars which gallop at pace.
Enigmatic frontman Conor Clements expands on the inspiration behind the track:
“After an exploration into “The Unwomanly Face of War”, a book penned by Nobel Prize winning author Svetlana Alexievich, I discovered the real life stories of hundreds of female soldiers who endured horrors and loss during the Second World War. Having fought for the Soviet Union these women of Russia recount their memories and nightmares in honest detail, sharing their experiences on the front lines and back home.
‘Unwomanly Face Of War’ is written to remember the realities of a time not long ago and the sacrifices and efforts given by women of the past; it reminds us all to ensure above all else that no daughter or son need know the noise of a firing gun”.
The lyrics speak volumes about the worst of times. Hallan do not shy away from such themes and in fact embrace the realities of such facets of human nature, however challenging they may be, but wrap it in their interpretation musically.
“Back from the front
The things I’ve seen
My hands they tremble
And my heart bleeds
I knock on the door
And who do I see?
It’s my mother
And she does not recognise me.”
Hallan Live Dates
1st Apr – Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham
2nd Apr – Bobiks, Newcastle
4th Apr – Broadcast, Glasgow
5th Apr – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
6th Apr – Future Yard, Birkenhead
7th Apr – Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds
8th Apr – Heartbreakers, Southampton
11th Apr – The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge
12th Apr – Clwb lfor Bach, Cardiff
13th Apr – The Cavern, Exeter
14th Apr – The Victoria, London
15th Apr – Esquires, Bedford
For more information on Hallan please check their facebook and twitter.
