Indian Red Lopez: Against The Tide

The trials and tribulations of a fledgling rock band are undoubtedly manifold. From the grind of much-needed touring exposure to the daunting prospect of recording a professional sounding album on a shoe-string, it’s not a lifestyle to be taken on lightly. However, few such bands will find being admonished by a bona fide pop diva as one such obstacle.

Aberdeen quintet Indian Red Lopez found themselves in precisely this position when a recent Glasgow gig at the ABC coincided with that of ubiquitous globe-straddling singer-songwriter Adele. Guitarist Dave Cherry picks up the story. “We were doing our sound-check downstairs and one of her minders told us to shut up,” he marvels. “We weren’t even allowed to go on-stage until after she had done some acoustic part of her show.”

However, they did come away with something of a ‘review’ from the record-breaking artist. “One guy who was coming to see us accidentally queued up to see her and got in for six quid,” laughs Dave. “He said that about half-way through a song she referred to our sound as like being inside a washing machine.”

Perhaps the floorboards of the ABC are not conducive to the IRL sound then, but with debut album Empty Your Lungs and Breathe ready for release this month, listeners will be able to judge for themselves. Jammed with towering, propulsive guitar riffs, widescreen synths and kinetic percussion all balanced out with lush yet powerful vocals, it’s a record that sounds every bit the labour of love that the band profess.

“We’ve worked our arses off,” claims enigmatic singer Michael Chang. “We’ve spent two years recording it whenever we could fit it in. Logistically it’s been really hard because we all have day jobs.” To make matters more difficult, it was recorded in Glasgow with the help of friends, notably producer Craig Grant, formerly of Union of Knives. “There’s been some long, horrible journeys,” sighs drummer Scott Maskame. “We know the M8 and the A9 quite well,” laughs Dave of the slog. “We know the AA quite well too.”

It’s a tactic that has clearly paid off, with the finished album squeezing out every bit of potential from their latent song-writing. Thankfully, IRL certainly know how to write a tune, as album highlights Rope and The Third (Incision) clearly showcase. As chief vocalist, Michael agrees that although the two years of recording have undeniably helped shape the record, the song itself is still key. “We’re all song-driven, lyric-focused people,” he states. “But I think the arrangement is just as important.”

Also on an equal footing is the visual element, more-often-than-not an area overlooked by the majority of bands, large or small. Callum Beith is credited as the sixth member and, amongst other roles, takes care of elements beyond the music itself. “Just having more of a visual presence in general is really important to us,” claims Michael. “Whether it’s online, at our shows or just at the merchandise stand, it’s about having that coherency. Don’t get me wrong, I love the sweaty gig vibe,” he clarifies before Dave finishes his line of thought; “But we’re definitely interested in the ‘show’ aspect of things as well.”

It seems that this determination to push themselves out of their comfort zone to strive for a little more than the average band is getting IRL noticed outside of the Aberdeen scene. “There aren’t that many bands from Aberdeen who will travel,” says Dave of the current musical climate in the North East. “If you’re an Aberdeen band you’re an Aberdeen band, you know.” Guitarist Danny Forsyth notes some exceptions. “There have been a few good bands recently but then a lot of them, like Copy Haho or The XCerts, have moved elsewhere now.”

Indian Red Lopez certainly can’t be accused of laying low in the Granite City, having played around Scotland, Manchester and London. On top of this they’ve also embarked on small European tours from the loosest of invitations. “We played The Tunnels (in Aberdeen) and this music journalist from Rotterdam was over,” explains Dave. “He said if we were ever in Rotterdam to give him a shout. I don’t think he was expecting us to call him six years later and ask for a show.”

Yet all five concede that playing such hallowed turf as Rotterdam and London has not always been what they expected. “Getting worthwhile gigs is the hardest bit,” says Dave. “We played Dublin Castle in London on a Monday night with a Japanese band, a band from Greenock and a metal band! It was a great night and good fun but totally worthless in terms of raising our profile.” At this point bassist Darren Forsyth raises his head from his pint. “We just feel like a drop in the ocean,” he laments. “Can you put that as the headline,” laughs Dave. “Darren says we’re just a drop in the ocean.”

It is with some hope of alleviating this feeling though that the group are talking to The Skinny in Anstruther as they prepare to play the influential Fence Collective’s annual HomeGame festival. They will, however, be hoping it is more successful than their previous appearance here. “We played a disastrous show last year,” admits Dave. “There were some punch-ups outside just before we went to play, so the pub emptied.” Michael fills in some details. “Kenny (Anderson AKA King Creosote) was accosted too. It was the end of the festival and I think he was at the end of his tether. Some local assaulted him or something. We were meant to be playing before his ‘pub’ set but he had to pull out.”

Having played and met with the King previously in Aberdeen, and with Fence’s Gavin ‘On The Fly’ Brown having remixed a ‘Lopez track in the interim, the boys were invited down for a second crack this year. “We’re on Kenny’s radar and they seem to like us so that’s pretty cool,” beams Dave. Michael is less concerned with the royal seal of approval though. “We’re just really happy to be here,” he states genuinely. “It’s fucking brilliant with good vibes all 'round.”

This year’s HomeGame was excactly that, and it’s bands like Indian Red Lopez who epitomise this feeling. Bands who are in it for the love of the music, who will keep “plugging away” as Michael puts it, regardless of the outcome. It’s been a long, hard road to get to where they are now, but Indian Red Lopez seem determined to continue beating out their own path. Perhaps their website’s modus operandi puts it best by saying: ‘IRL is an idea of natural compulsion.’

Looks like we’ll be hearing a lot more from these boys.