Human Pyramids: Under the Influence

Ahead of the release of Human Pyramids' second album, Home, Paul Russell, the Scottish composer behind the music tells us all about the songs that have helped shape their new record. There's a handy Spotify playlist at the bottom as well, so you don't even have to search for them all. Enjoy.

Dirty Projectors – Up in Hudson
[Dirty Projectors, 2017]
Up in Hudson is easily my favourite pop song of 2017, this was on heavy rotation when we were recording horns down in Cornwall. The brass section sounds like velvet, and I love the weird off-kilter percussion. There [are] some pretty uncomfortable moments on this (break-up) album, with some seriously questionable use of auto-tune, but this song is pure perfection.

White Denim – Holda You (I’m Psycho)
[Stiff, 2016]
Whenever I hear this track I feel like it's 1985 and I am Marty McFly; I’ve just blown up a wall of amps, I am late for school and I’m hitching a lift on the back of trucks on my skateboard... I’ve no clue if that vibe made it onto the album, but if it did, I image it was when we were tracking guitars with Rod [Jones] at Post Electric Studios.

Anna Meredith – Nautilus
[Varmints, 2016]
From hearing that ascending horn line I was sold. And when the beat kicks in it makes the whole thing shift and makes me feel a bit seasick (in a good way). This song definitely inspired me to let the tuba take the lead more on this album, and not be afraid to make some pretty wild production decisions. [I] saw her at Celtic Connections earlier this year and it blew my mind – she finished the set with an orchestral rave version of 500 Miles by The Proclaimers! Ridiculous.

PUP – My Life is Over and I Couldn’t be Happier
[The Dream is Over, 2016]
Love the raw energy of PUP, Canadian punks from Toronto. I played this song (and album) a lot while travelling to/from studios while writing and recording this record. Some of that punk spirit definitely made its way into the album, especially while tracking drums! I saw them at their debut UK show at The Lexington a couple of years ago and it was phenomenal, though they finished with Sabotage by the Beastie Boys and all I wanted to do was get home and listen to Ill Communication.

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down – The Evening
[A Man Alive, 2016]
This song is crazy funky and gets my shoulders moving in all sorts of strange ways. That cowbell and bassline. So sleazy. Produced by tUnE-yArDs [Merrill Garbus]; weird, off-kilter, pop magic. That guitar solo?? Is it even a guitar?? This song definitely helped me channel my inner weirdo on this album.

Rubblebucket – If U C My Enemies
[If U C My Enemies, 2017]
Probably the biggest influence on the new record [are this] indie-dance pop band from Brooklyn, NYC. The horn line in this track is so powerful and rousing. The marrying of the brass and electronics are totally on point and definitely opened up the idea to me of this album being a bit more groove and dancefloor-orientated!

Lau – Torsa
[Race the Loser, 2012]
One of the most beautiful songs ever written [and the] perfect soundtrack to a rainy drive in the Highlands. This song is a lesson in how very [few] instruments can create such a gigantic sound. I am definitely guilty of a more-is-more approach to writing and this keeps me in check. Absolutely gorgeous.

Crying – Vacation
[Get Olde / Second Wind, 2014]
There is something about the clipped square wave sound of the Gameboy that fills me with nostalgia. This song reminds me of The Smiths mixed with Zelda; sad vocals with relentlessly cheery melodies on top. A wee bit of Gameboy might’ve slipped into the album, but you’ll need to listen carefully to find it. Ish.

Sheer Mag – Need to Feel Your Love
[Need to Feel Your Love, 2017]
Although this album sounds like it was recorded through a shoe, the songs are massive! Punk ethos with stadium hooks, it soundtracked a lot of this year in-between sessions. I love the wild effects on the vocals and the lo-fi vibe, it sounds like an old chewed up tape. Sheer Mag definitely put the swing into this record.

Steve Reich w/ Pat Metheny – Electric Counterpoint (movement 2)
[Different Trains / Electric Counterpoint, 1989]
I am obsessed with Electric Counterpoint and this is my favourite movement and my favourite version of it. I love the way the guitars fall over themselves and sound like flowing water. This piece has influenced my guitar writing and playing like no other.

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Home is released on 10 Nov by Three Mile Town Records