Belfast post-punk/electronic trio Chalk announce signing to Nice Swan Records, home to the likes of Sports Team, Pip Blom and English Teacher. The band also share new track ‘The Gate’ following on from their debut EP Conditions released earlier this year. ‘The Gate’ opens with ferocious beats which are a shock for the listener, as it opens with this full on assault on the senses. The fury continues throughout with the vocal accompanying the mayhem and chaos which builds until it simply cannot be sustained any longer. There is a momentary quietening towards the end but those final 30 seconds are a disturbing soundscape full of distortion.
Chalk won the ‘Best Live Act’ at Northern Ireland Music Prize 2023. With shows at the Great Escape, Reeperbahn Festival, Left of the Dial and Manchester’s Beyond The Music this year Chalk have reinforced their growing live reputation, ahead of what promises to be a busy 2024 on the road. Inspired by the ferocity and live performance of acts including Death Grips, and informed by the sweaty hardcore dance scenes of their native Belfast, Chalk have teamed up with esteemed producer Chris Ryan (NewDad, Enola Gay, Just Mustard) once more for their latest effort.
Detailing their newest release, frontman Ross Cullen revealed:
“‘The Gate’ is a song about the pressures that surround you. The first musical part that was written was the ending, which is an ode to ‘Come to Daddy’ by Aphex Twin. I wanted to create a track inspired by Locked Club or Mica Levi, something that had a type of deranged percussion playing at a 1/16 rate. Then I found a drum and bass drum sample which we had Luke re-record in the drum booth. Luke and Ben came up with the vocal delivery for the “Push and Pull” bits then I coloured in the rest. We’re leaning into sampling a lot more – especially our own field recordings – sounds of public transport, and construction that we’ve built a library of.”
Chalk Live Dates
DECEMBER
9: Trans Musicales- Rennes, FRA
13:Whelans (Upstairs)- Dublin, IE
16: Mandela Hall, Belfast-UK*
For more information on Chalk please check their facebook and instagram.