“The BBC reported we’d split up!” exclaims Prisms frontman Craig Davis, outraged. “But we’d been hiding away gathering as many ideas as possible.”
Prisms originally formed around three years ago. Having met and studied elsewhere, they returned to Birmingham together, formed a band, played some shows and then tucked themselves away to write some more. Currently, the trio (Davis along with James Fathers on guitar and Mark Banks on drums) reside and make music at their home studio in Kings Heath.
They’re dark synth sounds that the outfit create, but this time around it’s undeniably pop. There are big catchy choruses, echoing drum beats, it sounds cavernous until they reign it all in and leave you with a straight-up vocal melody. With elements of M83 and clearly drawing influence from local bands around them attempting the same, it’s a marked progression in songwriting.
“Hopefully you’ll hear an evolution in the sound,” says Craig. “The material we previously released was heavily influenced by our producer but now we are producing and mixing everything ourselves. It would be nice to think people will hear more versatility – for example, our next release is probably our most electronic so far.
“Ultimately we’re feeling more confident in our sound. People will hear a difference and hopefully they’ll like it, but as long as they comment, we are doing something right.”
Adding to their past repertoire, Prisms uploaded new songs We’ve Hit A River and Radio to their SoundCloud page just a couple of months ago. They play the Brum Notes Magazine June Issue Launch Party at the beginning of the month and will be giving away their next single, Feel The Thunder, free to all in attendance.
“We’ve been sat on Feel The Thunder for a while,” admits Craig.
“Craig demos a lot of the songs at home and they evolve in the rehearsal room. The song originally started off very chilled and then developed into something with a much heavier vibe,” adds James.
And so once the party and new single giveaway are out of the way, what are the band’s plans after that?
“We’d like to get on the gigging tracks and stay on them this time,” admits Craig, “but we want to see how Feel The Thunder goes down first. We are feeling optimistic…”
Prisms headline the Brum Notes June Issue Launch Party at The Sunflower Lounge, Birmingham, on June 11 with support from Field Harmonics and Mutes, plus DJ sets from Pink Violence. Entry is just £3, with doors opening at 8pm.
Photo: Adam Lovelock | Poster: Charlotte Audrey Owen Meehan
