HIMALAYAS have released their first full-length album since coming into existence in 2015. Known for their “energetic live performances,” the band is fast becoming a major player in the music industry, especially now that they’ve inked a worldwide record deal with Nettwerk Records.
Ahead of From Hell to Here’s release, we were able to chat with the band’s frontman Joe Williams about the music, the band, and how they plan to carve a future for themselves in the competitive world of music.
Hello, I’m so happy to be chatting with you guys about your upcoming debut album, From Hell to Here. What’s it like releasing your first full-length project? Any expectations?
So happy to be talking with you about the release of our debut album. We’re really excited, to be honest. It’s been something that we’ve been working on for some time now, so we can’t wait to share it with everyone. I think we have hopes more than expectations, but we hope people love it as much as we do!
I’m sure fans would be interested in knowing more about the band’s backstory. As a quartet, what was it like in the beginning days of your music career and how have you grown since then?
When we formed, we had a very limited amount of experience, so we’ve grown a fair amount since the band’s inception. Starting the band was something that felt pretty amazing. Anyone starting out in bands knows that it’s hard to find people who are as committed to the cause as each other; so finding people that wanted to really go the distance was a great feeling. We’re all still here!
“Out Of the Dark and Into the Light” is a take on the dark thoughts that can overwhelm us sometimes. What’s the inspiration behind the song?
This was kind of a real Frankenstein of a song. I took lyrics that I had jotted down in different notebooks from completely different periods of time. It’s a song based on self-evaluation and how out of control you can feel. However, it’s also about the hope that is there if you find yourself able to look for it.
Your fans have been responding positively to the singles from the album. And why not, the lyrics cut deep and they’re highly relatable. What would you say is the main message behind the record?
We’re always really grateful for our fans and love them being so responsive to our music as they are! We try our very best to write music that not only we love but that we hope others will too. I think for us we try to make lyrics that can be left open so that it’s not a paint by numbers. But there are definitely themes of love, anger, and self-reflection.
Is it right of me to think that the lyrics from your title track, “From Hell to Here,” point to insomnia induced by restlessness, or is there a deeper meaning behind it?
Kind of… At the end of 2019, I found myself in a short coma because I wasn’t looking after myself and keeping on top of underlying health conditions. So, this song was about having not been present at that time and then not ever wanting to feel that way again.
What’s your creative process like?
It’s always been fairly similar, to be honest. Myself and Mike write a lot alone and then we bring ideas, full songs or demos to the practice room and work as a full band from there. Once we know that it works as a band and everyone feels collectively excited, we then demo the song even further. Then we head to the studio and make it as impossible as we can for us to play live!
What’s a memorable moment creating this record?
Recording this record was such a great experience! But for me, it’s always the late nights where some magic surprises you from nowhere. The middle eight on ‘Leave this Place’ was one of those moments, I think that solo really gave something different to the song. We all felt really happy with that.
If HIMALAYAS has just one mission, what would it be?
I think it would be to tour in as many counties and play to as many people as we possibly can. Otherwise known as world domination.
If the band could collaborate with anyone in the world, who would it be?
I think there are a few artists that we would love to collaborate with; Josh Homme, Iggy Pop, Hayley Williams, and Dave Grohl, just to name a few.
HIMALAYAS has been very active since earning your first breakout track, “Thank God I’m Not You,” especially when it comes to touring. Any touring rituals you share between yourselves that fans should know?
We all have our own little routines before a show, but we always get together right before we go on and have a little band team talk. Aside from that, lots of lemon and honey maybe a drink or two!
Do you trade off your strengths and weaknesses?
I think we try our best to be aware of our weaknesses and I think that ends up being a strength of ours.
Will fans be getting a worldwide tour for “From Hell to Here?” It’s that time, isn’t it?
We will definitely be touring further than we ever have before and heading back to places that we haven’t been to for a while too!