Going for their Guns: The Rifle Volunteer in Interview

You're coming to the end of your twelve singles in twelve months cycle. What little things has life taught you along the way?

I think we've learnt loads over the last year. We've learnt to write under pressure, we've become more proficient in the studio certainly, which will stand us in good stead as and when it's time to record the first 'album'. We've learnt a lot about being in a band and being pro active. That nothing happens without hard work and belief in what you're doing. We've learnt a lot about the music industry in general and the cogs that grind away, that actually have a huge impact on things without being related to what's important... The Music.

Do you have any particular favourites of the ones you've released or are you like neutral, doting parents to each of them?

It's difficult to say, they were all indicative of the bands overall mindset at the time. Which was one of the ideas behind doing this. Creating an organic set of songs that grew over a period of time. As opposed to the 'snap shot' bands give with a conventional album. I think definitely 'General Drought' was a turning point, as was 'Arms & Wrists' and 'Northern Shore'. We've probably all got differing favorites for different reasons. I guess that makes us bad parents as opposed to doting.

What kind of unifying themes have tied the singles together, and do you plan to compile them as an album?

Generally the things that tie these songs together is the six of us as The Rifle Volunteer. This isn't a dictatorship, we're very democratic when it comes to making music generally. I guess the idea of being constantly creative and constantly evolving over the year we've been doing this. We're still thinking about the next step for these songs. We have spoken about compiling the best five or six as an EP perhaps. We just need to find the right label to work with.

How do you think we can define a single in the digital era, when many album tracks are bought and sold as 'singles'?

I think the lines are becoming more and more blurred. Bands are almost having to consider the fact that everything they release is potentially going to be viewed as a single. Which in some ways is going to affect the way people write their music. Which is actually a shame in a lot of ways. That said there are some great bands out there that are still writing music irrespective of that. It was great to see the Wild Beasts for example come a long and write a whole record and consider it a complete piece of work. The fact that it wasn't 'moody song, sad song, SINGLE, moody song etc'. They just wrote the record and it's amazing as a result.



Songs like 'Arms and Wrists' seem to balance graceful atmospheres with something almost mysterious and magical - is that fair to say?

We've always tried to focus on creating mood and texture, trying to let the songs flow naturally, not falling into the quiet verse/loud chorus trap. Which is fine, but it's becoming quite trite and throw away to write songs that way. We try not to over complicate structures just for the sake of it. Concentrating more on mood and atmosphere. Hopefully the songs are something that people can listen to and just enjoy but also, look at and critique as well.

What's The Rifle Volunteer looking forwards to next?

We're looking for a label at the moment. We've put everything into the last twelve months and it's time to find the people to work with that will help us progress and be as passionate about moving The Rifle Volunteer forward. We're very excited at the prospect of writing a whole record and making that and taking it out there. We're going to be hitting the live scene as much as possible now and just generally planning our take over year for 2012.

Arms & Wrists by The Rifle Volunteer

Impart some wisdom to us before you go, please.

Wisdom..... Always believe in what you're doing, work hard and make the most of your opportunites. Always leave men behind regardless of the situation and never leave a girl in Berlin to get cash....

WWW.THERIFLEVOLUNTEER.COM