Formed in 2018, Bristol-based transatlantic duo Yard Arms are a jangle-pop powerhouse offering up a taste of late noughties euphoria and heartfelt melancholy. The band comprises of long time collaborators Noah Villeneuve and Billy Golding, whom keen followers of the Bristol music scene will remember from previous projects such as Archimedes.
The first nine months saw them release their hauntingly beautiful debut EP ‘Maiden’ which received continual support from BBC Introducing, and saw them playing notable shows with bands such as Crooked Colours, Band of Skulls and China Bears, as well as a headline slot at Rough Trade in support of Record Store Day.
Their Sophomore EP, ‘ A Glossary of Broken Humans & Beating Heats’, recorded, mixed and mastered at Stage 2 Studios with Producer Josh Gallop (Phoxjaw) is due for release November 1st.
‘A Glossary of Broken Humans & Beating Hearts’, unlike ‘Maiden’, which was an exploration of heartache and a relationship breakdown, instead focuses more outwardly and is a commentary on the human condition, mental health and trauma.
The lyrics present a refreshingly honest take on suffering and hurt, delving into the lives of Villeneuve’s close companions from the past 18 months. This collection of tracks creates an enchanting world to escape to, allowing you to revel in emotional catharsis. Musically, the EP’s dynamic is reminiscent of artists such as The National, Death Cab For Cutie, The Cure, American Football and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart.
‘Comfortable’, the candid latest track from the EP is due for release September 6th, offering up emotive and atmospheric depth with a raw lyrical charm. We caught up with Noah Villeneuve and Billy Golding as they talked about their upcoming EP and more!
So how pumped are you for the release of your EP A Glossary of Broken Humans & Beating Hearts?
We are so grateful to be finally putting this release out into the world, we’ve invested so much emotional energy into this EP over the past twelve months and we’re just so glad the vision has been realised and now we can share it with the fans.
What’s your favourite song on this EP?
Who’s your favourite child? Always a tough one ultimately, but I think because it’s the most recent track we’ve finished, ‘Heavy Silences’, it’s a special one for us. We’re yet to play it live so it sort of feels a little secretive still which is a rarity. It’s also totally an ode to the plethora of artists we spent idolising in our late teens like American Football and Youthmovies.
Comfortable is also coming out soon, what made you pick this track in particular as the lead single?
During the whole recording process and feedback from live shows, this tune always got a great response, there is a clear resonance in the message of the song with a wide variety of people. It’s representative of the ambience of the record and it felt like the logical next release following on from the debut EP.
What was your favourite moment making the EP?
Since we started working with Josh Gallop (Phoxjaw) in the studio, the whole process of making these records has been a breeze, he’s the right man to have at the helm of our sound and he has helped us develop in ways we never expected. There are always incredible eureka moments throughout the recording time that create fond memories but I think it’s always towards the end, when the songs are fully formed and coloured in, it starts to feel like a body of work with a purpose – that’s when it feels important and that’s a feeling we never tire of.
If you could work with any band on a new song, who would it be and why?
It’s only a matter of time until our inevitable collab occurs with Chance, Paak, Action Bronson or Donald Glover.
What’s the music scene like in Bristol at the moment?
Bristol has and always will be such a melting pot of incredible creativity and we’re lucky to have so many amazing artists represent the city worldwide at the moment. Locally right now there’s some special projects that are bound to sky rocket soon, keep an eye out for names like Emily Isherwood, Wasuremono, New Palace Talkies, Phoxjaw, Bridges and Wych Elm.
What do you both get up to in your spare time?
They didn’t answer this one as this is their spare time haha.