Haelos perform in The Current studio
by Mac Wilson and HAELOS
April 12, 2016
Haelos (typically styled HÆLOS) began with the nucleus of musicians Arthur Delaney, Lotti Benardout and Dom Goldsmith. Now, Haelos have doubled in size, adding two percussionists and a guitarist.
"This thing started in the studio, essentially," Goldsmith says. "We began it as a studio project, and so it was a case of working out how to play it live afterwards. I think we got signed [to Matador Records] before ever playing a live show, but since then, the live show has become a huge part of our project."
Now touring in support of their full-length debut release, Full Circle, Haelos stopped in The Current's studio for a live session hosted by Mac Wilson. First heard on U.S. airwaves on The Current, Haelos played at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis that night.
Making the move from a studio project to a live act wasn't the easiest thing to do. "It was a little bit difficult in working out how we were going to transfer particularly the drum parts," Delaney explains. "It took a lot of time to re-program them for the live show and to re-work out the arrangements for them. I think it's really transferred well to the live area and we're really happy with the way it's come out."
Bringing their music out of the studio and to live audiences has its intrinsic rewards. "Nothing feels better than being onstage with six people and all sort of jamming out," Bernardout says, "and definitely having that human element to the performance, for us, is really important."
The atmospheric, electronica sound achieved by Haelos is crafted through a meticulous process. "It's very much a process of creation, then destruction and recreation — it's almost like distilling, I suppose," Goldsmith explains. "We probably write four or five songs inside each song that we write, so it's not necessarily the fastest process. … At the end, [we] get that sense of euphoria about finishing something."
This coming weekend and next, Haelos will bring their live show to audiences at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif.; the band's approach to those shows, on April 15 and 22, is straightforward. "I think we'll just go in and have a good time," Delaney says, looking ahead. "That's what we always try and do: Go in, enjoy playing our music, have some fun. If we're enjoying it, then it means the audience is enjoying it, and what more can you want?"
Listen to the complete interview to hear more from Haelos, including some of their picks for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees 25 years from now, and about how, as Bernardout puts it, "the universe is helping with us with our marketing."
Songs Performed
"Separate Lives"
"Dust"
"Oracle"
All songs off HÆLOS's album, Full Circle, available on Matador Records.
Hosted by Mac Wilson
Produced by David Safar
Engineered by Michael DeMark and Sasha Druva
Visuals by Leah Garaas
Web feature by Luke Taylor
