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Driven by computerised drums and layered instrumentation, landing like a quiet confession brought to life, the track unfolds with deliberate precision before opening into something far more vulnerable. “Hopefully, people will know what to expect from our live shows now. We don’t just stick to one sound,” vocalist and saxophonist Esmé Lark lets out a soft laugh.
Truthpaste comprises Lark, Euan McNeill (bass/guitar/vocals), Theo Murchie (guitar/vocals), Claire Sun (violin/vocals), and James Ballarò (synth/lapsteel/guitar). “We never came in with a sound in mind,” Lark says. “We all have different tastes, backgrounds and genres. It all kind of melts together into something quite different than each individual person would make on their own,” McNeill adds.
Offering a glimpse into the band’s collaborative writing process, “Euan had already written the song, so we had the base,” Lark explains. “It was just a case of layering it up from there,” McNeill continues. Instruments breathe and clash in equal measure. There is a genuine joy for the craft that resonates in every note, as they build the intricate textures and shifting dynamics that define the final track.
Their distinctive sound is driven by the punch of computer-driven drums. “At university, when we lived in tiny rooms, we couldn’t afford to rent a studio, so the electronic drums allowed us to rehearse anywhere,” Lark explains. “We have a different experience to most bands because all our songs have to be very structured, we have to commit to the drums.”
“Bus Song”, out now on Dirty Hit & Memorials Of Distinction, takes the form of a duet between McNeill and Lark, whose voices sound less performed than laid bare, each line delivered with raw vulnerability. The intimacy of the performance mirrors the track’s instinctive origins. “The meaning hasn’t needed to be thought about. [“Bus Song”] was always the name of the song, that’s what’s written at the top,” Euan reflects.
The outro erupts in a cathartic burst, the carefully orchestrated chaos finally giving way to a moment of pure release. Amid the swirling layers of synth, percussion, and guitar, Lark’s saxophone threads a soaring melody: “Playing the saxophone is a way for me to sing without singing.” The instrument becomes an extension of her voice – raw, intimate, and unrestrained.
Although Truthpaste are now based in London, the band first came together while studying at university in Manchester. “We can’t shake the allegations that we’re a Manchester band,” McNeill laughs. Lark agrees that the city left its mark: “The Manchester scene had a more delicate sound, both electronic and folk, which encouraged us to do what we were doing. People don’t give up, which is nice.”
Truthpaste will embark on a UK headline tour in May. It includes a date at The Lexington, London, where they previously played at Best Fit's new music festival, the Five Day Forecast.
English (US) · 