SPECTRUM: Interview with Dark Horses

Taking their cues from an expansive array of sources, Dark Horses blend psychedelia, rock and electronica with moving image, monochrome lighting and photography.

We had a chat with the band ahead of their performance at SPECTRUM's upcoming day festival. 

When did you start writing music?
We started writing together in 2010, but we'd all been writing individually for years before that. Songs are the perfect escape from the confines of the teenage bedroom, and writing music seemed like a natural tool that promised adventure and excitement - even if that was only in the imagination.

How did you meet?
There are various stories on how we met, but in essence what brought us together is desire - desire to be connected, to be loud, to be visceral, to be silly, to be challenged… and somehow the chemistry between us just works. We all come from totally different musical backgrounds, but maybe that's precisely why it does work.

What track are you most proud of? 
Most recently we released YES YES YES as part of Love Thy Neighbour's Triptych event - it's often the case that you are most proud of your most recent work… This one's such a pleasure to play live.

How would you describe your music?
Flawed, human, melodic, meditative, precise and chaotic.

What are the main influences on your sound?
Our inspirations change all the time, but there are certain artists and styles we always come back to: the insistent, hypnotic sound of Krautrock… guys like Can and NEU! Here's Hallogallo (German slang for 'wild partying') by NEU!: