This week, Kompakt release the highly anticipated second album from Walls – ‘Coracle’. Walls are Alessio Natalizia (of Banjo Or Freakout) and Sam Willis (from Allez-Allez – who you may also know from our own Bleep podcasts). We decided to have a quick Q&A with Sam, about the sound of Walls.

Bleep: In your own words, how would you describe yourselves and your sound to any new listeners?
Sam Willis: Our music is a messy collision of guitars, synths, drum machines and ambience.. we create sound collages that aim to transport you to otherworldly realms.

B: You’ve mentioned before the way that bands such as NEU! have influenced your sound. Is there anyone else you cite as a big influence, and why?
SW: It’s hard to be concrete about these kind of things, as our work tends to be quite instinctive, hence why it’s often quite eclectic – we just follow the sounds and melodies where they want to go – with this album things have taken a more dancefloor orientated turn, which is totally fine with us! We’re more interested in looking outside of the musical world for inspiration…

B: There is a strong immersive quality to your work, that at once the listener feels involved in some kind of journey or narrative. Can you explain what approach you have to the writing process and any narratives?
SW: We’re definitely interested in taking the listener on a journey for sure, but again, it’s very instinctive to us, we prefer not to imprint too much suggestion on a track, other than the title obviously, and even then we try to leave things somewhat oblique. We’d much rather the listener be allowed to subjectively experience our music in whichever way their imagination takes them.. The hope is that this is rather freeing, and allows them to create more of a personal link with it.

B: Who and what are you listening to at the moment?
SW: Our label Kompakt co-founder Wolfgang Voigt’s recent box set ‘Nah Und Fern‘ collection of his work as Gas never leaves the stereo – a series of timeless electronic masterpieces – they’re so immersive and hypnotic. Also the new Motion Sickness Of Time Travel album has really caught our attention, it’s fantastic to have as a soundtrack to your daily chores.

B: Can you talk us through the production process behind your work?
SW: It really varies a lot, which is probably another factor in why our stuff sounds so diverse.. A track can evolve through an idea that Alessio creates via the guitar and his pedals, or it could be me manipulating a sample in the computer that we then bend other sounds around.. We use quite a bit of field recording from across the net, it can really help to add texture and atmosphere, and you can get some really unique and weird sounds that have been captured by oddballs from across the world! A key sticking point for us when working on a track is that it must have some weight or significance, we’re looking for emotion and depth of feeling, how we arrive there is immaterial.

Walls’ latest album – ‘Coracle‘ is out his week and is available to buy now on Bleep.

Cologne-based Kompakt is one of the great independent record labels, treasured for its diverse but ever-brilliant mix of ambient, minimal techno, tech-house and more. On 3rd April, South Bank Centre and Ether festival celebrate their more ambient side with a one-off event, as Kompakt co-founders Wolfgang Voigt and Jörg Burger perform a special set produced for this concert alongside live visuals. Plus there’s also an exclusive live ambient sets from The Field’s Axel Willner (solo) and Walls.

We have a pair of tickets to give away for this event, to win simply e-mail info@bleep.com and tell us your ideal ambient setting and why?

This could be your “happy place”, a place where you go escape the daily madness of your life… points are awarded for creativity.