London-via-Southampton star-gazers Pale Seas recently unveiled their highly-anticipated debut EP Places to Haunt, which will be released on 27th October via Native Pop. By exploring themes of youth, death and social alienation, lead singer Jacob Scott has managed to contrast dark soundscapes with soaring harmonies to devastating effect. Through the EP’s four tracks, Scott uses this subject matter to seek hope within the macabre, and marks himself as one of Britain’s best emerging songwriters in the process.

At its heart, Places to Haunt was born out of a growing disillusionment with education and failure to coherently adapt to the challenges of adulthood. Shutting himself away in his tiny room in Leytonstone, Jacob started to write, often staying awake for days at a time to work on a single track. It is within these confines that all of the songs on the EP were penned, strongly influencing the record’s personal, nocturnal sound.

Encouraged by the reaction of close friends to his music, Jacob recruited Mathew Bishop (bass) and Graham Poole (guitar) in summer 2012. The recent addition of William Hilliard (drums) has further increased the band’s prowess.

To record the EP, Pale Seas travelled to the Isle of Wight to work with long-term collaborator Paul Butler (Devendra Banhart / The Bees / Michael Kiwanuka), experimenting with a number of different sounds and textures, all of which can be heard on the record.

With the first release from the band on its way and special live shows in the pipeline, 2014 looks set to be the year Pale Seas step out of the swell and into the open.

Andy Howells recently chatted to Matt from the band.

Who are you and how did you come together?

My name is Matt, I’m the bassist in a band called Pale Seas. We formed when Jacob (singer), who had been writing some music in his tiny little room in Leytonstone, East London, recruited myself, Graham (guitar) and his then-girlfriend Zealah (drums) to record the single ‘Something or Nothing’. We continued to write, but then a poor man’s Fleetwood Mac situation arose when Jacob and Zealah inevitably broke up – cheese slices were thrown, creativity was stunted, and the latter decided to focus on her art – so we brought in Will Hilliard to replace her. Tranquility, and more importantly creativity, was restored!

Where are you from?

Jacob, Graham and I are from Southampton, and I met Will during my first day at university halls in his native London. His mum hooked us up when dropping him off (respect Nicola), and he hasn’t quite been able to get rid of me since.

How would you describe your music style?

It would be different to pin our sound down to one specific style or genre, but we certainly try and retain a consistent atmosphere within our music. I would say that it is dark, ethereal and hazy, with a focus on melody.

What’s been your best live experience?

As a punter, Chesney Hawkes, Isle of Wight Garlic festival 2013 (yes that really does exist and no I really didn’t have anything better to do). A day of garlic + Chesney covering ‘I predict a riot’ = utter carnage; just trust me on that one. With Pale Seas, I would say supporting Stornoway at the Forum in London - good vibes, historic venue and great sound, though Jacob would probably say supporting The Lemonheads because he’s a huge Evan Dando fan.

You have a new single and album coming soon can you tell us more about that?

Yes - we will be releasing a single called Animal Tongue late 2014. Then our album will be out in early 2015. We are just working to add the finishing touches to this but really can’t wait for people to hear it.

With every release, we try and show a different side to ourselves or a progression in our sound – I believe Animal Tongue does this again, and will show a glimpse of what to expect from the full LP.

You’re touring shortly are you looking forward to that?

We’re really looking forward to touring. We have been working really hard to improve our live set and the addition of Will provides another dynamic to our sound – he allows us to be a bit more experimental onstage. Our song writing has definitely developed since the last time that we toured, and we feel in a much stronger position as a unit this time round.

From a personal perspective, I always have really bad luck on tour. So far, I’ve been abandoned in Gloucester and had to beg to get back in the van, chased by a cow and fallen in sewage. So I’m hoping for a change in fortunes this time round.

What can people expect from your forthcoming Bristol gig?

We will be playing the majority of our forthcoming record, so this will be the first chance for listeners to hear lots of unreleased songs, as well as some more familiar ones. We have only played Bristol the once, so it’s a real stand out date for us. Ultimately we really value people coming out to see us and our aim will be to show them a really good night, so bar some external factor like the death of a favourite character on Coronation Street that evening or a poor selection of crisps at the pub before or something, they should expect that.

Will you be coming to Wales sometime in the future?

We have only played in Wales once – at Swn a few years back. It was really good fun, and I hope now that they have won the Breakthrough Grant from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation that the organisers can carry on the festival. We will be touring the album in 2015, and will no doubt head to Wales then.

Where can people hear your music?

You can find us on Radio, Spotify etc. but to hear us instantly, why not visit our Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/paleseas. In the words of Pauline Calf, ‘if you like it, try it! If you don’t like it, try it you might like it!’

Catch Pale Seas at Start The Bus in Bristol on October 22.