In Conversation With #288 - Pit Pony
Newcastle based alternative band Pit Pony have just released their second album 'Dead Stars' via Clue Records and EMI North.
The album sees the band meld a myriad of influences from 50s doo-wop to heavy rock while vocalist Jackie Purver navigates the complexities of modern life. Fiercely honest, her lyricism portrays an intense duality and a vulnerability that is instantly relatable. Turning inwards to explore notions of motherhood, imposter syndrome and getting older, while simultaneously outwards through commentary on the cost of living, polluted water, the constant sell on social media and the ‘off menu’ Starbucks coffee obsession. Dead Stars sees Pit Pony deliver an expanded but yet more balanced and personal conception of their craft.
The band took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Pit Pony, how are you? So your album is out now – how does it feel to have it out there?.
It’s a nice feeling as we recorded it in 2023 so it’s been a while in the making. We’re looking forward to people hearing it all and playing it live. It’s also a bit scary…
It is called ‘Dead Stars’ – what is the meaning behind that?
The lyrics are mainly about how the light we see from many stars, by the time it reaches us, have died. It’s hard to comprehend but astonishing, really. It’s about the power of memory and that we aren’t here for long but we are all made of stars and hopefully part of us will live on.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories you are willing to share with us?
It was recorded in Blank Studios, Newcastle. We recorded a lot of album 1 live and so we did album 2 with the parts recorded separately. We took a lot more time on it with our producer Chris McManus. We also got Christian Wright from Abbey Road to master it and he did a brilliant job. To be honest, personally, it’s a bit of a blur for me as I had a miscarriage partway through so I had to go back in to finish the vocals at the end. I’m not in a lot of the studio photos but I was there for the first week and the hot take then was who bought the best snack from the corner shop every day (it was me by the way - I got flamin’ hot monster munch!)
What are the key influences behind the album?
I remember Wolf Alice’s ‘Blue Weekend’ being an influence on the sound as they manage to be eclectic but still sound like them. Also Fontaines DC ‘Skinty Fia’. I think Andrew was listening to film soundtracks and stuff like T.Rex.
If the album could be a soundtrack to any film – which one and why?
Oh wow! Good question. I’ve consulted the others and Andrew said ‘Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind’ which really fits as I was thinking of something that goes full circle and has some empty beaches and bleak skies in it so that matches how I see it in my head.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
I can’t pick this myself without sounding narcissistic so I asked the others and here you go:
“Come sit on our museum chairs, the ones on which your ancestors wept.”
It’s from a song called No Shame. It’s about choosing love over hate.
Now the album is out there – what next for you?
We’re on tour in April so looking forward to that and some other gigs to announce soon too so keep an eye out. It will be nice to get out and play the album and hear what people think!
