“A relentlessly visceral group of rhythmically-minded industrial punks” DIY Magazine
“The love of the dance scene meets the love of raw darkly atmospheric noise… Gothic sounding guitars duel with the sensory overload of a techno club” Steve Lamacq, BBC 6 Music
“A band that are filled with TNT…a suckerpunch of a blow to the chest…such an exciting starting point” Jack Saunders, BBC Radio 1
Belfast post-punk/electronic trio Chalk announce signing to (Nice Swan Records (Sports Team, Pip Blom, English Teacher) and share raucous new track ‘The Gate’ (video here), out today (November 22nd).
Partnering with the revered indie label for their upcoming extended release, the three-piece have fast established themselves as one of the most talked-acts on the emerging scene following the release of debut EP ‘Conditions’ earlier this year (winning ‘Best Live Act’ at NI Music Prize 2023). Whilst acclaimed recent shows at the likes of Reeperbahn Festival and Beyond The Music have reinforced their thrilling live capabilities, ahead of what promises to be a busy 2024 on the touring front.
Inspired by the ferocity and live performance of acts including Death Grips, and informed by the sweaty hardcore dance scenes of their native Belfast, Chalk have teamed up with esteemed producer Chris Ryan (NewDad, Enola Gay, Just Mustard) once more for their latest effort, as they look to build on key early press support from The Independent, DIY, Dork, The New Cue, Rough Trade and Consequence of Sound, as well as widespread BBC Radio 1 (Jack Saunders) and BBC 6 Music (Steve Lamacq, Amy Lame) airplay.
Detailing their newest release, frontman Ross Cullen revealed: “‘The Gate’ is a song about the pressures that surround you. The first musical part that was written was the ending, which is an ode to ‘Come to Daddy’ by Aphex Twin. I wanted to create a track inspired by Locked Club or Mica Levi, something that had a type of deranged percussion playing at a 1/16 rate. Then I found a drum and bass drum sample which we had Luke re-record in the drum booth. Luke and Ben came up with the vocal delivery for the “Push and Pull” bits then I coloured in the rest. We’re leaning into sampling a lot more – especially our own field recordings – sounds of public transport, and construction that we’ve built a library of.”
Chalk’s ‘The Gate’ is out now via Nice Swan Records and available on all digital platforms.
Chalk Online
Chalk is Ross Cullen (Vocals), Benedict Goddard (Guitar, Synth), Luke Niblock (Drums)
Live Dates
9th Dec – Trans Musicales, Rennes, FRA
13th Dec – Whelans (Upstairs), Dublin, IE
16th Dec – Mandela Hall, Belfast, UK*