Alter The Press! Presents: The Strange Death Of Liberal England

Southsea's The Strange Death Of Liberal England were first made notice back in 2008 with 'Forward March!'. Two years on the five-piece have released one of the best British albums of the year in 'Drown Your Heart Again', a grand record decorated with mix of indie guitars, brass instruments and orchestral parts thus resulting in a seamsless, mesmerizing and consise album.

For Fans Of: The band say: "Air-punching, chin-stroking, communal singing, individual repentance, tear jerking and that warm glow of self-pity." We say: Arcade Fire and British Sea Power.

Alter The Press: Why should Alter The Press! readers check you out?
The Strange Death Of Liberal England: Because you've just given us a 5/5 review for our album 'Drown Your Heart Again', and this autumn we are playing every town/city/hamlet registered in the UK. I mean, what else are you gonna be doing that's worthwhile? The nights are getting longer, the days are getting shorter and you are gradually becoming a pale imitation of yourself. May as well stump up a fiver for entry into a bar somewhere, stroke your chin to some music. And we would love to see you there. You may enjoy it and then everyone's a winner!

ATP: What's the story behind the band?
TSDOLE: We are five friends that make music. We recorded our first full length album this December in a studio with producer David M Allen (The Cure, Human League). We were so skint, the only currencies that changed hands were good faith and immense gratitude. We made Dave stay in a camper van in a car park in December, and usually he is used to sinking cocktails with celebrities in swanky gin houses. We also enlisted the help of the Richard P Horn Orchestra for the recording, and they helped make it sound massive. It is about to be released and we are about to tour it throughout Autumn and Winter.


ATP: Single highlight as a band so far?
TSDOLE: Playing Brixton Accademy with Editors when we supported them last March. I've never felt so small in all my life and suffered vertigo whilst addressing audience members in the upper seats. That was certainly one ticked off of the 'things to do before you die' list. In fact, it was the only thing, which is a bit of a worry.

ATP: What are your plans for the 12 months?
TSDOLE: The album is out now and we tour the UK in October and then Europe in November. 2011 is an unwritten book but hopefully it'll be a Pulitzer prize winner. I imagine we'll be touring until Guitarist Wil suffers Gout. Then it'll be back to the eight tracks and demo recording and the whole cycle repeats itself again and again.

'Drown Your Heart Again' by The Strange Death Of Liberal England is out now through Republic of Music.

The Strange Death Of Liberal England on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter

Official The Strange Death Of Liberal England website.

Sean Reid