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DiS: so who the hell? What the hell? Why?
MS: Melted Snow are a music and art collective based in Dublin and London. We collaborate with those who share the same artistic sensibilities and frustrations with the music industry. We use music, graphic and web design, photography, video and architecture as our weapons of choice. We design books and buildings, produce enormously inventive video and photography and write beautiful music.
DiS: How did it all come together?
MS:500 copies of Saso’s ‘Warmed Up’ EP were pressed and given away. Some to our favourite bands, some to our favourite people, some to online press and U.S. college radio. Favourable reactions were received and the ‘Big Group Hug’ album was recorded. A friend offered a national press campaign in the UK and Ireland. “Sure, why not?” we said. Another offered a distribution deal. “How kind” we said. “How very kind”. The UK press were very pleased with what they heard, with The Sunday Times awarding ‘Big Group Hug’ their Record of The Week. The Dublin Event Guide awarded it twice. Q Magazine, Muzik, Rock Sound, The Fly, Music Week and Classic Rock all enjoyed what DJ Magazine called “an emotive mix of gently brooding, at times explosive electronica and delicately poised acoustics.”
DiS: What’s the story behind the art book?
MS: Redman AKA’s lovingly produced, thirty-two page, full colour book steered Melted Snow into new creative territory. A visual interpretation of the making of the ‘Big Group Hug’ album, it drew plaudits from the UK’s Design Week and Drum Magazine, plus international acclaim from many online graphics communities.
DiS:the ethos behind the organisation seems to be quite broad-based, and the artwork on the website (www.meltedsnow.com) reflects an interest in the more immersive and, if you like, artistic sensibilities – what’s next?
MS: Saso have reworked a track - ‘My Brain Hurts’ - from the album and asked the Sullivan Barge Ensemble to pitch in with orchestration. Currently, we’re currently collaborating with Glasgow’s Third Eye Design (an award winning consultancy, (bagging a prestigious Clio award and a gong from The New York Festivals last year) on an exhibition, based around their summit of Mt. Everest last year. We hear it was cold. Melted Snow’s architectural arm have just finished designing the refurbishment of a three story amusement centre in Dublin and Saso is planning a trip to Berlin to work on songs for the next album.
DiS:Seems like a healthy few months ahead; and with the press you’ve had, there’s more interest in the whole kaboodle than there ever has been – what’s the secret?
MS: It’s not about the money; it’s about the adventure.
So simple when you think about it. The way I see it, in my twisted not-quite-young dullard-disturbed pissprose, isn’t it the case that people will always have an opinion on what constitutes the right thing to, what will sell, what’s hot, what’s not, what's snot, what the latest New Yoik Pseudo-Oiks are lookin like, blah blah blah yadda yadda yadda. Pioneers never had it easy but if you only look hard enough, there’s always quality and purity undiminished and undemeaned still. Respect the act of - the art of - the smelting crucible of - creation, of aesthetic individuality; and the results will take us all to another place.
