Creating melancholic and soulful hits with gently percussive taps and beats, Cold Specks are the indie trio from Toronto hitting London like a storm.
With a leading voice perfect enough to give you goose bumps, Cold Specks are the ‘doom soul’ inspired band, who mix magnificently raspy vocals with ethereal notes and melodies. Scoring a record deal made of gold and performing a smashing Jools Holland session, despite all their recent success, modesty is close to their heart and still within their humble nature, Cold Specks know how to carve their own path and are masters of making their own magic happen. Having a distinctive, hauntingly blissful and gothic sound, it may come as a surprise that they have no formal training. They are the new musical whiz kids who don’t need to be told how it’s done. Here, Cold Specks head i-N session with i-D online, and front lady Al Spx talks Toronto talent, Ulysses and singing in the Vatican. Be prepared to have your spine tingled…
Where did the name Cold Specks originate from? I needed a band name. I was reading James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’ and a certain line with the words ‘cold specks’ stood out to me. What equipment and instruments do you work with? I’ve got a thinline telecaster and a vintage silvertone amplifier. They make pretty sounds. If you weren’t making music right now, what would you be doing? I’d probably be working in a call centre somewhere in Toronto. What new talent are you into at the moment? Grass House and Hatcham Social. The music you produce is described as ‘doom soul’ with influences from the American deep-south gospel. What are your musical influences? I like loads of stuff. It’s hard to pinpoint specific influences. I will say that I’m currently obsessed with Jana Hunter. How do you all prepare before you perform, any pre-gig rituals? Raid the rider and hoot and holler. Where would be your ultimate venue to play? The Vatican! What comes next? Loads of touring, festivals, and an album on the 21st of May.
Text: Rebecca Arts
Special thanks to Other Voices.
