tag:asiwyfa.com,2005:/blogs/news-and-tumblr-archive?p=3News and Tumblr Archive2022-09-15T11:53:02-04:00And So I Watch You From Afarfalsetag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/70609492022-09-15T11:53:02-04:002024-03-06T22:48:55-05:00Something wicked this way comes. Keep an eye out for news and...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/0ff13bd96e54b1fb040cefea0f778bac/555370fc75774200-50/s500x750/cc167a55d35600f0b0bf832ce0c1ba73fe38a75f.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>Something wicked this way comes. Keep an eye out for news and announcements in the coming weeks. Summers holidays are over. (at Donegal, Ireland)<br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CiiHin2NYdk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CiiHin2NYdk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/70583332022-09-12T05:14:54-04:002024-03-06T22:45:24-05:00NEW YEARS EVE IN DUBLIN CITY
Covid put a stop to this one...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/81ad402ec1463442331c21c2eb6054e3/364d0c8258ed0f9f-0a/s500x750/f39a8b13dd66054f01ffa01731d6e3960b3f89c5.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>NEW YEARS EVE IN DUBLIN CITY<br>
Covid put a stop to this one originally so as promised we return to Dublin to do this one off show in one of our favourite spots in town @workmansclub . This is going to be beautiful. Come along and see the new year in with us. Tickets are limited and are on sale now. Check the link in our bio. More news coming soon. Watch this space. <br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CiZrmMdNRYm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CiZrmMdNRYm/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/70535052022-09-05T10:04:28-04:002024-03-06T22:46:11-05:00After taking this summer off from playing shows we’re super...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/57378bf3da103722a99077fdd7096e7d/eac4398175e8efd0-33/s500x750/602441b36e95da651009bffb2a9ecac034263c3b.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>After taking this summer off from playing shows we’re super excited to announce two incoming festival headline performances at Red Forest Festival in Dortmund and Berlin and Portals Festival in London. So many good artist announced with more to come. Very honoured to be playing alongside. Grab your tickets fast, these will fly out. Tickets in our bio and on our website. </p>
<p><br>
Photo @ciaramcmullanphotography <br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CiILKwetrIA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CiILKwetrIA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/69960522022-06-17T09:19:40-04:002024-03-06T22:46:47-05:00UK // JUNE 2022.
Thanks to everyone coming out and making these...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/f8047de1eba7640b1bb6ff4f9382e6b7/32402e641e99c442-7a/s500x750/f60dcbddd8369b9f2af1124aa997731892856954.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>UK // JUNE 2022. <br>
Thanks to everyone coming out and making these some beautiful shows to play. London tomorrow night and Birkenhead this eve. See you there. Tickets in bio.<br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce6Gc0iNyHT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/Ce6Gc0iNyHT/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/69010912022-02-18T08:38:32-05:002024-03-06T22:47:32-05:00Jettison is out worldwide!<p>Wishing you well as you explore this labour of love in full. As we launch this, an album that’s completely new territory for us, we want to extend our profound thanks for your continued support wherever you are!</p><p>Jettison is streaming everywhere now and vinyl, merch and tickets for our launch show in Belfast are available via our webstores </p><p>We want to give special thanks to Johnny Adger, Sam Wiehl, Tommy McLaughlin and Attica, Arco String Quartet, Katie Tavini, Conor O’Boyle, Neil Fallon, Emma Ruth Rundle, Laura Jayne Hunter, The PRS momentum fund, ATC Live and to Equal Vision/Velocity Records <br></p><figure data-orig-width="3000" data-orig-height="3000" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/77cdb799760a96d38d9f60e9bedae48a/07ffb24d754f63ff-5b/s540x810/590c7db56476d756d3af1dd3499fc7e65c394cc8.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/68808782022-01-27T05:58:23-05:002024-03-06T22:48:16-05:00Jettison is coming very soon. We perform the full show in all...<iframe src="//www.instagram.com/tv/CZOt6lxj_wj/embed/" width="400" height="464" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowtransparency="true"></iframe><br><br><p>Jettison is coming very soon. We perform the full show in all its glory in Belfast on 25th Feb in @themacbelfast with the full live visual masterpiece by @samwiehl and string accompaniment by @arco_stringquartet .The first pressing of the album is available to pre order on vinyl at <a href="http://www.ASIWYFA.com" target="_blank">www.ASIWYFA.com</a> or on the link in our bio. |/\|<br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/CZOt6lxj_wj/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/tv/CZOt6lxj_wj/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/68799752022-01-26T06:50:09-05:002024-03-06T22:48:55-05:00New track “IV In Air” feat Neil Fallon (Clutch) is available to...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/3e88db6f04247fd720f30efd588c7929/77415b1209b82681-e4/s500x750/a7a01823ff1842ef6ae161174e55954c4028c426.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>New track “IV In Air” feat Neil Fallon (Clutch) is available to hear on all streaming services right now. This is part four of our forthcoming release, Jettison which will be released worldwide on 18th Feb through @equalvision / @velocityrecords . The first pressing of the beautiful vinyl is available for pre order right now at <a href="http://www.ASIWYFA.com" target="_blank">www.ASIWYFA.com</a> OR on the link in our bio. The new album Jettison is a single piece of music, performed with string ensemble which was created to be seen alongside the vast and immersive visual world accompaniment by artist and good friend @samwiehl . We’ll be performing some excerpts from the record on our coming EU/UK Tour in March and April (See dates below). We’ve also just released extra tickets for the Belfast launch in The MAC, move fast, these will sell quick. Thanks to everyone for the kind messages, we’re thrilled this album will be yours soon. Til then, much love |/\|</p>
<p>SPRING TOUR 2022<br>
Fri 18.03.22 BE Antwerp // Kavka</p>
<p>Sat 19.03.22 FR Tourcoing // Grand Mix</p>
<p>Sun 20.03.22 NL Utrecht // Tivoli De Helling</p>
<p>Mon 21.03.22 DE Cologne // Gebaude 9</p>
<p>Tue 22.03.22 DE Hamburg // Bahnhof St Pauli</p>
<p>Wed 23.03.22 DE Hanover // Bei Chez Heinz</p>
<p>Thurs 24.03.22 DE Berlin // Urban Spree</p>
<p>Sat 26.03.22 CZ Prague // Underdogs</p>
<p>Sun 27.03.22 DE Munich // Strom</p>
<p>Mon 28.03.22 AU Vienna // Flex</p>
<p>Tue 29.03.22 HU Budapest // A38</p>
<p>Thu 31.03.22 DE Stuttgart // Club Cann</p>
<p>Fri 01.04.22 LU Luxembourg // Rotondes</p>
<p>Sat 02.04.22 FR Paris // Trabendo</p>
<p>Sun 03.04.22 NL Maastricht // Muziekgieterij</p>
<p>Tue 05.04.22 UK London // Islington Assembly Hall</p>
<p>Wed 06.04.22 UK Nottingham // Rescue Rooms</p>
<p>Thu 07.04.22 UK Manchester // Gorilla</p>
<p>Fri 08.04.22 UK Glasgow // Mono<br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/asiwyfa_music/p/CZKCjiht-0Z/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/asiwyfa_music/p/CZKCjiht-0Z/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/68067582021-11-12T07:04:48-05:002024-02-05T02:13:17-05:00!!TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!
All ticket links for next years Euro and...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/066883f7aca285bba36006ab7f476fa0/fe4ba787423f8804-b1/s500x750/a2ad1455eeea4eb56b88edf09fc69633d4a8984f.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>!!TICKETS ON SALE NOW!!<br>
All ticket links for next years Euro and UK tour are now live and selling. We’ll see you out there. Much love. |/\| <br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWLNYrQNFCk/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CWLNYrQNFCk/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/68797832021-11-10T05:06:03-05:002024-02-05T02:14:41-05:00It’s been a while. We’re delighted to announce our return to...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/d18a829e94958b579de3cb945512afc4/786b7ed32c0c8d01-a3/s500x750/5c3fccf041065a50925fbd78587ae8662d0897b3.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>It’s been a while. We’re delighted to announce our return to Europe and the UK this spring. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10am GMT. Ticket links will be in bio and at <a href="http://www.ASIWYFA.com" target="_blank">www.ASIWYFA.com</a>. Can’t wait to see you all out there. Much love. |/\| <br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWF2NI-tUG4/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CWF2NI-tUG4/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/68033112021-11-09T12:19:51-05:002023-12-18T20:56:44-05:00Announcing something pretty cool tomorrow….
10am...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/0b420b2ce04255fdf7b79cc9e5f44814/4bb9db65edad6db0-a5/s500x750/5e6c1d2f4b2789d81aeb1dc1acdf0791eb8f76d1.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>Announcing something pretty cool tomorrow….<br>
10am GMT<br>
|/\|<br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWEDDkSN3Nu/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CWEDDkSN3Nu/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/67992922021-11-05T05:59:25-04:002023-12-10T14:05:37-05:00Move fast to snag the remaining tickets for our upcoming Irish...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/686a4e889667690ce40e97a6b01777e0/2b5593f1ef64df9a-e5/s500x750/be86b7c6bdf2511436b7035474c62058ef48bfe7.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>Move fast to snag the remaining tickets for our upcoming Irish run. Dublin NYE on sale NOW! Galway, Limerick, Belfast all SOLD OUT. Very excited to announce @bicuriousbandofficial will be joining us on all ROI dates. We’ll also be joined by @thelastvinci in Cork and @waldorf_and_cannon @ferals and @dirtyfacesderry in Derry. See you all out there. |/\|<br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CV49eBVtrTa/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CV49eBVtrTa/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/67974232021-11-03T14:28:21-04:002024-02-26T23:01:37-05:00Galway is now SOLD OUT joining Limerick and Belfast. Move fast...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/4145cbb918f4ef3d5c75cd3261b8ed55/3374bc76cb99012b-33/s500x750/c111382eb82ccfd8a92ba5a5890b8c0534b0f71e.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>Galway is now SOLD OUT joining Limerick and Belfast. Move fast for Cork and Kilkenny. Excited to see you all again. #northcoastmegafauna<br>
.<br>
35mm film clip by @nicholasasayers <br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CV0uIASN0pB/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CV0uIASN0pB/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/67829912021-10-21T11:15:48-04:002023-12-10T11:32:58-05:004 years ago we released this little collection of songs. Thanks...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/e4bf58bab98f3de65385db6067145f6d/9ff3b8a9f3768f9c-9f/s500x750/a98c23699de104cc54f067a29be58ff3db2a903f.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>4 years ago we released this little collection of songs. Thanks to you guys it’s gone on to become our most listened to and bought record, which after 12 years of making albums is a lovely thing. This being it’s anniversary we thought this was a good time to say thank you for listening and supporting this album for the past 4 years. Here’s some unseen shots of our time in the studio with @seffffffy at @machineswithmagnets back in a snowy Pawtucket, Rhode Island by our good friend @kenamiphoto and a shot from the tour we went on to do in support of the record by @ciaramcmullanphotography . Full circle. Love to you all out there. #theendlessshimmering #thebackofsethmanchestershead |/\|<br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVS5wK4tJXa/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CVS5wK4tJXa/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/67829922021-10-15T11:13:42-04:002024-01-21T06:02:29-05:00So now that dust has settled on our first tour as a band post...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/a4ac900a85180fa8a2e7dc5840d58c61/9f317dcb9eb04d63-11/s500x750/3c1f59ccc9835e5bd4921db8fb1860829ec62899.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>So now that dust has settled on our first tour as a band post lockdown, we’ve caught up on our sleep and no one has been pinged we’d like to take a quick moment to say thanks to some people who helped Jettison Live a reality. To our wonderful players @arco_stringquartet , to @samwiehl for creating the Jettison visual world and @jamieotsa who helped Sam with the screenplay. To @fohbrian93 & @aimee_wilamsun for the incredible sound and lights. To Connor OBoyle for helping Rory with the orchestration. To @emmaruthrundle and @npfallon for the beautiful narration. For all efforts and support from @cahertyny . To @_danstevenson and @ellis_samizdat for helping getting the project funded and rolling. To @prsfoundation for supporting the project. To @jonathandavidadger to @atticaaudio and to @ciaramcmullanphotography and @_brendanseamus_ for capturing it all and to anyone else we’ve forgotten. More news to follow soon. |/\|<br>
#jettison #jettisonlive <br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CVDcvaVtM0Y/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CVDcvaVtM0Y/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/67829932021-10-12T12:07:24-04:002023-12-10T14:13:28-05:00London, that was special, thank you. Thanks also to...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/adca717fddaa4cfebdb02f8db92fead5/af20cbd7f956035f-ab/s500x750/443db911197c08b6975ddf3eef4c0e31711f56be.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>London, that was special, thank you. Thanks also to @southbankcentre for having us and most importantly to everyone who filled that beautiful hall to watch us perform Jettison. Creating this project has been quite the journey for us. Little did we know when we began writing it what challenges lay ahead. But somehow all these challenges have made the Jettison project something bigger in our hearts. It’s come represent companionship, resilience, commitment, healing. Its come to mean more to us now than we think it ever would have through a less challenging time. And at the centre of it all are the people who unwaveringly support us, keep us inspired and encourage us to progress, our fans. You’re wonderful people and we love you all. <br>
.<br>
.<br>
We’ve so many people to personally thank for helping us with Jettiosn but that’s for another post once we’ve all rested and done our post tour washing. In the meantime though a special shout out to @arco_stringquartet @samwiehl @fohbrian93 @aimee_wilamsun @_brendanseamus_ @debbiejclare @atc_live @cahertyny @velocityrecords <br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CU70gQUtlOk/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CU70gQUtlOk/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/67829942021-09-23T04:13:32-04:002022-05-28T05:36:54-04:00TICKETS SELLING FAST.
LONDON // LIVERPOOL // NEWCASTLE
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</div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUKDCi8jAHD/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by And So I Watch You From Afar (@asiwyfa_music)</a></p>
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<script async src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br><br><p>TICKETS SELLING FAST.<br>
LONDON // LIVERPOOL // NEWCASTLE<br>
Jettison Live is approaching. <br>
Here’s a new trailer for what is the most ambitious show we’ve ever put together. Made to create a moment of escapism for us all. A sonic and visual immersion with @samwiehl and @arco_stringquartet .These shows will be seated and as safe as we can possibly make them for you. </p>
<p>Tickets available at <a href="http://www.ASIWYFA.com" target="_blank">www.ASIWYFA.com</a> or on link in our bio <br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUKDCi8jAHD/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CUKDCi8jAHD/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/67829952021-09-20T07:45:46-04:002022-05-14T03:44:39-04:00JETTISON LIVE APPROACHES //
In just under three weeks we perform...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/2f098a2e0ffe58a43dcda63449db2691/8c572371082b3e95-ea/s500x750/739ae55131535d4eb839e0048ef9790633a7c062.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>JETTISON LIVE APPROACHES //<br>
In just under three weeks we perform 3 very special shows. Jettison Live in full in<br>
LONDON, LIVERPOOL, NEWCASTLE. <br>
This project has been a long time in the making, it’s had many obstacles thrown in its way, not least a pandemic. But we are so excited to play these very special shows for you all and hopefully provide a moment of escapism for you all with our friends @samwiehl and @arco_stringquartet .All shows seated. Tickets in our bio. #jettisonlive <br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CUCtEybtT5o/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CUCtEybtT5o/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/67829962021-09-17T08:05:23-04:002023-12-10T13:08:12-05:00Deep cut from a band storage excavation. Ears are still ringing...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/7bab3970af54f4df3b8bd8df61df4db7/dd3a913a4c334d53-20/s500x750/325ca603b346597aedb80b78ef3a27e7709fbe31.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>Deep cut from a band storage excavation. Ears are still ringing from this one. <br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CT7A77ntScV/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CT7A77ntScV/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/67829972021-09-13T04:23:43-04:002024-01-01T13:26:34-05:00Jettison Live is nearly here. The full show premieres in the...<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTwUNsPD1hN/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 400px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTwUNsPD1hN/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
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</div></a><p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTwUNsPD1hN/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by And So I Watch You From Afar (@asiwyfa_music)</a></p>
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<script async src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br><br><p>Jettison Live is nearly here. The full show premieres in the beautiful Queen Elizabeth Hall at London’s @southbankcentre and we play two preview shows in Liverpool and Newcastle. We play Jettison in full with @arco_stringquartet and the incredible visual world created by @samwiehl .Don’t miss these shows. London, Newcastle, Liverpool this October. Tickets on sale now. Link in bio. <br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTwUNsPD1hN/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CTwUNsPD1hN/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/67829982021-09-10T03:39:08-04:002024-01-16T06:03:35-05:00Galway Bay 2021 |/\|
.
.
📷 @ciaramcmullanphotography...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/cc28c04c96e5e2d2ec64b582735118aa/146df5dc2909266f-9f/s500x750/8b0085a1846ca838965c6bab9cecd60aa3fec8c6.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>Galway Bay 2021 |/\|<br>
.<br>
.<br>
📷 @ciaramcmullanphotography </p>
<p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTog5urt3HE/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CTog5urt3HE/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/67334682021-09-01T19:30:33-04:002023-12-10T12:34:50-05:00IRISH TOUR // NYE DUBLIN<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/03611e00541ab181425c4ef4f7a8a1695f59dfc5/original/709f6ad2-b0f0-4772-83a7-758e55f524db.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" />The day things got crazy with COVID we were in the van about to leave Belfast to play some shows across Ireland. Just as we were due to leave the news came in that venues were closing their doors and gatherings were being banned. It was a scary moment and we were gutted to let a lot of people down. So we’re beyond excited to announce that we’re back out to play GALWAY, CORK, KILKENNY, LIMERICK. It’s a symbolic moment and hopefully one that we can all enjoy together safely. ALL PREVIOUS TICKETS VALID. But there’s more, to see the year out in a fitting way it seemed like a good idea to blow 2021 into the past with a super intimate show at Workmans Club in Dublin. This is going to be insane. Tickets to all shows go on sale this Friday at 9am. BUT Dublin, keep an eye out tomorrow morning early, we’re going to post a little something. Be quick. Shout out to Singular Artists for making this happen. All tickets, as always, at www.ASIWYFA.com</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/67829992021-08-25T12:07:42-04:002023-12-10T11:51:12-05:00Jettison is coming……more news is coming but for now we are...<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTAOLvBjCgh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 400px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTAOLvBjCgh/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
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<div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewbox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div>
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<script async src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><br><br><p>Jettison is coming……more news is coming but for now we are beyond excited to have announced some live performances of the full AV show in Liverpool, Newcastle and our rescheduled London date (all previous tickets still valid). We will only be performing a handful of these so grab your ticket and come experience a moment of escapism from this difficult year with ASIWYFA, @samwiehl and @arco_stringquartet .Ticket link in bio or over at <a href="http://www.ASIWYFA.com" target="_blank">www.ASIWYFA.com</a><br>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTAOLvBjCgh/?utm_medium=tumblr" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/p/CTAOLvBjCgh/?utm_medium=tumblr</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/67244162021-08-23T06:53:10-04:002023-12-10T14:21:10-05:00Rory and Sam chat with NME about building the Jettison visual world inside Unreal Games Engine<p>In perhaps one of the more symbiotic fusions of music and 3D worlds, the Belfast post-rockers opted to combine their love of epic film scores with a trippy Unreal Engine creation. The result? The awe-inspiring audiovisual show, ‘Jettison’. While this ambitious A/V set got a trial run via a handful of pre-lockdown shows over the last twelve months of being stuck indoors, this ambitious new 3D project has morphed into a world of its own. </p>
<p>“I’d just finished composing a soundtrack of a film, And I really loved the alchemy of sound and visuals – that unexpected magic that happens when those two are combined,” And So I Watch You From Afar’s Rory Friers recalls about ‘Jettison’s’ genesis. “My idea was to write this long, flowing EP, and I wanted to find someone that would almost reverse engineer a score into something else – something bigger. A few months later, we discovered Sam.” </p>
<p>Making a name for himself creating trippy 3D and traditional film-shot visuals for bands, Sam Wiehl has worked with everyone from Mogwai to Forest Swords. The second he heard the beginnings of this ambitious record, he knew that they were onto something special. </p>
<p>“I was cycling home listening to it on headphones, going ‘Holy shit!’ The strings and everything… it was real hair on the back of your neck type stuff,” recalls Sam. “The first conversations we had were really about why they made the audio, and it was to do with lots of things that are quite conceptual. So I began building these abstract themes about memory and space using game software – Unreal Engine. We didn’t really know what the story was back then, but we started to make up these vignettes. Then the more the band and I discussed, the more things joined up and before we knew it, these levels began growing with the music into this… world.” </p>
<p>Over time, Friers would start to write to Wiehl’s creations and before long, the initially static project had morphed into its own unique piece of art. “It’s weird, but now ‘Jettison’ feels almost like a place that actually exists,” reflects Friers. “It’s not like watching a film – just a printed journey from A to B – it’s a place that you can kind of visit.” </p>
<p>Will fans be able to jet off to ‘Jettison’ anytime soon, then? </p>
<p>“We have the in-person shows in October, but we have discussed there being a playable version online which would be audio soundtracked,” suggests Wiehl. “The past year has certainly kind-of expedited what we want do with ‘Jettison’, and how we use tech going forward. We would have played upwards of 100 shows in these 12 months. It makes you kind of rethink how you can make music connect with people in the absence of that. I don’t want to get too carried away, but I think a lot of fairly exciting stuff will be happening off the back of this.” </p>
<p>The nature of the project and the pandemic has also made Friers and Wiehl think about how they want people to be able to enjoy live music and art projects in the future. </p>
<p>“Streams are a great way of accessing these things. I know everyone’s a bit bored of them now, but I still think there’s some merit to them. There’s something kind of democratic about people who can’t physically get to a show, tuning in. I certainly think that not having to pay for some of these things is really good, too. Certain venues, once they’d sold a set amount of tickets to ‘Jettison’ put up the stream for free. There’s something kind of nice there.” </p>
<p>In a world where musicians are being forced off the road and onto the internet to survive, it’s reassuring to see so many different talents adapt so well to a post-coronavirus society. Though international lockdowns have been oppressive, claustrophobic, and even downright depressing for some, a small silver lining lies in the innovative and creative new projects musicians have had the time to create and serve to an audience that’s hungrier than ever for a taste of live music.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/163e18d3fe0bc7bed7c2be7494b284fde9fc08d5/original/jettisonframe3.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
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<p>https://www.nme.com/features/gaming-features/virtually-famous-how-musicians-used-gaming-tech-to-adapt-to-a-gig-less-future-2993293</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/67221702021-08-20T07:02:14-04:002023-12-10T12:27:39-05:00ASIWYFA Live return<p>Fresh of our headline set at Stendhal festival in Ireland last weekend, we are delighted to announce our first UK shows back. You know we wouldn't make this a typical tour so are starting at the beginning with a very special one off show in Bristol playing our first two records in full to celebrate 10 years of GANGS. We will then play a make up show in Milton Keynes for our 2020 cancellation before hooking up with Sam Wiehl / Arco String Quartet and switching into Jettison mode for preview shows in Liverpool and Newcastle. After a hot punk rock Saturday night in Swansea, we will finally celebrate the official world premiere of Jettison at The South Bank Center. This is going to be quite the week and we cannot wait to see you all out there. Tickets for all shows are on sale now at all outlets and over at www.asiwyfa.com<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/6d8c11fdb46113e4fd9042672bb89e89037c2b38/original/poster-oct-2021.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/67830002021-08-20T04:16:27-04:002024-01-19T07:24:36-05:00Fresh off our headline Stendhal festival performance in Ireland...<img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/9f60f9240a9b05133116ee848cb0f99d/f472cf5ec7bda720-97/s500x750/eeb1795e94cf73f5117d1e131e6b1e157fce99cd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>Fresh off our headline Stendhal festival performance in Ireland last weekend, we are delighted to announce our first UK shows back!!! We didn’t want to make this a typical tour so are starting back at the beginning by playing our first two records in full (in Bristol) to celebrate 10 years of GANGS. We will then play a make up show in Milton Keynes for our 2020 cancellation before hooking up with Sam Wiehl / Arco String Quartet and switching into Jettison mode for preview shows in Liverpool and Newcastle. After a hot punk rock Saturday night in Swansea, we will celebrate the official world premiere of Jettison at The South Bank Center. This is going to be quite the week and we cannot wait to see you all out there. Tickets for all shows are on sale now.<br></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/57135702019-04-09T17:46:50-04:002023-12-30T08:40:48-05:00ASIWYFA at Forever Alone Fest<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1877" data-orig-width="1500"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/ae41843b317d34958add375eac103687/tumblr_inline_pppr3iEC8n1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>Just Announced! <a href="https://www.facebook.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARCrdWW4FUgPSrRruxjF1-mxly4ICPJL4TwmbTyImmWlY_wbFkPgtSYXSBAJ3KVq1O1pR2siGPDuoOou&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARBilPfgAIvH26-ZVOsx6eWc1m6mu0TJoT3XTJHOcCM2tdnY9qftWH8GukgeOQHcsQhNeDpHQLK6us3rPCKYSAYfVMSZKZIYOjZ9jTaTUyMTF0sBVrYjyqEZ5TsL_DcvOg_4RbfhtNOjG6MZ4QwxSBIzuEKy8FJzay5_xpRZRSt-kJ1-WNeWEPL5Yh5HyplLAhkvV1G2ZpvPSJWOUNOO0JULpCYHv_Ae9HBMiJ-YE9VtKyOmDecXS7jIsUzQlixFvty5zw59G7hoRp2xrxwfDr8vrFYBfIq5p_EhUG83wMEjnaAMKoWWYkCkvNTIBhTDbEKqNWo2l5j1mrfbFw" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be performing at Forever Alone Fest this year in CDMX, June 1. <a href="https://foreveralonefestv.boletia.com/?fbclid=IwAR3bhJewl4h8yCAsbj77FnK4bbJz97LB7aagyEYZUEOIJ9mbKey5fMSMJ_E" target="_blank">TICKETS</a><br></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/55645712018-12-21T14:56:11-05:002022-04-21T05:47:36-04:00ASIWYFA Track, “Arpanoid” // Free Download via Earthquaker Devices<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1000" data-orig-width="1000"><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="100" data-orig-width="725"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/105352149a3e6d90b59a2272cb197efe/tumblr_inline_pk3rjnCISF1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/99ad36adba830171d8d22304edfc07ae/tumblr_inline_pk3rw5G32U1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/blog-posts/asiwyfa?fbclid=IwAR0zgGLHhxMinWRuhTrL7NhpMUI9xni3pzWje1_IjEueMwJgFA9Q8dAg7eE" target="_blank"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/760dec0cf48be65dddfcc699dceaf6a1/tumblr_inline_pk3r6y26w51r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p></figure></figure>
<p>Listen to <a data-link-label="And So I Watch You From Afar" data-link-type="page" href="/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>’s track, “Arpanoid”. Free download is available below on <a href="https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/blog-posts/asiwyfa?fbclid=IwAR0zgGLHhxMinWRuhTrL7NhpMUI9xni3pzWje1_IjEueMwJgFA9Q8dAg7eE" target="_blank">EarthQuaker Devices</a>. <br><a href="https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/blog-posts/asiwyfa?fbclid=IwAR0zgGLHhxMinWRuhTrL7NhpMUI9xni3pzWje1_IjEueMwJgFA9Q8dAg7eE" target="_blank">https://www.earthquakerdevices.com/blog-posts/asiwyfa</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/68797992018-08-29T14:53:00-04:002023-12-10T14:13:02-05:00ASIWYFA Asia + Australia Tour<figure data-orig-width="2048" data-orig-height="2048" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/a47322592c3a5bcb2ca0e386603c2c18/tumblr_inline_pe8k1zGQC81r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>Tickets available at <a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">asiwyfa.com</a><br><br>SEP 16 Shanghai, CN @ Concrete & Grass<br>SEP 22 Singapore, SG @ EBX Live Space<br>SEP 27 Tokyo, JP @ Shibuya Stream Hall<br>SEP 28 Aichi, JP @ Nagoya Jammen<br>SEP 29 Osaka, JP @ Socore Factory<br>OCT 04 Sydney, AU @ Manning Bar *<br>OCT 05 Melbourne, AU @ Max Watt’s *<br>OCT 06 Brisbane, AU @ The Triffid *<br>OCT 07 Perth, AU @ Badlands *<br>* = supporting Sleep Makes Waves</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/68797792018-08-29T14:53:00-04:002022-02-19T06:37:26-05:00ASIWYFA Asia + Australia Tour<figure data-orig-width="2048" data-orig-height="2048" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/a47322592c3a5bcb2ca0e386603c2c18/tumblr_inline_pe8k1zGQC81r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>Tickets available at <a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">asiwyfa.com</a><br><br>SEP 16 Shanghai, CN @ Concrete & Grass<br>SEP 22 Singapore, SG @ EBX Live Space<br>SEP 27 Tokyo, JP @ Shibuya Stream Hall<br>SEP 28 Aichi, JP @ Nagoya Jammen<br>SEP 29 Osaka, JP @ Socore Factory<br>OCT 04 Sydney, AU @ Manning Bar *<br>OCT 05 Melbourne, AU @ Max Watt’s *<br>OCT 06 Brisbane, AU @ The Triffid *<br>OCT 07 Perth, AU @ Badlands *<br>* = supporting Sleep Makes Waves</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/54063622018-08-29T14:53:00-04:002022-02-04T02:24:47-05:00ASIWYFA Asia + Australia Tour 2018<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="2048" data-orig-width="2048"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/a47322592c3a5bcb2ca0e386603c2c18/tumblr_inline_pe8k1zGQC81r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Tickets available at <a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">asiwyfa.com</a><br><br>SEP 16 Shanghai, CN @ Concrete & Grass<br>SEP 22 Singapore, SG @ EBX Live Space<br>SEP 27 Tokyo, JP @ Shibuya Stream Hall<br>SEP 28 Aichi, JP @ Nagoya Jammen<br>SEP 29 Osaka, JP @ Socore Factory<br>OCT 04 Sydney, AU @ Manning Bar *<br>OCT 05 Melbourne, AU @ Max Watt’s *<br>OCT 06 Brisbane, AU @ The Triffid *<br>OCT 07 Perth, AU @ Badlands *<br>* = supporting Sleep Makes Waves</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/68798002018-07-12T13:18:24-04:002022-03-22T03:24:38-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar Announce Dates in Australia<figure data-orig-width="1100" data-orig-height="1554" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/b5c90f3a99ec26db3d91720d4afad626/tumblr_inline_pbpwv3q8yl1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="1032" data-orig-height="1464" class="tmblr-full"><img src="" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p><a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have announced tour dates in Australia for the first time in support of <a href="http://facebook.com/sleepmakeswaves" target="_blank">sleepmakeswaves</a> 10th Anniversary tour. More information and tickets here: <a href="https://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">https://asiwyfa.com/</a><br><br></p><!-- more --><p>All 2018 tour dates below</p><p>JUL 13 Cheltenham, UK @ 2000 Trees 2018<br>JUL 21 Galway, IE @ Galway International Arts Festival <br>JUL 27 Belfast, UK @ Goodbye Mandela<br>AUG 04 Cork, IE @ Indiependence Music Festival<br>AUG 08 Edinburgh, UK @ Edinburgh Fringe Festival at Summerhall<br>AUG 11 Limavady, UK @ Stendhal Festival<br>AUG 16 Bristol, UK @ Arctangent 2018<br>SEP 27 Tokyoi, JP @ Shibuya Stream Hall<br>SEP 28 Aichi, JP @ Nagoya Jammin’<br>SEP 28 Osaka, JP @ Socore Factory<br><br>sleepmakeswaves 10th Anniversary Tour<br>OCT 04 Sydney, NSW @ Manning Bar<br>OCT 05 Melbourne, VIC @ Max Watt’s<br>OCT 06 Brisbane, QLD @ The Triffid<br>OCT 07 Perth, WA @ Badlands<a href="https://www.facebook.com/sleepmakeswaves" target="_blank"><br></a><br>with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/polymathbrighton/" target="_blank">Poly-Math</a><br>NOV 13 Cardiff, UK @ Club Ifor Bach <br>NOV 14 Leicester, UK @ The Cookie <br>NOV 15 Aldershot, UK @ West End Centre <br>NOV 16 Brighton, UK @ The Haunt <br>NOV 17 Neunkirchen, DE @ Gloomaar Festival *<br>NOV 18 Hasselt, BE @ Muziekodroom *<br>*no Polymath</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/53431942018-07-12T13:18:24-04:002022-05-25T12:55:35-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar Announce Dates in Australia<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1554" data-orig-width="1100"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/b5c90f3a99ec26db3d91720d4afad626/tumblr_inline_pbpwv3q8yl1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1464" data-orig-width="1032"><img src="" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure>
<p><a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have announced tour dates in Australia for the first time in support of <a href="http://facebook.com/sleepmakeswaves" target="_blank">sleepmakeswaves</a> 10th Anniversary tour. More information and tickets here: <a href="https://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">https://asiwyfa.com/</a><br> </p><!-- more -->
<p>All 2018 tour dates below</p>
<p>JUL 13 Cheltenham, UK @ 2000 Trees 2018<br>JUL 21 Galway, IE @ Galway International Arts Festival<br>JUL 27 Belfast, UK @ Goodbye Mandela<br>AUG 04 Cork, IE @ Indiependence Music Festival<br>AUG 08 Edinburgh, UK @ Edinburgh Fringe Festival at Summerhall<br>AUG 11 Limavady, UK @ Stendhal Festival<br>AUG 16 Bristol, UK @ Arctangent 2018<br>SEP 27 Tokyoi, JP @ Shibuya Stream Hall<br>SEP 28 Aichi, JP @ Nagoya Jammin’<br>SEP 28 Osaka, JP @ Socore Factory<br><br>sleepmakeswaves 10th Anniversary Tour<br>OCT 04 Sydney, NSW @ Manning Bar<br>OCT 05 Melbourne, VIC @ Max Watt’s<br>OCT 06 Brisbane, QLD @ The Triffid<br>OCT 07 Perth, WA @ Badlands<br><br>with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/polymathbrighton/" target="_blank">Poly-Math</a><br>NOV 13 Cardiff, UK @ Club Ifor Bach<br>NOV 14 Leicester, UK @ The Cookie<br>NOV 15 Aldershot, UK @ West End Centre<br>NOV 16 Brighton, UK @ The Haunt<br>NOV 17 Neunkirchen, DE @ Gloomaar Festival *<br>NOV 18 Hasselt, BE @ Muziekodroom *<br>*no Polymath</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/68798012018-07-02T14:23:59-04:002023-12-10T11:50:30-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar announce UK Tour Dates<figure data-orig-width="1278" data-orig-height="1278" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://64.media.tumblr.com/effef90bb0697bffdf5e52456bc19406/tumblr_inline_pb94dfmSOj1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p><a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have announced dates in the UK with Polymath in November.</p><p>All 2018 tour dates below</p><p>JUL 13 Cheltenham, UK @ 2000 Trees 2018<br>JUL 21 Galway, IE @ Galway International Arts Festival <br>JUL 27 Belfast, UK @ Goodbye Mandela<br>AUG 04 Cork, IE @ Indiependence Music Festival<br>AUG 08 Edinburgh, UK @ Edinburgh Fringe Festival at Summerhall<br>AUG 11 Limavady, UK @ Stendhal Festival<br>AUG 16 Bristol, UK @ Arctangent 2018<br>NOV 13 Cardiff, UK @ Club Ifor Bach *<br>NOV 14 Leicester, UK @ The Cookie *<br>NOV 15 Aldershot, UK @ West End Centre *<br>NOV 16 Brighton, UK @ The Haunt *<br>NOV 17 Neunkirchen, DE @ Gloomaar Festival<br>NOV 18 Hasselt, BE @ Muziekodroom</p><p>*With Polymath</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/53284852018-07-02T14:23:59-04:002022-05-07T09:06:25-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar announce UK Tour Dates<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1278" data-orig-width="1278"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/effef90bb0697bffdf5e52456bc19406/tumblr_inline_pb94dfmSOj1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have announced dates in the UK with Polymath in November.</p>
<p>All 2018 tour dates below</p>
<p>JUL 13 Cheltenham, UK @ 2000 Trees 2018<br>JUL 21 Galway, IE @ Galway International Arts Festival<br>JUL 27 Belfast, UK @ Goodbye Mandela<br>AUG 04 Cork, IE @ Indiependence Music Festival<br>AUG 08 Edinburgh, UK @ Edinburgh Fringe Festival at Summerhall<br>AUG 11 Limavady, UK @ Stendhal Festival<br>AUG 16 Bristol, UK @ Arctangent 2018<br>NOV 13 Cardiff, UK @ Club Ifor Bach *<br>NOV 14 Leicester, UK @ The Cookie *<br>NOV 15 Aldershot, UK @ West End Centre *<br>NOV 16 Brighton, UK @ The Haunt *<br>NOV 17 Neunkirchen, DE @ Gloomaar Festival<br>NOV 18 Hasselt, BE @ Muziekodroom</p>
<p>*With Polymath</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/53205662018-06-27T14:57:26-04:002022-05-29T04:23:21-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar announce 2018 Japan dates<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1080" data-orig-width="1080"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/f4f516ac6fb5f2b1a8a4951acc35fcd9/tumblr_inline_pazwjqFuGc1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p>And So I Watch You From Afar have announced dates in Japan in 2018.</p>
<p>SEP 27 Tokyo, JP @ Shibuya Stream Hall<br>SEP 28 Aichi, JP @ Nagoya Jammen<br>SEP 29 Osaka, JP @ Socore Factory</p>
<p>All dates and ticket <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">here.</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/52941372018-06-13T18:13:57-04:002024-02-11T07:05:48-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar: 10 Guitarists That Blew Our Minds // Music Radar<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="54" data-orig-width="540"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/9c982ddb9664df21d156a6d8d2dc8f92/tumblr_inline_paa82pPpq41r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="174" data-orig-width="626"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/115d2bafacd8e35a896b09c001952e97/tumblr_inline_paa845THjK1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/81abd4e79a0711d6b380fe71ba9961a5/tumblr_inline_paa83m52Vt1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>When they burst on the scene with their debut self-titled record, <a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> were a revelation.</p>
<p>Frenetic math-rock influenced punk instrumentals with titles like Set Guitars To Kill, Start A Band and Don’t Waste Time Doing Things You Hate were a wake-up call for the post-rock genre, and the band rode high on their unique sound.</p>
<p>Their fifth album, The Endless Shimmering, boasts some of their most grandiose, powerful riffing yet, so ahead of a summer tour of the UK and Ireland, we caught up with guitarists Rory Friers and Niall Kennedy to find out who their favourite players are, in no particular order…</p>
<p>Full feature by Alex Lynham via <a href="https://www.musicradar.com/news/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-these-are-the-10-guitarists-that-blew-our-minds" target="_blank">Music Radar</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/52849202018-06-08T15:17:03-04:002022-06-01T21:17:20-04:00Listen to And So I Watch You From Afar’s 2000trees Spotify Playlist<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="540" data-orig-src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/2876ea56cc65b664667d892b8c07f113/tumblr_inline_pa0offi8SP1r1itoc_540.jpg" data-orig-width="540"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/f4c841d86832d04a008e949ba7bc900c/tumblr_inline_pa0r2eEvXN1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></p></figure>
<p><a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/2000trees/playlist/4g6VEEvY7a0ehLGr6D5Hmr?si=GSQO0ZyWTWu7JNYztHPOVQ" target="_blank">A</a>nd So I Watch You From Afar have curated a playlist for 2000trees Fesitval Spotify Takeover. Listen <a href="https://open.spotify.com/user/2000trees/playlist/4g6VEEvY7a0ehLGr6D5Hmr?si=GSQO0ZyWTWu7JNYztHPOVQ" target="_blank">Here.</a></p><!-- more -->
<p>And So I Watch You From Afar tour dates:</p>
<p>JUN 14 York, UK @ Fibbers JUN 15 Guildford, UK @ Boiler room JUN 16 Paderborn, DE @ Wintergrün Festival @ Seemöwe JUN 28 Sheffield, UK @ The Plug JUN 29 Milton Keynes, UK @ Crawfurd Arms JUN 30 Antwerp, BEL @ Summer Gloom JUL 13 Cheltenham, UK @ 2000 Trees 2018 JUL 21 Galway, IE @ Galway International Arts Festival AUG 04 Cork, IE @ Indiependence Music Festival AUG 08 Edinburgh, UK @ Edinburgh Fringe Festival at Summerhall AUG 10 Londonderry, UK @ Stendhal Festival AUG 16 Bristol, UK @ Arctangent 2018</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/52515262018-05-22T13:32:11-04:002022-06-01T21:03:49-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar Live 360° Video// BBC - Across The Line<figure data-orig-height="64" data-orig-width="188"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/5cd1e1c2413c18c8cd11bc8d411eca80/tumblr_inline_p954eaG6HA1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="116" data-orig-width="754"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/d22b8dbb8a99ed77a7cab2748308ed82/tumblr_inline_p954eboeOP1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/d5735a9d62b198e4912962a3bd4d2d24/tumblr_inline_p954eauWXU1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4WCbELTREsI?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="540"></iframe></p></figure>
<p><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> performs “Terrors Of Pleasure.” Recorded as part of <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007cpgz" target="_blank">Across The Line</a> ‘Live at The Biggest Fringe’ event. </p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/52364442018-05-15T14:47:17-04:002022-06-01T21:32:04-04:00Rory Friers of ASIWYFA Talks Inspiration // BBC<figure data-orig-height="56" data-orig-width="196"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/304fd46701172867348467b9cf0a8675/tumblr_inline_p8s9fqxc051r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="100" data-orig-width="510"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/5d6cb40bb623e4a36a90279e919040a3/tumblr_inline_p8s9frWqKY1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/3c41283217a12422921e6defbcccb69b/tumblr_inline_p8s9fsTGCv1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p>Rory Friers of post-rock behemoths<a href="https://www.facebook.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar/" target="_blank"> And So I Watch You From Afar</a> talks about what inspires him musically and beyond.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/acrosstheline/entries/f73eeca7-1d53-45ab-95db-d0728f6483d5?ns_linkname=northern_ireland&ns_source=twitter&ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=across_the_line" target="_blank">LISTEN HERE.</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/51643212018-04-04T15:17:05-04:002022-04-22T05:29:26-04:00ASIWYFA Live Set // Across The Line broadcast from BBC Blackstaff Studios<figure data-orig-height="78" data-orig-width="224"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/acrosstheline/entries/0e84f9ce-4369-48c9-98f2-4c19f820769b?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=across_the_line&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=northern_ireland" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/ec0a93c88ecae3e95d3cd47f0f2ace9b/tumblr_inline_p6odhkwcz41r1itoc_540.png" class="size_m justify_inline border_" /></a><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/acrosstheline/entries/0e84f9ce-4369-48c9-98f2-4c19f820769b?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=across_the_line&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=northern_ireland" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/c94e8cd0548e47d0056e71f21731db68/tumblr_inline_p6odgf8wPc1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></a></p></figure>
<p>Full article via <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/acrosstheline/entries/0e84f9ce-4369-48c9-98f2-4c19f820769b?ns_mchannel=social&ns_campaign=across_the_line&ns_source=twitter&ns_linkname=northern_ireland" target="_blank">BBC</a></p>
<p>The first acts have been announced for a special Across The Line broadcast from BBC Blackstaff Studios on Monday 21st May with short, sharp live sets from <a href="https://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>, <a href="http://www.katharinephilippa.com/" target="_blank">Katharine Philippa</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cherymofficial/" target="_blank">Cherym</a>.</p>
<p>Information on how to apply for tickets for the intimate floor show – plus the final three acts on the bill – will be announced on next week’s Across The Line.</p><!-- more -->
<p>The broadcast is part of the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/29Y6jQMm8jPN9mNnQGVd7d9/the-biggest-weekend-uk-fringe" target="_blank">Biggest Weekend Fringe</a> – an ambitious 10-day outreach programme in the lead up to the Biggest Weekend. The Fringe will include live broadcasts, musical performances, industry insight, workshops and Q&As with BBC Radio DJs and influential figures, with full details to be released soon.</p>
<p>New, live and emerging music will also be celebrated with further BBC and independently run events, with this element of the Biggest Weekend Fringe open to any UK music venue, promoter or organiser to get involved with - details <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/29Y6jQMm8jPN9mNnQGVd7d9/the-biggest-weekend-uk-fringe" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p>In addition, on Saturday 21st April the BBC is hosting <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/date/employability_belfast" target="_blank">an employability event</a> for young people, providing digital, creative and employability skills, and an opportunity to apply for several work experience placements at the Biggest Weekend festival site. The event for 16-24 year olds is <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/date/employability_belfast" target="_blank">open for registration now</a> and will run in The Oh Yeah Centre, Belfast.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/51554122018-03-29T20:11:37-04:002022-05-29T02:49:51-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar @ Stendahal Festival<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1200" data-orig-width="848"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://stendhalfestival.com" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/eeaa345115b380c8ef9b486105355aa5/tumblr_inline_p6dn4tOfc01r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><br>More info <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://stendhalfestival.com" target="_blank">HERE</a></p></figure>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/51523612018-03-28T13:44:00-04:002022-04-15T08:33:15-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar at 2000 Trees Festival 2018<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="640" data-orig-width="453"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/98dfd3eaaf8a16b53122801dcf53efa8/tumblr_inline_p69zndG6vA1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be performing at 2000 Trees Festival.<br>More details <a href="https://www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/51492362018-03-26T15:11:34-04:002022-04-21T06:00:19-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar @ Summer Gloom 2018<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="539" data-orig-width="960"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/tickets-summer-gloom-43845038691" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/40b9a84bdb07d218b1735df60b8e0df3/tumblr_inline_p67pr0d34e1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></figure>
<p><a href="https://www.tumblr.com/edit/asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have joined the line-up for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/summergloomantwerpen/" target="_blank">Summer Gloom</a> 2018 in Antwerp, Belgium (June 30).<br>Ticket info <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.eventbrite.nl/e/tickets-summer-gloom-43845038691" target="_blank">HERE</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/51084402018-03-02T13:45:26-05:002022-04-07T06:42:50-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar at ArcTanGent 2018<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1402" data-orig-width="998"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/c32c3c71c718af7b377681ebfce65c37/tumblr_inline_p4z82szeds1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p><a href="https://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be headlining ArcTanGent 2018 on Thursday August 16, 2018 in Bristol, UK. Tickets and more information <a href="https://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">here.</a> </p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/50965722018-02-23T17:27:02-05:002022-05-13T09:39:49-04:00‘The Cured’ Out Now // Soundtrack by Rory Friers And Niall Kennedy of ASIWYFA<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="83" data-orig-width="447"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://filmmusicreporter.com/2018/02/22/the-cured-soundtrack-details/" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/39e3213e428f2a8a48d91830196971c7/tumblr_inline_p4mk96Q8BB1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="478" data-orig-width="850"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/84af73c2ed5fa6b6707e943f539c6bb4/tumblr_inline_p4mkfuYW5O1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></figure>
<p>Lakeshore Records will release a soundtrack album for the horror thriller The Cured. The album features the film’s original music composed by Rory Friers & Niall Kennedy of the Irish rock band <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>. The soundtrack will be released digitally on March 2, 2018 and is now available for pre-order on <a href="http://amzn.to/2GAYCha" target="_blank">Amazon</a>. The Cured is written and directed by David Freyne and stars Ellen Page, Sam Keeley, Tom Vaughan-Lawlor and Paula Malcomson. The movie is set in a future where zombies try to reintegrate with society after a plague infects mankind. The thriller premiered at last year’s Toronto Film Festival and is being released in select theaters and on VOD this weekend by IFC Films. Visit the <a href="http://www.ifcfilms.com/films/the-cured" target="_blank">official movie website</a> for more information.</p>
<p>Read more for the album track list via <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://filmmusicreporter.com/2018/02/22/the-cured-soundtrack-details/" target="_blank">Film Music Reporter</a></p><!-- more -->
<p>1. Memories (1:03)<br>2. It’ll Get Back to Normal, You’ll See (1:16)<br>3. Released from Quarantine: The Anti Cured (3:17)<br>4. Abbie and Senan (0:35)<br>5. The First Nightmare (1:33)<br>6. Senan Goes to Work (1:07)<br>7. Senan Meets Jo (2:45)<br>8. Washing Jo (1:48)<br>9. Cantor Attacks Conor (1:01)<br>10. Conor and Abbie in the Park (3:13)<br>11. Senan Talks to Lyons: A Resistant Dies (3:57)<br>12. The Attack (3:59)<br>13. The Arrest: The Second Nightmare (1:50)<br>14. Finding Luke: The Hill (2:11)<br>15. Bike Ride (0:34)<br>16. Conor Visits (3:14)<br>17. Cantor Visits Abbie (1:28)<br>18. Abbie Goes to the Detention Centre (1:57)<br>19. The Chase (1:55)<br>20. Jo Attacks Lyons (1:30)<br>21. The Garden (1:55)<br>22. Break In (0:14)<br>23. Meeting at the Detention Centre (2:23)<br>24. Conor Tells Abbie (1:53)<br>25. Conor Is Betrayed (3:23)<br>26. Outbreak of the Resistant (4:55)<br>27. Jo and Lyons Reunited (1:17)<br>28. Freeing of the Resistant (5:58)<br>29. Abbie Escapes from the Stadium (1:50)<br>30. Jo Leaves the Hospital (1:02)<br>31. Abbie Returns Home (2:54)<br>32. Senan and Cillian (End Credits) (3:53)<br>33. End Credits (Orchestral) (6:09)</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/50965732018-02-23T17:24:15-05:002022-05-06T11:00:40-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar at Indiependence Festival 2018<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1316" data-orig-width="950"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/77ef9230afab82d06e33b9db2bb8c97f/tumblr_inline_p4mjjvgiSR1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p><a href="https://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be playing at Indiependence Festival 2018. More information and tickets <a href="http://indiependencefestival.com/" target="_blank">here.</a> </p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/50628402018-02-05T15:37:29-05:002022-05-18T06:55:45-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar @ ArcTanGent Festival 2018 // Independent<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="70" data-orig-width="404"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/arctangent-festival-2018-first-15-acts-announced-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-a8191621.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/6620f0cafef5eba6e9923fb112453157/tumblr_inline_p3p0n3wxOL1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a></p></figure>
<h2>ArcTanGent Festival 2018: First 15 acts announced for the UK’s premier math and post rock event</h2>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="423" data-orig-width="564"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/arctangent-festival-2018-first-15-acts-announced-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-a8191621.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/43d0de59ca382f964d6b00f71931a727/tumblr_inline_p3p2fnA33o1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></a></figure>
<p><i><a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will headline the Thursday night of ArcTanGent 2018 (Ciara McMullan)</i></p>
<p>Firm ArcTanGent favourites And So I Watch You From Afar will headline the Thursday night performing their fifth album, The Endless Shimmering in full. Of the festival, guitarist Rory Friers said “every year ArcTanGent makes a home for strange bands like us, our peers around the world and the amazing people who make it such a special scene to be a part of. We feel very lucky to be a part of that family and to be headlining the Thursday night is something very special for us.”</p>
<p>ArcTanGent 2018 takes place 16<sup>th</sup> – 18<sup>th</sup> August at Fernhill Farm, Bristol. Tickets are <a href="http://www.arctangent.co.uk/tickets/" target="_blank">available now</a>. Day tickets will also be available for the Thursday, Friday and Saturday.</p>
<p>Full article via <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/arctangent-festival-2018-first-15-acts-announced-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-a8191621.html" target="_blank">Independent</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/50558462018-02-01T07:00:06-05:002022-04-25T07:13:10-04:00Rory & Niall of ASIWYFA Film Score // ‘The Cured’<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-orig-height="304" data-orig-width="540" data-provider="youtube" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Ftime_continue%3D157%26v%3DfSutgzDY_I4"><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fSutgzDY_I4?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="540"></iframe></p></figure>
<p>Rory Friers and Niall Kennedy of the Irish rock band <a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have recently composed the music for the upcoming horror thriller The Cured.</p>
<p>More info @ <a href="http://filmmusicreporter.com/2017/09/04/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afars-rory-friers-niall-kennedy-scoring-the-cured/" target="_blank">Film Music Reporter</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/50399842018-01-23T15:11:40-05:002022-05-26T08:03:22-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar Interview // The Seventh Hex<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="178" data-orig-width="449"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://theseventhhex.com/post/169997923150/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-interview" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/ef7bf82e32cc3bea9aab9cf81c6fa9d3/tumblr_inline_p30y98nMxV1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://theseventhhex.com/post/169997923150/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-interview" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/a81dbca10b157e86a27be9cd14ed8e77/tumblr_inline_p30y9urd0B1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a>Photo by Ciara McMullan</p></figure>
<p>Interview via <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://theseventhhex.com/post/169997923150/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-interview" target="_blank">The Seventh Hex</a></p>
<p>‘<a href="https://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/the-endless-shimmering" target="_blank">The Endless Shimmering</a>’, the fifth album by Belfast, Northern Ireland quartet <a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>, is the sound of a band operating on its purest instincts. Every individual is an algorithm of prior lives and experience acting as its own sovereign entity. ‘The Endless Shimmering’ is visceral and expressive — decidedly alive and purely instinctual; not conceptualized or postured. It’s ASIWYFA — guitarists Rory Friers and Niall Kennedy, bassist Johnathan Adger and drummer Chris Wee — manifest as a being beyond itself. Laced with a renewed level of optimism, ASIWYFA offer an anthemic rush that makes way for transcendental experiences and for individuals to soundtrack the band’s sounds to whatever they need in their life at this moment… We talk to Rory Friers about being led by instinct, endurance challenges and supper clubs…</p><!-- more -->
<p><b>TSH: Talk us through wanting a more brutal outcome as you readied ‘The Endless Shimmering’…</b></p>
<p><b>Rory:</b> I think we wanted to be brutal in particular with our ideas and choices of songs, as well as the willingness of just letting ideas go. The whole dynamic was very much instinctual and we tried to just allow things to happen naturally. It was really cool to just judge ideas by how they felt live in the room in real time, as opposed to being too precious about things.</p>
<p><b>TSH: Has the band’s technical evolution, led by instinct, served you well overall?</b></p>
<p><b>Rory:</b> Yeah, I mean it’s better not to have restrictions or boundaries in place, which is something we’ve tried to do since the very beginning of the band. We always try to not be scared to wear our influences on our sleeve, and to also not be scared to allow any good music, regardless of genre or style, to inform what we do. Overall, our latest album represents the four of us playing our instruments in a room with no other additions.</p>
<p><b>TSH: You recorded in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, locked off from the world and able to zero in on your work. How was your time spent there?</b></p>
<p><b>Rory:</b> Ah, man, it was a great trip. It was the first time we’d travelled overseas to record anything and it was quite a wild experience. The moment we got there we were jet-lagged so we had some beers before starting to get to work. The place itself was really beautiful and when we arrived there was a snowstorm coming in! We were cut off in our little studio apartment with 11 songs that we’d been rehearsing for a long time. It was definitely the immersive kind of experience that we’d hoped for. We lived and breathed the album for two weeks.</p>
<p><b>TSH: Is the consistent ebb and flow throughout this record one that you feel came about naturally?</b></p>
<p><b>Rory:</b> To a certain extent I feel like the ebb and flow was something that just seems to fall into place organically, yes. There is normally an idea that dictates the rehearsal space and tightens up the songs. We knew every corner of this record and constantly played the record in order of the sequence that we wanted on the album, which in turn helped the ebb and flow. The record was simply so ingrained within us, so we were able to convey just what we wanted.</p>
<p><b>TSH: How did you go about forming ‘Three Triangles’?</b></p>
<p><b>Rory:</b> Originally that song was three completely separate songs. Again, the idea of this song goes back to being brutal and cutting back parts that don’t fit in or make us too excited. We took three tracks and split them because there was too much wish-washy going on. Towards the end of the writing sessions we decided to keep just the elements that we liked within the three tracks and pieced it together into one cohesive song with ‘Three Triangles’.</p>
<p><b>TSH: Moreover, what resonates with you most about ‘Dying Giants’?</b></p>
<p><b>Rory:</b> That track has collective memories for me regarding writing and recording it. I definitely have some imagery attached to the song and it encapsulates certain themes, but I like to keep those close to myself. I personally prefer art that can allow for various connections with the user. I think if the composer of the art is too explicit with descriptions, it takes away the magic, well it does for me anyway. I just love reading people’s interpretations of our songs mostly.</p>
<p><b>TSH: How have the recent live shows been with new material?</b></p>
<p><b>Rory:</b> I think this latest record - more than any other that we’ve done - has hit the ground running in terms of when we perform it live. I guess the reason for this is because of how meticulous we were in the recordings; we already knew how to play the songs live by going in and pressing record. Overall, it’s been nice to see audiences shouting out for new songs instead of old ones. The new batch of songs has gone down really well when we play live.</p>
<p><b>TSH: It’s been noted that since you were young you’d set endurance challenges for yourself, such as holding your breath. Do you opt to do the same via marathons nowadays?</b></p>
<p><b>Rory:</b> Haha! I guess I do that, don’t I? It probably comes from this ADHD that I’ve got. And, yes, I recently have turned my sights to long distance running and marathons, which has been really cool. I like a bit of a challenge, but it’s funny because I’m not sporty whatsoever! I’m not even slightly into competitiveness or competition. I don’t like the idea of people beating other people - it’s just a world I’m not interested in…</p>
<p><b>TSH:</b> So watching the tennis at Wimbledon was just for fun?</p>
<p><b>Rory:</b> Ha! Maybe Wimbledon is an exception; I couldn’t help but get caught up in the moment. However, I did have some Pimms that day, so maybe that’s why.</p>
<p><b>TSH: You also run supper clubs outside of music. Is food another passion of yours?</b></p>
<p><b>Rory:</b> Yeah, I really love cooking. Food is a big love of mine outside of music. Me and Niall from the band have run quite a few supper clubs to date. Also, me and my girlfriend run a Korean supper club. It’s just for fun really. We do them every now and then in town and get 30 or 40 people to attend and we cook food for everyone.</p>
<p><b>TSH: When you need to recharge from touring, do you tend to get away from it all?</b></p>
<p><b>Rory:</b> Oh, of course. My family is from the very north tip of Northern Ireland. We all grew up near the ocean and after every tour it’s the first place I’ll try and go to. The clean air out there is a good reset button from the chaos of touring.</p>
<p><b>TSH: Finally, with ASIWYFA, is the notion of exploring new ground one that drives you guys to always change the conversation?</b></p>
<p><b>Rory:</b> Yeah, it’s vital to have this type of drive for any band because it leads to new types of creativity and keeps you satisfied. You’ve always got to feel like you’re exploring new ground whilst also falling back on your past to guide you in certain places. We just always want to do better and continue to write exciting stuff each time we get together. It’s important for the four of us to find new territory. Our ambition is to keep making music that satisfies our urges and to then share it with our loyal fans. Right now, we’re really happy and content with the band’s development.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-orig-height="304" data-orig-width="540" data-provider="youtube" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DpTacz_X6jz4"><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pTacz_X6jz4?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="540"></iframe></p></figure>
<p><i>And So I Watch You From Afar - “A Slow Unfolding Of Wings”</i></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/50332342018-01-19T13:32:18-05:002021-07-06T05:18:38-04:00Rory Friers Speaking at OutPut Bellfast // Culture HUB<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="236" data-orig-width="532"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/c008e76d24e9b88ca91d7d58748154b2/tumblr_inline_p2tfg6fex91r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
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<p>We are excited to announce that our very own Rory Friers will be the closing keynote speakers at this year’s Output festival in Belfast.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/50095592018-01-05T15:23:33-05:002022-04-17T23:40:25-04:00“The Endless Shimmering” Voted #1 On Top Math Rock Ablums of 2017 // FeckingBahamas<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="68" data-orig-width="540"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://feckingbahamas.com/the-end-of-year-report-2017-results-1" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/2b31bab0669f9f922970527e37ac42ea/tumblr_inline_p23n47f7w21r1itoc_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></a></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="297" data-orig-width="540"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://feckingbahamas.com/the-end-of-year-report-2017-results-1" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/fad50a6cffa32e858348165b22921804/tumblr_inline_p23n47IUDk1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></a></figure>
<p><b>1. And So I Watch You From Afar – The Endless Shimmering</b></p>
<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-orig-height="304" data-orig-width="540" data-provider="youtube" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FpTacz_X6jz4"><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pTacz_X6jz4?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="540"></iframe></p></figure>
<p>Full article via <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://feckingbahamas.com/the-end-of-year-report-2017-results-1" target="_blank">Fecking Bahamas.</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/49848602017-12-19T14:46:28-05:002021-07-08T07:53:47-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar Live In Belfast // GIGGING<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="164" data-orig-width="412"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.giggingni.com/2017/12/photos-asiwyfa-telegraph-building-belfast/" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/dcbb1d508a453d547cc919fbe9e32d63/tumblr_inline_p183kp7T1O1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1028" data-orig-width="2410"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.giggingni.com/2017/12/photos-asiwyfa-telegraph-building-belfast/" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/599f61ac8f684f06c518cc921437c76e/tumblr_inline_p183l2sKo41r1itoc_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></a></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="194" data-orig-width="1280"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.giggingni.com/2017/12/photos-asiwyfa-telegraph-building-belfast/" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/1de40248e9f41f059762d0857c52c944/tumblr_inline_p183kvzaPL1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></a></figure>
<p>Full article via <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.giggingni.com/2017/12/photos-asiwyfa-telegraph-building-belfast/" target="_blank">GIGGING.</a></p><!-- more -->
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<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="959" data-orig-width="1440"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/6804c1e01c6e34e00912fa16112cd528/tumblr_inline_p183lapYC11r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="959" data-orig-width="1440"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/1e9d7c83181a4ba4f37ee2a1c9733511/tumblr_inline_p183lbeebv1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></figure>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/49835212017-12-18T15:43:19-05:002022-04-18T05:16:42-04:00ASIWYFA – The Endless Shimmering // AOTY 2017 on Repeater<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="56" data-orig-width="322"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/372c4e314df45d5040d029acb3d5bbba/tumblr_inline_p16c7pK6Z21r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="66" data-orig-width="720"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/7f2b1cbf5130ea5c12e01f261fcf17ca/tumblr_inline_p16byc8OZD1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
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<p><b>3. <a href="https://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/the-endless-shimmering" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar – The Endless Shimmering</a></b></p>
<p>This album is devoid of lyrics, and at first glance, the only semblance of meaning comes from the <a href="https://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/the-endless-shimmering" target="_blank">album title</a> and the cryptic song titles. Endless Shimmering ranges from thunderous to delicate. Every sound feels deliberately placed, with all of the excess trimmed. This album is a wild ride that is relentlessly positive and in the end, leaves you with a smile on your face.<br>Check out: <a href="https://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/track/mullally" target="_blank">“Mullally”</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/49765452017-12-13T19:30:18-05:002021-08-26T02:56:51-04:00THREE TRIANGLES IPA // A collaboration between ASIWYFA & Lacada Brewery.<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/c0c63aca7a330c2e0af79426bd8c1271/tumblr_inline_p0xdazVLBI1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></p>
<p>A few months ago <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a> teamed up with Lacada, a co-operative, community owned brewery on the North Coast of Ireland, who brew some of the best Irish beer. Lacada have a similar core philosophy of DIY self-sufficieny and had the idea to create a beer that encapsulated and complimented the songs on the new ASIWYFA album “The Endless Shimmering”, something that could be drank as you listened. A big fruity IPA would fit the bill perfectly (more notes below). ASIWYFA developed their own recipe with the master brewers at Lacada, and were there right through the process, from brew day to bottling and labelling the beer, and now its ready to be drank and so we give you, Three Triangles IPA and you can buy it <a href="https://www.fairleys-wines.co.uk/craft-beers/irish-craft-beers/lacada-brewery-co-operative/lacada-three-triangles-ipa" target="_blank">here. </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/49721582017-12-11T14:04:11-05:002022-04-30T05:38:19-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar Live Sessions // Start Together Studios & The Live Room Belfast<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-orig-height="304" data-orig-width="540" data-provider="youtube" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dy5m7ZVVsxE4"><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y5m7ZVVsxE4?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="540"></iframe></p></figure>
<p><a href="https://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have partnered with <a href="https://www.starttogetherstudio.com/" target="_blank">Start Together Studio Belfast</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk-YKgmfwDPJiicjK2fqpQw" target="_blank">The Live Room Belfast</a> for a series of live videos. ASIWYFA will be performing in their hometown of Belfast at the new Telegraph Building on Saturday, December 16th. Tickets and more Irish dates <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">here.</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/49705362017-12-10T00:47:35-05:002022-05-14T07:53:35-04:00Playlist: And So I Watch You From Afar – Tour Listening // Alt Dialogue<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="616" data-orig-width="1964"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://altdialogue.com/2017/12/07/playlist-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-tour-listening/" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/7dc3d53c56a9ed2d6e557a190d259c14/tumblr_inline_p0qdcyL7Al1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></a></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="256" data-orig-width="1274"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://altdialogue.com/2017/12/07/playlist-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-tour-listening/" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/75b5880eafd6f18e08c530bece05512e/tumblr_inline_p0qdcu41rw1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></a></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="264" data-orig-width="620"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://altdialogue.com/2017/12/07/playlist-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-tour-listening/" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/c8f55252838005b9957012c9336b8b14/tumblr_inline_p0qdcvT33q1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></a></figure>
<p>Off the back of their recent European tour (with Ireland dates to come this month) and <a href="https://altdialogue.com/2017/10/12/album-review-the-endless-shimmering-by-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar/" target="_blank">The Endless Shimmering</a> being named our <a href="https://altdialogue.com/2017/12/03/alt-dialogues-top-100-albums-of-2017-part-2-50-1/" target="_blank">Top Album of 2017</a>, we caught up with And So I Watch You From Afar guitarist Rory Friers to find out what he listens to on tour…</p>
<p>Full article via <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://altdialogue.com/2017/12/07/playlist-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-tour-listening/" target="_blank">Alt Dialogue.</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/49620292017-12-04T15:16:13-05:002021-10-22T06:06:46-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar is #1 on Alt Dialogue's Top 100 Albums of 2017<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="618" data-orig-width="1962"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/05d852d07caa63dc55254e59e4231aa7/tumblr_inline_p0gdiflCrE1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="282" data-orig-width="1306"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/ea846941e4a0fe103cdd3bc84e8db821/tumblr_inline_p0gdimyqgJ1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
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<p>Congratulations to <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> for winning the #1 spot on Alt Dialogue’s Top 100 Albums of the year with ‘The Endless Shimmering.’</p>
<p>Full list <a href="https://altdialogue.com/2017/12/03/alt-dialogues-top-100-albums-of-2017-part-2-50-1/" target="_blank">here.</a><br>Full review <a href="https://altdialogue.com/2017/10/12/album-review-the-endless-shimmering-by-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar/" target="_blank">here.</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/49533722017-11-28T15:34:56-05:002021-08-23T07:53:31-04:00Interview: Niall Kennedy from And So I Watch You From Afar // Spectrum Culture<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="158" data-orig-width="744"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/17398ba28dfb55c08faa4e6bcd03a653/tumblr_inline_p05ad4WVoj1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="824" data-orig-width="1732"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://spectrumculture.com/2017/11/27/interview-niall-kennedy-watch-afar/" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/206639326dd1a33b027ee26276c89fa1/tumblr_inline_p05adlOZFz1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></a></figure>
<p>Belfast’s best musical export rides on. The exuberant, ridiculous, brilliant <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> just released their fifth album The Endless Shimmering to acclaim here on Spectrum Culture and continued their streak as one of math-rock’s most euphoric bands. Guitarists Niall Kennedy and Rory Friers, drummer Chris Wee and bassist Johnny Adger passed a decade as a band in 2015 and haven’t slowed down an inch. The new album flexes some hitherto unseen muscle, but still keeps things as bright and cheery as their old work, creating one of the year’s finest metal experiences.</p>
<p>Full interview via <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://spectrumculture.com/2017/11/27/interview-niall-kennedy-watch-afar/" target="_blank">Spectrum Culture.</a></p><!-- more -->
<p>We caught guitarist Niall Kennedy over Skype while on tour in Germany. We discussed just how many riffs it takes to get to the center of an ASIWYFA album, writing unexpected lullabies and their version of Guitar Hero.</p>
<p>The opening track “Three Triangles” has a sort of samba section at the end of it, which is something I haven’t heard y’all experiment with. How did that flavor come about?</p>
<p>I don’t know if I can pinpoint it, but I can say that we just spent an awful lot of time in the practice room for this record, just rehearsing and jamming. Ideas only stuck around if everyone was really excited by them and anything that wasn’t getting us going we just threw out. We just kept it brutal like that. I guess that was just something we were into that day.</p>
<p>I like how you said, kept it brutal, because, bit of a tangent here, I have synesthesia where I see colors when I hear music. And your last two records were just incredibly colorful. This one is a lot darker, more punishing. Was there a transition here between those two sounds?</p>
<p>Yeah, I mean we wrote an awful lot of songs for this album. Certain songs—we would just kind of demo stuff and everyone was listening to all the tracks throughout the year on their iPhones and stuff. And eventually the songs that are on the album now just kind of presented themselves as the ones that really needed to be on the album. There’s loads of really great stuff that didn’t make it. Like some of my favorite riffs from this album aren’t on this album. These songs just came together and felt like the right choice.</p>
<p>When we started out, the only thing we talked about doing for this album that we planned was just to spend an awful lot of time writing it. As opposed to the last two records which we wrote three-quarters of it and then went into the studio and experimented and finished off bits in there and came up with ideas in the studio. This one we wanted everything dialed to the nth degree and absolutely 100 percent sure of what we were doing before we went to the studio. And then we wanted to just record a really good live version of that album. There’s nothing more than that that we agreed upon before we started writing it. And it just kind of came out that way.</p>
<p>But I’ve spoken to a couple of people who seem to think that the first two albums are a pair of albums and the last two albums are a pair of albums that go together. And then this album is different again. Maybe the next one will be a sequel to that. I don’t know, we’ll have to see. I feel like there’s definitely a different direction with this stuff. It feels a bit, to me, like we took some of the stuff we learnt over the previous records and touring for all these years and focused all that stuff into the writing process for this.</p>
<p>That’s interesting you say there were a lot of riffs left off the album. My favorite song “Mullally”—is that how you say it?</p>
<p>Sure (laughs).</p>
<p>It feels like it could be five or six different songs, because, even though its cohesive, it’s like here’s a riff, here’s a riff in a very quick succession. And I was wondering how that came to be, because it feels like another band would just be like “oh this one riff will be one song.”</p>
<p>(laughs) Yeah! It’s weird. The first riff that was written for that song was the riff that comes in three-quarters of the way in—the kind of bridge section. That’s something I remember trying out in a soundcheck like a year and a half ago or something. And then you just kind of write all this other stuff and then you realize certain things. “Oh that would go into that really well” and you just try stuff out and if it fits, it fits and you refine it and refine it again and throw out a couple of bars (laughs), until you’ve crafted something that everyone’s really happy with.</p>
<p>I think it just comes from playing stuff over and over and over and over and over again in the practice room. And very quickly a part will get boring. If it’s boring, it’ll get boring to us first. Then we’ll be like, “ok, we need to change something here” or introduce something new. That’s generally the way it happens. And that can only really happen if you play something a million times.</p>
<p>The other song that really caught my attention the first few times I listened through was “Dying Giants.” Cause I’ve noticed that there’s this pattern you guys have these seven minute-plus songs on each album: “Young Brave Minds” on All Hail Bright Futures, the title track and “A Beacon, A Compass, An Anchor” on Heirs. And they’re all in the middle of these quicker, smaller songs. What makes you put “K is for Killing Spree” or “Young Brave Minds” next to the other tracks?</p>
<p>I don’t know! I feel like we’re trying to be led by our instinct as much as possible and to follow those gut feelings and just trust whatever is exciting you the most. A few people have asked why there isn’t any vocals on this record, and it’s really just that there was no point which we felt “oh vocals would be great here.” We just went on our gut feeling. That song was one of those that came together pretty quickly from several different riffs and just felt really good in the room and we just knew it was going to be on the record for—since it was written. It is kind of long but, (laughs) I don’t know, it feels like it’s over in two minutes when you play it live because it’s just so fun to rip through it. It doesn’t feel like it’s drawn out and there’s lots of unnecessary parts. It zips along even though it’s a good seven-and-a-half-minutes or something.</p>
<p>I’ve always wondered, what is your guys’ favorite song to play live? Looking at SetlistFM, I’m surprised by what you do and don’t play. Is it just like “oh this is a really fun song! We’re going to play it every night!”</p>
<p>(Laughs) Yeah! Usually it’s the newest song that we’ve written is the favorite song. We’ve been opening the set this tour with “Dying Giants” and it’s been really fun because, I guess a few people know it by now, but for the people that don’t, it’s quite a good introduction and sort of warm-up song because it starts quite unassuming and then becomes explosive. But later on in the set we’re playing “A Slow Unfolding of Wings” and that’s a song that Rory had written for another project that he was thinking of starting.</p>
<p>And you were like “no, no this is ours.</p>
<p>(Laughs) I was like “There is no way, this has to be ours, I’m sorry.” I just convinced him over a period of about six months. I’m so glad he came around because that’s probably my favorite song to play live at the minute. It’s really fun.</p>
<p>I was wondering in part because, according to Audiotree and SetlistFM, you guys have like never played my favorite song live, which is “Animal Ghosts.”</p>
<p>Yeah, it’s one of my favorites as well! I think the problem with it is: it’s really dependent on—it needs to sound huge. So you have to play it in really big venues and the sound engineer has to know exactly what you’re going for. Cause there’s not a whole lot going on in the song. It requires the live production to have the same affect live that it does on the record. It’s difficult. We’ve thought about trying to throw even a section of it into the set on this tour, but we just never got ‘round to it. But I would love to play that song live, it’s one of my favorites. But it’s kind of good to have that stuff in the artillery for some other point where we’ll bring it out randomly and surprise everyone.</p>
<p>I listened to a podcast you were on where you explained that the ending string section of “Dying Giants” is a reworking of the riff from the final track “Chrysalism.” It sounds like a requiem, then it’s splashed against the almost poppy “All I Need is Space” and I was wondering about the sequencing between those two.</p>
<p>We’re trying not to talk too much about what we think the narrative is for the record or what the story is or what any of the song names mean or anything like that. But what I would say is that to have that piece of music appear at a certain point and then be more fully realized later on in the album, it plays to a certain narrative, I suppose. A bit like a movie or something like that. I guess we were thinking more along those lines when we were writing the album. I guess we were pushing it to be something a little bigger than just an album. We wrote and recorded the album, hoping that people would listen to it start-to-finish or at least make it so they could, if they wanted to. I think it kind of plays more into a certain narrative I suppose.</p>
<p>And sort of on that theme of almost getting pictures into listeners’ heads, because I was really interested in the title track. At first it sounds like a lullaby, it’s just something you could coo to someone before they go to bed. But it reminded me of “Tryer, You” from Heirs, because it seems like every record, you have a song or two that’s just cuddling up close to the listener.</p>
<p>Yeah it’s nice to write stuff that’s kind of feel good and doesn’t feel too oppressive or challenging, but is just kind of upbeat and fun. I guess the album represents a lot of different feelings and thoughts and things. For me, “The Endless Shimmering” represents being in a really happy place or having a really happy moment and not too much else going on.</p>
<p>I enjoyed it so much because it was so different from the rest. It reminded me of “KaBaTa”—uh whatever–</p>
<p>(laughs)</p>
<p>— off of All Hail Bright Futures, just this moment of “did another band just come in?”</p>
<p>The band has got to be exciting for us. It has to be something that we’re pumped about doing. I guess you have to do things like that (laughs) to keep things exciting and challenge yourself. We’re definitely not a band that wants to shy away from anything that feels a bit scary or feels a bit dangerous or strange.</p>
<p>Again I was looking at your setlist and it seems like every night you have the same encore: “Run Home,” “Eunoia,” “Big Thinks Do Remarkable” and “The Voiceless.” Is there a reason it shook out like that? I understand “Run Home” because it’s like “we’re back on stage, here’s rainbows flowing out of our guitars.” But “The Voiceless” is one of the oldest songs you guys play.</p>
<p>Again, I think it’s just a really upbeat kind of song. It’s the one song you play and you look out at the crowd and you always see couples hugging each other and smiling and sometimes you see people crying and stuff. For some reason it kind of connects with people. It’s so simple as well, it’s just one riff that repeats over, there’s nothing really too challenging going on. I think it allows people to—they don’t really have to pay attention to us and watch us. They can just embrace the feeling that’s being emitted around the room. It’s always been a really good closing song to go out on, leave everyone feeling really happy and upbeat about life. Yeah, I don’t know. We’ve just been closing with it for so long that it’s just always worked in that regard.</p>
<p>I’ve always appreciated that about you guys, it feels like the happiest mosh pit.</p>
<p>And “The Voiceless” is us giving you a little massage afterwards to say “don’t worry, it’s alright.” (Laughs)</p>
<p>There does seem to be this very small niche of bands, like LITE, who you toured with in Japan or Torche. It’s brutal, but you just want to climb Mt. Everest after you listen.</p>
<p>Yeah, we absolutely love those bands. They’re some of our favorite bands, so I’m on the same page as you.</p>
<p>How was the tour with LITE? I saw them open for Mike Watt and they were just incredible players.</p>
<p>Yeah, they’re amazing. We played with Mike Watt as well actually, a few years ago in America. And he was also—we loved him. He actually gave Rory the—there’s a song called “Like a Mouse” and that’s a Mike Watt quote just from a conversation they had about music.</p>
<p>But LITE were like the nicest guys. Their English wasn’t amazing and our Japanese is terrible so there was somewhat—communication problems—but you can communicate in other ways. We spent a lot of time with them. They took us around to different kind of touristy stuff and we went out for dinner every night and they took us to really, really great Japanese restaurants. We had the best time. And we just missed them. We just played at a festival in Barcelona and they had just played the night before so we missed them by a matter of hours, which was really sad. Hopefully we can get to play with them again. I think we’re planning to go back to Japan in October in the next year or so. Hopefully we’ll be able to see them again. Love those guys.</p>
<p>What was the “Like a Mouse” quote?</p>
<p>I think, as far as I remember, he was talking about how you—it might have been about how you present yourself as a band, you kind of like sneak in and he was being like—he’s just a legend and he just talks in poetry a little bit. He’s very quotable. I think he was describing something like that about how you attack music and sneaking up on people like a mouse. But when he said it, I remember Rory saying he said the whole sentence and then took a little pause and said—(whispers) “Like a mouse!” (laughs) And Rory just thought it was awesome. I think Rory might even have a tattoo of that as well.</p>
<p>That fits for my experience with All Hail Bright Futures, just very colorful while being brutal.</p>
<p>It was a great album to put out. Then the reactions were like—there were a whole bunch of people who were die-hard first-album fans who thought it was absolute bullshit (laughs). Then there was this entire wave of people who had never heard us before. And it was a really accessible way to get into our music. Probably the biggest songs we’ve got on Spotify or songs we play live are from that album. We’re super proud of it and we love playing those songs. I wish there was more time in the set to play more songs off that album to be honest, but it’s tough trying to squeeze everything in.</p>
<p>A friend of mine and I were recently talking about a version of Guitar Hero where every song is an And So I Watch You From Afar song, and every song is also the final guitar song.</p>
<p>That would be a dream come true.</p>
<p>I can’t play y’all’s guitar stuff at all, but I was trying to get through All Hail Bright Futures on drums and my arms just fell off.</p>
<p>(Laughs) Yeah, Chris is a fucking machine. It’s ridiculous. I started out playing drums as well, in fact—I’ve played in And So I Watch You From Afar three times, and the first time was when Chris was still at University and I had to fill in for him. And it was a fucking nightmare. Because his parts are just ridiculous (laughs). So, yeah I feel your pain.</p>
<p>On that note, do you have a song you play live that’s usually pretty exhausting? I always thought “Wasps” would be there.</p>
<p>It’s relentless, yeah. The saving grace is that tiny section where I drop out after the second chorus and Rory’s on his own and I have 10 seconds of stretching my fingers out (laughs) before I have to start again. Cause it’s just completely constant. And then you’ve got to sing as well… Yeah “Wasps” is probably the most strenuous. And also “BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION”—the repetition. You know, it’s a simple riff but just over and over and over again gets a little tiring. But, you know, it’s fun. The adrenaline’s up so you just break through it.</p>
<p>Finally, I follow you on Twitter, and it’s interesting to me—you’re talking about politics on there a lot and I appreciate that and find it cool that, even without music propelled by politics, you have to be involved in some way.</p>
<p>Absolutely. It’s always been a question for us as a band: whether or not we speak out about things. Individually, we all have very strong views and we talk about politics every day when we’re at band practice and the news and whatever’s going on and everyone has very strong opinions. When it comes to music and the band, I think it’s good sometimes for music to be an escape from stuff for people. There are loads of bands that are super political and have done great stuff with their platform they’ve got—lots of bands I love, I’m really psyched that they speak out about certain things but, for us I think, that’s maybe not our place in music. I think our place is somewhere you can go regardless of what you believe or what your feelings are and kind of have a little bit of an escape into somewhere else. You want it to be—everyone can come together and that’s where we’re at.</p>
<p>So I shouldn’t expect the subtitle of “Dying Giants” to be “Dying Giants (The Failure of Capitalism)”</p>
<p>(Laughs) That can be your subtitle.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-orig-height="304" data-orig-width="540" data-provider="youtube" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DpTacz_X6jz4%23action%3Dshare"><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pTacz_X6jz4?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="540"></iframe></p></figure>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/49416342017-11-20T15:31:03-05:002021-11-29T22:41:32-05:00Rory Friers & Niall Kennedy (ASIWYFA) // Best Prog Guitarist Musicradar<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="54" data-orig-width="540"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/9c982ddb9664df21d156a6d8d2dc8f92/tumblr_inline_ozqgt5IDLK1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="545" data-orig-width="970"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/81b5ca3eb9822b36f717d8554e1973b5/tumblr_inline_ozqgu3Wbfb1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></figure>
<p>Rory Friers & Niall Kennedy of <a href="https://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have been nominated for Best Prog Guitarist 2017 on <a href="http://www.musicradar.com/news/who-is-the-best-prog-guitarist-of-2017" target="_blank">MusicRadar</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.musicradar.com/news/who-is-the-best-prog-guitarist-of-2017" target="_blank">VOTE HERE</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/49327992017-11-14T19:53:04-05:002021-10-19T09:23:20-04:00‘It isn’t about how loud we are but the impact we can make’ // The Irish Times<figure data-orig-width="988" data-orig-height="134" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/ddf515eaec97b0d6c2d582034e7bc4e7/tumblr_inline_ozfp19xpY51r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="1188" data-orig-height="256" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/474efb9fe1e08d3871cb2b2ea92e7223/tumblr_inline_ozfp1lGkJj1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="5457" data-orig-height="3638" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/e1de9bb18ce8a510b02fd3ad5aa31102/tumblr_inline_ozfozcO2h51r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>The irony of having a civilised, if not genteel, discussion with two members of a band that has set the standard for raising the roof of any venue it plays in is not lost on Rory Friers and Chris Wee. These men are the guitarist and drummer with Belfast’s <a href="https://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You from Afar</a>, or Asiwyfa, a group that has over the past decade redefined the performative processes of (for want of a better term) post-rock.<br></p><p>Full article via <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/it-isn-t-about-how-loud-we-are-but-the-impact-we-can-make-1.3289976" target="_blank">The Irish Times.</a></p><!-- more --><p>Asiwyfa seem forever shadowed by the question of what comes next. As each powerhouse record is released and then revered for its mixture of boundless energy, pummelling rhythms, intricate time signatures and innate melodies, there is surely a nagging doubt that whatever comes next won’t be as riveting. Friers and Wee, sequestered in a provincial shopping mall, sipping Z-grade coffee, nod in recognition.</p><p>At the early stages of thinking about music for a new album, Friers says, semi-grandiose concepts always change. “We have these ideas of being radically different for each album, but very quickly we realise that our music is very much the product of a combination of things that have happened over a period of time. Depending on where and when the four of us decide to put energy into creating music, it will be defined by where we’re at up to that point.”</p><blockquote>For us it’s no longer the wall-of-sound thing it might have been in the early days. Otherwise it becomes something that can’t maintain the levels of excitement</blockquote><p>Over the course of five albums, from 2009’s self-titled debut to its new album, <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-return-with-a-formidable-display-of-power-1.3255323" target="_blank">The Endless Shimmering</a>, Asiwyfa has delivered a range of music that straddles the spectrum from granite tough to delicate. If the latter is pretty and pastoral, the former is something very different.</p><p>Influenced as much by hard-core punk and grunge as by jazz fusion and prog rock – think Mahavishnu Orchestra as performed by Black Flag, with Yes and Mudhoney albums playing in the background – the music is measured out in incremental steps of volume. It reaches a peak, sometimes subsiding in a form of sonic afterglow, sometimes crashing to a sudden, defiant halt.</p><p>Whatever takes place, it’s loud. Very loud. Volume is all well and good, Friers agrees, but noise annoys without dynamic. “It isn’t about how loud we are but the impact we can make from start to finish. For us it’s no longer the wall-of-sound thing it might have been in the early days. Otherwise it becomes something that can’t maintain the levels of excitement.”</p><p>Texture can also disappear or get lost in the mix. “The soil we came from in the context of what we wanted the live shows to emulate was that our set would never be more than 25 minutes long. In the early days we were never given the time as a support band to extend beyond that, so we had less than 30 minutes to make an impact. Because we came from the world of grunge and punk, which is unapologetic and full of impactful, short bursts, it’s taken a few years for us to gauge texture that, say, a 45-minute set provides. We’re becoming a bit more refined in how we use volume.”</p><p>Chris Wee, patiently resigned to his friend taking the lead in the conversation, finally says something. “We have tried to craft it a bit more. It’s a constant modification of ideas. We work minutely on putting parts together so that each is as exciting as the last one.”</p><p>That the band has enhanced its music across five albums within 10 years is quite the strike rate. Many groups or musicians, I suggest, simply don’t have the same sense of efficiency or urgency.</p><p>“Yes, it’s all right, isn’t it?” Friers says with some pride. “From the very beginning we were, and still are, obsessed with what we do. It’s very much our lives. Personally, we put a lot of importance on the music, and it’s the thing we think about the most. We spend time with our best friends because of it. There are ups and downs, of course, but it feels like we have direction because of it.”</p><p>Wee nods in agreement. “We try to take some time from it, but there’s always an underlying momentum the band has gathered and maintained throughout the years.”</p><blockquote>Una Mullally speaks up for things that are important to us all. The song Mullally is named after and for her, but it’s also for everything that she and people like her encapsulate</blockquote><p>The latest album also pays tribute to Irish Times columnist <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/profile/una-mullally-7.2276478" target="_blank">Una Mullally</a>. “She’s a very inspiring person, a great friend, and we admire her massively,” Friers says. “She speaks up for things that are important to us all. There was something about the tune that we felt embodied that spirit. The song <a href="https://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/track/mullally" target="_blank">Mullally</a>is named after and for her, but it’s also for everything that she and people like her encapsulate.”</p><p>Life changes</p><p>There have been life changes, but the impact of these on the dynamic of a bunch of obsessive musicians wanting to take on all comers is not as forceful as some people might think.</p><p>“What it has done with us,” Friers says, “is that it puts perspective on what we do. We have been able to go on tour and make it more worthwhile. We play more shows, things are organised better, and there’s more structure to what we do and how we do it. Back in the day we were doing everything and anything – recklessly – spending money, losing money, doing silly things.</p><p>“Because we’ve been doing it for such a long time we have seen so many bands come and go. We’ve seen things we don’t like in how other people conduct themselves. We went from having almost a militant, guerilla thing – watching documentaries about Washington DC hard-core bands, and The Clash, death or glory! – but now we’re a really well-oiled machine.”</p><p>“Ten years ago,” Wee adds, “no one had ever really heard of us, and, being a band with no vocals, perhaps we needed to prove ourselves more. As a band it gave us a lot of focus, and galvanised us in terms of driving all day to a venue to find a handful of people there, but then still playing with heart.”</p><p>His bandmate agrees. “We have played to enough small crowds over the years to make us believe that what we’re doing is the right thing.”</p><p>Speak Up! ASIWYFA and hearing loss</p><p>Chris Wee “We’ve all had our individual awakenings with protection from the sound. I went to have my hearing checked a few years ago, and the audiologist told me I had lost some high frequency in my left ear and that it had probably come from having the drum monitor on my left side for years. After that I started using ear monitors with noise-cancelling headphones, and a mix of the band’s instruments at a lower volume in my ears.”</p><p>Rory Friers “I need to start wearing earplugs more. I wear them in rehearsals, but there’s something about playing on a stage where, even when I put them in, I take them out halfway through. I get so excited during a show that it gets to the point where there is no before or after – you’re so in the moment, so the earplugs come out. I have to be harder on myself, to be honest, as I have a bit of tinnitus.”</p><ul><li>The Endless Shimmering is released through Sargent House. Asiwyfa are at the Telegraph Building in Belfast on December 16th, the Academy, Dublin, on December 28th, and then in Castlebar, Cork and Galway on December 29th, 30th and 31st</li></ul>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/49328002017-11-14T19:47:35-05:002021-08-10T03:30:47-04:00AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR – “WE’RE HERE TO LET PEOPLE FEEL SOMETHING” // PUNKTASTIC<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="160" data-orig-width="514"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/d9fa210ef8f7ee808ba713914a834b57/tumblr_inline_ozfp51GOsO1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="356" data-orig-width="2100"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/5d36917d6ca47659212e759de483708b/tumblr_inline_ozfp5nuWMd1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="1800" data-orig-height="1200" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/4db8107e72570e2d294a892dbae473db/tumblr_inline_ozforuFHjN1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>Oozing with raw, euphoric energy, <a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have accomplished more than they could ever have expected in the band’s ten years. From playing local shows in Atlantic Bar on the North coast of Ireland to touring Japan, they’ve enjoyed unexpected success for a group that plays what they describe as “weird music”.</p><p>Full article via <a href="http://www.punktastic.com/radar/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-were-here-to-let-people-feel-something/" target="_blank">Punktastic.</a></p><!-- more --><p>ASIWYFA’s sound has explored the avenues of post-rock and filled every crack with something refreshing while always remaining true to themselves since their debut, self-titled album. Since then they’ve created a seemingly unstoppable momentum, creating a new music scene not only in Belfast but all around the world. This brings the quartet to the release of their fifth album, ‘The Endless Shimmering’ and a 23-date European tour with only three rest days booked in to rest. “It was four and now it’s three because a gig got put back on,” guitarist Niall Kennedy tells me as we sit in the corner of Bar Rufían, a minimalist street bar you’d typically find near Sala Apolo where the band is due to headline AMFest later on.</p><p>Having only arrived in the city a few hours before, Rory Friers, who also plays guitar, tells me they’ve already experienced the madness of Barcelona in the wake of recent social and political turmoil after walking through the town square during the then-president of Catalonia, Carles Puigdemont’s decision on independence. “Whenever people are talking to us about touring, they always say, “Oh, it must be so great to see all these beautiful places. But it is like someone coming up to you at a restaurant and showing you a beautiful meal, then they just take it away.”</p><p>As we find a cozy corner to sit down and drink, Friers talks to me about how the new songs have felt in front of an audience. “It’s the same thing with every album. We go out and all we want to do is play new songs. But you inevitably realise they’re so much harder to play than the old songs” he laughs. “In the past week, we’ve been changing the set every night. It’s super refreshing. The CPU spikes during the new songs for sure. In front of an audience, there are dark lights, there’s flashing, you’re not facing the band. You can learn to juggle absolutely fine. But it’s like someone asking you to juggle in a boat during a storm.”</p><p>Having experimented heavily on the previous two releases, ‘The Endless Shimmering’ joins together the songwriting and craftsmanship they’ve gained to exercise their love of experimentation with an expertly executed dose of hard-hitting nostalgia. ‘All Hail Bright Futures’ delivered a cosmic euphoria soaked in clean production, and ‘Heirs’ indulged in a garage rock-soaked experimentation with vocal melodies, but with ‘The Endless Shimmering’ the four-piece have hit a milestone in terms of pushing their craft method to new horizons.</p><p>The process of recording this album was purposefully minimalist – creating and refining the songs where they’re most comfortable, in a rehearsal room. After playing the songs so much they couldn’t help but remember them, burying themselves in a studio in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. After six days, they’d recorded an album. Buried within this nine-song epic is a story. However, the exact plot is something the band would rather keep to themselves, to avoid taking away from any messages or emotions listeners may naturally receive.</p><p>“It’s all part of the process to get where we are. We knew we weren’t going to go in the studio and make an album, we were going to write an album and then go and record it. Everyone has their own shit going on and everybody needs to feel like they can have their own narrative of a song,” Friers continues. “So once you start adding lyrics or a really overt message to anything, even though the temptation is there, I think you’ve just got to keep to the idea that we’re not here to say something loudly, we’re here to let people feel something really strongly.”</p><p>It’s an arduous task to set, forming a ubiquitous narrative that can act as a vessel for people’s emotions to materialise, but an even harder task to break this story into pieces while keeping hold of that original intention for the song. Dividing these new songs between fan favorites can be a struggle though, Friers confesses. “There are certain songs in our catalogue you know are just hitters on the night. They work in a live scenario and they become this whole new beast beyond what they were on the album. But you’ve got to make room and give the new songs time to breathe and become these new monsters.</p><p>“We’ll make an album that’s got an ebb and flow to it. We write it, record it and release it. That’s the way it’s meant to be. When you start to play songs live though it’s a very insular process and you try not to think about crowds or playing to other people. We try to just write what’s exciting for us in the room and be as purist as possible about that. But as soon as you start performing it live they’re not really our property anymore, they belong to the people who come to our shows. Every time you play it, it redefines your idea of it. The setlist that you craft becomes an album in itself where you describe a new story. The way we obsess over a setlist is the same way we obsess over the track order of an album.”</p><p>“It’s like everything in this band,” adds Kennedy. “A process of establishing something and trying to craft it until it’s the best version of itself. The setlist is something we’re working on constantly. Every time we come off stage we have a little meeting. “What sucked about that? What needs to change?”</p><p>This is a visible truth for the band. After releasing what is arguably their bravest album, ‘All Hail Bright Futures’, the band would organically play through the first three or four tracks, giving them the musical context they were designed to have. Now, these songs are spread throughout the setlist yet have found a comfortable independence alongside old and new tracks.</p><p>“It takes a while for us to detach from the thing we’ve become so precious about”, Friers explains as he leans forward toward the conversation. “But those are healthy moments for us as a band – to split those things apart and have that psyche and apply it to any aspect of the bands. It’s healthy for us as it takes away any notion of fear.”</p><p>“Everyone has their own shit going on and everybody needs to feel like they can have their own narrative of a song.“</p><p>Losing ownership of a song once it’s been played to someone is an interesting notion. It’s a visceral idea, omnipresent in the band’s breathtaking live show. For And So I Watch You From Afar, the live experience is where these songs are given a free space to roam, grow and become something even they had never imagined. While there are obvious standout songs for the band such as ‘Search: Party: Animal’ and ‘Big Things Do Remarkable’, their live set spans five albums over not much more than ten songs. For Friers and Kennedy, the live set becomes a sanctimonious discovery of new arcs and album ideas.</p><p>“There was always this intention to not repeat anything we’ve done on other albums,” Friers mentions, getting back to the album as Kennedy finishes his drink and adds his thoughts. “We just focused on what excited us. We definitely didn’t go into this thinking, we had to have this sort of album so let’s not do this”.</p><p>The conversation quickly moves onto the topic of music labels – a point of interest for the ‘post-rock instrumental band’.</p><p>“Sometimes when you’re getting a taxi or something, someone will ask you “Oh, what kind of music do you play?” and you just sit there silently. We’re just a band that plays loud music. You sell yourself short by saying anything,” remarks Kennedy, smirking while digging through his memory.</p><p>“We’ve always prided ourselves on being on the fringe of genres,” continues Friers. “We were never at the centre of any scene. We were important in the Belfast city scene but we never felt like we were a part of any specific group.”</p><p>The duo share a laugh as we go through the various labels we’ve all heard the band being referred to as “dance music for rock fans” and “ladcore” getting the best response. Continuing to speak about defying genres and subscribing to labels, Friers continues in relation to their use of voice as a supposedly instrumental band. “In moments you do feel this temptation to speak when you care so strongly about something.</p><p>“I think the one strand of continuity through the band has always been that we feel the band, both personally and musically, is very much a form of escapism. For us growing up, live shows were so, so important. They felt like life or death. Finding these little shows for bands you’ve never heard of are defining moments for young musicians. We definitely behold the concept of a live experience using the idea of commune to experience something together. But as soon as you start trying to put it under any sort of bracket it limits the number of moments that can happen to people.”</p><p>Now all in important points in their lives, the band has been the universal baggage they’ve all brought with them. For a lot of bands, hitting a decade with the same four people and starting families is a reason to step on the brakes or remove yourself from this altogether, but for everyone in the band, that just isn’t how it works.</p><p>“Whenever Nial says to me, “I’m not really feeling that anymore.” I can say “You know what? You’re right”, as opposed to “Right, I’m going to fucking kill this guy.” We’re a low ego band who trust each other. It can be something we’d spent months working on and sweating over, then in an afternoon it’s gone,” replies Kennedy. “Some of my favourite riffs we wrote for this album aren’t on it.”</p><p>“There was this one song called ‘Prospector’ which is like nine minutes long,” remembers Friers. “We spent probably four or five months writing it. I remember it being so technically difficult but once we got it we were like, “This is going to be the opening song on the new album!” Then one day we just agreed it didn’t work. We have a really bad combination of wanting to jump on a new idea and an aversion to nostalgia. There’s never a conversation in the band, it’s very forward-focused. Sometimes you feel sorry for some of the older ideas.”</p><p>Referring to bass player Jonny who has a daughter and a wife, Friers confesses that he doesn’t understand how growing up or starting a family can ever hinder your ability as a musician. “The fact he’s settled down doesn’t mean he can’t put as much into the band, that mentality is such bullshit. That sort of thing makes you more focused. You don’t fuck around making pointless stuff when you’ve got the support of a family behind you. We’re all lucky to have that with our individual families and girlfriends because they know we’d be useless without the band.”</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/49265112017-11-09T18:43:40-05:002021-09-14T03:59:43-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar "The Endless Shimmering"// Pop Matters Review<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="44" data-orig-width="300"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.popmatters.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-the-endless-shimmering-review-2508059723.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/efb3ccdc642882e959b1eb875b361587/tumblr_inline_oz6bxxUYNU1qe8a39_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a></figure>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.popmatters.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-the-endless-shimmering-review-2508059723.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/bfe4a6aaaa34c766724d66d7e62b6143/tumblr_inline_oz6c05UuGa1qe8a39_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></a></p>
<p>Article by Brice Ezell via <a href="https://www.popmatters.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-the-endless-shimmering-review-2508059723.html" target="_blank">Pop Matters</a></p>
<p><b>On its fifth studio LP, And So I Watch You From Afar re-centers its musical approach on instrumental gymnastics, with added emotional warmth to boot. </b> </p><!-- more -->
<p>With its first four albums, the Irish post-rock quartet And So I Watch You From Afar set out a challenging musical game plan: on just about every one of its songs the band ties itself into as many musical knots as possible, only to somehow unthread the song with a force of energy unrivaled by any of its peers. Like its English counterparts in Maybeshewill, And So I Watch You From Afar prefers the structure of an intricate and quick wind-up toy to the lengthier, painterly soundscapes of groups like Explosions in the Sky and Godspeed You! Black Emperor.</p>
<p>Where many post-rock outfits take the long and steady path to a cathartic crescendo, And So I Watch You From Afar opts for a speedy but zig-zagged path. On its best albums, namely 2011'sGangs and 2013's All Hail Bright Futures, the band balances instrumental exploration with accessible and energetic songwriting. In their own way every And So I Watch You From Afar tune is a kind of instrumental clinic, but you’d be forgiven for missing out on some of the intricacies of the band’s songwriting for just how damn fun these guys make everything sound. </p>
<p>Heirs, the group’s 2015 LP, exhibits all of the characteristic And So I Watch You From Afar songwriting moves, with the added dimension of vocals. The band first included vocals significantly in its music on All Hail Bright Futures, but Heirs feels more like a “vocal” album in a way that its predecessor didn’t. On All Hail Bright Futures the vocals centered primarily on chants – “The sun! The sun! Is in our eyes!” brings the classic “Big Thinks Do Remarkable” to its climax – which befits the group’s puzzle-like song structures. Rarely does one instrument take the lead; every musician works in tight interplay, trading off lead roles in short intervals. The vocals on Heirs, by contrast, often took the spotlight away from the more interesting instrumental work happening in the background. The rabbit-hop chords of “Redesigned a Million Times” represent some of the best songwriting on Heirs, yet they have to compete with a vocal part that adds little to the song. And So I Watch You From Afar excels at musical puzzles, but Heirs tried to cram together one too many pieces. </p>
<p>The guitar lines zip and zag on The Endless Shimmering just like they have on And So I Watch You From Afar’s previous LPs. The songs retain the latticework structures that this band likes to live in. But while And So I Watch You For Afar is still in the first decade of its existence, The Endless Shimmering feels like a return to form. The music is anchored on the tug-of-war interplay between the band members – if you ever needed a masterclass on syncopation, this is the group to listen to. Somehow, these guys manage to explore every note on the fretboard and every hit on the drum kit without making the instrumental noodling feel rote, dull, or more importantly needless. The Endless Shimmering typifies instrumental precision.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-orig-height="304" data-orig-width="540" data-provider="youtube" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DpTacz_X6jz4"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" gesture="media" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pTacz_X6jz4?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="540"></iframe></figure>
<p>Best of all, though, is the sense of warmth and maturity that exudes from this music. In terms of mood, And So I Watch You From Afar can often feel like playing Super Smash Bros while on some form of hallucinogenic drug: everything emits vibrant technicolor, and at breakneck speed. The all-caps title of Gangs’ “BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION” is synecdoche for And So I Watch You From Afar’s attitude to making music. The Endless Shimmering doesn’t totally diminish that energy: the head-banging downstrums on "Terrors of Pleasure" and the huge chords that open “A Slow Unfolding of Wings” keep the album consistent with the group’s musical spirit. (Having seen the band live, I can attest that many of these tracks are liable to become live juggernauts.) But more so than it has on any of its prior records, the band explores gentler, less frenetic emotional resonances, to great success. The title track, one of the group’s finest compositions to date, builds around a strident but measured guitar lick, and as the music reaches crescendo the mood is not the bug-eyed optimism so prevalent on Heirs and All Hail Bright Futures, but rather a warm, reflective positivity – one that’s just as musically dexterous as anything these guys have ever written, to wit.</p>
<p><iframe src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1228956899/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/">&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a data-cke-saved-href=&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/the-endless-shimmering&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; href=&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/the-endless-shimmering&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;The Endless Shimmering by And So I Watch You From Afar&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;</iframe></p>
<p>And So I Watch You From Afar’s musical jubilation can be a double-edged sword: while often infectious, it can also cause sensory overload, a musical sugar rush that can drown out otherwise impressive songwriting. Heirs falls prey to that problem, but The Endless Shimmering finds the band coming back to earth, in so doing producing the most emotionally complex songwriting of its career. Amidst its volley of tempos and textures, “Mullally” sounds like the score to a recollection of a life’s best memories. “I’ll Share a Life” blossoms into one of the quartet’s most emotionally complex numbers, with palm-muted guitar lines coalescing with slowly building snare hits until the point that the guitars soar into a full-volume lead. And So I Watch You From Afar hasn’t needed to prove its instrumental bonafides for some time; Gangs more than cemented this group as one of instrumental rock’s most dazzling outfits. But with The Endless Shimmering, these Irish lads prove they have a musically emotional palette as colorful as its instrumental arrangements. For that reason alone – to say nothing of the excellent songwriting it contains – The Endless Shimmering is a new milestone for a band that hasn’t lost the ability to surprise. </p>
<p><b>RATING: 8</b></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/49098272017-10-27T18:36:41-04:002022-05-19T02:36:56-04:00‘The Endless Shimmering’ Review // Spectrum Sound<img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/6a66c2ad30ec4894e516b85511c41bf3d11643ec/original/screen-shot-2017-10-27-at-3-29-13-pm.png?1509143458" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/893ac49c241e07b0e2a5314f8a3c5f81cf77ee3b/original/screen-shot-2017-10-27-at-3-29-21-pm.png?1509143461" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><p><a href="https://sargenthouse.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> are as exuberant as their name is ridiculous. Once upon a time, these frenzied lads’ best known song was a little ditty named “Set Guitars to Kill” which wasn’t just the first song from their first album, it also acted a mantra. But they got decidedly more—“happy” isn’t quite the word—euphoric. They indulged in “Adventure Time” fancies and smiley shout along choruses. It was math pop for lack of a better term. Sugar packed, major-key abusing, pure joyous energy delivered by smashing drums and hyperactive guitars. They were Slint obsessed with Cartoon Network rather than Nosferatu. It was best summed up by the first song on their last album, Heirs. “Run Home” was the sonic equivalent of a million pack of Crayola markers strapped to the sides of a rocket. But they’ve injected some darkness back in for their newest The Endless Shimmering, avoiding binging on shininess and producing one of their finest efforts. </p><!-- more --><p>Though there was plenty of muscle on their last two records, it often took a backseat to the fluttering, crazed riffage. They were dealers of rainbows and glitter covered guitars, here they’re much more likely to bring out curb stomping brute force. Opener “Three Triangles” lays out the thesis, a thumping drum beat and a screeching guitar lead are soon joined by an oceanically huge bass growl, one of the few times it feels appropriate to compare ASIWYFA to ISIS. And oh boy, the break down on this is a beast. It lives up to the title’s angular name and creates a mad math rock samba. It’s darkly danceable, a sinister edge to the raving guitar duel. You’ll probably look like a fool dancing to it, but it’s one of the most invigorating tracks of the year and a gnashing, proper opening salvo. </p><p>For those who got on ASIWYFA’s mad rollercoaster ride during the sheer sweetness era, there’s still plenty of colors here. The gleeful “Terrors of Pleasure” rides a bite-sized riff and “All I Need Is Space” even has some xylophone tossed in for a more whimsical feel. In this category, the title track comes away as the finest bear hug. Xylophone pops up again to reinforce a delicious guitar line that simply radiates warmth. The opening few minutes has the dudes creating a fireside atmosphere. You certainly wish that one campfire guitar noodler that comes along for every outdoor trip could play this well. For all their moshing tendencies, ASIWYFA could write lullabies, if they weren’t contractually obligated to end every song with a face-melting solo. And, of course, “The Endless Shimmering” does end with one of those, though it repurposes the main melody line, giving the original feeling of comfort a superhero-sized boost. </p><p>Meanwhile, their re-found brutality excels. “A Slow Unfolding of Wings” which, yes, does in fact unfurl from its thrashing start into a worship worthy solo, is magnificently heavy. No clue what god they’re praying to, but sign me up for that holy scripture. </p><p>The hyperventilating riffage of “Mullally” is right up there with their best metal-god excursions. There are at least two albums worth of guitar work just on this song, from an intricate duet, a speed demon lead and a solo that would have Yngwie tearing his luscious locks out. “Mullally” plays out an instrumental adventure of riding dragons, eating an ice cream Sunday and punching god in the face. </p><p>It’s also stunningly well-produced. The individual strums of some solos will ping across headphones, giving a tasty percussive feel to lines that once were much lighter. Or the sudden withdraws and additions of reverb and echo that make “I’ll Share a Life” crunchily dynamic. So guitarist Rory Friers’ claims that the band recorded and mixed the whole dang thing in nine days seems, to put it politely, batshit insane. </p><p>Hell, for a lesser band, “Dying Giants” would have taken nine days on its own. It carries on the ASIWYFA tradition of one seven-plus minute track and it is possibly their best since the glorious “K is for Killing Spree.” It’s got Tyrannosaurus-sized weight to it, but also a surprising amount of agility. Drummer Chris Wee brings the pain on the low end, giving a four to the floor groove that allows the spiraling guitars to Hulk smash even harder. “Dying Giants,” better than any other song, asks “How the hell do these guys not pass out after every song?” But the metal gods have smiled fondly upon ASIWYFA, blessing them (and us) with another furious, life-affirming collection of mathy madness. </p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bk0U8pEAbHU" width="560" height="315" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe><p></p><p>Label: </p><p><a href="https://sargenthouse.com/" target="_blank">Sargent House </a></p><p>Release Date: </p><p>October 20, 2017</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/49061592017-10-25T15:03:53-04:002022-05-18T07:56:18-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar Discuss Their Immersive New Record // Stereoboard<img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/55746438e60bbc7e37e732faa39a65edfbc9988a/original/screen-shot-2017-10-25-at-11-42-14-am.png?1508957762" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/f7f80068e2b79742d35d7f00c5f68a9c248a5f7a/original/screen-shot-2017-10-25-at-11-42-21-am.png?1508957762" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/e262d99181e1bd6e3061b6b81171ebd7ea1538da/original/eu7a6804.jpg?1492714528" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><p>We catch up with And So I Watch You From Afar (or ASIWYFA) at a particularly fitting time. The instrumental heavyweights’ fifth album, ‘The Endless Shimmering’, is easily their most tempestuous release, packed with anthemic guitar hooks and unpredictable detours. </p><p>Full article via <a href="https://www.stereoboard.com/content/view/211989/9" target="_blank">Stereoboard.</a></p><!-- more --><p> But when I ring guitarist Rory Friers, they’re facing a more literal storm as they prepare to kick off their latest tour by catching a ferry while Hurricane Ophelia rages. </p><p>The Northern Irish four piece have grown accustomed to extreme weather in recent months, though, after their Rhode Island recording studio essentially became a bunker in March due to a major snow storm that brought America’s north-east coast to a halt. The band made the most of it, recording the album in five days and mixing it over the next four. </p><p>“It was our Arctic laboratory,” Friers says. “That experience certainly seeped into the record somehow. When we arrived, we were told to pick up supplies in the store for a week and a half or so because six-foot snow was apparently on its way. We laughed about it, but lo and behold, the next morning the snow came and went and went. </p><p>“We lived and slept in the studio and just got it done. We already had a vision of what we wanted to do so I don’t know if the situation changed the songs structurally in any way, but sonically it changed the vibe. Oddly, it made for an immersive, enjoyable and intense experience.” </p><p>Intense isn’t necessarily the first word that comes to mind with ASIWYFA. Although their sound is intricate and often heavy, the band have been quite open about their inclination towards making positive and life-affirming music. </p><p>Sure enough, there are plenty of bouncy moments on ‘The Endless Shimmering’ to satisfy fans of their established style, but Friers admits the record is darker and more expansive than anything they’ve previously written. </p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pTacz_X6jz4" width="560" height="315" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe><p></p><p>“I guess it’s not instantly coming from a super upbeat place,” he says. “On first listen, it’ll sound heavier and more tense to some people, but that’s what was exciting us. </p><p>“It was just natural – we didn’t fall into a deep depression or anything. But things change. It’s not exactly all happy stories in the news at the minute and I think everyone is feeling the pinch. So, it was quite cathartic for us. There’s an element of defiance, really.” </p><p>Evoking the band’s self-titled debut, the album is mostly dominated by dramatic riffs and punishing breakdowns. Gone are the vocal melodies that began creeping into recent projects. </p><p>In Friers’ words: “They were always the last element we added anyway.” To say the band have gone back to basics would be disingenuous considering their technical gifts, but their enthusiasm for writing this time around suggests their creative mojo is back. </p><p>“I guess the past couple of albums we’ve gone into the studio with a bunch of ideas and the producer has helped inform the direction it’s gone in,” Friers says. “This time we had every nook and cranny and nuance sorted beforehand. </p><p>“We explored every corridor and rehearsed to death. We didn’t need help moulding them – just a sympathetic ear to press record. In that sense, it was a lot of like the first bunch of songs we ever wrote.” </p><p>In a way, that will be something of a relief for fans. Many bands of ASIWYFA’s ilk might easily have become burned out by the 700+ gigs they’ve performed across 35 countries over the past decade. Their juggernaut show isn’t just an aspect of what they do but a unifying experience they’ve immortalised in everything from their song titles to their tattoos. </p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d6fLT-JLxn4" width="560" height="315" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe><p></p><p>“Our shows have influenced our progression massively,” Friers says. “It’s hard to quantify which songs were written because of a knock-on effect of a show or whatever, but throwing ourselves into situations and getting out into the world has seeped into the makeup of the band. </p><p>“They’ve also solidified a love for variety and cramming everything we love into our songs, as opposed to trying to keep up with what’s cool or popular. We’ve always wanted our music to represent who we are as people and the experiences we’ve had. So, my own connection to the songs we’ve done will usually be something that’s happened on tour or a particular show or moment.” </p><p>Friers ticked off another location from his bucket list when the band toured Japan for the first time last year. Following their current six-week stint in Europe, they’re off to Asia again before heading down under to Australia. </p><p>It’s a landmark moment for the Belfast band, who, according to Friers, felt like a “freak show” when they first started recording back in 2007. Nevertheless, though the band deliberately avoided jumping on the post-rock wave, their international following suggests they’ve still been swept away by it to some extent. </p><p>“We’ve never had a rise to stardom or anything,” Friers says. “We’ve always kept our hands to the wheel and kept on grinding. Being from Northern Ireland, we always felt apart from a lot of those instrumental bands who all seemed to know each other. Whereas, in Ireland we had friends who made different styles that we felt a connection with. </p><p>“We felt an upswing most profoundly on our last tour. The dots aligned, I guess, and we’re finally filling out shows. You can’t ask for more. Every show we’ve played has been special for different reasons and we really felt like we came of age with ‘Heirs’ [the band’s last record]. </p><p>“There’s been this amazing sort of rise. Festivals like ArcTanGent, for example, have hammered home that we’re very lucky to be part of a real scene and a real collective of bands who, yes, are very different but have a certain creative connective tissue. There are people out there who are really open to weird, loud, messy, beautiful music.”</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/49045352017-10-24T14:00:36-04:002023-11-21T15:18:48-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar - ‘The Endless Shimmering’ Review // DIY<figure data-orig-width="316" data-orig-height="158" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/82b721adfefd72440006ee0e1ef63038/tumblr_inline_oyc9vrra381r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="1904" data-orig-height="344" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/1242d9c72bbbda19e96d7d05d0e907e6/tumblr_inline_oyc9vxJ4Am1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="2098" data-orig-height="728" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/d19a644ffd7dfb31e0f8d7f4d4bd64da/tumblr_inline_oyc9w2eC7c1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>In the lead-up to going in to record the nine songs that make up ‘<a href="https://www.hellomerch.com/collections/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank">The Endless Shimmering</a>’, <a href="https://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You from Afar</a> practiced them extensively, the idea being that they’d be so well-drilled before they actually headed to the studio that it would be as if they’d already toured them. That’s something that shines through pretty clearly throughout what is far and away the tightest and most refined record to date from the Belfast outfit. As usual, they take a liberal approach to the volume dial across the board; the drums are thunderous, especially on opener ‘Three Triangles’, while the guitars flit frequently between shimmering (!) walls of feedback and the kind of agile licks that they’ve long plucked from their more melodic influences. </p><p>Full article Via <a href="http://diymag.com/2017/10/20/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-the-endless-shimmering" target="_blank">DIY</a></p><!-- more --><p>The band have stayed pretty true to the guitar since the outset, resisting the temptation to, like post-rock peers 65daysofstatic or Explosions in the Sky, branch out into electronic territory, but that’s not to say their sound hasn’t become more expansive on ‘The Endless Shimmering’; these are arguably the most complex compositions they’ve yet come up with. Perhaps most pleasantly surprising of all, though, is just how anthemic the album sounds. Instrumental outfits of their ilk are often the groups best placed to deliver the sort of apocalyptic soundtrack that frankly wouldn’t be amiss in 2017’s political climate, but instead, And So I Watch You from Afar are on frequently buoyant form here, especially on the soaring single ‘A Slow Unfolding of Wings’ and the irresistibly bouncy ‘Terrors of Pleasure’. The sense of optimism is infectious, and even with plenty of stiff competition for the title, ‘The Endless Shimmering’ might be the year’s most exhilarating post-rock album. </p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/49045242017-10-20T13:40:19-04:002021-10-12T21:53:17-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar return with a formidable display of power // The Irish Times<figure data-orig-width="946" data-orig-height="126" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/5506088bf5b9442dfc22a6d02d54e32c/tumblr_inline_oyc8wfZYcW1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="1168" data-orig-height="206" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/2fce5626748787e73728b2e8a2b35d97/tumblr_inline_oyc8wl1qF71r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="1400" data-orig-height="1400" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/7049f7159a7ef0032d08b01d0dd36655/tumblr_inline_oyc8wyg9FO1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>It takes just over a minute for <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar’s</a> fifth album to go from intriguing to epic, as opening track Three Triangles demonstrates, but as they’ve proven over the years, that is the foursome’s default setting.</p><p>Since childhood friends Chris Wee and Rory Friers first began playing together as teenagers, they have always done things a little differently: made music that takes unexpected swerves into the unknown and packed surprises into their songs to jolt and disorient.</p><p>Full article via <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-return-with-a-formidable-display-of-power-1.3255323" target="_blank">The Irish Times.</a></p><!-- more --><p>In more recent years, that meant introducing vocals to their heady, experimental concoction of post-rock and math-rock, as heard on 2013’s All Hail Bright Futures – also the record that introduced synths into their sound – and 2015’s Heirs.</p><p>Their nascent lyrics and a more mainstream sound then raised eyebrows among the purists. It was all part of the plan, guitarist and de facto leader Friers told <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-producing-heirs-after-a-decade-in-the-game-1.2196932" target="_blank">The Irish Times in 2015</a>.</p><p>“I remember when we brought out [All Hail Bright Futures], someone said, ‘It’s insane that you put out that record, and it’s amazing that you did; if you’d put out another album like the first one, that’s when bands start to lose their appeal or become a bit predictable’.”</p><p>He was speaking in the cramped rehearsal room in an old Belfast linen mill where the band thrash out their ideas. “And he was right. I think we had that on our minds this time around, too. We never want to be predictable.”</p><p>In many ways it’s not too difficult to reconcile the band that exploded on to the scene in 2009 with one of the most incendiary rock debuts of recent times with the one here on The Endless Shimmering. As much as things have changed during their lifespan – including their line-up, with Niall Kennedy in for former guitarist Tony Wright since 2011 – their general ethos prevails.</p><p>Repetition remains the enemy; indeed, over the years the band have tempered the heavier, more aggressive aspects of their sound (as heard on 2011’s Gangs) with groove and melody. They’ve also earned a reputation as one of the most striking live acts around; a heavy touring schedule has forged loyal fanbases as far afield as Russia.</p><p>Five albums in, one of the most instantly noticeable things about The Endless Shimmering is just how in synch ASIWYFA are as a band, 12 years after they first formed. The album, which was recorded live in the midst of a snowstorm at a Rhode Island studio earlier this year, is the sound of a well-oiled musical machine humming just as it should.</p><p>Drummer Chris Wee must come in for particular praise, effortlessly flip-flopping between leading the charge and subtly playing behind the complex interplay of his bandmates’ guitars, as tracks such as A Slow Unfolding of Wings ably demonstrate. Friers and Kennedy’s duelling riffs are a joy, too, not least on the combustible title track and the forthright bluster of Chrysalism.</p><blockquote>“Quirky grooves combust in a blaze of savage riffs”</blockquote><p>Who needs words, anyway? The band have reverted to a fully instrumental set-up: carefully timed pauses mimic astonished gasps; intricate, insistent guitar riffs approximate fire-and-brimstone rants, more becoming of a southern preacher than a math-rock band from Northern Ireland. These nine tracks provide a formidable display of just how tight a unit they have become.</p><p>Quirky grooves combust in a blaze of savage riffs on the gargantuan Terrors of Pleasure. The stop-start twists and turns of I’ll Share a Life and the lush strings that close out the sprawling Dying Giants are as entrancing as they are unanticipated.</p><blockquote>“It’s difficult to find fault with this brilliantly paced, beautifully played album”</blockquote><p>The optimistic shimmering of the title makes itself heard on All I Need is Space, while the breakneck pace of Three Triangles gleefully brings a booming, crashing squalor to the tracklist.</p><p>It’s an eminently satisfying album, but will it convert nonbelievers to the church of And So I Watch You From Afar? Perhaps not. Nonetheless, it’s difficult to find fault with this brilliantly paced, beautifully played album, which acts as the convergence of the many strands of their back catalogue, pleasing both the arms-folded head-nodders and the kids who want to dance (or mosh) to their songs.</p><p>Their live show may still be where it’s at, but harnessing even a small amount of that bristling energy in the studio is no easy feat – and they’ve managed to do it for the fifth time. If such a winning formula ain’t broke, why on earth would you try to fix it?</p><p><a href="http://www.asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">asiwyfa.com</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/48970762017-10-18T10:00:08-04:002022-02-26T01:37:53-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar Tour Starts Today!<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d6fLT-JLxn4" width="560" height="315" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe><p>And So I Watch You From Afar begin their EU/UK tour today and their new album “<i>The Endless Shimmering” </i>is out everywhere on October 20th! </p><p>Tour dates below:</p><p>OCT 18 Haarlem, NL // Patronaat <br>OCT 19 Utrecht, NL // EKKO<br>OCT 20 Nijmegen, NL // Doornroosje<br>OCT 21 Osnabrück, DE // KI. Freiheit<br>OCT 22 Karlsruhe, DE // Stadtmitte<br>OCT 23 Eindhoven, NL // DDWMusic Festival<br>OCT 24 Rouen, FR // Le 106<br>OCT 25 Nantes, FR // Le Ferrailleur<br>OCT 26 Bordeaux, FR // Le Void<br>OCT 27 Barcelona, ES // AM Fest<br>OCT 28 Madrid, ES // Sala Caracol<br>OCT 29 Porto, PT // Hard Club<br>OCT 30 Lisbon, PT // Musicbox<br>NOV 02 Milan, IT // Magnolia<br>NOV 03 Fribourg, CH // Nouveau Monde<br>NOV 04 Winterthur, CH // Gaswerk<br>NOV 05 Pratteln, CH // MiniZ7<br>NOV 06 München, DE // Ampere<br>NOV 07 Prague, CZ // NoD Teatro<br>NOV 08 Leipzig, DE // Conne Island<br>NOV 09 Berlin, DE // Lido<br>NOV 10 Hannover, DE // Bei Chez Heinz<br>NOV 12 Cologne, DE // Gebäude 9<br>NOV 13 Wiesbaden, DE // Schlachthof<br>NOV 14 Essen, DE // Zeche Carl<br>NOV 15 Hamburg, DE // Knust<br>NOV 16 Groningen, NL // Vera<br>NOV 17 Maastricht, NL // Muziekgieterij<br>NOV 18 Louvain-La-Neuve, BE // Festival La Ferme<br>NOV 19 Kortrijk, BE // De Kreun<br>NOV 21 Paris, FR // Maroquinerie<br>NOV 22 Luxembourg, LU // Rockhal<br>NOV 23 London, UK // Koko<br>NOV 24 Manchester, UK // Academy 2<br>NOV 25 Glasgow, UK // Oran Mor<br>NOV 26 Bristol, UK // Thekla<br>DEC 28 Dublin IRE // Academy <br>DEC 29 Castlebar Co Mayo IRE // Garbo’s<br>DEC 30 Cork IRE // Cypress Avenue<br>DEC 31 Galway IRE // Roisin Dubh</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/48956482017-10-17T13:25:19-04:002021-10-06T04:10:13-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar – The Endless Shimmering: Exclusive Album Stream // The Independent<img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/db66bbb4db93ba4736315e1e3139e7ff7ee6d226/original/screen-shot-2017-10-17-at-10-12-43-am.png?1508260712" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/ee53bf1be3593fae40a980584a2f4262d5d486b8/original/screen-shot-2017-10-17-at-10-13-01-am.png?1508260713" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/edd1f50122400589e81f319cbbe5a88243c7f043/original/asiwyfa-ind.jpg?1508260702" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><p>Countless bands will attest to<a href="https://sargenthouse.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank"> And So I Watch You From Afar’s</a> influence on their own music; in 2009, the predominantly instrumental Belfast-based outfit released a self-titled record that few heard but almost every single person who did immediately took it upon themselves to start a band. As a result, they have had a direct effect on making math rock and instrumental music blossom into the modest but fertile scenes that they are in the UK today. Thanks to a myriad of local DIY independent movements and festivals such as ArcTanGent and Strangeforms, a style of music that could easily have just been seen as a small blip in the annals of music history has bloomed into something that can be genuinely regarded as a world-wide recognised movement. </p><p>Full article and album stream via <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-the-endless-shimmering-exclusive-album-stream-a8004436.html" target="_blank">The Independent.</a></p><!-- more --><p>For many, the Irish quartet, alongside bands such as Adebisi Shank, You Slut! and Maybeshewill, made the prospect of music with no vocals (with the exception of the odd yelp dotted hither and thither) exciting, by injecting it with a frenzied frenetic frisson and refusing to ever give the listener time to get remotely bored. Whilst the music they make is almost certainly too esoteric for it to ever be considered ‘mainstream’ (whatever that word even means in a modern context), they are originators and innovators in a genre that is adored by a modest but loyal and dedicated following of music aficionados. Their fifth album The Endless Shimmering, is available on Friday 20th October via Sargent House but you can stream the album in full below 3 days before it’s official release, exclusively with The Independent. </p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JFP0INgtErU" width="560" height="315" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe><p></p><p>The Endless Shimmering ushers in a new chapter in the life of And So I Watch You From Afar. Broadly speaking, it’s possible to group the band’s previous four full-length albums into two distinct groups; their 2009 self-titled debut and 2011’s Gangs serve as an introduction to the band infusing predominantly instrumental music with a ferocious, exuberant youthful energy that has more in common with punk rock than post rock. Similarly, the colourful, schizophrenic, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink sugar-rush of 2013’s All Hail Bright Futures and 2015’s Heirs are natural bedfellows. The 9 songs that make up The Endless Shimmering are cut from an altogether different cloth, which guitarist Rory Friers puts down to the way in which these new songs were constructed. </p><p>“Heirs and All Hail Bright Futures were both projects where the songs were predominantly written in the studio, so we used more recording techniques and took advantage of being able to add more layers and extra instrumentation. We went in to the studio with songs that weren’t fully finished and we allowed them to come to life in the studio. That whole world is a really exciting and fulfilling one but as with everything, it’s not an approach that we want to take every single time. So this record felt like a natural point for us to step away from that studio environment when writing the songs. Before we started writing The Endless Shimmering, we knew that we wanted to spend a long time writing and rehearsing, essentially getting these songs to sound as amazing as possible as a live band.” </p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pTacz_X6jz4" width="560" height="315" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe><p></p><p>This approach gives the songs on The Endless Shimmering more space and room to breathe; these 9 tracks are And So I Watch You From Afar’s most focused and taut songs to date and yet they still sound thrillingly vibrant and full of life. Both Heirs and All Hail Bright Futures took ‘weeks and weeks’ to record, whilst the band experimented with adding various bells, whistles, vocal lines and layers. Gangs was recorded in ’10-11 days’ but then took an additional 3-4 weeks to mix. In contrast, the band recorded andmixed The Endless Shimmering in just 9 days, making it the quickest And So I Watch You From Afar recording experience by a long shot. </p><p>“All the work was done before we came into the studio” says Rory, “there was never a moment where we’d sit around and ask ourselves ‘what should we be doing now?’ It was a very pre-meditated approach this time around and by the very nature of how we wrote this album, essentially the four of us playing live in a rehearsal room, the songs had to stand up on their own. They were generally recorded in one or two takes, in some cases maybe three and it felt as if we’d explored every possible avenue with each song before we entered the studio, so we knew as soon as we went in exactly how each song needed to be.” </p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tpI0UizDqp0" width="560" height="315" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe><p></p><p>Around 30 songs were written for the record before being whittled down to the 9 that appear on the album. It’s tantalising to think that there’s so much material leftover that could potentially be turned into something that might one day be heard outside of a rehearsal room, but Rory quashes that particular notion. “It’s like an artist who wants to make a really cool painting; you’ve got to make several paintings that aren’t quite right in order to get to the really good one. And that’s ok, those not so good paintings are all a part of the process and throwing those ideas around in a room together has got us thinking and set us on the right path to the nine songs that we think of as being the really good ones. When you’re working on an idea, you always tell yourself that it’ll see the light of day at some point. But then, for whatever reason, you move past them and focus your attentions on something else. We’re a band that has very little interest in looking backwards or taking ideas from the past or being nostalgic in any way. The exciting stuff is always in front of us and so those ideas tend to never get to see the light of day. There was an EP that almost got released last year but we just didn’t get round to it and now it feels like we’ve missed the boat, because those songs just aren’t exciting to us anymore. When you play a song in rehearsal a million times, it can lose its lustre.” </p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LTl3QJun2TE" width="560" height="315" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe>Knowing which ideas to throw out and which to keep hold of is a difficult dilemma for any band; when you’re so close to material that you’ve written, how on earth are you meant to sort the wheat from the chaff? It’s something that And So I Watch You From Afar are very aware of and as such, the impulse was to follow their gut as much as possible this time around. “It’s easy to get distracted now at a time when music is thrown in front of you and consumed so quickly and easily” says Rory. "I’m speaking here as a consumer of music as well as a musician; there’s so much at your disposal so instantly and so quickly that it becomes difficult for us to live with records and really let them sink in. It’s got to a point where option paralysis is a very real thing. So I think our instincts for this record were to dismiss anything that’s wasn't speaking directly to us, to be drawn to the ideas that naturally lend themselves to the way we play and the four personalities that are in the room. Sometimes we might work on an idea where we’re trying something new but deep down we’ll know if it’s natural for the four of us to go down that route or not. We try not to be scared of going down those corridors and exploring them sometimes but I think at some point you have to start following your gut and not force anything, and that’s exactly the approach we tried to adopt with this album.” <p></p><p>The band flew out to Machines with Magnets recording studio in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, about 40 miles South-West of Boston. Just as they arrived, a major snowstorm brought the North-East coastline to a standstill, effectively isolating the band and focusing their attentions, a situation they welcomed with open arms, as guitarist Niall Kennedy explains. “I think it had a positive affect on the album; we’d talked about wanting to have this experience where we go into a studio and completely immerse ourselves in the process. When we’ve recorded in Belfast before, we’d spend all day in the studio, call it a day and then go home to our respective homes where normal stuff and social lives begin to creep in. So we were kind of hoping to create an environment where this album was our lives for the entire time that we were doing it. When we arrived and found out that there was going to be this snowstorm, it just added to the intensity of the experience and forced us into this little creative bubble. It heightened everything and made us feel even more immersed in putting together this record, the focus was on the album 100% of the time. We came away feeling like we’d accomplished everything that we had wanted to; it was a really positive experience.” </p><p>The Endless Shimmering is an album where everything is laid bare; one could see it as a ‘back to basics’ record, where the songs have been stripped of any unnecessary parts or vocal lines (of which, bar a tiny sample at the beginning of ‘Three Triangles’, none feature what-so-ever, a first for an ASIWYFA album). There’s been talk of The Endless Shimmering being the band’s most personal album to date and, whilst they’re reluctant to go into specifics, there’s a direct approach to the material here that suggests a desire to cut through the crap and get to the meat of the matter. </p><p>“We are fortunate enough to be able to make music that is very cathartic for us” says Rory, “something that is the product of four friends coming together and writing and rehearsing long into the night. Whenever I listen to this album, I can hear everything that went into it; it feels as if there’s a lot of emotion in there. I can associate each song with various different things that were going on in our lives and it makes me so much prouder that we managed to up cycle those events and turn them into something positive. It’s taken that negative energy and made it into 44 minutes of music that, regardless of what anyone else thinks of it, we view as our proudest achievement.” </p><p>The Endless Shimmering is released on Friday 20th October through Sargent House and is available to preorder on vinyl, CDand digitally now. The band begin a 40-date tour of the UK and Europe at Patronaat in Haarlem, The Netherlands on 18th October</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/48889012017-10-12T13:51:59-04:002022-06-01T21:03:42-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar premier “Terrors Of Pleasure” // PopMatters<img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/8b86dced9ed1c20881e6c116cf5a67f4987e5b29/original/screen-shot-2017-10-12-at-10-45-42-am.png?1507830434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/0a9478ac0e7da1a028dc49acf934d4d61deec5b3/original/screen-shot-2017-10-12-at-10-45-48-am.png?1507830434" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/4ce7d81edf73edc9c9a0a69c9d5a940341cdff64/original/screen-shot-2017-10-12-at-10-45-57-am.png?1507830439" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><p>With the four studio albums they have to their name so far, Belfast’s own <a href="https://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have perfected an instrumental playbook whose mantra requires a lot out of these musicians. Just about every one of And So I Watch You From Afar‘s songs involves the band tying itself into a series of seemingly irresolvable knots, with tricky time signatures and zip-fast guitar leads coalescing into mind-rattling figures. Yet by the end of each song, the quartet finds its way out. That is a rare act that makes a conservatory-worthy music clinic sound like an absolute blast; for a band of this caliber, it’s easy to indulge in time signatures as an end in of themselves, but these guys have figured out how to make instrumental prowess and infectious songwriting go hand in hand. </p><p>Full article via <a href="http://www.popmatters.com/post/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-terrors-of-pleasure-audio-premiere/" target="_blank">PopMatters</a></p><!-- more --><p>These things hold true on The Endless Shimmering, And So I Watch You From Afar’s fifth studio outing. Recorded over nine days in Rhode Island during a snowstorm that forced the group to concentrate all its energy on the studio, whether they wanted to or not. (They, of course, did.) PopMatters is happy to premiere “Terrors of Pleasure”, one of the fruits of those recording sessions, a characteristically intricate song that’s always two steps ahead of the listener, ready to throw the most insane—and fun—musical curveballs. Spindly guitar leads give way to crushing power chords and sprightly drum stops. It’s a lot to fit into five minutes, but with these chaps, it sounds effortless. </p><p>Guitarist Rory Friers says of the song, “I remember the day this track started to really come together, my brother was coming up to our rehearsal space to pick up some equipment. When he arrived he asked us to play him something new, so we started playing ‘Terrors of Pleasure’. When it kicked into the big middle section, I turned around and he was laughing and straight away I knew we were making a good song.” </p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bk0U8pEAbHU" width="560" height="315" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe><p></p><p>The Endless Shimmering will be released <a href="http://smarturl.it/ASIWYFA-AM" target="_blank">digitally </a>and <a href="https://www.hellomerch.com/collections/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank">physically</a> by <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> on October 20th. </p><p>TOUR DATES <br>OCT 18 Haarlem, NL // Patronaat <br>OCT 19 Utrecht, NL // EKKO <br>OCT 20 Nijmegen, NL // Doornroosje (Purple Room) <br>OCT 21 Osnabrück, DE // KI. Freiheit <br>OCT 22 Karlsruhe, DE // Stadtmitte <br>OCT 23 Eindhoven, NL // DDWMusic Festival <br>OCT 24 Rouen, FR // Le 106 Club <br>OCT 25 Nantes, FR // Le Ferrailleur <br>OCT 26 Bordeaux, FR // Le Void <br>OCT 27 Barcelona, ES // AM Fest <br>OCT 28 Madrid, ES // Sala Caracol <br>OCT 29 Porto, PT // Hard Club <br>OCT 30 Lisbon, PT // Musicbox <br>NOV 02 Milan, IT // Magnolia <br>NOV 03 Fribourg, CH // Nouveau Monde <br>NOV 04 Winterthur, CH // Gaswerk <br>NOV 05 Pratteln, CH // MiniZ7 <br>NOV 06 München, DE // Ampere <br>NOV 07 Prague, CZ // NoD Teatro <br>NOV 08 Leipzig, DE // Conne Island <br>NOV 09 Berlin, DE // Lido <br>NOV 10 Hannover, DE // Bei Chez Heinz <br>NOV 12 Cologne, DE // Gebäude 9 <br>NOV 13 Wiesbaden, DE // Schlachthof <br>NOV 14 Essen, DE // Zeche Carl <br>NOV 15 Hamburg, DE // Knust <br>NOV 16 Groningen, NL // Vera <br>NOV 17 Maastricht, NL // Muziekgieterij <br>NOV 18 Louvain-La-Neuve, BE // Festival La Ferme <br>NOV 19 Kortrijk, BE // De Kreun <br>NOV 21 Paris, FR // Maroquinerie <br>NOV 22 Luxembourg, LU // Rockhal <br>NOV 23 London, UK // Koko <br>NOV 24 Manchester, UK // Academy 2 <br>NOV 25 Glasgow, UK // Oran Mor <br>NOV 26 Bristol, UK // Thekla <br>DEC 28 Dublin, Ireland // Academy <br>DEC 29 Castlebar Co Mayo, Ireland // Garbo’s <br>DEC 30 Cork, Ireland // Cypress Avenue <br>DEC 31 Galway, Ireland // Roisin Dubh</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/48742632017-10-02T13:49:07-04:002021-10-20T03:06:51-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar - “Dying Giants”<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/d6fLT-JLxn4" width="560" height="315" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe><p> </p><p><a href="https://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have released a new song entitled “Dying Giants” from their upcoming<b> </b><i><a href="https://www.hellomerch.com/collections/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar/products/the-endless-shimmering-t-shirt-bundle" target="_blank">‘The Endless Shimmering.’</a></i></p><!-- more --><p>EU/UK Tour Dates Below:</p><p>OCT 18 Haarlem, NL // Patronaat<br>OCT 19 Utrecht, NL // EKKO<br>OCT 20 Nijmegen, NL // Doornroosje (Purple Room)<br>OCT 21 Osnabrück, DE // KI. Freiheit<br>OCT 22 Karlsruhe, DE // Stadtmitte<br>OCT 23 Eindhoven, NL // DDWMusic Festival<br>OCT 24 Rouen, FR // Le 106 Club<br>OCT 25 Nantes, FR // Le Ferrailleur<br>OCT 26 Bordeaux, FR // Le Void<br>OCT 27 Barcelona, ES // AM Fest<br>OCT 28 Madrid, ES // Sala Caracol<br>OCT 29 Porto, PT // Hard Club<br>OCT 30 Lisbon, PT // Musicbox<br>NOV 02 Milan, IT // Magnolia<br>NOV 03 Fribourg, CH // Nouveau Monde<br>NOV 04 Winterthur, CH // Gaswerk<br>NOV 05 Pratteln, CH // MiniZ7<br>NOV 06 München, DE // Ampere<br>NOV 07 Prague, CZ // NoD Teatro<br>NOV 08 Leipzig, DE // Conne Island<br>NOV 09 Berlin, DE // Lido<br>NOV 10 Hannover, DE // Bei Chez Heinz<br>NOV 12 Cologne, DE // Gebäude 9<br>NOV 13 Wiesbaden, DE // Schlachthof<br>NOV 14 Essen, DE // Zeche Carl<br>NOV 15 Hamburg, DE // Knust<br>NOV 16 Groningen, NL // Vera<br>NOV 17 Maastricht, NL // Muziekgieterij<br>NOV 18 Louvain-La-Neuve, BE // Festival La Ferme<br>NOV 19 Kortrijk, BE // De Kreun<br>NOV 21 Paris, FR // Maroquinerie<br>NOV 22 Luxembourg, LU // Rockhal<br>NOV 23 London, UK // Koko<br>NOV 24 Manchester, UK // Academy 2<br>NOV 25 Glasgow, UK // Oran Mor<br>NOV 26 Bristol, UK // Thekla<br>DEC 28 Dublin, Ireland // Academy<br>DEC 29 Castlebar Co Mayo, Ireland // Garbo’s<br>DEC 30 Cork, Ireland // Cypress Avenue<br>DEC 31 Galway, Ireland // Roisin Dubh</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/48206242017-08-21T13:10:49-04:002021-09-22T09:52:53-04:00AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR ANNOUNCE THEIR NEW ALBUM WITH ‘A SLOW UNFOLDING OF WINGS’ // DIY<figure data-orig-width="360" data-orig-height="214" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/c6ee99fc3ed396349efe6a11eeaf0874/tumblr_inline_ov1oq1aIJ01r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="2014" data-orig-height="438" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/7cd665f6aa7f5d38d022e2930371f767/tumblr_inline_ov1oq5r7471r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="1500" data-orig-height="1000" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/9b526dd5510c0fd0dcd46ba5de0703be/tumblr_inline_ov1oqafjo51r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>The Belfast post-rockers’ new LP ‘The Endless Shimmering’ is out on 20th October! </p><p>Two years on from releasing their last album ‘Heirs’, Belfast post-rock giants <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> are back, and they’ve announced their new album! </p><p>‘The Endless Shimmering’ is out on 20th October via Sargent House and is set to see the band operating on their instincts. To do so, the band flew to Machines with Magnets in Pawtucket, Rhode Island in March with the hope of capturing that instinct in live performances of the songs. </p><p>While a major snowstorm brought the area to a standstill, the band determinedly pressed on with the recording of the nine-track album. As guitarist Rory Friers says: “We tracked, ate, washed and slept at the studio, and 9 days later we had recorded and mixed the entire album just as the snow began to melt”. </p><p>Speaking of the album, bassist Jonathan Adger said: “We laid everything bare and put everything we had into the songs,” Adger says. “And we hope people can feel that and use that without us having to be to overt in how we present it. The album was charged with a lot of what we were all going through as individuals, but we wanted to allow it to become people’s soundtrack to whatever they need in their life at this moment”. See the tracklisting for the new album below. </p><p>1. Three Triangles <br>2. A Slow Unfolding Of Wings <br>3. Terrors Of Pleasure <br>4. Dying Giants <br>5. All I Need Is Space <br>6. The Endless Shimmering <br>7. Mullally <br>8. I’ll Share A Life <br>9. Chrysalism </p><p>As a first taster of what to expect from the new album, they’ve shared the epic ‘A Slow Unfolding Of Wings’. Combining a few slower, more contemplative yet complex melodies alongside passages of pure, blistering riffs and thunderous percussion, it shows off the raw energy that they aimed to instil into the whole of ‘The Endless Shimmering’. </p><p>Not only that, but the band will also be headed on a huge tour of Europe from October. As part of it, they’ll be returning to the UK in November, when they’ll be playing in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Bristol before heading to Dublin, County Mayo, Cork and Galway in December. Tickets are on sale now. You can see all of the upcoming European tour dates here. </p><p>Get the first spin of ‘A Slow Unfolding of Wings’ and see And So I Watch You From Afar’s upcoming UK and Ireland tour dates below. </p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pTacz_X6jz4" width="560" height="315" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe><p></p><p>NOVEMBER </p><p>23 London, UK, Koko <br>24 Manchester, UK, Academy 2 <br>25 Glasgow, UK, Oran Mor <br>26 Bristol, UK, Thekla </p><p>DECEMBER </p><p>28 Dublin, IRE, Academy <br>29 Castlebar Co Mayo, IRE, Garbo’s <br>30 Cork, IRE, Cypress Avenue <br>31 Galway, IRE, Roisin Dubh</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/48072712017-08-08T18:52:36-04:002021-10-15T11:57:32-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar Add Dates to 2017 Tour<figure data-orig-width="2287" data-orig-height="3001" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/37f45e01e024e5ba53cc0560a5e77408/tumblr_inline_oudru0BLe61r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><a href="https://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have added dates in Ireland to their fall tour. Full list of dates below:</p><p>OCT 18 Haarlem, NL // Patronaat <br>
OCT 19 Utrecht, NL // EKKO<br>
OCT 20 Nijmegen, NL // Doornroosje (Purple Room)<br>
OCT 21 Osnabrück, DE // KI. Freiheit<br>
OCT 22 Karlsruhe, DE // Stadtmitte<br>
OCT 23 Eindhoven, NL // DDWMusic Festival<br>
OCT 24 Rouen, FR // Le 106 Club<br>
OCT 25 Nantes, FR // Le Ferrailleur<br>
OCT 26 Bordeaux, FR // Le Void<br>
OCT 27 Barcelona, ES // AM Fest<br>
OCT 28 Madrid, ES // Sala Caracol<br>
OCT 29 Porto, PT // Hard Club<br>
OCT 30 Lisbon, PT // Musicbox</p><p>NOV 02 Milan, IT // Magnolia<br>
NOV 03 Fribourg, CH // Nouveau Monde<br>
NOV 04 Winterthur, CH // Gaswerk<br>
NOV 05 Pratteln, CH // MiniZ7<br>
NOV 06 München, DE // Ampere<br>
NOV 07 Prague, CZ // NoD Teatro<br>
NOV 08 Leipzig, DE // Conne Island<br>
NOV 09 Berlin, DE // Lido<br>
NOV 10 Hannover, DE // Bei Chez Heinz<br>
NOV 12 Cologne, DE // Gebäude 9<br>
NOV 13 Wiesbaden, DE // Schlachthof<br>
NOV 14 Essen, DE // Zeche Carl<br>
NOV 15 Hamburg, DE // Knust<br>
NOV 16 Groningen, NL // Vera<br>
NOV 17 Maastricht, NL // Muziekgieterij<br>
NOV 18 Louvain-La-Neuve, BE // Festival La Ferme<br>
NOV 19 Kortrijk, BE // De Kreun<br>
NOV 21 Paris, FR // Maroquinerie<br>
NOV 22 Luxembourg, LU // Rockhal<br>
NOV 23 London, UK // Koko<br>
NOV 24 Manchester, UK // Academy 2<br>
NOV 25 Glasgow, UK // Oran Mor<br>
NOV 26 Bristol, UK // Thekla<br>DEC 28 Dublin, Ireland // Academy<br>DEC 29 Castlebar Co Mayo, Ireland // Garbo’s<br>DEC 30 Cork, Ireland // Cypress Avenue<br>DEC 31 Galway, Ireland // Roisin Dubh</p><p>Ticket links and info <a href="https://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">HERE. </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/47282442017-05-31T03:30:13-04:002021-10-21T07:36:37-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar Announce Gallops as UK Support<figure data-orig-width="1536" data-orig-height="2015" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/ac387b177029f431726b8060fe50c621/tumblr_inline_oqsa2ucKfg1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><a href="https://sargenthouse.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> are happy to announce that <a href="https://gallops.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Gallops</a> will be supporting them on all four of their UK dates.<br></p><p>All dates below:</p><p>OCT 18 Haarlem, NL // Patronaat <br>OCT 19 Utrecht, NL // EKKO<br>OCT 20 Nijmegen, NL // Doornroosje (Purple Room)<br>OCT 21 Osnabrück, DE // KI. Freiheit<br>OCT 22 Karlsruhe, DE // Stadtmitte<br>OCT 23 Eindhoven, NL // DDWMusic Festival<br>OCT 24 Rouen, FR // Le 106 Club<br>OCT 25 Nantes, FR // Le Ferrailleur<br>OCT 26 Bordeaux, FR // Le Void<br>OCT 27 Barcelona, SP // AM Fest<br>OCT 28 Madrid, SP // Sala Caracol<br>OCT 29 Porto, PT // Hard Club<br>OCT 30 Lisbon, PT // Musicbox</p><p>NOV 02 Milan, IT // Magnolia<br>NOV 03 Fribourg, CH // Nouveau Monde<br>NOV 04 Winterthur, CH // Gaswerk<br>NOV 05 Pratteln, CH // MiniZ7<br>NOV 06 München, DE // Ampere<br>NOV 07 Prague, CZ // NoD Teatro<br>NOV 08 Leipzig, DE // Conne Island<br>NOV 09 Berlin, DE // Bi Nuu<br>NOV 10 Hannover, DE // Bei Chez Heinz<br>NOV 12 Cologne, DE // Gebäude 9<br>NOV 13 Wiesbaden, DE // Schlachthof<br>NOV 14 Essen, DE // Zeche Carl<br>NOV 15 Hamburg, DE // Knust<br>NOV 16 Groningen, NL // Vera<br>NOV 17 Maastricht, NL // Muziekgieterij<br>NOV 18 Louvain-La-Neuve, BE // Festival La Ferme<br>NOV 19 Kortrijk, BE // De Kreun<br>NOV 21 Paris, FR // Maroquinerie<br>NOV 22 Luxembourg, LU // Rockhal<br>NOV 23 London, UK // Koko<br>NOV 24 Manchester, UK // Academy 2<br>NOV 25 Glasgow, UK // Oran Mor<br>NOV 26 Bristol, UK // Thekla</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46863992017-04-25T13:45:41-04:002022-05-24T11:10:42-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar 2017 European Tour<figure data-orig-width="3000" data-orig-height="3936" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/aac3e9c8fe1cf84e295c95bfec367a69/tumblr_inline_ooz77jxn3l1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p><a href="https://sargenthouse.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be touring Europe starting in October 2017. All tickets will be on sale on Friday 4/28.</p><p>Dates below:</p><p>OCT 18 Haarlem, NL // Patronaat <br>OCT 19 Utrecht, NL // EKKO<br>OCT 20 Nijmegen, NL // Doornroosje (Purple Room)<br>OCT 21 Osnabrück, DE // KI. Freiheit<br>OCT 22 Karlsruhe, DE // Stadtmitte<br>OCT 23 Eindhoven, NL // DDWMusic Festival<br>OCT 24 Rouen, FR // Le 106 Club<br>OCT 25 Nantes, FR // Le Ferrailleur<br>OCT 26 Bordeaux, FR // Le Void<br>OCT 27 Barcelona, ES // AM Fest<br>OCT 28 Madrid, ES // Sala Caracol<br>OCT 29 Porto, PT // Hard Club<br>OCT 30 Lisbon, PT // Musicbox</p><p>NOV 02 Milan, IT // Magnolia<br>NOV 03 Fribourg, CH // Nouveau Monde<br>NOV 04 Winterthur, CH // Gaswerk<br>NOV 05 Pratteln, CH // MiniZ7<br>NOV 06 München, DE // Ampere<br>NOV 07 Prague, CZ // NoD Teatro<br>NOV 08 Leipzig, DE // Conne Island<br>NOV 09 Berlin, DE // Bi Nuu<br>NOV 10 Hannover, DE // Bei Chez Heinz<br>NOV 12 Cologne, DE // Gebäude 9<br>NOV 13 Wiesbaden, DE // Schlachthof<br>NOV 14 Essen, DE // Zeche Carl<br>NOV 15 Hamburg, DE // Knust<br>NOV 16 Groningen, NL // Vera<br>NOV 17 Maastricht, NL // Muziekgieterij<br>NOV 18 Louvain-La-Neuve, BE // Festival La Ferme<br>NOV 19 Kortrijk, BE // De Kreun<br>NOV 21 Paris, FR // Maroquinerie<br>NOV 22 Luxembourg, LU // Rockhal<br>NOV 23 London, UK // Koko<br>NOV 24 Manchester, UK // Academy 2<br>NOV 25 Glasgow, UK // Oran Mor<br>NOV 26 Bristol, UK // Thekla</p><p>More info <a href="https://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">here.</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864002017-01-04T16:43:25-05:002022-02-23T06:28:38-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar US Tour 2016 with RX Bandits. All...<img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/f86388dfad10b2d2013f4540c2ff0822/tumblr_oj9z0d9Xj01r533n8o3_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/5c20c674b8a2fe5d6352ab5c7b1ebee8/tumblr_oj9z0d9Xj01r533n8o1_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/348a4ac73fd1fb890fb870c054eea725/tumblr_oj9z0d9Xj01r533n8o4_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/882bf73f91a4edab4eaea853df614e09/tumblr_oj9z0d9Xj01r533n8o2_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/b5cf525e7d4ee7e9d0fdc5c87be7069a/tumblr_oj9z0d9Xj01r533n8o5_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/a30d35511d680fcbda2a05cc9083b549/tumblr_oj9z0d9Xj01r533n8o6_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/c4cfa2fb31afd816b7d30625d8507da4/tumblr_oj9z0d9Xj01r533n8o7_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/a4e128682af16444aa0fe1bb5982203f/tumblr_oj9z0d9Xj01r533n8o8_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/c07fab64302a2ebc07a097fbcf16509c/tumblr_oj9z0d9Xj01r533n8o9_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/3a8160a5cad6cda41af380459b140cdb/tumblr_oj9z0d9Xj01r533n8o10_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><p><a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> US Tour 2016 with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/rx-bandits" target="_blank">RX Bandits</a>. All photos by Ciara McMullan. <a href="http://www.ciaramcmullan.com/asiwyfa-and-rx-bandits.html" target="_blank">Click HERE for full photoset.</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864012016-12-14T16:36:40-05:002022-02-25T02:00:48-05:00Interview with Birthday Cake For Breakfast<p><a href="https://birthdaycakebreakfast.wordpress.com/2016/12/14/a-proper-festival-everyone-can-call-their-own-an-interview-with-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-at-arctangent-2016/" target="_blank"><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="70" data-orig-width="706"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/6c461f38874ec5df28958479a95a78ab/tumblr_inline_oi72bb1W5F1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="347" data-orig-width="520"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/a38db2ee6c167302953e9925dfc349c4/tumblr_inline_oi72c2RMzi1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="213" data-orig-width="557"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/5198b938c0838699581be322de8600d4/tumblr_inline_oi72c8ZIZw1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure></a></p><p>“All the weird and wonderful different types of music under one roof.”</p><p>When Chris Wee, drummer in <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>, is not hammering away at his kit, he’s hitting nails on the head. Sat backstage at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/atgfestival/?fref=ts" target="_blank">ArcTanGent Festival</a> a few months back with Chris and Rory Friers, guitarist in ASIWYFA, the festival itself is a topic they’re eager to talk about, the annual long weekend now being a notable date in their performance calendar.</p><p>“We got asked to do a bunch of stuff this summer and the guys who do this and 2000trees, they’re the only people who we felt like – we’ve got to do this.” Says Rory. The festival now being a must-do for the band sort of happened over night. But up until that point, it looked like it had the potential to just be any other festival.<br>“It was kind of in our diary and we’d never heard of it before. We had no idea what it was gonna be like or what it was really about. It didn’t really stand out.”He continues. “We were doing loads of festivals that summer; there was all the big European ones that we were really excited about and then there was this little one in Bristol. We were just like – we’ll do it on the way home.”</p><p>Arriving at the ‘little festival in Bristol’, a tired group of men pottered about backstage, setting up gear for the day. Unbeknownst to them, a swarm of riff-hungry, besotted math-heads were already bouncing off the walls in anticipation for their arrival.<br>“We pushed our gear out and from two minutes into the set it was like – holy fuck.” Beams Rory. “The sun started going down, the lights came on, and by the time that show finished it was like – this is probably one of the best shows. I remember all the crowd sat down at one point in one of the songs, ‘The Voiceless’, just on their own accord. It was so good. Really took us by surprise.”</p><!-- more --><p>There was a shared feeling amongst attendees of that first ArcTanGent Festival. From food vendors to merch sellers, punters to bands, drug sellers to those blokes who sell watermelon slices out of their van – It was obvious that the organisers of ArcTanGent were onto something. Lightning in a bottle.<br>“It was after that that we realised ArcTanGent really represents this little corner of the musical universe that all the bands here – and all the people here – reside in.” Says Rory. “We all go and play the little shows throughout the years, all over the world, and this is the place where everybody can congregate over the summer and have the big party together. You could probably ask anyone here, but everyone feels like this is our tribe. This is sort of where everybody gets together. You don’t need to explain what you’re into or what you’re about, everybody knows and everybody knows all the bands. It’s sort of beautiful to be able to have these bands playing in front of everybody on the big stages here with the great sound. A proper festival everyone can call their own.”</p><p>Prior to this year’s ArcTanGent Festival, the quartet had a bit of a warm-up session, playing a secret show to<a href="https://www.facebook.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar/photos/a.280754626322.187999.25571011322/10154404823641323/?type=3&theater" target="_blank"> a host of energetic punters in Belfast.</a><br>“It was one of the coolest fucking things we’ve done for a while.” Says Rory of the underground basement show. “I guess we’ve been at home writing a record and hadn’t been doing any shows. We’ve been wanting to put on little secret basement party type vibes in Belfast, and we thought we’d put one on and play it ourselves.”</p><p>Whilst perhaps not the best kept secret, the event itself was advertised through Twitter, with the original venue having fallen through at the last minute.<br>“It was like the least secret secret party that’s ever happened – like 600 people turned up.” Smiles Rory. “It kicked off, it was brilliant. PA’s all knocked over… It was free in and bring your own booze, but we kinda just wanted to recreate… the shows we went to as kids that made us wanna be in bands.”</p><p>Before all this, there was also the small matter of the <a href="http://www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank">2000trees</a> tenth anniversary. Sharing the stage with the likes of Black Peaks and coming on just before The Bronx certainly seemed to bring something out in ASIWYFA, with the band putting in a memorably chaotic performance.<br>“’Cus we’d had a bit of time off, proper straight in at the deep end…” Comments Rory.<br>“Knowing The Bronx were on after us as well…You’ve gotta bring the noise.” Adds Chris with a smile.</p><figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-provider="youtube" data-orig-width="540" data-orig-height="304" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DLr1lD015OoI"><iframe width="540" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lr1lD015OoI?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>Rory himself seemed to spend more time in the crowd than on stage, getting pure stuck into it with the revellers in the pit. Though as he soon realised, choosing the correct festival attire is key if you’re going to temporarily lose yourself in the moment.<br></p><p>“The crowd almost ended my life. I wrecked a good pair of jeans, actually. They were not my cheap jeans – they were my medium, going out on the town jeans.” He says with a laugh. “But it was amazing. We made sure we got a good set together. It’s mental to have such a nice slot at festivals like that, but then to be going on stage and there to be a full tent of people… We didn’t start this band with any expectation of those sorts of things happening. The festivals we looked at growing up, we never thought we’d have got to feature in them at all. That was one of my favourites that 2000trees set.”</p><p>“There’s something about the two festivals, Trees and this, I think it’s because they’ve deliberately kept them to this sort of size. They’ve cultivated such a strong identity.” Adds Chris. “You go to Reading and it’s just so fleeting; bills change and the crowds are all so different. Whereas here there’s a personality to the festival, it has its own life. When you go back, you know what you’re walking into. It’s like a really lovely way to go into a festival. It’s not like ‘I wonder what type of people are gonna show up this year?’<br>“Never take your best jeans to a festival. That’s basics.” Nods Rory.</p><p>Another highlight from ArcTanGent over the years for ASIWYFA has come from watching a good friend blossom on the big stage. Henry Kohen, a.k.a. <a href="http://myletsmusic.com" target="_blank">Mylets</a>. The youngster of the Sargent House family played one of his earliest UK shows at ArcTanGent, taking his jaunt to Blighty right in at the deep end. Like proud fathers, discussing Henry and his triumphant appearance at the festival has the pair beaming, Chris commenting. “From a sort of awkward kid to-“<br>“…An awkward man” Adds Rory with a laugh. “It’s hard not to feel complete pride, just in like how much of a boss he is. It’s been amazing to get to know him. When we first met him, he was probably about 3 or something… He was like 18, younger, but he had the brain of a 45 year old and the musical brain that surpassed the four of ours together. It’s been amazing just to see him take all his new songs all around the world. It’s class being here and seeing people with Mylets t-shirts on and I’m just excited for what he’s inevitably gonna go on and do over the next fifteen or twenty years with all his tunes.”</p><p>Mylets was a welcome addition to the lengthy ASIWYFA tour around the release of ‘Heirs’, opening up for them across their run of European dates. Reminiscing over the year of release, the pair laugh about a “big tyre blow out” and a cracked windscreen on the way to a show in Manchester (thank Christ they made it!), with the city being notable for some of the worst shows they’ve played (their words!)<br>“That whole touring cycle was crazy – Crazy quick.” Says Chris. “Russia then Europe, then festivals then the States. Then it was Christmas.”</p><p>Russia might seem an odd place for a band to tour, given what one hears in the news and following the whole Pussy Riot fiasco. Discussing the idea of four Northern Irish lads visiting Russia, Chris certainly had a few worrying thoughts prior to the trip.<br>“We’re quite lucky as a band. No matter where you go, you tend to encounter really like-minded people, whether you’re in the UK, Asia or wherever.” He says.“So all these worries about going to Russia and being scared of people chasing you down the street or something, you go there and meet the loveliest people. It tends to happen with music, especially that umbrella of music we’re involved with – that touring circuit of bands. Those people that come to the shows, if you could transport those Russian fans they’d probably love ArcTanGent. So we’re lucky, we go to far flung places and we’re like – fucking hell, we’re gonna be kidnapped – but we meet the loveliest people.“</p><p>The quartet also got to take themselves to the States and Japan with their fourth album’s release, with Rory citing the latter as one of their definite highlights.<br>“We’ve been wanting to get to Japan for years.” He says. “I always have this image of us going through that big tunnel for ages and ages and ages, then June was like ‘Look out the front when we come out here’ We came out this tunnel and it was like Mount Fuji, the whole thing, right in front of us. You’d recognise it like a famous person, I was like – Fuck, we’re in Japan, it’s happened.”</p><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="2592" data-orig-width="3872"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/9f1c94777ecbf7e1e519d2297849fcfa/tumblr_inline_oi72ivfEZx1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar/" target="_blank"></a>“The shows there were amazing. That whole UK run was amazing.” Continues Rory. “There was just so many people coming to the shows. Chris was joking there about Manchester and the dark days, but UK is where we have played – consistently over so many years – shows with no one there. We just kept going back, over and over and over, playing to no one for years. On that run, four out of five of those shows were sold out and they were all in big venues.”<br>“All the hard work paying off finally.” Agrees Chris.</p><p>Whilst their mammoth run of shows over the past two years has been mostly in conjunction with the release of Heirs, Rory comments that there are a good number of songs from the record that have only had airings in a live format once or twice. Though their lack of inclusion is hardly down to a lack of enjoyment when putting the record together.<br>“I never listen back to any of our records ever… I dunno, what’s it go like again?”He laughs. “The whole process was so much fun; every record just informs what we’re doing now. Like all our records, we learnt so much from it, it taught us a lot, and how we’re approaching writing songs now is based off how we did then. It’s kinda mad. Where does the time go?” He chuckles.</p><p><a href="https://birthdaycakebreakfast.wordpress.com/2015/03/01/an-interview-with-rory-friers-on-heirs-the-fourth-album-from-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar/" target="_blank">Speaking with Rory last year ahead of the release of the album</a>, he considered his analogies in the form of chocolate bars. ‘All Hail Bright Futures’ was quite rightly deemed to be covered in popping candy and muli-coloured sprinkles, whilst Heirs was more fitting of an 85% bar of Green and Blacks. To continue with such an analogy, and with news of the quartet back in the studio and ready for album number five, I was interested to find out what we can expect from the latest album. A little chocolate truffle perhaps? A Reese’s peanut butter cup? After some deliberation, the pair began to consider their options.</p><p>“It’s difficult, it depends what bunch of songs we choose. There’s a Snickers in there for me.” Laughs Rory. “That’s a good question… I feel like at the minute we have all the ingredients all set about and we’re yet to form the final confectionery. We’ve written some pretty heavy stuff, we’ve written some pretty cinematic stuff, we’ve written two songs which will be the two longest songs we’ve ever written. We’ve also written some super short, little bangers.”<br>“So maybe it’s a box of fine truffles?” Chris asks. More deliberation.<br>“Maybe it’s a fuckin’ assortment.” Counters Rory. “Christmas box. Curly Wurly…”<br>“It’s a bit more upmarket than that. Bit higher than Milk Tray…” Adds Chris.<br>“Thorntons? Jesus. Sounds like we’ve got a box of Thorntons on our hands.” Laughs Rory.</p><p>Whilst they’re not in any shape to start printing labels for whichever type of chocolate they’ll be shifting with this completed album, it’s clear that a lot of thought is going into the follow up to Heirs. <br>“We did a lot before Christmas and we felt like we had sort of made the bones of the record.” Comments Rory.<br>The band decided to take a break during the holidays before coming together again following Japan, subsequently altering nearly everything that had been written up to that point.<br>“We tend to do that.” He adds. “We’ll write a bunch of tunes and that’ll be good, then slowly for every new tune that comes along one of them goes from the bunch until everything’s been replaced with all these new ones. We’ve written loads and loads of songs, but I think we’ve got to a place, like the last few that we’ve written-“<br>“Shaped the album.” Jumps in Chris. “Given us a good idea of what direction it’ll be.”</p><figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-provider="youtube" data-orig-width="540" data-orig-height="304" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D7hLxI6Yz7zU"><iframe width="540" height="304" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7hLxI6Yz7zU?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>The aforementioned chocolate analogy potentially crumbles with news of the band putting together a real odyssey, with a track under the working title of ‘Prospector’. Mere mention of the track creates excitement between the pair, as Rory explains further.<br></p><p>“It took weeks to put together, but it feels like a fucking opus at the minute. We always joke about our CPU in our own heads when we’re doing a song. The 9 minutes of that song when we’re playing, it’s like all of our brains are in overload – CPU spike. RAM full, Cache full.”<br>“Sixteen Internet Explorer tabs open, your Task Manager is just maxed out.” Laughs Chris.</p><p>“I think we wanna make something that’s just like super accomplished. I would say we’re 75-80% done on a record at the minute, we’ll just see whenever we’re ready to record it and we’ll do that.” Sums up Rory. “Whenever the vinyl plants can press it, we’ll put it out and go tour again. We’ve kind of tried this time round to approach it a bit more like that. We just wanna make good records. We’d previously try and squeeze everything all the time – we’d tour and write and write and tour. This time, we were just like we should just make the record and when it’s done, then go do that. So we’re nearly at that point of just doing that.”</p><p>The euphoric feeling felt within the crowd during a live show is reciprocated on stage, with each member of And So I Watch You From Afar not only looking like they’re having a great time performing, but feeling entirely connected with each other. There’s a continuation of this outside of the band, with the four-piece still hanging out on a regular basis. Rory and bassist Niall Kennedy even get together to entertain in a different sense, occasionally cooking for folks in exclusive supper clubs.<br>“Everything is just so chilled ‘cus we’re all at home.” Says Rory. “We’re probably hanging out with each other just as much, but it’s not in a van so you don’t piss each other off ever. But it’s good; you’re kind of having that collective experience of creating music, which is fundamentally such a unifying feeling. To have that excitement with three of your best buds is amazing. ‘Cus we’re in Belfast as well, we get to go to the pub every weekend together, hang out and go see Battles. Hang out with our friends and family. It’s just a nice time. As much as we love being on tour, I think we are really loving this session of writing at the minute. Closer than ever. Trying not to big them up too much ‘cus they’re sitting right here…”</p><p>The arrival of bassist Johnny marks the end of the interview, as the band head off to get in preparation mode – mere hours away from yet another enthralling ArcTanGent performance. Later that evening, And So I Watch You From Afar would go on to have one of the weekend’s most memorable performances, treating the crowd to a showing they’ll likely never forget. Well, as Rory says, we are all part of the same Tribe.</p><p><a href="https://birthdaycakebreakfast.wordpress.com/2016/12/14/a-proper-festival-everyone-can-call-their-own-an-interview-with-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-at-arctangent-2016/" target="_blank">(via Birthday Cake For Breakfast)</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864022016-07-26T13:55:09-04:002022-02-25T05:33:12-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar to tour with RX Bandits in US this fall<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="2592" data-orig-width="3872"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/9691fbf77871c93d4bbc3848a1039fe5/tumblr_inline_oaxo8pqskd1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p><a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be joining <a href="http://rxbanditsofficial.com/" target="_blank">RX Bandits</a> on a tour of the US this fall. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 29th and will be available <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a>. A full list of dates can be found below.</p><p><b>RX BANDITS & AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR US TOUR 2016</b></p><p>Sep 24 Berkeley, CA @ UC Theatre<br>Sep 25 Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades<br>Sep 27 Portland, OR @ Star Theater<br>Sep 28 Seattle, WA @ Chop Suey<br>Oct 01 Denver, CO @ Summit Music Hall<br>Oct 03 Lawrence, KS @ Granada<br>Oct 04 St Louis, MO @ Fubar<br>Oct 05 Chicago, IL @ Bottom Lounge<br>Oct 08 Wantagh, NY @ Mulcahy’s Concert Hall<br>Oct 10 New York, NY @ Irving Plaza<br>Oct 11 Philadelphia, PA @ Trocadero<br>Oct 12 Boston, MA @ Wilbur Theatre<br>Oct 14 Atlanta, GA @ The Loft<br>Oct 15 Orlando, FL @ The Beacham<br>Oct 16 Lake Park, FL @ Kelsey Theatre<br>Oct 17 Tampa, FL @ State Theatre<br>Oct 19 New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues<br>Oct 20 Houston, TX @ Numbers<br>Oct 21 Dallas, TX @ Gas Monkey<br>Oct 22 San Antonio, TX @ Alamo City Music Hall<br>Oct 24 Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom<br>Oct 28 San Diego, CA @ SOMA<br>Oct 29 Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom<br>Oct 30 Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/42363452016-06-17T20:43:34-04:002023-10-27T20:05:33-04:00Live Photos from Belsonic Belfast<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/3efa1331d2269fc47ccdfa0b035b286e31ed5b0c/original/photo-17-06-2016-19-57-58.jpg?1466210391" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/ec65bd150858edb0e9e17361c4d01eb180da0891/original/photo-17-06-2016-20-19-36.jpg?1466210397" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/94e16d23f6b5c77723f7267ed2bb79ee11470235/original/photo-17-06-2016-20-22-33.jpg?1466210397" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/e1be35414a8d8ab9ee6bcfc2740b695a0c8a25f5/original/photo-17-06-2016-20-11-17.jpg?1466210397" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p><a contents="And So I Watch You From Afar" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> at Belsonic Belfast. <br>Photos by Graham Smith. </p>
<p>The band will be co-headlining <a contents="2000 Trees" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank">2000 Trees</a> and <a contents="ArcTanGent" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.arctangent.co.uk/" target="_blank">ArcTanGent</a> festivals before heading to America to record their new album. More news to come…</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864052015-12-14T17:46:32-05:002022-05-17T10:18:32-04:00HOLIDAY SALE at online stores<p><a href="http://hellomerch.com/collections/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank"><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="427" data-orig-width="640"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/27312f30f2458a4f20abdcd6867784fb/tumblr_inline_nzdduuTz8q1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure></a></p><p>Our label <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> is having a holiday sale on all 2015 Album Artists. The sale lasts until midnight, December 25th.</p><p><i><a href="http://hellomerch.com/collections/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank">Hello Merch - ships worldwide from US</a></i></p><p>Save 20% off all Bundles and CDs and 15% off all vinyl.<br></p><hr><p><i><a href="http://sargenthouse.awesomedistro.com/artists/asiwyfa" target="_blank">Awesome Distro - ships to EU from UK</a></i></p><p>Save 15% off all CDs, vinyl, and bundles by using the code DECEMBERSALE at checkout.</p><hr><p><i><a href="http://thethinair.net/2015/06/asiwyfa-irish-tour/" target="_blank">photo by Isabel Thomas</a></i></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/39417942015-11-30T16:36:05-05:002022-05-19T10:38:37-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar announce Japan Tour 2016<figure data-orig-width="640" data-orig-height="640" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://36.media.tumblr.com/3be8344c9f6a7fb70d7b7b519bb9f5b8/tumblr_inline_nyncxneAg61r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>And So I Watch You From Afar will be playing three dates in Japan with LITE in January 2016. Tickets go on sale December 6th, 2015, and will be available <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/shows">HERE</a>. </p><p>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR JAPAN 2016<br>All dates with <a href="https://liteband.bandcamp.com/">LITE</a></p><p>Jan 18 - Osaka, JP @ Conpass<br>Jan 19 - Nagoya, JP @ Apollo Base<br>Jan 20 - Tokyo, JP @ Fever</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864072015-11-25T19:16:32-05:002023-12-10T11:55:31-05:00Rory Friers from ASIWYFA releases ‘Mend And Make Safe’ remix as Thrash Hat<figure data-orig-width="254" data-orig-height="96"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/5eb9a4c519f5e3059a720cbf2a52f569/tumblr_inline_nyeacxk2eI1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="1024" data-orig-height="1024" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/7daed15d20d4a51e6477f66e5ac77ac6/tumblr_inline_nyead5Qfvj1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>Invariably trotting the globe wielding guitar and gusto as part of North Coast post-rock machine <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>, <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/rory-friers" target="_blank">Rory Friers</a> can also be found as found making electronic music as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ThrashHatMusic/" target="_blank">Thrash Hat</a>. Having set beats to kill on debut track ‘<a href="https://soundcloud.com/thrash-hat/pandaface" target="_blank">Pandaface</a>‘ back in August – thereby setting the ball in motion for a hugely disparate yet no less enthralling sonic path in the making – we’re pleased to premiere two new tracks from Friers, ‘Owkwerd’ and a remix of his band’s very ‘Mend and Make Safe’. Where the former effort’s glitchy, darkly unravelling majesty stirs with some wonderfully discriminating shapes and shifts, the latter re-imagining brilliantly warps the the ASIWYFA track almost beyond recognition, its propulsive, 8-bit-leaning finesse re-contextualising the triumphant glory of the original.<br></p><p><i><a href="http://thethinair.net/2015/11/premiere-thrash-hat-mend-and-make-safe-remix-asiwyfa-owkwerd/" target="_blank">Click HERE to listen to the tracks</a></i></p><p>(via The Thin Air)</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864082015-11-06T14:00:39-05:002022-03-29T07:26:53-04:00photos by Lais PereiraAnd So I Watch You From Afar playing their...<img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/b24197890ad045753b0052abad7dbc3d/tumblr_nxeq53tcd51r533n8o1_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/cbaf93414c49243e8f47b61350862625/tumblr_nxeq53tcd51r533n8o2_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/fccfec57115a723c8ff6181e5b3a5917/tumblr_nxeq53tcd51r533n8o4_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/845c2dec8d4fb266b06a1f4b21044f38/tumblr_nxeq53tcd51r533n8o3_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/b11b258d8459a74ecb1b0365968e75a0/tumblr_nxeq53tcd51r533n8o5_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/75890479ff62f7b04b950194b111d573/tumblr_nxeq53tcd51r533n8o7_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/ec6891417daf74079753815039c5fa1e/tumblr_nxeq53tcd51r533n8o8_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/9a5b83e393064fd74943ef9970fcb539/tumblr_nxeq53tcd51r533n8o6_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br> <br><p><i>photos by Lais Pereira</i></p><p>And So I Watch You From Afar playing their sold out show at Music Box in Lisbon, PT.</p><p>ASIWYFA has two more shows on this run - Teatro Barceló in Madrid on Nov 6th, and headlining <a href="http://www.amfest.es/" target="_blank">AMFest</a> in Barcelona on Nov 7th. Tickets and info available <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><p><a href="http://www.ponto-alternativo.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-musicbox/" target="_blank">(via Ponto Alternativo)</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864092015-11-03T15:34:26-05:002023-12-10T11:57:35-05:00Heirs nominated for Best Art Vinyl 2015 - Vote now!<figure data-orig-width="562" data-orig-height="139" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/18965923657694c839264f4dc819b3a8/tumblr_inline_nx99v3pg6G1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="2000" data-orig-height="2032" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/d20367fa4ea3b36c390407193ebd9af8/tumblr_inline_nx99wsXHE01qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>’s newest album <i><a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/heirs-2" target="_blank">Heirs</a></i> has been nominated for Best Art Vinyl 2015, and online voting is now live. Congratulations to the band and visual artist <a href="http://www.sonnykay.com/" target="_blank">Sonny Kay</a>! Cast your vote <a href="http://www.artvinyl.com/vote/" target="_blank">HERE</a>, and see <i>Heirs</i> with the other nominated albums at the below exhibitions.</p><p>January 2016 – Belgraves Hotel, Belgravia LONDON<br>January 2016 – Mono Art & Design, Budapest HUNGARY<br>May 2016 – HIGH END®, MOC, Munich GERMANY (2016)</p><p>And So I Watch You From Afar have a run of shows in Spain and Portugal this week - see all shows and buy tickets <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864102015-10-08T15:12:37-04:002023-12-10T11:50:07-05:00Audiotree Live session up now<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-provider="youtube" data-orig-width="540" data-orig-height="304" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DNTZxz20iM_w%26list%3DPLunIrIqYqs7-UafledYtoNXSQwp6tZFzM"><iframe width="540" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NTZxz20iM_w?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>Check out the second full <a href="http://audiotree.tv/session/asiwyfa-2/" target="_blank">Audiotree Live</a> session of <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>, and don’t miss them as they finish their North American headlining tour with <a href="http://myletsmusic.com/" target="_blank">Mylets</a> and <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/blis" target="_blank">Blis.</a> before they headline <a href="http://www.amfest.es/" target="_blank">AMFest</a> and play a few shows in Spain & Portugal.</p><p>Get your tickets <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a>, and see an upcoming list of shows below.</p><p>ASIWYFA / MYLETS / BLIS. NORTH AMERICAN TOUR</p><p>10/08 - Redding, CA @ The Dip<br>10/09 - San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill<br>10/10 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah<br>10/12 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Teragram Ballroom w/Swollen Brain (feat. Nick Reinhart from Tera Melos + Eric Gardner from Dot Hacker )</p><p>ASIWYFA IBERIAN TOUR 2015</p><p>Nov 04 - Lisbon, PT @ Musicbox<br>Nov 05 - Porto, PT @ Hard Club<br>Nov 06 - Madrid, ES @ Teatro Barceló<br>Nov 07 - Barcelona, ES @ <a href="http://www.amfest.es/" target="_blank">AMFest</a><br></p><!-- more --><figure data-orig-width="424" data-orig-height="832" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/2beb95771a24af1c148a892fc3de1e72/tumblr_inline_nvx0ndYRhs1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864112015-10-01T15:42:56-04:002022-03-09T10:56:41-05:00Live video from Audiotree Music Festival<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-provider="youtube" data-orig-width="540" data-orig-height="304" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DnICX2idbezw%26feature%3Dyoutu.be"><iframe width="540" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nICX2idbezw?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>This video of <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> live at <a href="http://audiotreemusicfestival.com/" target="_blank">Audiotree Music Festival</a> shows why we’re so happy to have them headlining our Sargent House Fall Tour alongside <a href="http://myletsmusic.com/" target="_blank">Mylets</a> and <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/blis" target="_blank">Blis</a>.</p><p>Also excited to add the new project Swollen Brain consisting of Nick Reinhardt of <a href="https://teramelos.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Tera Melos</a> and Eric Gardner of <a href="http://www.dothacker.org/" target="_blank">Dot Hacker</a> to the Los Angeles show at Teragram Ballroom on October 12th.</p><p>Get your tickets <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a>, and see a full list of remaining shows below.</p><p>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR / MYLETS / BLIS. <br>10/01 - Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad<br>10/02 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre<br>10/03 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court<br>10/05 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile<br>10/06 - Vancouver, BC (CA) @ The Cobalt<br>10/07 - Portland, OR @ Analog Café<br>10/08 - Redding, CA @ The Dip<br>10/09 - San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill<br>10/10 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah</p><p>10/12 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Teragram Ballroom<br>With Special guests - Swollen Brain<br>(feat. Nick Reinhart from Tera Melos + Eric Gardner from Dot Hacker )</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864122015-09-23T20:51:37-04:002022-03-04T10:58:36-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar Live Audiotree Session // September 24th, 2015<figure data-orig-width="640" data-orig-height="354" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/0aa7d882211b4c8a2bf843728737cafd/tumblr_inline_nv5ns7TMC41qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be returning to Audiotree tomorrow, Thursday, September 24. You can <a href="http://audiotree.tv/live/" target="_blank">watch it live HERE online at 1:00pm CDT</a>.</p><p>After the session they have three more shows with <a href="http://thefalloftroy.com/" target="_blank">The Fall Of Troy</a> and <a href="http://slothrust.com/" target="_blank">Slothrust</a> before beginning their headline dates with fellow <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> artists <a href="http://myletsmusic.com/" target="_blank">Mylets</a> and <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/blis" target="_blank">Blis</a>.</p><p>For all show and ticket details, click <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><p>//</p><p><b>THE FALL OF TROY / AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR TOUR 2015:</b><br></p><p>09/24 - Chicago, IL @ Metro<br>09/25 - Minneapolis, MN @ The Cabooze<br>09/26 - Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theatre</p><p><b>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR / MYLETS / BLIS. TOUR 2015:</b></p><p>09/28 - Dallas, TX @ Club Dada<br>09/29 - Austin, TX @ Sidewinder<br>09/30 - El Paso, TX @ Bowie Feathers<br>10/01 - Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad<br>10/02 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater<br>10/03 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court<br>10/05 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile<br>10/06 - Vancouver, BC (CA) @ The Cobalt<br>10/07 - Portland, OR @ Analog Café<br>10/08 - Redding, CA @ The Dip<br>10/09 - San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill<br>10/10 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah<br>10/12 - Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864132015-09-22T15:23:00-04:002022-07-21T07:04:51-04:00US Tour Diary from ASIWYFA’s Chris Wee<figure data-orig-width="254" data-orig-height="96"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/5eb9a4c519f5e3059a720cbf2a52f569/tumblr_inline_nv3evdr9Ax1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="628" data-orig-height="492" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/8503aea1f781c63561068e62f225bf2b/tumblr_inline_nv3evkSZFj1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>Hello from Philadelphia! As I write we’re at tonight’s venue the Union Transfer, waiting for our soundcheck slot while the mighty The Fall of Troy are doing theirs. We’re on tour with them and a great NY based band called Slothrust at the minute, both serving up masterclasses in their craft each night, keeping us blow-ins from Ireland very much on our toes each night. After this we part ways to meet up and do the rest of the tour with our <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> label mates <a href="http://myletsmusic.com/" target="_blank">Mylets</a> and <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/blis" target="_blank">Blis</a>.</p><p>We’re two weeks into the five week tour, having journeyed from the mid-west all the way to Florida and back up along the east coast, still to further zig-zag the country all the way to California. In between the hectic schedule of shows and the mammoth amount of driving required we have managed to squeeze a little downtime in amongst it. We swam in the Gulf of Mexico the other day during our stop in Tampa FL and we’ve seen some pretty amazing scenery and skylines on our hike so far, the only minor hiccup being a brush with a state trooper the other day due to slightly fast driving by one of us (not naming names) but touch wood it’ll be a smooth ride for the rest of tour.</p><!-- more --><figure data-orig-width="620" data-orig-height="412" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/6dcf04ea25aeb1d4aa453be7586e67e3/tumblr_inline_nv3f0yxWvR1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>We first stepped foot over here in 2010 as a completely unknown opening band struggling to get enough dollars to put fuel in our van and eat, so a few years on we’re lucky to have an amazingly supportive record label in Sargent House as well be continuing to cultivate a fanbase over here. Touring is a little more comfortable than it once was, yet you still face the same difficulties in maintaining your home life especially when you’re so far from it.</p><p>You experience time in strange ways whilst on tour. On one hand you are dashing in and out of some of the most incredible cities and taking in your surroundings the best you can, and before you know it you have covered several thousand miles in what seems like a day. And on the other hand time can lurch and drag with thoughts of home and the ones we love. We watch our kids grow up and maintain relationships over a smartphone screen, family members and loved ones fall ill, all too far out of our reach, while friends are bereaved with no way of you offering that hug you so desire to give.</p><figure data-orig-width="620" data-orig-height="412" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/3028b672cd12e10805070bd2d19181d1/tumblr_inline_nv3f1wH11w1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>It’s an aspect of touring that has always lurked in the background, away from the adrenaline of the shows or the interaction with the fans at the merch table. It’s just a part of life at the end of the day and although it’s not always easy to balance I don’t think any of us would change a thing. From our earliest desires of being in a band, thrashing through punk rock covers as young teenagers we now exist as a full time band in our tenth year of existence with four albums, moving city to city playing the music we love to people who love it too and to some that don’t know it yet. Talk to y’all soon. </p><p><b><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/chris-wee" target="_blank">-Chris Wee</a> </b></p><p><b>See more live photos from Webster Hall, NYC at <a href="http://thethinair.net/2015/09/us-tour-diary-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar/" target="_blank">The Thin Air</a></b><br></p><p><i><b>Catch <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> on their North America Fall Tour - <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/shows" target="_blank">dates and tickets available HERE</a></b></i></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864142015-08-31T19:00:53-04:002022-05-21T07:08:46-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar “Wasps” Live Session // CutLooseTV<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-provider="youtube" data-orig-width="500" data-orig-height="304" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dtt2g81sRQN4"><iframe width="540" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tt2g81sRQN4?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>CutLooseTV has unveiled the last video from the session in Glasgow with <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>. Check out their performance of “Wasps” above.</p><p>Don’t forget you can find this video, along with some of our other favorites, on our <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/videos" target="_blank">Videos</a> page.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864152015-08-17T14:31:45-04:002022-05-30T09:38:42-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar give guitar pedalboard walkthrough // Total Guitar<figure data-orig-width="460" data-orig-height="151" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/9598b3ace335f96cc37633e32d0ac9d8/tumblr_inline_nt8o0f1dAS1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-provider="youtube" data-orig-width="500" data-orig-height="304" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DFOUrNRApnwA%26feature%3Dyoutu.be"><iframe width="500" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FOUrNRApnwA?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-provider="youtube" data-orig-width="500" data-orig-height="304" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DXcwZfUMWC3Y%26feature%3Dyoutu.be"><iframe width="500" height="304" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XcwZfUMWC3Y?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/rory-friers" target="_blank">Rory Friers</a> and <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/niall-kennedy" target="_blank">Niall Kennedy</a> of <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> take you step-by-step through their pedalboards in the latest edition of <a href="http://www.musicradar.com/totalguitar" target="_blank">Total Guitar</a>’s Pedalboard Tour. Read the full interview and write-up <a href="http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-talk-new-album-heirs-626253" target="_blank">HERE via Music Radar</a>.</p><p>These boards will see a lot of action very soon - first at Reading & Leeds Festivals, then on a full tour of North America, before doing a run of shows in Spain and Portugal. See all dates and buy tickets <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864162015-08-12T14:58:19-04:002021-10-16T14:26:40-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar // Interview & Feature in Music & Riots<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="108" data-orig-width="462"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/45cfb78d73231e84d5c08b8b46d82e3a/tumblr_inline_nszgftU6pG1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="989" data-orig-width="1413"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/1e7c30950b8dcbdc517f6d37704bc598/tumblr_inline_nszgggI3eV1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>Music & Riots interviewed Chris Wee of <a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> about their new album, their ten year anniversary, and more in a six-page feature.</p><p>Check out Issue 13 of the magazine <a href="http://issuu.com/music_and_riots_mag/docs/issue_13_/92" target="_blank">HERE</a> or in the embedded reader below - the interview begins on page 93.</p><div data-configid="0/14741922" style="width:525px; height:371px;" class="issuuembed"></div><script type="text/javascript" src="//e.issuu.com/embed.js" async="true"></script>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864172015-08-10T15:09:47-04:002022-05-24T11:12:15-04:00‘Run Home’ video from CutLooseTV<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-provider="youtube" data-orig-width="500" data-orig-height="304" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DKRhsW8bbbx8"><iframe width="540" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KRhsW8bbbx8?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>CutLooseTV captured a great session at the very beginning of <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>’s Europe tour in April - this is the first of two songs they recorded from their newest album <i><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/heirs" target="_blank">Heirs</a></i>.</p><p>North America will get to see them touring with The Fall Of Troy before headlining the Sargent House fall tour alongside labelmates <a href="http://myletsmusic.com/" target="_blank">Mylets</a> and newcomers <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/blis" target="_blank">Blis</a>. </p><p>Europe gets a few more chances to see them this year at <a href="http://www.readingfestival.com/" target="_blank">Reading</a> & <a href="http://www.leedsfestival.com/" target="_blank">Leeds</a> Festivals, as well as dates in Spain and Portugal leading up to <a href="http://www.amfest.es/" target="_blank">AMFest</a>.</p><p>See a full list of dates and purchase tickets <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/46864182015-08-03T15:50:57-04:002022-05-26T09:41:27-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar featured in Total Guitar<figure data-orig-height="79" data-orig-width="216"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/8b55c0d17a726a76d48189472046f86c/tumblr_inline_nsiussNhPN1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1024" data-orig-width="758"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/c2d31d41ea0f062a26c1de011ae70289/tumblr_inline_nsiut1RqDw1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/niall-kennedy" target="_blank">Niall Kennedy</a> and <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/rory-friers" target="_blank">Rory Friers</a> of <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> were interviewed for the August 2015 issue of <a href="http://www.musicradar.com/totalguitar" target="_blank">Total Guitar</a> about pedals, gear, and more. Get your copy on newsstands now!</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37589842015-06-29T14:18:32-04:002022-05-31T09:08:50-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar adds headlining dates to North American tour<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="534" data-orig-width="1000"><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/f19ece575bc0de7ea480a7ef98255265/tumblr_inline_nqpwkfbMeW1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p> <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be headlining several shows across North America with support from <a href="http://myletsmusic.com/">Mylets</a> and <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/blis">Blis</a>. After their tour dates with The Fall of Troy and Slothrust.</p>
<p><b>THE FALL OF TROY / AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR / SLOTHRUST TOUR 2015:</b><br>09/05 - Kalamazoo, MI @ Audiotree Live Music Festival<br>09/06 - St. Louis, MO @ The Ready Room<br>09/08 - Nashville, TN @ Exit/In<br>09/09 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade - Heaven<br>09/10 - Orlando, FL @ The Social<br>09/11 - Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum<br>09/12 - Jacksonville, FL @ Underbelly<br>09/13 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat's Cradle<br>09/14 - Baltimore, MD @ The Ottobar<br>09/16 - Toronto, ON @ Opera House<br>09/17 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall<br>09/18 - Boston, MA @ Royale<br>09/19 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer<br>09/20 - Ashbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony<br>09/21 - Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre<br>09/22 - Pittsburgh, PA @ The Altar Bar<br>09/23 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall<br>09/24 - Chicago, IL @ Metro<br>09/25 - Minneapolis, MN @ The Cabooze<br>09/26 - Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theatre</p>
<p><b>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR / MYLETS / BLIS. TOUR 2015:</b><br>09/28 - Dallas, TX @ Club Dada<br>09/29 - Austin, TX @ Sidewinder<br>09/30 - El Paso, TX @ Bowie Feathers<br>10/01 - Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad<br>10/02 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater<br>10/03 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court<br>10/05 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile<br>10/06 - Vancouver, BC (CA) @ The Cobalt<br>10/07 - Portland, OR @ Analog Café<br>10/08 - Redding, CA @ The Dip<br>10/09 - San Francisco, CA @ Bottom Of The Hill<br>10/10 - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah<br>10/12 - Los Angeles, CA @ Teragram Ballroom</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37565742015-06-26T19:39:48-04:002022-03-11T10:40:20-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar nominated for Progressive Music Awards 2015<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="370" data-orig-width="597"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/12c9add31ae6b7dc162ee8a1c13af712/tumblr_inline_nqigbd9xt11r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> are proud to be nominated for the ‘Vanguard’ category in <a href="http://prog.teamrock.com/">Prog Magazine</a>’s <a href="http://awards.prog.teamrock.com/vote/vanguard">Progressive Music Awards 2015</a>. </p>
<p>The winner of the ‘Vanguard’ category is determined by public vote, so <a href="http://awards.prog.teamrock.com/vote/vanguard">VOTE HERE</a> to help And So I Watch You From Afar get the award!</p>
<p>The Progressive Music Awards has established itself as one of the most respected events in the music calender. In its short but illustrious history, it has honoured and and hosted some of the world’s most renowned and respected artists including Peter Gabriel, Rick Wakeman, Ian Anderson, Genesis, and Rush. But this is about more than the old guard. Talent of tomorrow including Syd Arthur, TesseracT and Messenger have seen their careers go from strength-to-strength since picking up their award.</p>
<p>The 2015 awards will again take place at London's Underglobe venue, beneath Shakepseare's Globe Theatre, on Thursday September 3. This year, the event will be hosted for the first time by TV presenter Matthew Wright.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37546272015-06-25T15:12:35-04:002018-10-18T23:57:57-04:00Music & Riots // Glasgow Live Review<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="108" data-orig-width="462"><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/45cfb78d73231e84d5c08b8b46d82e3a/tumblr_inline_nqikrtlg5g1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure>
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<p>The June 2015 issue of <a href="http://musicandriotsmagazine.com/">Music & Riots Magazine</a> has a great write-up on the first show of <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>’s tour with <a href="http://myletsmusic.com/">Mylets</a>. See a <a contents="full-sized image HERE" data-link-label="music-and-riots-asiwyfa-livereview.png" data-link-type="file" href="/files/193316/music-and-riots-asiwyfa-livereview.png" target="_blank">full-sized image HERE</a> or check out the full issue in the embedded reader below.</p>
<p>North American fans of the band won’t have to wait much longer to see the band live - their tour with The Fall Of Troy begins September 6th, followed by headlining dates to be announced next week. <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/shows">Tickets and dates available HERE</a>.</p>
<div class="issuuembed" data-configid="0/13769543" style="width:525px; height:371px;"> </div><script type="text/javascript" src="//e.issuu.com/embed.js" async="true"></script>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37529222015-06-24T10:59:49-04:002022-03-09T00:32:18-05:00North American Tour with The Fall of Troy<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="4800" data-orig-width="3300"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/43f58a664747f6a2c23673b98f69f6565f0d92d0/original/cign-dywcaa0ydu.jpg?1435171263" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></figure>
<p><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be joining <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thefalloftroy">The Fall Of Troy</a> on their North American Doppelgänger tour this September, along with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Slothrust/120763131304926">Slothrust</a>. Tickets for these shows go on sale Friday, June 26th. A full list of dates can be found below.</p>
<p>Stay tuned for more news about headlining US dates, coming soon - always check here for the most updated list of shows: <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/shows">http://asiwyfa.com/shows</a></p>
<p><b>Tour Dates with The Fall Of Troy</b><br>Sep 06 - St. Louis, MO @ The Ready Room<br>Sep 08 - Nashville, TN @ Exit/In<br>Sep 09 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade - Heaven<br>Sep 10 - Orlando, FL @ The Social<br>Sep 11 - Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum<br>Sep 12 - Jacksonville, FL @ Underbelly<br>Sep 13 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle<br>Sep 14 - Baltimore, MD @ The Ottobar<br>Sep 16 - Toronto, ON @ Opera House<br>Sep 17 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall<br>Sep 18 - Boston, MA @ Royale<br>Sep 19 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer<br>Sep 20 - Ashbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony<br>Sep 21 - Cleveland, OH @ Agora Theatre<br>Sep 22 - Pittsburgh, PA @ The Altar Bar<br>Sep 23 - Detroit, MI @ St. Andrews Hall<br>Sep 24 - Chicago, IL @ Metro<br>Sep 25 - Minneapolis, MN @ The Cabooze<br>Sep 26 - Lawrence, KS @ Granada Theatre</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37504662015-06-22T14:40:31-04:002022-03-10T09:56:03-05:00Live reviews and photos of Irish shows<figure data-orig-width="639" data-orig-height="482" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/3af37e39eccb4e06431a4425a0d8054a/tumblr_inline_nqcyccERTC1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="266" data-orig-height="98"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/7b77818192a59884efb79260145ed0fc/tumblr_inline_nqcy8dowtJ1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>“There was no fat in this set, no time to scratch your arse as <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">ASIWYFA</a> had been calibrated to warp speed bustling through Run Home, Wasps and BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION. <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/rory-friers">Rory Friers</a> was a Tasmanian devil in constant furious motion whose primary task seemed to be how hard he could push <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/chris-wee">Chris Wee</a> on drums, something Wee was well up to the task of. The measured 7 Billion People All Alive at Once is the closest thing ASIWYFA do for a pause to catch a breath.”<br></p><p><a href="https://www.goldenplec.com/live-reviews/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-the-olympia-theatre/">READ FULL GOLDEN PLEC DUBLIN REVIEW HERE</a></p><figure data-orig-width="254" data-orig-height="96"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/5eb9a4c519f5e3059a720cbf2a52f569/tumblr_inline_nqcyjsfLT91r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>“Instantly it’s clear that this is not the ASIWYFA of years gone by; powerful as they may always have been. This is a band of conquerors, refined by their constant touring schedule and stronger for it. Selecting something like a greatest hits from their four albums they’ve put together a set of killer track after killer track. Playing loud, they reinvigorate songs like ‘Set Guitars to Kill’ and ‘7 Billion People…’ with a might and awe that other bands would sacrifice their teeth for. This is guitar driven music’s most high minded ideal. The sound is ear shakingly raw but the musicianship is polished and solid. The tight but organic changes come in with such clarity and deftness that they’re gasp inducing. It’s relentless and every track comes with a wild light display blasting the senses into a euphoric shambling heap.”<br></p><p><a href="http://thethinair.net/2015/06/asiwyfa-irish-tour/">SEE THIN AIR DUBLIN / BELFAST REVIEW + PHOTOS HERE</a></p>[[MORE]]<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="90" data-orig-width="309"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/dfbc1b982043ca5ff740bc7d8d6e03e0/tumblr_inline_nqgppggRpv1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>“As a unit, ASIWYFA are incredibly tight. Chris Wee’s drumming is furious in its perfection, the duelling guitars from Kennedy and Friars are thoughtfully reliant on octave switching to put their point across and the bass playing is strong with Jonathan Adger standing steadfast for the most part and letting the rhythmic pounding do the talking. It’s infectious too, seeing the guys take so much enjoyment from each others input to the performance and the energy remains high until the encore. Sliding off and on stage with swift grace, ASIWYFA return to melt our faces and close on ‘The Voiceless.’ Voiceless they aren’t, for Rory proceeds to thank everybody and anybody that has done them a solid over the past few years and it’s heartwarming to see the genuine gratitude and excitement brought about by the support from fans, families and friends of ASIWYFA.</p><p>State are exhausted, drained and extremely satisfied with ASIWYFA’s glorious return to their native stage, but can’t help think that surely this can’t be it for 2015. It would be a tragedy if it truly was.”</p><p><a href="http://state.ie/live-reviews/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-mandela-hall-belfast">READ FULL STATE.IE BELFAST REVIEW HERE</a></p><a href="http://state.ie/photo-gallery/asiwyfa-olympia-dublin-in-photos"><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="800" data-orig-width="1200"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/2e1b10bc10fb90edfd8a5bf3bb4a955d/tumblr_inline_nqgptqY1Z21r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>VIEW STATE DUBLIN LIVE PHOTOS HERE</p></a><figure data-orig-width="258" data-orig-height="100"><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/bb940fe6c42b8071ff1543d04b61efd7/tumblr_inline_nqcyx5peTY1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="898" data-orig-height="595" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://36.media.tumblr.com/a6dc2ddee388751f3732b9ca0fd5f3a7/tumblr_inline_nqcyujhXkZ1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="1044" data-orig-height="1152" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/073b197cc113859e43aa601480bc3b86/tumblr_inline_nqczjnyQCR1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><a href="http://www.dublinconcerts.ie/asiwyfa-at-the-olympia-theatre-photos/">SEE DUBLIN CONCERTS LIVE PHOTOS HERE</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37469692015-06-18T14:10:47-04:002022-05-30T04:23:33-04:00The Farm Family // On Tour with And So I Watch You From Afar<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="997" data-orig-width="1000"><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/2ca275fe361b77836c8bb8cc64a5ae66/tumblr_inline_nq5ji4l0tJ1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p>Photos of <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> by Graham Smith from the Heirs EU 2015 tour are available on <a href="http://www.thefarmfamily.com/on-tour">The Farm Family</a>, with an introductory paragraph by tourmate <a href="http://myletsmusic.com/">Mylets</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.thefarmfamily.com/on-tour">http://www.thefarmfamily.com/on-tour</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37469702015-06-18T01:00:00-04:002022-03-16T11:27:52-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar featured on FreqsTV "Delayed Cinema"<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-provider="youtube" data-orig-width="500" data-orig-height="304"><iframe width="540" height="304" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xBMoSrLGOyE?feature=oembed" frameborder="0"></iframe></figure><p>Check out the short video documentary on <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>, part of <a href="http://www.freqstv.com/">FreqsTV</a> series “Delayed Cinema”, presented by <a href="http://lehle.com/">Lehle</a> and <a href="http://www.visions.de/">Visions</a> magazine.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37396852015-06-12T18:08:05-04:002022-03-25T09:08:29-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar announce Spain & Portugal shows<figure data-orig-width="536" data-orig-height="758" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/41c2a0dfd07f707654497f449abb1df7/tumblr_inline_npuqb3SbFd1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have added dates in Portugal and Spain ahead of their headlining performance at <a href="http://www.amfest.es/">AMFest</a>. A full list of announced dates can be found below. Tickets can be found <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/shows">HERE</a>.</p><p><b>ASIWYFA Upcoming Shows 2015</b></p><p>Jun 19 - Dublin, IE @ Olympia<br>Jun 20 - Belfast, UK @ Mandela Hall<br>Jul 11 - Cheltenham, UK @ 2000 Trees Festival<br>Jul 12 - Perthshire, UK @ T In The Park Festival<br>Jul 17 - Dour, BE @ Dour Festival<br>Jul 23 - Nijmegen, NL @ Valkhof Festival<br>Jul 24 - Beelen, DE @ Krach Am Bach Festival<br>Jul 25 - Sheffield, UK @ Tramlines Festival<br>Jul 26 - Chester, UK @ The Live Rooms<br>Jul 27 - Milton Keynes, UK @ Craufurd Arms<br>Aug 01 - Briedel, DE @ Lott Festival<br>Aug 29 - Reading, UK @ Reading Festival<br>Aug 30 - Leeds, UK @ Leeds Festival<br>Nov 04 - Lisbon, PT @ Musicbox<br>Nov 05 - Porto, PT @ Hard Club<br>Nov 06 - Madrid, ES @ Teatro Barceló<br>Nov 07 - Barcelona, ES @ AMFest</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37311162015-06-05T18:19:26-04:002022-03-14T08:11:03-04:00Arctic Drones interviews And So I Watch You From Afar<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="138" data-orig-width="615"><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/16de8ee384cee42f27f0942873ac8a07/tumblr_inline_nphruibU781r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="838" data-orig-width="1050"><img src="https://36.media.tumblr.com/832b20d355fe524c2152173a76cf4226/tumblr_inline_nphruxas4P1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="121" data-orig-width="628"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/a5d3028e17b149f9e88fc84b10d7cbc3/tumblr_inline_nphrv2vWx71r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><b>Good evening, gentlemen. How are you doing?</b></p><p><b>Johnny Adger</b>: Very good, thank you very much.</p><p><b>Are you enjoying your tour so far?</b></p><p><b>Johnny</b>: It has been unreal already. There has been a moment of realisation that we’re heading back out, because we had so long off with the recording of our new album and other things that were happening in our lives. We were asking ourselves if we could still go out there and survive, but everybody is feeling super fresh and excited and no one has killed anyone yet, so that’s good [laughs].</p><p><b>Right now, you guys are on quite a big tour across Europe and the United Kingdom. What are you excited about the most?</b></p><p><b>Johnny</b>: This might sound a bit cliché, but for me personally it’s having the privilege of playing the songs that we spent almost a year on putting together on stage, and the time we get to interact with the crowd. There isn’t one show or country in particular that I’m looking forward to.</p><p><b>Chris Wee</b>: The last five years we toured so extensively, that this last year was the longest time we’ve had off of the road, except for a handful of festivals and a couple of small tours. From August last year until the end of April, we had no shows at all, so we were just itching to get back to it.</p><p><b>Niall Kennedy</b>: We get to do the thing that we love for a living and we don’t have to work a shitty job that we hate. That’s really nice. And like Johnny said, playing our songs to people and seeing that the thing you do and love makes other people feel happy, it makes you feel like you’re doing something worthwhile. To make another human being happy is great, and to make lots of people happy every single night is probably the best thing for me.</p><p><b>You guys have some very devoted fans and it’s remarkable to see a number of them get your triangular logo tattooed on their body. Does it still surprise you when you see a tattoo like that?</b></p><p><b>Johnny</b>: It’s very flattering. We come from a very small town in a very small part of the world and then we go to these faraway places and somebody comes up to you and shows you their tattoo. It’s mind-blowing to see that people there care at all about what you do, and for them to care so much that they essentially get scarred for life with the band logo is unbelievable. It’s still weird thinking that there are a lot of people out there that have our logo or a song title tattooed on them for life. It’s amazing and really cool, but it’s also slightly scary I think [laughs].</p><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="750" data-orig-width="1000"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/7ec1844eb554318d74439efec16a0638/tumblr_inline_nphry3n6kB1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><i>Photo by Graham Smith</i></p><p><b>You have already done some tours in the United States. We were wondering if there are any major differences between playing shows in the US as compared to Europe.</b></p><p><b>Chris</b>: I wouldn’t say there is one particular type of American crowd and one particular type of European crowd. You can go somewhere in America and the whole crowd will just stand there and clap at the end of each song, while the next night you’ll have a bunch of kids kicking each other’s shins. And the same goes for Europe. I suppose the big difference would be the level of hospitality. In Europe, it’s crazy good. Here you get amazing in-house food, whereas in the US, it’s a bit more basic. Over there you have to be a bit more hardened to it.</p><p><b>When you tour the summer festivals, do you ever still have the time to go and see other bands? Can you still be overwhelmed by their performance?</b></p><p><b>Johnny</b>: Whenever we get into the festival season, it usually involves a weekend of travelling, playing, and travelling back. But if time permits, we always try to go and see someone that’s playing that we know or want to see. It’s hard not to get caught up in the whole customer side of festivals, as well. Just because you’re playing yourself doesn’t mean you’re not excited to go and see other bands you look up to, even if that’s right before or after you were on the stage. Also, the beauty of festivals is that you may by accident hear someone play and find another band to get into.</p><p><b>I’ve read in another interview with (fellow member) Rory Friers that you spent “almost every waking moment” of the first half of 2014 in your rehearsal room writing the new album. Now you’re on this tour across Europe and the UK, how do you combine your busy band life with your personal life?</b></p><p><b>Johnny</b>: If you’re the right type of person and you know you want something to happen, you just have to make it work. I can only speak for myself, but in my personal life I have been really fortunate to make a lot of things work by accident; for example that family life coincided with time we set aside to be writing. So there were days I got to go hang out and spend the maximum amount of hours writing music with the guys in the rehearsal room, then go home to be a husband and father.</p><p><b>Niall</b>: You have to have people in your life that understand. Your friends and people you have relationships with have to be very understanding that you’re just going to be away a lot of the time.</p><p><b>Chris</b>: That did take a bit of time when we first started touring. We had never really done a lot of time away, and then suddenly we were gone for months and months at a time, and that did have an impact on relationships and families. But it’s good to look back on that now after almost seven years, with all the experience we have. With the amount of touring we’ve done we have been able to work out how to manage all that, so when we go away, we’re well equipped to deal with issues like being homesick and keeping in contact with our families.</p><p><b>You guys have just released your fourth studio album <i><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/heirs">Heirs</a></i>. When you compare the work in the studio for this fourth album to the work you did to record your first, has your approach changed?</b></p><p><b>Chris</b>: Well, we certainly have got a lot better ourselves, both with our instruments and at performing well in a recording environment. On the topic of putting together a record, on the self-titled we just threw an album’s worth of songs together. In the past years, we went from doing that to writing almost the entire third album in the recording space, to writing this fourth way before any of the tracking happened. So by the time we got to the proper recording, we had a very clear vision of what the album had to become.</p><p><b>We also noticed that there seem to be more vocals on every consecutive album. Is that something that happens naturally?</b></p><p><b>Johnny</b>: Initially it was just four friends playing music together. At that time, there was no desire to make it more than what it was. It was never deliberate to not have vocals, or to add more each record. However, if we felt a song would work better with another part, even if it happened to be vocals, we would do it. Then it got to the point where we just weren’t as scared of using our voices as another instrument.</p><p><b>Chris</b>: That goes for other instruments as well. There’s an especially big jump on the last album, <i><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/all-hail-bright-futures">All Hail Bright Futures</a></i>, where a lot of music that was written on the guitar ended up as a bass line. I think the same thing goes for the vocals. If they’re the best instrument to do a specific melody, we’ll end up doing it that way.</p><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1024" data-orig-width="683"><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/bbba324880a91b2daa1a4b0cf4e9ca04/tumblr_inline_nphs23PDvB1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><i>Photo by Ciara McMullan</i></p><p><b>We’ve got a question for Niall. You’ve been in the band for nearly three years now, but <i>Heirs</i> was in fact the first record you fully participated on. Do you think that your input changed the end result?</b></p><p><b>Niall</b>: I hope so [laughs]. I played a little bit on the last album, but when I joined the band they already recorded most of it. This time however, Rory and I wrote it together from the ground up. It’s fun to listen through the album and remember where and when I wrote some part. I hope I contributed – I feel like I did. It probably wouldn’t have been the same record if I hadn’t been there.</p><p><b>Chris</b>: I would say there’s definitely a lot of Niall’s personality as a songwriter in the record. While writing the last album, it was Johnny, Rory and myself in a studio together saying we needed to make an album. It was fun, but it was also a struggle at times to write all the songs. This time around we had Niall on board, who is a very gifted songwriter, and we had all this time in the rehearsal room without pressure and we got to work on ideas all day, every day. I think all that reflects very clearly in the album.</p><p><b>A while ago, over at the Arctic Drones mansion, we were looking for films, games, television series, etcetera, that had post-rock music in their soundtrack. If you could pick a movie to do the soundtrack for, what kind of movie or which specific movie would that be?</b></p><p><b>Niall</b>: Interstellar or Gravity. Something huge and space-themed.</p><p><b>Chris</b>: We were kind of on that sort of vibe in the writing process of <i>Heirs</i>. We had this idea of making a very grand, very large-scale-sounding album.</p><p><b>Johnny</b>: Or maybe the next Jurassic Park? Something like that – a small indie film [laughs].</p><p><b>Niall</b>: In fact, that’s a big ambition of mine. I would really love us to do a soundtrack. We’ll keep our fingers crossed. You set it up, we’ll do it [laughs].</p><iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 120px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=2514936471/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=2ebd35/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" seamless=""><a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/heirs-2">Heirs by And So I Watch You From Afar</a></iframe><p><b>After four records, your popularity seems to be largely untainted. Where do you see <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> in a couple of years? What’s the big dream? Apart from soundtracks, that is.</b></p><p><b>Chris</b>: We’re quite proud that the band has been going for 10 years and that we’re still edging up. We’re happy with that noticeable progression we get every tour. Some bands get their big break and they’re gone in 18 months after that, but we’re still chipping away. If it continues like that for the next couple of years, we’ll be really happy. Anything extra is a bonus.</p><p><b>Johnny</b>: Just to be still doing it in two years would be good as well, even if it doesn’t get much bigger. I’d be happy if we were still able to say we’re a full-time touring band in two years’ time.</p><p><b>Niall</b>: We’re gonna be huge. Huge [laughs].</p><p><b>Johnny</b>: Playing football stadiums. That’s basically what we’re trying to say in a nice way.</p><p><b>Well, you do have the sing-along chants for it. Thanks a lot for the interview and good luck with the show. We’re looking forward to it.</b></p><p>And So I Watch You From Afar released their fourth full-length album, Heirs, on the 4th of May on Sargent House. It’s available in all digital formats on their <a href="https://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/">Bandcamp</a> page. Order the album on CD or Vinyl <a href="http://sargenthouse.awesomedistro.com/artists/asiwyfa">here</a> for people who live in Europe and the UK, and <a href="http://hellomerch.com/collections/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar/products/heirs">here</a> for people who live elsewhere.</p><p><a href="http://arcticdrones.com/interviews/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar/">(via Arctic Drones)</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37260742015-06-02T17:14:15-04:002018-10-18T11:52:09-04:00Stencil Mag Issue #31 // Interview with Chris Wee<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="307" data-orig-width="739"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/23cf151ca21f72b935319e59cc9d94f2/tumblr_inline_npc5g1jQaC1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_m justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
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<p>Issue 31, pages 23-27</p>
<p><a href="http://issuu.com/stencilmag/docs/issue31">Click HERE to read</a> or flip through below:</p><iframe frameborder="0" height="371" src="//e.issuu.com/embed.html#0/13225499" width="525"></iframe>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37160842015-05-26T15:15:15-04:002022-05-26T05:46:26-04:00Hot Press interviews And So I Watch You From Afar<figure data-orig-height="84" data-orig-width="167"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/7edec0f110f8917bb0d2eccd9a484e55cecf34a0/original/screen-shot-2015-05-26-at-12-16-52-pm.png?1432667829" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /></figure>
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<p>It’s an overcast May afternoon in Luxembourg city and, in a disconcertingly ketchy part of town, four Irishmen are lugging gear from a van.</p>
<p>Several hours before stage time, Belfast noise band <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have touched down at Den Atelier, a 1,200 capacity venue in a stretch of Europe’s mega-bucks duchy that, to the untutored eye, could pass for a dowdier corner of West Dublin. Squint and you could be in Kimmage.</p>
<p>“We’ve actually played in Luxembourg city a bunch of times – more than you’d imagine,” says the band’s unofficial leader, <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/rory-friers">Rory Friers</a>. “We love going off the beaten track. You get to see parts of the world that you would normally never go to – AND get paid for it. A win-win really.”</p>
<p>On the mean streets of Luxembourg, the worst that might happen is a local merchant banker mowing you down in his Bentley. However, the band have been in genuinely hairy situations on their travels – somewhere between a laugh and a shudder, Friers recalls being pulled over by police in Ukraine and finding themselves in a scene from one of the <i>Bourne</i> movies.</p>
<p>“At home maybe they’d knock on the window and ask to see your driver’s licence. There,it was a case of pulling open the van door and sticking a Kalashnikov in your face. All you can do is hand over your passport and shout ‘Irish, Irish!’”</p>
<p>The group are, as it happens, just back from their latest tour of the former Soviet Union (for obvious reasons Ukraine was not on the itinerary this time). Russia has a wild west feel – there is a sense of a place where the normal rules simply don’t apply. However, coming from Belfast and old enough to remember the Troubles, the band understand that a country is more than the mass of cliches it has accumulated.</p>
<p>“You do see things you have never seen before,” says Friers. “Definitely we’ve handed over cash to cops and stuff like that. Going over there this time, especially, there was a lot of edge to it, as a result of what’s happening [in Ukraine].</p>
<p>“Being from Belfast you can spot the similarities. As young fellas, whenever we’d go to gigs further afield, people would have this idea that we lived in a place where bombs where going off all the time and tanks were rumbling down the streets.</p>
<p>“Obviously, there were pockets of it. The general population got on with their lives. You definitely have the same feeling in Russia – not everyone is against gay marriage or hates homosexuality. You have lots of young, liberal, open-minded people. As someone from the north of Ireland, I know what it’s like to be represented by politicians whose views on certain issues make you feel embarrassed.”</p>
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<p><i>photo by Hana Ofangel for Metal Orgie</i></p>
<p>And So I Watch You From Afar have just released their fourth LP, <i><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/heirs">Heirs</a></i>. Friers is simultaneously nervous about the reception it may receive, and cheerfully devil-may-care as to how it goes down. At one level, he wanted to make a record that is well- regarded and perceived as a meaningful progression from the group’s earlier work. On the other hand, with ASIWYFA’s uncharacteristically melodic previous long-player <i><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/all-hail-bright-futures">All Hail Bright Futures</a></i> having provoked a schism in the fan-base, he’s prepared for a sharp reaction.</p>
<p>It’s probably as well he’s going in with his eyes open, as <i>Heirs</i> is likely to prove even more divisive than <i>All Hail Bright Futures</i>. Placing further distance between the band and the familiar tropes of post-rock, at moments on the new record they could pass for an Animal Collective-style acid-freak crew. There are zinging melodies, batshit crazy hamster vocals – all good clean fun, for sure, but potentially upsetting to those used to thinking of the band as Northern Ireland’s Mogwai.</p>
<p>“You can’t take a big step left or right from your initial sound without rubbing some people up wrong,” says Friers. “I understand the impulse: if I fall in love with a band, really, I don’t want them to change. There’s this selfish thing you have of wanting them to stay the same.</p>
<p>“Our last record seemed to polarise a few people. In a terrible way, I found that satisfying. It confirms were are definitely taking steps in the right direction – we’re not repeating ourselves, which is absolutely the worst you can do. You don’t want to look back and realise you’d put an album out for the wrong reasons: to satisfy a record label, or a fashion trend... We have a constant need to stay unfashionable.”</p>
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<p><i>photo by Hana Ofangel for Metal Orgie</i></p>
<p>These are heady days for And So I Watch You From Afar. A recent jaunt around the UK saw four-piece perform to sell out houses: today they’ve driven to Luxembourg from Dunkirk in France, where they stuffed yet another venue. The 1,200 capacity Den Atelier is unlikely to be heaving at the brim, Friers acknowledges. Nonetheless, a healthy attendance is expected – a far cry from early on, when the band would sometimes perform to the proverbial three men and a dog.</p>
<p>“It’s humiliating,” says the guitarist of the anguish of playing to an empty house. “Starting out... yeah it’s fine. You’re a kid – to have 10 people at your show is awesome. When you’ve put most of your adult life into doing something and the people you grew up with are getting mortgages you do start to question everything. The best you can do is put your head down and come through with a bit of humility. You’ve earned some stripes on your arm. Long term, it will stand to you.”</p>
<p>For a lark, before our interview I checked whether And So I Watch You’s music is available on Jay Z’s Tidal service. It isn’t – apparently Jigga has yet to discover the joys of Lagan-side post-rock.</p>
<p>“Yeah, he wanted us to come to New York for his press conference,“ deadpans Friers. “We’d already gone on tour. What can I say? We tried to let him down gently.”</p>
<p>To be briefly serious, he is happy the group’s music can be sampled on Spotify and other streaming services (it appears a Tidal deal is in the works). Well ‘happy’ is perhaps an overstatement. Put it this way: he’d rather people accessed the band’s material legally than gorge on it via Pirate Bay.</p>
<p>“I use Spotify because I’m poor, ”he half jokes.“ There are a lot of strong opinions surrounding it. I would rather people were listening to music on something like Spotify. It’s not as if we are going to get a bunch of money of it. At least the listener is contributing to some extent. Given the alternatives, that’s by far the preferable scenario.”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.hotpress.com/ASIWYFA/music/interviews/ASIWYFA-Interview/14108970.html?new_layout">(via Hot Press)</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37163622015-05-22T14:45:00-04:002022-05-30T09:40:15-04:00Metal Hammer/Team Rock + live review<figure data-orig-width="942" data-orig-height="530" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/1b4e16c05bca448b53fa3cc3a7b22de7/tumblr_inline_noz81xeuYh1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="590" data-orig-height="166" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/a4a6ba615dd124efe48ec64b5ab69460/tumblr_inline_noz82eBfKP1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>Having arrived late at the venue, <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> are initially somewhat flustered; doors were late, and it doesn’t appear as if the Belfast quartet had much time to soundcheck. Nevertheless, they crash straight into the start of their new album <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/heirs">Heirs</a>, careering through Run Home and Wasps with reckless abandon. Somewhat lacklustre on record, the tracks make a lot more sense live, with gang vocals complementing the frenetic guitars.</p><p>A trip into back catalogue is what really gets the crowd warmed up though, as the band play a run of songs from their 2011 opus <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/gangs">Gangs</a>, undoubtedly one of the finest instrumental guitar albums ever committed to tape. BEAUTIFUL UNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION is a clarion call, with the shredding opening riff and swaggering breakdown section of Gang that follows whipping the crowd into a frenzy, and S Is For Salamander from the <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/miscellaneous">Letters EP</a> is ecstatically received by the older fans present.</p><p>Tryer, You is an unexpected highlight; one of the more soundscape-heavy tracks on the new LP, it evokes well the cover image of an astronaut in deep space and live proves cavernous and all-enveloping. After that, the band down instruments, only to return for an encore of Eunoia and Big Thinks Do Remarkable from 2013’s <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/all-hail-bright-futures">All Hail Bright Futures</a>, followed by the track that made their name – Set Guitars To Kill, from their debut. The crowd explode, and there’s crowd surfing, stage diving and the obligatory co-ordinated shout of ‘woo!’ from all present. </p><p>Fundamentally, there’s one clear message from tonight; that despite the changes in their sound, And So I Watch You From Afar remain one of the best live bands in the world.</p><p><a href="https://metalhammer.teamrock.com/reviews/2015-05-22/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-live-review">(via Metal Hammer)</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37110192015-05-19T18:59:38-04:002017-01-16T09:23:19-05:00Delicious Audio interviews Rory Friers of And So I Watch You From Afar<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="117" data-orig-width="960"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/097b3ea893f84ba6b3dbf2346927c36c5c943e0c/original/deliciousaudio-logo2.jpg?1432076476" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /></figure>
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<p>The guys in Irish “post-math” band <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> are the kind of people who never choose the simple route. Blending metal, psychedelia, post rock and prog rock, their music is like a kaleidoscope of fragmented sounds and sections frantically chasing each other. Their focus on originality and experimental guitar tones makes them an ideal candidate for an interview about the creative process. Guitarist/vocalist <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/rory-friers">Rory Friers</a> answered a few questions in this regard.</p>
<p><b>INSPIRATION</b></p>
<p><b>What was your initial motivation to form a rock band?</b></p>
<p>Initially it was just so we could play shows, it was always about live in the beginning, hoping we would maybe get to tour one day like the bands we would go see play in venues in Belfast. But it was always about the scene and playing music to our friends.</p>
<p><b>Have your sources of inspiration changed throughout the years?</b></p>
<p>I suppose they have and haven’t, I’m still inspired primarily by music I like though some of that music has changed over time, and by places I’ve been and spent time in, which again has changed and broadened as I’ve gotten older. Playing live and the experience of being on a stage in front of people who care about your music has a huge impact on how you write your next songs I think, imagining playing them in that environment can’t help but shape your songs I think.</p>
<p>Also, we’ve traveled a lot, seen lots of new places. We’ve also all become uncles since the last record and our bassist <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/johnny-adger">Johnny</a> has become a dad so there’s a lot of new lives around us which has been very inspiring, we actually named the new album in honor of them all.</p>
<p><b>Is inspiration some kind of random blessing, or is it possible to set it in motion?</b></p>
<p>I’ve tried in the past to “get inspired” by locking myself away or putting myself in an isolated environment or trying to read a bunch or listen to a lot of music, and although sometimes something clicks it’s generally you just have to keep writing and creating and outputting and – before you realize it – you’ll suddenly be in a good place and making good stuff. You just hope you stay there for as long as possible.</p>
<p><b>Your music seems mostly focused on forging new sounds – rather than, say, on lyrics or emotions. Do you ever feel limited by this approach?</b></p>
<p>It can be hard, and I sometimes feel we’re always chasing after this perfect record which is just one step ahead of us all the time. I just want to always feel like I’m not scared to do something that’s new or out of my comfort zone. But I guess it has the potential to make you a bit dismissive of ideas that aren’t totally fresh feeling even if they are good, in that respect it has the potential to be limiting, but I want to try and let myself just be open to everything moving forward, I think we’ve been brave and made sure we didn’t get stuck in a genre.</p>
<p><b>Is there a rational conceptualization behind the band’s sound (i.e. are you purposefully trying to achieve something musically?) or are you just following your musical instincts?</b></p>
<p>We just follow our instincts really, in the past we might have tried to come up with a sound we want to go for or the type of record we want to make but what we end up doing is never what we talked about.</p>
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<p><b>BEING A BAND</b></p>
<p><b>Are you guys DIY or professionally trained musicians?</b></p>
<p>DIY. None of us have had any lessons really, I was at college studying recording for a year when I was 20, and Niall did the same, but musically everything has come from trial and error and forcing ourselves to play better so the songs can be better.</p>
<p><b>What’s the songwriting/arranging process in the band? To what extent is each band member’s role defined?</b></p>
<p>The initial ideas come from me and now <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/niall-kennedy">Niall</a> as well, we bring those into the rehearsal room and start to try and arrange and piece together the parts and figure out what has to happen to make it a song we love.</p>
<p><b>Are bands ever true democracies? What about yours?</b></p>
<p>I don’t know, we try and make it that way, in the past we’ve probably been too democratic and so decisions always took forever and we would talk and discuss everything for days, it was like no one wanted to offend anyone else but then it actually ended up making things quite tense because we all would have an opinion but nothing was getting decided. I think now though we all trust each other’s strengths a bit more and we’re able to follow each other’s lead a bit more without feeling discounted.</p>
<p><b>What do you guys do when you are stuck in one of those “negative” sessions, or one of those periods all bands seem to experience at some point, when nothing productive seems to happen?</b></p>
<p>We’ve been there many times, and the best way to get out of it is to keep working until you’re there. It can be scary, because you can end up being stuck in this horrible rut where nothing’s coming together and you wonder if maybe you’ve reached the end of any sort of good output. You’ve no idea how long it will last, but as our guitarist Niall always says you have to write your way out of it.</p>
<p><b>MUSICAL TOYS AND RECORDING</b></p>
<p><b>Are there any instruments, pieces of equipment or musical toys that lately made you rediscover the playful side of creating?</b></p>
<p>I’m still in love with effects pedals, we’re always getting new ones and spend all day making noises in our rehearsal room. My favorite new one is a [dual delay with reverb and modulation] <a href="http://earthquakerdevices.com/shop/Disaster%20Transport%20Sr./cat/13093">Disaster Transporter Sr </a>by Earthquaker Devices, it’s amazing.</p>
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<p><b>Has a piece of gear alone ever inspired a song? If so which? </b></p>
<p>Yeah lots, ‘<a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/track/set-guitars-to-kill">Set Guitars to Kill</a>’ happened because I discovered using an Ebow and a pitch shifter pedal together thanks to my good friend Dermot. ‘<a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/track/animal-ghosts">Animal Ghosts</a>’ off the new record was thanks to a technique I made up shifting the sound in 5ths and arpeggiating the strings. There’s a song we still are yet to release which which was entirely made around a pedal called <a href="http://earthquakerdevices.com/shop/arpanoid/">Arpanoid</a> by Earthquaker Devices which I used with an Ebow. A good pedal almost always inspires a new idea straight away.</p>
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<p><b>How much of your recording is done at home versus in the studio?</b></p>
<p>Before the last record it was almost all recorded in the studio, but over the past few years we’ve become way better at recording and collected some gear so we were able to make a lot of music in our rehearsal room, some of which made it onto the record.</p>
<p><b>If you use a studio, what do you record there and what do you record by yourself and why?</b></p>
<p>We record at <a href="http://starttogetherstudio.com/">Start Together Studios</a> with Rocky O’Reilly, we go there because we work so well with Rocky and he is very very talented. The studio is also full of incredible sounding equipment so we can make things that sound really amazing there. We record the first drafts and demos of everything ourselves, but we are limited to what gear we have and how well we can produce.</p>
<p><b>What are the pieces of equipment that you find particularly inspiring when recording at home? </b></p>
<p>First an foremost my guitars which is how I start all my music. I use two Fender Telecasters, one ’73 Thinline and one US Deluxe. I have loads of effects I use, reverbs and delays are always not far from hand, as I mentioned before the Disaster Transporter is my favorite delay at the moment. Other than guitar and pedals I use Logic to make songs in and I use some gorgeous synths in there to create texture at times.</p>
<p><b>What synths?</b></p>
<p>Logics’s <a href="http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may00/articles/emagic.htm">ES1</a>, <a href="https://www.ableton.com/en/packs/retro-synths/">Retro Synths</a>, a Juno, some old Moogs belonging to our producer Rockys and some old battered ones I can’t remember.</p>
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<p><b>Tell me about other pedals you love.</b></p>
<p>I create my drive using an <a href="https://orangeamps.com/products/guitar-amp-heads/thunderverb-guitar-heads/thunderverb-200w-head/">Orange Thunderverb</a>, I still haven’t found anything better than my gain channel on that.</p>
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<p>I love the <a href="http://line6.com/tonecore/verbzilla.html/">Line6 Verbzilla</a>, I get a really nice reverb sound from it, and I like that is very detailed in terms of changing and tweaking your sound.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Everything <a href="http://earthquakerdevices.com/">Earthquaker Devices</a> does is always amazing, we’ve been really lucky to have gotten a lot of support from those guys.</p>
<p><a href="http://line6.com/m9/">Line 6 M9</a>, I like this pedal because I can make patches of effects for specific songs so I don’t have to try and switch 3 pedals all on at once, it’s helpful at times and although I prefer using my own delays, verbs and distortions, it works great for all the other sound combinations I might need.</p>
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<p><b>Do you have a particular recording style that you aim for?</b></p>
<p>Personally I never try and polish things too much when I’m producing stuff myself but the main objective it always to make it impactful.</p>
<p><b>What do you find to be the most challenging aspects of the recording process? On the flipside, what aspects are the most rewarding?</b></p>
<p>The most challenging is the endless options, I have to try hard to not get stuck in the paralysis of that. Sometimes that can really slow things down or halt it completely… I like to limit my options and select my arsenal of sounds at the start and stick to it. The most rewarding is always the moment you manage to create the thing you had in your head and make it a real song that people can hear, that’s always very special.</p>
<p><a href="http://audio.thedelimagazine.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afars-gear-and-creative-process/">(via Delicious Audio)</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37109602015-05-19T16:02:27-04:002022-05-23T11:55:14-04:00More live photos from Paris<img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/487975dba1c8234916158d166b3b46a3/tumblr_nom3x3UgXV1r533n8o1_1280.jpg" class="size_m justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/b485d061c134243ae56e9324abdb7b22/tumblr_nom3x3UgXV1r533n8o2_400.jpg" class="size_m justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://36.media.tumblr.com/3e2419e37679e33a5b9aca3367eaf712/tumblr_nom3x3UgXV1r533n8o3_1280.jpg" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /><br><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/3a324ef6013a2fafdc4e67d5100f880e/tumblr_nom3x3UgXV1r533n8o4_400.jpg" class="size_m justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/6b1689969f19a7f83e2596ed5c3e98d4/tumblr_nom3x3UgXV1r533n8o5_1280.jpg" class="size_m justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/9bf81303a1a4e7720a7742e1e8ef883c/tumblr_nom3x3UgXV1r533n8o6_1280.jpg" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /><br><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/a3dc4d62e324089178239bb383808730/tumblr_nom3x3UgXV1r533n8o7_1280.jpg" class="size_m justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/db76742a5c63672bcb81e4a98949fa8e/tumblr_nom3x3UgXV1r533n8o8_1280.jpg" class="size_m justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://36.media.tumblr.com/b9bfe2cc5d3ed2169ddecea3d58fc776/tumblr_nom3x3UgXV1r533n8o9_1280.jpg" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/8cc99cd2c04f486e5b71307a595519ef/tumblr_nom3x3UgXV1r533n8o10_1280.jpg" class="size_l justify_inline border_" /><p><i>all photos by <a href="http://hanaofangel.com/">Hana Ofangel</a> for Metal Orgie</i></p>
<p>Live photos of from La Fleche D’Or in Paris, France</p>
<p>Visit <a href="http://www.metalorgie.com/photos/galeries/519_AND-SO-I-WATCH-YOU-FROM-AFAR-MYLETS-La-Fleche-d-Or-04-05-15">Metal Orgie</a> for more photos of <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> and <a href="http://myletsmusic.com/">Mylets</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37106972015-05-18T13:57:00-04:002015-08-17T13:52:30-04:00Live review and photos of London show by XSNoize<a href="http://www.xsnoize.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-live-at-islington-assembly-rooms-1st-may-2015/"><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="145" data-orig-width="1300"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/7c411e118ebcaa6de0d818668abd95f6/tumblr_inline_nt8mxoCs371qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="634" data-orig-height="418" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/0798dc54fe40d2984831d07a8718117f/tumblr_inline_nok40sOtLZ1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure></a><p>Northern Ireland’s Indie Prog-Rock quartet, <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> play a sold out Islington Assembly Rooms in London on 1st May. Verdict? Utterly Awesome! Suitably warmed up and ready to rock, the audience eagerly anticipate ASIWYFA’s arrival on stage. As the lights dim, a rumbling electronic intro fills the venue. This pretence seems to drag on a bit and the crowd get a little restless after a couple of minutes, but as the stage lights go up in a flurry of colour and dry ice illuminating the quartet, it matters little.</p><p>The boys kick off the set with “Run Home” and the crowd go nuts from the off. They put forth a formidable wall of sound such as I have not experienced before and by the time they play their 3rd number, “Wasps”, the mosh-pit is already very well established and the audience are loving it!</p><figure data-orig-width="636" data-orig-height="424" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/1e3c848c608ca098fe85038ae3d7384e/tumblr_inline_nok450q5MF1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>“ASIWYFA’s performance is full of energy”<br></p>[[MORE]]<p>The set is a mix of material from their back-catalogue and the forthcoming LP <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/heirs">Heirs</a> and can be felt as much as it is heard. The music fills our ears with lightening paced drums and riffs which leave me totally awestruck. During “Gang (Starting Never Stopping)“, guitarist <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/rory-friers">Rory Friers</a> takes to the pit, playing his mind blowing riffs directly into the faces of the front row. Shortly after returning to the stage, the lights briefly illuminate the audience. Rory is obviously taken aback by the sheer volume of people here tonight “What the fuck are you all doing here?” He remarks!<br></p><figure data-orig-width="636" data-orig-height="954" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/4398c8f219cc74cc8577fe191f7c06bd/tumblr_inline_nok489DsXf1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>“Bassist, <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/johnny-adger">Johnny Adger</a> takes to the mic”<br></p><p>The band’s stage presence is commanding, so much so that during quieter moments in their tracks, they silence even the most rowdy audience members with a simple hand gesture. The respect the crowd has for them is obvious and they take their lead with claps, silences and offering their applause for Henry Kohen of <a href="http://myletsmusic.com/">Mylets</a>, for whom the band express their gratitude more than once. After this mention, Henry joins ASIWYFA on stage with a friend for yet another blistering number.</p><p>Departing the stage briefly following “Tryer, You”, they return for a three track encore which gets the remaining members of the crowd leaping like idiots and the nights first crowd-surfers flailing overhead. Even the pit-side security guy was openly playing his air guitar! Finishing with “The Voiceless” , Northern Ireland’s new kings of rock leave the stage to the roar of a well deserved, frenzied applause from their London fan base of which I count myself a part.</p><figure data-orig-width="636" data-orig-height="424" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/61aca83d72e40399a659f9274b1287bd/tumblr_inline_nok4b2K37A1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>“Drummer <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/chris-wee">Chris Wee</a> taking his queue from Rory Friers”</p><p>One thing was true throughout tonight: these guys have the most energy I have seen live in at least a decade, they were mesmerising and their music live is awe inspiring, making even their recorded versions seem to pale in comparison.</p><p>Take it from me, if you haven’t caught ASIWYFA live yet, you should do so without a moment’s hesitation, I certainly won’t be the next opportunity I get.</p><figure data-orig-width="636" data-orig-height="848" class="tmblr-full"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/42903d6ef37671a4f2c884cdc1e8467f/tumblr_inline_nok4czvXPK1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><a href="http://www.xsnoize.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-live-at-islington-assembly-rooms-1st-may-2015/">(via XS Noize. All photos and text by Thomas Day)</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37088602015-05-14T15:12:16-04:002015-05-14T15:12:16-04:00Johnny Adger and Chris Wee interviewed by Stay Tuned Interviews<iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="km-Ghi25pr0" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/km-Ghi25pr0/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/km-Ghi25pr0?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="400" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br>Interviewed at the Marble Factory in Bristol, UK, for <a contents="Stay Tuned Interviews" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.stay-tuned-interviews.com/" target="_blank">Stay Tuned Interviews</a>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/37030582015-05-11T15:08:21-04:002023-12-10T13:37:04-05:00Live photos from Paris<img src="//41.media.tumblr.com/44440eff88cc69a01de318914076cd40/tumblr_no75zqYmuQ1r533n8o7_250.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><img src="//41.media.tumblr.com/6c69743dcb66e1669fe7af5c347a8ef8/tumblr_no75zqYmuQ1r533n8o2_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><br><img src="//41.media.tumblr.com/d76f09a0017d4430f6201f02e6caf705/tumblr_no75zqYmuQ1r533n8o3_250.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><br><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/bf34eaf3b49081969e205f3274b63746/tumblr_no75zqYmuQ1r533n8o5_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="//36.media.tumblr.com/7215f974fe8451a1b313fa3601365900/tumblr_no75zqYmuQ1r533n8o6_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><em>all photos by Tom McGeehan</em><br><br>See the rest of the photos of their show at La Fleche D'Or <a contents="at The Thin Air" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://thethinair.net/2015/05/aaa-asiwyfa-w-mylets-la-fleche-dor-paris/" target="_blank">at The Thin Air</a>.And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/36995162015-05-08T14:54:07-04:002015-05-08T14:54:21-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar interviewed by the Belfast Telegraph<figure data-orig-height="60" data-orig-width="290"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/da621e105e8b2e45913df73958dc8d37/tumblr_inline_no1niwFgqb1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="403" data-orig-width="623"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/a6223d2f0ea8ddf97bf5d567d9063c91/tumblr_inline_no1njnBszw1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p>Rock band, <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> (Rory Friers, guitar, Johnny Adger, bass, Niall Kennedy, guitar, Chris Wee, drums), recently released their fourth album, <i><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/heirs">Heirs</a></i>.</p>
<p>Q: Your last album sounded really happy and upbeat, this one much less so. What was the approach this time?</p>
<p>A: Rory - There was talk of the uber-triumphant album - for a while, me and Niall were particularly obsessed with that. <i><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/all-hail-bright-futures">All Hail Bright Futures</a></i> did really well for the band and we ended up being out on the road for ages, but by the time it came round, the record made itself. We had new pedals and we wanted it to be a bit lusher. If it was a bar of chocolate it would be Green & Black's 85% cocoa.</p>
<p>Q: You are well known for your tireless touring around the world. What has been the highlight of the last 18 months?</p>
<p>A: Johnny - We did a five-week US tour and then came home for three days and then off to India, which was pretty mental.</p>
<p>Q: Do you have many fans in India?</p>
<p>A: Rory - We didn't think so but there were a couple of kids with (ASIWYFA) tattoos, and a girl came up to us crying. It's quite profound when it happens so far away. If you're in New York, your brain can put together how it is that these people have heard your music. But to be in India, in a monsoon, and there's some kid with an ASIWYFA tattoo - it doesn't quite connect. We're from Portrush!</p>
<p>Q: You project a tight-knit image, and hang out together a lot in Belfast when you're not on tour. Are you really that close?</p>
<p>A: Niall - We also lived together for three-and-a-half years, so we'd be on tour, then hang out at home, and go out and party together and see bands. When you're on tour it's 24/7 - you drive together, soundcheck, eat together, hang out together backstage. It doesn't stop. If you can do that and still be friends, which we can, when you come home it feels natural to keep doing that.</p>
<p>Q: Johnny, you recently became a father to little Eisa. What effect has fatherhood had on the band?</p>
<p>A: Johnny - Nothing yet because of the timing. She was born at the end of August and that was the waiting period prior to the record coming out, so it was very considerate of her. She's on the album - the very last thing you hear on the record is her heartbeat. It also helped shape the name of the record, <i>Heirs</i> - we're leaving something behind for the next generation, and that's really poignant for me.</p>
<p>Q: You're approaching your 10th anniversary as a band. Do you still get as much of a kick out of touring and travelling the world?</p>
<p>A: Johnny - It's different but we're all still doing it for the same reasons, which is to play the music that we've made, talk to people and absorb different cultures. That buzz that you get out of the connection with somebody who identifies with something that you've been partially responsible for creating - that's why I'm doing it and we all have the same feeling.</p>
<p>Q: You are clearly ambitious, driven individuals, but did you always believe things would work out as well as they have?</p>
<p>A: Rory - The night after we recorded our first song, I was at Johnny's, we were drunk out of our minds and he said, "we're going to do this forever." I really believed it.</p>
<p>ASIWYFA have just been added to the lineup for <a href="http://www.dourfestival.eu/">Dour Festival</a>. Check out a full list of their upcoming tour dates and buy tickets <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/shows">HERE</a>.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/36984732015-05-07T19:30:45-04:002022-08-08T05:53:03-04:00A Ton of Reviews for Heirs<img src="//31.media.tumblr.com/bf35dd3ec97d3842f9d51b4b6179ae91/tumblr_inline_nknfjwwVSJ1r1itoc.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><p>"...this record feels familiar while coming across as totally fresh and invigorating, and if you didn't manage to grab a strong cup of coffee this morning, <em>Heirs</em> will do you just fine." - <a href="http://www.thefader.com/2015/04/27/hear-the-intense-new-album-from-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar">The Fader</a><br><br><img src="//41.media.tumblr.com/9742009fe86f3783c28b5fccbd1bcbaf/tumblr_inline_nmuj33Q8Yy1r1itoc_250.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p>
<p>"Like the sonic equivalent of a Rorschach test, each track is riddled with vast soundscapes begging to be explored and made sense of." - 4/5, Kerrang!</p><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/3a953cdf8f3d7f2e9961243619744398/tumblr_inline_nmrmq5bte81r1itoc_400.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><p>"ASIWFYA remain the most exciting band in instrumental rock." - 9/10, <a href="http://tmblr.co/ZSxRiw1iLlnhI">Total Guitar</a><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/6a4ce218c8ea75fd09d4e2c3b441745894724ed8/original/screen-shot-2015-05-07-at-12-46-41-pm.png?1431028039" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><br>"Let this band do their thing. This album's blaze of focused, intense, sublime and ridiculous alt-rock prove it's clearly worth it." - 8/10, Rock Sound<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/c0381440266234d37f86f3cf7bd7a513efffce58/original/screen-shot-2015-05-07-at-12-49-49-pm.png?1431028212" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><br>"Looking back, we're a long way from their self-titled debut, however 'Heirs' feels a much more full affair, with plenty more vocal expressions coming through. Its complexity and frantically upbeat mantra leaves a heart warming smile on your face. A masterpiece." - 9/10, Big Cheese</p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/feadf02c706ab1327fae90bec5b5b3cc40ca34ee/original/screen-shot-2015-05-07-at-12-54-32-pm.png?1431028496" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><p>"Group chants, warped guitar shreds, and a seemingly incessant furious energy. Sound familiar? For fans of Belfast’s And So I Watch You From Afar, this should resonate loudly; have no fear, the quartet shows no signs of changing, as is clear from forthcoming release Heirs." - 7/10, <a href="http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-heirs">The Line Of Best Fit</a></p><br><img src="//www.heavyblogisheavy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/250x250_trans_white-glow.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><p>"<em>All Hail Bright Futures</em> certainly left the band bigger than ever, but the question leading up to their follow-up to that, <em>Heirs</em>, was if they would build upon that success by doubling down on that formula, returning back to their musical roots, or by flipping the script again and doing something completely different once more. <em>Heirs</em> suggests that the band have decided to do all three at once, and the result is a very good album that mostly succeeds in threading the needle of past, current, and future." - 4/5, <a href="http://www.heavyblogisheavy.com/2015/05/05/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-heirs/">Heavy Blog Is Heavy</a><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/9554fcc76060fbb8cd06d28a9149e80c867257d1/medium/screen-shot-2015-05-07-at-12-59-41-pm.png?1431028816" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br> </p>
<p>"2015's <em>Heirs</em> is a propulsive fusion of guitars, synthesizers, and drums, with wordless clouds of vocals hovering over it all as the musicians generate crisp, forceful fields of sound that hit hard but maintain a striking melodic grace. Heirs demonstrates a band that can be articulate without speaking in words, and And So I Watch You from Afar are a smart, inventive group who continue to progress with each visit to the recording studio." - 3.5/5, <a href="http://www.allmusic.com/album/heirs-mw0002838363">AllMusic.com</a><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/f5c25a233870620fd1ffe95ceedeefb9e5b4977c/original/screen-shot-2015-05-07-at-1-23-42-pm.png?1431030248" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><br>"<em>Heirs</em> is, in a word, huge. Everything about it is huge. Presumably, the album sales and crowds on their extensive European and North Ameircan tour will be too. And why shouldn't they be? <em>Heirs</em> merits these things and more." - 5/5, <a href="http://state.ie/album-reviews/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-heirs">State.ie</a><br> <br><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/91f6cdb447a9d49480fa3ba8fccd6a02/tumblr_inline_nnw6vxHNpp1r4656p_400.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p>
<p>"...<em>Heirs</em> is a perfect mix of old and new sounds and as I shouted at the start of the review, their best album yet." - <a href="http://echoesanddust.com/2015/04/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-heirs/">Echoes And Dust</a><br><br><img src="//www.sputnikmusic.com/newdesign/images/logo2.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p>
<p>"<em>Heirs</em> is And So I Watch You From Afar’s most mature effort yet, marrying relentlessness and relaxation in a way that should attract even those who usually don’t like the genre." - 4/5, <a href="http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/66961/And-So-I-Watch-You-From-Afar-Heirs/">Sputnik Music</a><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/76e7fa8a261ffb2e48bc050752d4007ad905905a/original/screen-shot-2015-05-07-at-2-23-44-pm.png?1431033852" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><br>"<em>Heirs</em> neatly summarises everything And So I Watch You From Afar have created so far - moody and glowering but with an increasingly sunny outlook. A compelling experience from top to bottom." - <a contents="The Skinny" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/reviews/albums/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-heirs" target="_blank">The Skinny</a><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/bafe84f8e534a4d2ae8eb483618df6c7450898f2/original/screen-shot-2015-05-07-at-2-26-31-pm.png?1431034014" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /></p>
<p>"<em>Heirs</em> is an album that’s all about action. Where ASIWYFA excel is is leaping between sections most unexpectedly, with instantaneous changes in tempo and dynamic without it ever sounding contrived or forced. They also excel at being a rock band. And <em>Heirs</em> does definitely rock." - 8/10, <a href="http://www.shout4music.com/albums-eps/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-heirs">Shout 4 Music</a><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/9247794b93676d4db9b20d3c91fa5dfcd053b4f9/original/screen-shot-2015-05-07-at-2-45-23-pm.png?1431035155" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><br>"The increased vocal presence, having only really been introduced for the first time on third album All Hail Bright Futures, is a welcome addition to ASIWYFA’s arsenal, and is one of the main reasons Heirs feels simultaneously more varied, yet also much more focused sonically." - 3.5/5, <a href="http://www.headstuff.org/2015/05/review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-continue-their-ascent-with-heirs/">Headstuff</a><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/eccde347a0e0e6d2e69537885031c3b5cd5261be/medium/screen-shot-2015-05-07-at-3-01-52-pm.png?1431036160" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br>"It feels like a rush of blood through the head, which carries both something serious/sad and something intriguingly amazing." - <a contents="Stereofox" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.stereofox.com/album-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-heirs" target="_blank">Stereofox</a><br><br><img src="//38.media.tumblr.com/98ebda4fafb78ef7689aef35333855b0/tumblr_inline_ne2b5mMxUc1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br>"From cover to cover, there is all the youthful exuberance of <em>Bright Futures</em> – those spritely, sun-drenched hooks, meshed with the contemplative sensibility of <em>Gangs</em> and their self-titled debut." - <a href="http://feckingbahamas.com/watch-afar-heirs-2015">Fecking Bahamas</a></p><img src="//pastiebap.com/wp-content/uploads/pastie1.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br>"ASIWYFA have honed skills from ‘All Hail Bright Futures’ and compacted and improved the formula. A truly unclassifiable sound, uplifting, and inspiring, perfecting a technical sound that is readily accessible (no mean feat)." - <a href="http://pastiebap.com/music/album-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-heirs/">Pastiebap</a><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/da38d1bbdb88ec42b8a23e06b208b4a9e55c4e83/original/screen-shot-2015-05-07-at-1-29-30-pm.png?1431035772" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><br>"To sum up, ASIWYFA have created another sonically stunning set of songs that sees them further their quest as sonic sculptors and powerhouse musicians and furthermore cementing them as one of the best progressive rock bands in the world today." - <a href="http://www.nobrainerzine.co.uk/articles/album-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-heirs/">No Brainer Zine</a><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/0d6f18ce11187d961f8793444e91f861feeacb18/original/screen-shot-2015-05-07-at-3-05-45-pm.png?1431036380" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><br>"As the band releases their fourth album, the Belfast natives are holding onto their melodic roots, but with a more polished, tight-knit feel. <em>Heirs</em> pushes the boundaries of math-rock, carefully and meticulously fusing hardcore and instrumental elements." - 4.5/5, <a href="https://dustyorganmusic.wordpress.com/2015/05/05/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-heirs/">Dusty Organ Music</a>
<p><br><img src="//33.media.tumblr.com/64860424464bb313d640c1a712ae8cdf/tumblr_inline_n5a155XJdF1rlbw04.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br>"With <em>Heirs</em> And So I Watch You From Afar have carved out a sound that mixes the raw energy and passion of their 2009 self titled debut, the groove and intricacies of 2011’s <em>Gangs</em> and the vocal progression of 2013’s <em>All Hail Bright Futures</em>. Taken as a whole it could easily be considered their strongest (and most accessible) to date." - 9/10, <a href="http://altdialogue.com/2015/04/25/album-review-heirs-by-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar/">Alt Dialogue</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/36941552015-05-05T14:15:18-04:002022-03-19T08:36:51-04:00Irish Times interviews And So I Watch You From Afar about new album Heirs<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="47" data-orig-width="464"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/d284478d7fbba508809b14154e6a0350/tumblr_inline_nnw1vtF9kI1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
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<p>From the balcony of the apartment Chris Wee and Rory Friers share in Belfast, they can see aircraft taking off and landing at Belfast City Airport and hear the rumble of trains from the nearby Central Station. Considering their extensive globetrotting in recent years, it’s a base that has served them well. At the crack of dawn tomorrow morning, for example, they’re off to Russia for several gigs.</p>
<p>“It’s always a bit crazy over there,” says Wee, the friendly drummer of <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You from Afar</a>.</p>
<p>Apart from a Northern Irish Music Award hanging on the wall of their sittingroom, there is little to suggest that two members of one of Ireland’s biggest independent rock bands – and their tour manager – call this place home. Loyd Grossman would have a hard time of it, but it’s indicative of And So I Watch You From Afar’s general ethos: head down, socks up, work hard, play loud. It’s been that way since the childhood friends first started playing music together as teenagers in their hometown of Bushmills, on the north Antrim coast. “We’d practise for 20 minutes and then play basketball for the rest of the day,” he laughs.</p>
<p>A short drive across town, right on the border of east and west Belfast, guitarist Rory Friers is waiting for us. It is here, in a small room in a converted linen mill, that And So I Watch You From Afar rehearse, plan and thrash out ideas. It’s also where they demoed their new album, <i><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/heirs">Heirs</a></i>, and song titles remain chalked on a blackboard. Beer cans are strewn around the room: two nights ago, they played the new songs live in front of an audience for the first time, squashing “about 60 people in”, Wee says proudly. They went down well, he adds.</p>
<p>It has been a steady ascent for And So I Watch You From Afar. <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar">Their first album</a>, released in 2009, built so gradually that they weren’t even aware of it.</p>
<p>“I remember our label saying, ‘I think you’re gonna be up for a Choice Music Prize.’ I said, ‘I have no idea what that is. Is that good?’ ” says Friers, laughing. “Then it was up for XFM album of the year; I was like, ‘Are they Cork or Limerick?’ I see so many bands putting out that first record and it’s really tough. I feel like it’s only now that I appreciate how well that did, with hindsight.”</p>
<p><b>Green beginnings</b></p>
<p>The pair discuss how “green” they were back in those days, bringing friends on tour to do crew, sound and lighting – and paying them all, “even though we had no money”, says Friers. In more recent times they have been forced to become more career-minded, but not in a hard-nosed way.</p>
<p>“We’re not a huge band; we’re not even a medium-sized band, by any stretch of the imagination,” says guitarist Niall Kennedy. “I guess we are a small band who can consistently get people to shows, and have built up a bit of a reputation. And now that there’s – well, not a lot of money, but now that someone’s offering us a bit more than 25 quid and a box of beer for a show – it’s like we’ve suddenly realised that we have the responsibility to kind of do ourselves justice and to be smart with that.”</p>
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<p><b>Producing <i>Heirs</i></b></p>
<p>There have been numerous changes in the band’s camp over the past few years, musically and personally. Firstly, bassist Johnny Adger became a father last year, while other children born to family members of the band partially influenced both the title and theme of Heirs.</p>
<p>“Suddenly, we weren’t just the youngsters, there was all these other lives about, and that was really inspiring,” says Friers. “We got talking about that and the importance of that kind of handing down of your values, where we came from and how we got here. That tied in with music as well; how all songs are just reinterpretations of all the music we’ve listened to. We’ve taken all these ideas and spun them out into this album. It’s been a kind of self-propelling thing.”</p>
<p>There have been changes in line-up, too; new guitarist Kennedy is now on board as a full-time member, and he contributed much to the writing process this time around. They’ve also shaken up their management team and booking agent in recent years.</p>
<p>Most notably, to this record the band have brought the sense of creative freedom they gleefully plundered on 2012’s <i><a href="http://asiwyfa.com/all-hail-bright-futures">All Hail Bright Futures</a></i>. That album marked the first time they had used vocals and guest performers; this record continues to use vocals on tracks such as “These Secret Kings I Know” and “Fucking Lifer”, all blended with their trademark frantic, dynamic riffs. They began jamming ideas in early 2013 and demoed them in the rehearsal room that summer, before recording with Rocky O’Reilly in his Belfast studio. It was the longest – seven months – they had spent working on an album.</p>
<p>“All Hail was such a daring side-step into other stuff; we ended up being in a room with just synths on one occasion, and I remember thinking, ‘What the f*** are we doing?’ ” says Wee, chuckling. “Doing stuff that was so far removed from what we’d normally do was really fun.”</p>
<p>“When we came out the back of that,” says Friers, “we thought, ‘Okay. We can get away with doing this much more.’ It was like an exercise in stretching ourselves. We talked about this record so much on tour. We conceived so many different albums – there was definitely one that was going to be really . . . galactic,” he adds, dissolving into laughter. “I remember the word ‘regal’ being important for a while. ‘Regal, boys.’ I think what we meant was that we wanted there to be a real deep sense of atmosphere to it.”</p>
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<p><b>Live and dangerous</b></p>
<p>Of course, anyone who has seen an And So I Watch You from Afar gig will be aware that live has always been where it’s at. Their touring schedule is generally insane after an album release. But being one of Ireland’s hardest-working bands has its pitfalls.</p>
<p>“I certainly feel like because we’ve been at home so long, that I’ve definitely got into this routine that’s a bit more like ‘normal’ life,” says Friers. “You go into town, get your little coffee, relax for a bit, do a bit of work, see people you know, hang out with your girlfriend, go see your family at the weekend. As you get a bit older, you realise how time with other people is so much more important – but you’re the one pulling yourself out of it, and it’s your call . . .”</p>
<p>Not only does 2015 mark the release of the band’s fourth album, but it has also been a decade since they officially began playing as And So I Watch You From Afar. Do they feel they have another 10 years in them?</p>
<p>“I really do, yeah,” Friers says without hesitation. “I don’t know whether that sounds cool or naive. Obviously there’s been lots of things that have happened to the band, mostly over the last four or five years, and we’ve definitely had to consider that the band could be indestructible for one second. Whether it’s personal stuff, or financial stuff . . . there have been these big threatening things, but we’ve got through them all.”</p>
<p>“It hasn’t been a fairy tale: massive success and made millions and millions,” Wee says. “But what we do have is a very solid and steady progression through a load of s**t throughout the years, while making all of the music. We’ve got to travel so much and see so much, and we still have the excitement and enthusiasm to keep going.</p>
<p>“It’s a nice place to be at after 10 years, because it’s a very real thing we have. It’s a very solid foundation.”</p>
<p><b>NO LONGER INSTRUMENTAL? ONLY IN ONE SENSE</b></p>
<p>“I remember when we brought out the last album, someone said, ‘It’s insane that you put out that record, and it’s amazing that you did. If you’d put out another album like the first one, that’s when bands start to lose their appeal or become a bit predictable.’ And he was right. I think we had that on our minds this time around, too. We never want to be predictable.”</p>
<p>(via <a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/culture/music/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-producing-heirs-after-a-decade-in-the-game-1.2196932">Irish Times</a>)</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/36928812015-05-04T18:25:17-04:002017-01-16T09:23:18-05:00Heirs by And So I Watch You From Afar is out today!<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/92e7eabcb7775fc081a0a63a181161ae03d37301/medium/heirs-album-art.jpg?1430777744" class="size_m justify_none border_" /><br><br>Happy album release day!<br><a contents="And So I Watch You From Afar" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>'s newest album <em><a contents="Heirs" data-link-label="Heirs" data-link-type="page" href="/heirs" target="_blank">Heirs</a> </em>is out worldwide.<br><br>You can purchase CD or Vinyl copies from our <a contents="$ Store" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://hellomerch.com/collections/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank">$ Store</a> which ships worldwide, or from our <a contents="£ Store" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://sargenthouse.awesomedistro.com/artists/asiwyfa" target="_blank">£ Store</a> which ships anywhere in the EU.<br>Digital copies are available via <a contents="Bandcamp" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/heirs-2" target="_blank">Bandcamp</a> or <a contents="iTunes" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://smarturl.it/HeirsiTunes" target="_blank">iTunes</a>.<br><br>And be sure to catch them on their EU tour with support from <a contents="Mylets" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://myletsmusic.com/" target="_blank">Mylets</a>--full list of dates below:<br> <p>Apr 28 - Glasgow, (UK) @ King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut*<br>Apr 29 - Manchester, (UK) @ Gorilla*<br>Apr 30 - Bristol, (UK) @ Marble Factory*<br>May 01 - London, (UK) @ Islington Assembly Hall*<br>May 02 - Dunkerque, (FR) @ 4ecluses*<br>May 03 - Luxembourg, (LU) @ Den Atelier*<br>May 04 - Paris, (FR) @ La Fleche D'Or*<br>May 06 - Brussels, (BE) @ Vk*<br>May 07 - Rotterdam, (NL) @ Rotown*<br>May 08 - Eindhoven, (NL) @ Effenaar*<br>May 09 - Deventer, (NL) @ BURGERWEESHUIS*<br>May 10 - Nantes, (FR) @ Le Ferrailleur*<br>May 11 - Clermont-Ferrand, (FR) @ La Cooperative De Mai*<br>May 12 - Zurich, (CH) @ Dynamo*<br>May 13 - Bern, (CH) @ Dachstock, Reitschule*<br>May 14 - Geneva, (CH) @ Usine*<br>May 15 - Milan, (IT) @ Leoncavallo*<br>May 16 - Rome, (IT) @ Traffic Live*<br>May 17 - Modena, (IT) @ La Tenda*<br>May 19 - Ljubljana, (SI) @ Kino Siska*<br>May 20 - Zagreb, (HR) @ Zedno Uho Festival*<br>May 21 - Budapest, (HU) @ Dürer Kert*<br>May 22 - Vienna, (AT) @ Arena*<br>May 23 - Munich, (DE) @ Ampere*<br>May 25 - Prague, (CZ) @ NoD Teatro*<br>May 26 - Wiesbaden, (DE) @ Schlachthof*<br>May 27 - Leipzig, (DE) @ Tåubchental*<br>May 28 - Berlin, (DE) @ Bi Nuu*<br>May 29 - Hamburg, (DE) @ Logo*<br>May 30 - Essen, (DE) @ Zeche Carl*<br>May 31 - Cologne, (DE) @ Underground*<br>Jun 01 - Amsterdam, (NL) @ Paradiso*<br>Jun 19 - Dublin, (IE) @ Olympia<br>Jun 20 - Belfast, (IE) @ Mandela Hall<br>Jul 9-11 - Cheltenham, (UK) @ 2000 Trees Festival<br>Jul 24 - Beelen, (DE) @ Krach Am Bach<br>Jul 25 - Sheffield, (UK) @ Tramlines Festival<br>Jul 26 - Chester, (UK) @ The Live Rooms<br>Aug 29 - Reading, (UK) @ Reading Festival<br>Aug 30 - Leeds, (UK) @ Leeds Festival</p>
<p>*with <a href="http://myletsmusic.com/" target="_blank">Mylets</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/36900402015-05-04T13:37:50-04:002015-05-04T13:48:52-04:00Live review of And So I Watch You From Afar in Manchester<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="371" data-orig-width="520"><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/528d691816d9808d6b2f2528d944b067/tumblr_inline_nnu421zjCX1ry933h_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p><i>review via <a href="https://birthdaycakebreakfast.wordpress.com/2015/05/03/live-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-at-gorilla-in-manchester-29415/">Birthday Cake For Breakfast</a></i></p>
<p>With their terrific fourth album ‘Heirs’ released next week, Northern Irish four-piece <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> are out on the road around the UK and Europe this spring. This past week they came to Manchester, their second stop having played a sold out show in Glasgow the night before.</p>
<p>This would turn out to be my third time seeing And So I Watch You From Afar, having seen them at <a href="http://www.arctangent.co.uk/">ArcTanGent</a> the past two years. I was keen to catch them in an actual venue this time around, as opposed to pissed up in a field at a festival. It’s odd though, as even though one would assume the intimacy and atmosphere might get lost in the open environment of a festival, it was the complete opposite. Their set at last year’s ArcTanGent was one of the highlights of the whole weekend, with the crowd pretty much coming together as one, united and in awe of this fantastic band. So would that feeling translate to the confines of hip Manchester joint <a href="http://www.thisisgorilla.com/">Gorilla</a>? I was soon to find out.</p>
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<p>With much fanfare, ASIWYFA entered the swelling room, greeted by a thoroughly enthusiastic crowd. The first three tunes from their new albumHeirs would also be the first three of the evening. The brilliant ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgTbdo_OJcM">Run Home</a>’ was slightly marred by an issue with the sound (in that for parts of it, you weren’t able to hear Rory’s guitar) but it was terrific fun to hear it live, having personally played it to death the past couple of months. ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5maQQqV1Kwk">These Secret Kings I Know</a>’ has fast become one of my favourite tracks from the new album, and it was tremendous here. That guitar sound and the vocal combination are just gorgeous. Without much room to breathe, second single ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF9BgEt_WMM">Wasps</a>’ was up next, and it’s a total blast, working a treat in building up the atmosphere in the room. From album number four to album number two, ASIWYFA shifted gears from ‘<a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/heirs-2">Heirs</a>’ to ‘<a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs">Gangs</a>’ and blasted into the immense ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfRq8KhLM_M">BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION</a>’ which really lit a fire under the arses of everyone in the room. The whole congregation became one sea of people, all swaying with the sweet, sweet sounds of this dancey staple, and this was pretty much how the crowd remained for the rest of the show. The awesome ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLafUk_cV98">7 Billion People All Alive At Once</a>’ was a huge highlight for me, having been one of the tracks that really got me onto the ASIWYFA bandwagon, and it really had the crowd swept up and singing along, as did the unbelievable ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W43nFIpTA7A">Like A Mouse</a>’.</p>
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<p>There was a real intense moment during one track where the band got the crowd to drop to complete silence. That earlier analogy of the congregation becoming one sea of people was most evident here, with such a calm falling over the crowd. It was as if time stood still as everyone basked in the quiet, every hair on one’s neck standing to attention.</p>
<p>I can’t begin to imagine how techy this stuff is to play, and at certain points it actually looked like Rory’s heart was going to explode at any minute with the amount of effort he was putting into it! There was a funny moment when they were starting one track where guitarist Niall put up his hand to halt it before it could begin, having looked slightly overwhelmed with the giant pedal operation that lay before him, which the band just laughed off. It really looked like they were having a blast up on stage, and there was a particularly sweet moment when the room was encouraged to sing Happy Birthday to bassist Johnny. I’ve heard of how the lads that make up ASIWYFA are great people, and it seems very much the case. They seem like the loveliest dudes, and very humble too.</p>
<p>Following on from a set that was made up of wall-to-wall hits, with everything from the new record sounding terrific, where do you go from there? An encore made up of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5b41CudXA8">‘Eunoia’, ‘Big Thinks Do Remarkable’ </a>and the bone-crushing favourite ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEKkkhJCjcM">Set Guitars To Kill</a>’, which the crowd went fucking ballistic for. That sing-along for Big Thinks Do Remarkable is always one that puts a lump in my throat, it’s just so wonderful. What a terrific band.</p>
<p>The next time I’ll be seeing ASIWYFA will be at this year’s <a href="http://www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk/">2000trees </a>(a preview of which you can find <a href="https://birthdaycakebreakfast.wordpress.com/2015/04/28/2000trees-2015-preview-is-this-years-line-up-the-biggest-yet/">here</a>) – I guess I just can’t escape these lads at festivals! But that’s fine with me.</p>
<p>Before the release of Heirs, I spoke with guitarist Rory to get an insight into what went into this new record and the feeling amongst them as they near in on ten years as a band. <a href="https://birthdaycakebreakfast.wordpress.com/2015/03/01/an-interview-with-rory-friers-on-heirs-the-fourth-album-from-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar/">You can check that interview here</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://birthdaycakebreakfast.wordpress.com/2015/05/03/live-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-at-gorilla-in-manchester-29415/">READ THE FULL LIVE REVIEW HERE</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/36786482015-04-27T11:18:05-04:002015-04-27T11:18:05-04:00The Fader streams the new And So I Watch You From Afar album Heirs<a href="http://www.thefader.com/2015/04/27/hear-the-intense-new-album-from-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar"><figure data-orig-height="90" data-orig-width="279"><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/467abf912867678a8923657feb350456/tumblr_inline_nnh0ur5R0E1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="633" data-orig-width="953"><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/84ae6bc7325847462289f85e40137752/tumblr_inline_nnh0vxRjBG1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure></a><p>When I listen to <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/heirs">Heirs</a>, the new album from Belfast rockers <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>, I think of bands from the last ten years like Fang Island and, minus some extreme tempo changes and helium-infused vocals, the Mae Shi—groups who toyed with toothy pop melodicism and applied it to song structures indebted to left-field instrumental rock structures that swept American indie around the mid-2000s. That is to say, this record feels familiar while coming across as totally fresh and invigorating, and if you didn't manage to grab a strong cup of coffee this morning, Heirs will do you just fine. It's out May 4 via <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House</a>, but why wait that long—you can stream the whole thing below, right now.<br></p><p><a href="http://www.thefader.com/2015/04/27/hear-the-intense-new-album-from-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar">CLICK HERE TO STREAM THE FULL ALBUM VIA THE FADER</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/36753302015-04-24T13:34:12-04:002017-01-16T09:23:17-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar interviewed in The Sun<a contents="" data-link-label="getpage-131.jpg" data-link-type="file" href="/files/185965/getpage-131.jpg" target="_blank"><div class="captioned justify_center"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/3688394e8648092ce71fd0cfc186e3e0edf26920/large/getpage-131.jpg?1429896757" class="size_orig justify_center border_" /><p class="caption">click for hi-res image </p></div></a>
<p><i>p. 56, Friday, April 24, 2015</i></p>
<p>The band kicks off their EU tour in Glasgow at King Tut’s on April 28th supported by <a href="http://myletsmusic.com/">Mylets</a>. See all dates and buy tickets <a href="http://asiwyfa.com/shows">HERE</a>.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/36697252015-04-21T15:17:24-04:002015-04-21T15:18:53-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar to play Reading & Leeds Festivals<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="844" data-orig-width="1500"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/2eae7509582f04f582d1ac5d8bd4ad0c/tumblr_inline_nn67vv7C7E1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p><a data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have been added to the line-up at Reading & Leeds Festivals for 2015. They will be playing The Pit stage on August 29 at <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.readingfestival.com" target="_blank">Reading</a> and August 30 at <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.leedsfestival.com" target="_blank">Leeds</a>.</p>
<p>The band has just returned from their Russia shows and are about to head out on their massive EU tour with support from <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.myletsmusic.com" target="_blank">Mylets</a>.</p>
<p>You can see all announced tour dates and purchase tickets <a data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/36589922015-04-15T07:53:25-04:002017-01-16T09:23:17-05:00Kerrang! premieres new song, “Redesigned a Million Times”<figure data-orig-height="76" data-orig-width="249"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.kerrang.com/30348/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-release-new-song-redesigned-a-million-times/" target="_blank"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/9742009fe86f3783c28b5fccbd1bcbaf/tumblr_inline_nmuj33Q8Yy1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="86" data-orig-width="724"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.kerrang.com/30348/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-release-new-song-redesigned-a-million-times/" target="_blank"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/602e154eda416680741ea4c7f475ce44/tumblr_inline_nmuj50JJGz1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></figure>
<p><img src="//www.kerrang.com/wp-content/uploads/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar1.jpg?455978" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><a href="www.asiwyfa.com">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> are premiering their new track, Redesigned a Million Times, exclusively with <a href="http://www.kerrang.com/30348/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-release-new-song-redesigned-a-million-times/">Kerrang!</a>.</p>
<p>The track is taken from the Belfast math-rockers’ new full-length, <a href="www.asiwyfa.com/heirs">Heirs</a>, which is out on May 4 via <a href="www.sargenthouse.com">Sargent House</a>. Get excited! Stream Redesigned a Million Times below, and let us know what you think in the comments. And be sure to pre-order And So I Watch You From Afar’s new record now on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/heirs/id972238461">iTunes</a> or <a href="http://sargenthouse.awesomedistro.com/artists/asiwyfa">Sargent House’s official webstore</a>.</p>
<p>To coincide with the release, the band will be embarking on a huuuuuuge tour throughout the UK and Europe – full dates and ticket info below.</p>
<p>Stream Redesigned a Million Times below:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/200691739&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%"></iframe></p>
<p>Apr 15 - Moscow, (RU) @ Teatr Club<br>Apr 16 - St. Petersburg, (RU) @ Kosmonavt<br>Apr 17 - Yekaterinburg, (RU) @ Nirvana<br>Apr 28 - Glasgow, (UK) @ King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut*<br>Apr 29 - Manchester, (UK) @ Gorilla*<br>Apr 30 - Bristol, (UK) @ Marble Factory*<br>May 01 - London, (UK) @ Islington Assembly Hall*<br>May 02 - Dunkerque, (FR) @ 4ecluses*<br>May 03 - Luxembourg, (LU) @ Den Atelier*<br>May 04 - Paris, (FR) @ La Fleche D'Or*<br>May 06 - Brussels, (BE) @ Vk*<br>May 07 - Rotterdam, (NL) @ Rotown*<br>May 08 - Eindhoven, (NL) @ Effenaar*<br>May 09 - Deventer, (NL) @ BURGERWEESHUIS*<br>May 10 - Nantes, (FR) @ Le Ferrailleur*<br>May 11 - Clermont-Ferrand, (FR) @ La Cooperative De Mai*<br>May 12 - Zurich, (CH) @ Dynamo*<br>May 13 - Bern, (CH) @ Dachstock, Reitschule*<br>May 14 - Geneva, (CH) @ Usine*<br>May 15 - Milan, (IT) @ Leoncavallo*<br>May 16 - Rome, (IT) @ Traffic Live*<br>May 17 - Modena, (IT) @ La Tenda*<br>May 19 - Ljubljana, (SI) @ Kino Siska*<br>May 20 - Zagreb, (HR) @ Zedno Uho Festival*<br>May 21 - Budapest, (HU) @ Dürer Kert*<br>May 22 - Vienna, (AT) @ Arena*<br>May 23 - Munich, (DE) @ Ampere*<br>May 25 - Prague, (CZ) @ NoD Teatro*<br>May 26 - Wiesbaden, (DE) @ Schlachthof*<br>May 27 - Leipzig, (DE) @ Tåubchental*<br>May 28 - Berlin, (DE) @ Bi Nuu*<br>May 29 - Hamburg, (DE) @ Logo*<br>May 30 - Essen, (DE) @ Zeche Carl*<br>May 31 - Cologne, (DE) @ Underground*<br>Jun 01 - Amsterdam, (NL) @ Paradiso*<br>Jun 19 - Dublin, (IE) @ Olympia<br>Jun 20 - Belfast, (IE) @ Mandela Hall<br>Jul 9-11 - Cheltenham, (UK) @ 2000 Trees Festival<br>Jul 24 - Beelen, (DE) @ Krach Am Bach<br>Jul 25 - Sheffield, (UK) @ Tramlines Festival<br>Jul 26 - Chester, (UK) @ The Live Rooms<br>Aug 29 - Reading, (UK) @ Reading Festival<br>Aug 30 - Leeds, (UK) @ Leeds Festival</p>
<p>*with <a href="http://myletsmusic.com/">Mylets</a></p>
<p>(via <a href="http://www.kerrang.com/30348/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-release-new-song-redesigned-a-million-times/">Kerrang!</a>)</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/36559712015-04-13T18:09:11-04:002021-05-18T06:40:13-04:00Total Guitar gives Heirs a 9/10<figure data-orig-height="98" data-orig-width="288"><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/3a953cdf8f3d7f2e9961243619744398/tumblr_inline_nmrmq5bte81r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<figure data-orig-height="446" data-orig-width="188"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/7c06afba8c099a62631db38adb455cf2/tumblr_inline_nmrmq9F0v21r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/36448382015-04-07T00:34:39-04:002022-04-28T03:55:05-04:00Huffington Post interviews Rory Friers of And So I Watch You From Afar<a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/holley-perry/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar_b_7011400.html" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/d3796ff8eb4bf9b9bf8d3fff2d723d508fa8f211/original/screen-shot-2015-04-06-at-9-24-19-pm.png?1428380687" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /></a><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/cf4a55cdc7cdbcddbd8f1aade7917e78ecfc878c/original/11007767-1615998621978883-1247481810-n.jpg?1428380611" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><br><br>A few days ago, I finally caught up with Rory Friers from the band And So I Watch You From Afar. The band is from Northern Ireland, so I have been watching them from afar. He was able to answer a few questions despite the time difference. ASIWYFA, as they are often called, has a new album, <em>Heirs</em>, and a new tour this year. Currently, they are my favorite instrumental band of all time. If you give their new album a chance, they might be your favorite instrumental band of all time also. Keep reading to find out if you'll become a fire-breathing dragon. I'm just saying, anything is possible.
<p><strong>1. What was your inspiration for the new album?</strong></p>
<p>It pretty much just came down to just wanting to make better music. The idea of making new songs or an album is an inspiration in its self really. Each time we get to put something new into the world its exciting, it's a chance to say something louder than we would ever have had the chance to if not for the band.</p>
<p>What an album represents for us is so much more than a piece of vinyl or a CD, it's a reason to see the world all over again. It gives us purpose for the next 18 months. The feeling that a song you're writing in a little rehearsal room in Belfast will be, in a year's time, possibly a meaningful addition to someone else's life is a cool notion for me. It's amazing.</p>
<p>It was also Niall's first record with us. So having him to bounce off and write with was so, so good. He made me make better songs and he brought loads of ideas to the table as well. We would spend hours talking about how we might construct an album when we were on tour, so by the time we got back to Belfast the whole band was almost vibrating with motivation to start crafting songs into something that spoke of where we were at that moment. We ended up with something I'm really proud of.</p>
<p><strong>2. How would you describe your audience?</strong></p>
<p>Heartfelt, loyal, incredible, flame breathing dragons.</p>
<p><strong>3. Is there a reason that you don't have lyrics or very many vocals?</strong></p>
<p>When we first started we had no PA or microphone so when we were writing we didn't straight away start throwing lyrics or words over our ideas, and maybe we ended up compensating by making our songs a little more interesting. On the other hand, we also really loved a lot of instrumental bands too. We all liked Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky. I was really into bands like Hella and Rumah Sakit and Sleeping People. Being a band in the rural north coast of Ireland, we were excited to be doing something which was very different from what everyone else was doing. We tried to continue that as a motivation to always keep making music that feels exciting and like we're doing something we haven't done before.</p>
<p><strong>4. Is there anything that you haven't accomplished yet that keeps you awake at night?</strong></p>
<p>I guess I have a lot of ambitions, as soon as one thing is ticked of another 10 suddenly pop into my mind, but one that keeps getting away is the ever-elusive Japanese tour. For whatever reason its keeps nearly happening and then not, we've been so close to going a few times but fate seems to have conspired against us, which is so frustrating as its one of the places I would most want to spend time in the world, so I often think about that. But maybe soon, fingers crossed.</p>
<p><strong>5. Are there any causes/organizations that you support?</strong></p>
<p>We all individually support and get behind a lot of stuff that's affected us. We, as a band, try and make a stand for the things we believe in, especially here in Belfast, from the anti-racist marches and shows we're involved in, to the peace rallies at city hall and most recently the Gay Rights issues. An issue happening at the minute is a disgusting bill trying to be introduced called a 'conscience clause,' which would effectively void some equality laws. It would allow religious people to discriminate against people, whose identities clash with their religion. There's still a lot of politics and tension and small mindedness from some folks in our country. There's a lot of stuff, which is a long way from being perfect, but there are a lot of amazing people who are behind trying to get it there.</p>
<p><strong>6. What is the worst thing about touring? What's the best thing?</strong></p>
<p>Probably, quite predictably, the worst thing is missing people, family, friends, girlfriends, wives and now thanks to Johnny, a beautiful child. So that's always a bit sore on the heart when you have those moments of needing those people around you and they're on the other side of the world. But then there's this whole other family around us on tour that can read and support that. Other than getting to play our music at the end of every day that might be the best part, that real sense of togetherness, and quest with these people your so close with, it's an adventure.</p>
<p><strong>7. The band has been together for 10 years and only one lineup change. What's the key to staying together for so long?</strong></p>
<p>I think we have really learned from many mistakes, and ups and downs, the things that contribute to the good times and the things that contribute to the bad. So each year and each record and each tour we've sort of upgraded our operating systems in a way and just gotten better at seeing things for what they are and appreciating what we have together. Don't get me wrong we will sometimes want to kill each other but it's all pretty momentary.</p>
<p><strong>8. Do you feel as if performing a show now is different than it was 10 years ago?</strong></p>
<p>Yes and no, we actually watched some old stuff recently and it's hard not to cringe a bit at how we were, so much passion and not quite sure where we wanted to direct it all, everyone in their own little worlds. But as the passion and energy has grown we are now more assured of what to do with it, we've, over the past four records, made it to a sort of point of understanding about what it is that we want to do, what we want to play and what we want a live show to feel like, and that's a cool place to be, there's a bit less panic and a bit more cohesion and unity.</p>
<p><strong>9. Who is the marathon runner in the group?</strong></p>
<p>That would be me actually! How did you know that? Yeah, I started in late 2013, I always had this weird obsession with always privately setting myself little challenges and endurances all my life. I would always time how long I could hold my breath in school, or how quickly I could make breakfast, or how many months I could not drink alcohol. I don't know why, its maybe a way of me feeling like I'm in some sort of control.</p>
<p>But yeah, one day I just thought I'd love to be able to run a few miles and not be destroyed afterwards, so I sort of secretly started going out at night in my weird mis-matched get up and would time my runs. From there I just started getting into it way more and entering races and mountain runs and stuff. I love it that all I need is my shoes and I can go into my own little world for an hour or two, plus it's my favorite way to listen to new music.</p>
<p><strong>10. For the parents in the group, has becoming a parent changed anything about how you view being in a band or songwriting?</strong></p>
<p>I guess Johnny would be the man to ask about that as he's just become the first Daddy in the band. From talking with him, I suppose the main thing is just the unknown of how it will all co- exist. We're still to go out and tour, so I suppose that will be the big test. I guess if it had of happened a few years ago it would be hard to make it all work, especially when the band was so in debt financially and we had a crazy schedule. Luckily things have become cool and we are in a good stable place so we can keep everyone is happy and tailor things to make sure of that.<br><br>(via <a contents="Huffington Post" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/holley-perry/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar_b_7011400.html" target="_blank">Huffington Post</a>)</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/36402872015-04-03T16:08:55-04:002020-01-22T01:05:20-05:00ASIWYFA on the list of the 25 best songs from Northern Ireland<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="95" data-orig-width="347"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/1cc83244edf48aa392dd0f4ee8cba15d/tumblr_inline_nm8xu7J9mz1r1itoc_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1667" data-orig-width="2500"><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/6fab5b14d3e4ebfab384c26f84319ff5/tumblr_inline_nm8yas9xgr1r1itoc_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p><a contents="AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR</a> – SET GUITARS TO KILL (2009, on ‘And So I Watch You From Afar’)</p>
<p>The aggressive soundtrack for triumphant mob rule, this is a blistering, face melting mash of enourmo-riffs and colossal drums. Exhausting.</p><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3267636200/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=63b2cc/tracklist=false/artwork=small/track=309653366/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 120px;"><a data-cke-saved-href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar">And So I Watch You From Afar by And So I Watch You From Afar</a></iframe>
<p>(via <a href="http://www.belfastlive.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/best-25-northern-irish-songs-8975098">Belfast Live</a>)</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35919892015-03-03T12:35:00-05:002015-03-11T15:31:42-04:00FADER premiere: And So I Watch You From Afar "Wasps"<figure><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/bf35dd3ec97d3842f9d51b4b6179ae91/tumblr_inline_nknfjwwVSJ1r1itoc.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<figure><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/a71945c44f45663b84b734db0ca3d476/tumblr_inline_nknfkg7T4A1r1itoc.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p>This spring, Belfast four-piece <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will release their fourth full-length, <em>Heirs</em>. Album cut "Wasps," premiering below, is mostly instrumental, aside from a reverb-y vocal passage that sounds like it was recorded a cavernous space with lots of fog and really good acoustics. Unlike some other post-rock songs, which can feel sonically gratuitous, "Wasps" benefits from its chiseled vision. "'Wasps' began as a six minute track," the band told FADER over email. "We then sliced and sanded it down to two-and-a-half minutes of the purest form of our initial idea. 'Wasping' became our word for ripping songs to pieces and throwing away all the bits that weren't needed. 'Thats's good but it needs to be wasped,' or, 'Shit, we really wasped that.'" <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/heirs/id972238461?ls=1">Heirs</a> drops May 4th via <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House</a>.<br>Stream "Wasps" below:</p><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/193910827&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%"></iframe><br><br>(via <a contents="Fader" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.thefader.com/2015/03/03/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-premieres-wasps" target="_blank">Fader</a>)And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35919752015-03-02T12:40:00-05:002015-03-11T15:28:03-04:00An Interview with Rory Friers about the new album & tour<figure><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/ebe4f28cce1a722627a98c8e883ed218/tumblr_inline_nklnneJxRs1r1itoc.png" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<figure><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/16c1584e638f9763bb004c8ca6cdc5a5/tumblr_inline_nklno7J3s71r1itoc.png" class="size_orig justify_center border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p>Boy oh boy, this year has already been great for album announcements. The first month of the year saw loads of bands announce that they would be releasing a new album in 2015. January 26<sup>th</sup> was the turn of Belfast four-piece <a href="http://www.asiwyfa.com/">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>, who announced the release of their new album ‘<i>Heirs</i>’ out on May 4<sup>th </sup>through <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House</a>, much to the delight of fans the world over. Along with the album news, they also announced an extensive list of <a href="asiwyfa.com/shows">UK and European tour dates</a> to coincide with its release.</p>
<p>Their fourth album in almost ten years together as a band, <i>Heirs</i> follows on from 2013’s ‘<i>All Hail Bright Futures</i>’ and will be their second album release on Sargent House (home to such incredible acts as <a href="ttng.net">TTNG</a>, <a href="teramelos.net">Tera Melos</a> and <a href="russiancirclesband.com">Russian Circles</a>)</p>
<p>Having only ever seen ASIWYFA at festivals, I’m eager to catch them on their upcoming UK tour. The band have been a big part of the <a href="http://www.arctangent.co.uk/">ArcTanGent </a>festival the past two years, appearing high up the bill on the main stage in its first year and headlining the Yohkai stage on the Thursday night last year. The atmosphere on that Thursday night was incredible, and it was almost as if the whole crowd had joined together as one. Beautiful.<br> </p>
<p>Whilst they’ve not been announced for ATG this year, they have been announced for this year’s <a href="http://www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk/">2000trees</a> festival, joining a huge lineup with the likes of <a href="http://www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk/line-up/xcerts/">The Xcerts</a>, <a href="http://www.idlewild.co.uk/">Idlewild</a>, <a href="http://www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk/line-up/pulled-apart-horses/">Pulled Apart By Horses</a> and <a href="http://www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk/line-up/turbowolf/">Turbowolf</a>.<br>Check out this clip of ASIWYFA performing ‘7 Billion People All Alive At Once’ from last year’s ArcTanGent, courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/smallpondrecordings">Small Pond Recordings</a> below. </p>
<figure class="tmblr-embed" data-orig-height="304" data-orig-width="540" data-provider="youtube" data-url="http%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FjexYQaSMeVw"><iframe frameborder="0" height="281" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jexYQaSMeVw?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="500"></iframe></figure>
<p>So far from the new album we’ve heard little snippets here and there, and most recently the full version of the extremely energetic, uplifting ‘<a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/track/run-home">Run Home</a>.’ It’s an adrenaline charged blast and a good sign of things to come. Though I guess we will have to wait until May 4<sup>th </sup>to hear the whole thing, or live in hope that they release more singles before then!<br>In the meantime, I put some questions to ASIWYFA guitarist Rory Friers to get the scoop on <i>Heirs</i>, performing at ArcTanGent the past two years, coming up to a decade as a band and what their discography would be like if it consisted of chocolate bars.</p>
<p><b>BCFB: Your new record ‘<i>Heirs</i>’ comes out in May on Sargent House – What can you tell us about it? What can people expect this time round?</b><br>Rory: The album came out of a lot of ideas, something like 30 songs I think, so our filtering system was pretty brutal and only our absolute favorite parts and songs made it through. The metaphorical cutting room floor was pretty thick with casualties. It was hard to leave off a lot of what we’d written, but what its meant is we’ve ended up with an album where all four of us are in love with every little nook and cranny, are invested in every second of sound on there, because every part and nuance had to justify its existence on the record. It feels like we’ve made something brand new, something very dense, it’s really thick and rich and I think our most emotive sounding record to date. We wanted to create very strong feelings when you listen to it and for it to have a journey like feel from the first note to the last, like it’s meant to be listened to in one go. It’s come off sounding very steeped in all the things we were feeling throughout the making of it and what we wanted it to do to the listener.</p>
<figure><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/6c303b7e3defc4c2a13c1fac136368b8/tumblr_inline_nklnw4AqFV1r1itoc.png" class="size_orig justify_center border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p> </p>
<p><b>This being your fourth full length album, how was it going into the studio this time round? Can you give a little insight into the production process?</b><br>It was a really intensive process; we spent all day every day on the third floor of this old Linen Mill in West Belfast where our rehearsal room is, just chipping away at this record for 6 months straight. We spent the first week in January clearing out gear and building a small make shift studio set up to demo everything as we went. We had blackboards on each wall where we would write all the working titles and songs in progress, then each song would migrate onto the next board as it got to the next level of completion, like a little factory belt; it was always exciting when a track made it onto the last board. We did way more work on the front end in our rehearsal room, so when it was time to go into the studio we actually got all those parts laid down relatively quickly because all the songs where already so honed in. I can really hear it in our playing on this album, that we were all at a level of comfort with the parts already. I think it’s the best Chris has ever played, the drums on the new record are my favorite by far.</p>
<p><b>Following on from ‘All Hail Bright Futures’, did you have any sort of game plan or direction in mind for what you wanted with this new record?</b><br>We just wanted to make sure we continued stepping out of our comfort zone, making new sounds, approaching how we arranged things differently. All Hail felt so good in terms of shedding that worry about what people are going to think of you and just embracing that experimental mindset and progressing yourself as a musician, so we really just wanted to keep that mentality in what ever it was that was going to come out when we got in the room. It feels like this record wouldn’t exist without what we did on All Hail, but that Heirs has taken another big step towards something new again. It’s sort of like the same chocolate bar, but this album has a way higher cocoa content! All Hail was covered in popping candy and multi colored sprinkles and Heirs is like an 85% bar of Green and Blacks.</p>
<figure><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/57ef3d90bb5e4a8715658d9ab2fe4394/tumblr_inline_nklnxaI2CX1r1itoc.png" class="size_orig justify_center border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p><b>You posted up a teaser recently in the form of a 30 second video, featuring the track ‘Run Home’ from the upcoming record. It quickly clocked up over 700 likes on Facebook and over 5000 views on YouTube. The response has been good then?</b><br>Yeah, it’s crazy to see how many people are following what we do now. It wasn’t long ago we really had to shout and scream for anyone to take notice, but we’ve worked so hard for nearly ten years now so when we are able to put out a new song like we just have and have people respond and be excited about it, it feels like a bit of affirmation that this thing we’ve dedicated ourselves to is worthy of any attention.</p>
<p><b>You’ve also announced a list of upcoming live dates across Europe, with a North American tour in the works as well. Where are you looking forward to getting to on these upcoming tours?</b><br>Of course we are super excited for all the shows and there is the usual bigger cities that have that bit of magic about them the day of a show like Paris or Berlin or Amsterdam, but I think I’m probably most excited about the first few shows we have in the UK, purely as that’s the place we first took our band out of Ireland to go play this endless cycle of toilet venues for years with very little progress in terms of our audiences. So to be selling, for us, a lot of tickets in those places now makes it really exciting. I guess a bit of a coming of age vibe to it, again, like all that energy and love we’ve put into this band was never in vain.</p>
<p><b>You had a pretty incredible showing at last year’s ArcTanGent festival (and there’s video evidence to prove it!) How was the festival for you, and how was it to be invited back for its second year?</b><br>That festival is so, so good. It really flies the flag for a lot of music that isn’t represented nearly enough out there. So we were very honoured to be asked back for a second time, and to headline the opening night was such a huge occasion for us. The tent was rammed and the atmosphere was insane; such good memories.</p><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/189381749&color=ff5500" width="100%"></iframe>
<p><b>Coming up to ten years as a band, a decade which has seen you produce a number of records and travel the world, how are things in the ASIWYFA camp?</b><br>Things are great. The past few years we’ve really been able to find our feet and work out what’s important and how to do it. I get to make music and travel with my best friends instead of doing something I don’t like doing. I’m very, very grateful for that and the fact that the lads have so much ambition and drive and passion to do and make and see more and more, it’s impossible not to stay inspired and excited for the next thing and the thing after that and the thing after that. I still cant switch my band brain off, I don’t think anyone in the band can, its sort of a shared obsession, so to realize that we’ve got to nearly ten years and are in no way bored makes me excited that we could maybe just keep doing it forever. A weird life, not for everyone, but for me, a happy one.</p>
<p><a href="asiwyfa.com">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>'s ‘<i><a href="asiwyfa.bandcamp.com">Heirs</a></i>’ will be released worldwide on May 4th through <a href="sargenthouse.com">Sargent House</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://birthdaycakebreakfast.wordpress.com/2015/03/01/an-interview-with-rory-friers-on-heirs-the-fourth-album-from-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar/">written by: Andrew David Hughes for Birthday Cake for Breakfast</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35919742015-03-02T12:25:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:16-05:00Russia dates added to growing 2015 Tour<figure><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/101ab32da0b7b4f150132f6db4546fca2e755f8f/original/screen-shot-2015-03-12-at-4-40-26-pm.png?1426203673" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /></figure>
<p><a href="asiwyfa.com">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have announced new concerts in Russia, adding to their constantly growing list of tour dates beginning April 15.</p>
<p><a href="asiwyfa.com/shows">Click HERE to for ticket links and info.</a></p>
<p>ALL ANNOUNCED TOUR DATES BELOW</p>
<p><b>ASIWYFA 2015</b><br>Apr 15 - Moscow, (RU) @ Teatr Club<br>Apr 16 - St. Petersburg, (RU) @ Kosmonavt<br>Apr 17 - Yekaterinburg, (RU) @ Nirvana<br>Apr 28 - Glasgow, (UK) @ King Tut's Wah Wah Hut*<br>Apr 29 - Manchester, (UK) @ Gorilla*<br>Apr 30 - Bristol, (UK) @ Marble Factory*<br>May 1 - London, (UK) @ Islington Assembly Hall*<br>May 2 - Dunkerque, (FR) @ 4ecluses*<br>May 3 - Luxembourg, (LU) @ Den Atelier*<br>May 4 - Paris, (FR) @ La Fleche D'Or*<br>May 6 - Brussels, (BE) @ Vk*<br>May 7 - Rotterdam, (NL) @ Rotown*<br>May 8 - Eindhoven, (NL) @ Effenaar*<br>May 9 - Deventer, (NL) @ BURGERWEESHUIS*<br>May 10 - Nantes, (FR) @ Le Ferrailleur*<br>May 11 - Clermont-Ferrand, (FR) @ La Cooperative De Mai*<br>May 12 - Zurich, (CH) @ Dynamo*<br>May 13 - Bern, (CH) @ Dachstock, Reitschule*<br>May 14 - Geneva, (CH) @ Usine*<br>May 15 - Milan, (IT) @ Leoncavallo*<br>May 16 - Rome, (IT) @ Traffic Live*<br>May 17 - Modena, (IT) @ La Tenda*<br>May 19 - Ljubljana, (SI) @ Kino Siska*<br>May 20 - Zagreb, (HR) @ Zedno Uho Festival*<br>May 21 - Budapest, (HU) @ Dürer Kert*<br>May 22 - Vienna, (AT) @ Arena*<br>May 23 - Munich, (DE) @ Ampere*<br>May 25 - Prague, (CZ) @ NoD Teatro*<br>May 26 - Wiesbaden, (DE) @ Schlachthof*<br>May 27 - Leipzig, (DE) @ Tåubchental*<br>May 28 - Berlin, (DE) @ Bi Nuu*<br>May 29 - Hamburg, (DE) @ Logo*<br>May 30 - Essen, (DE) @ Zeche Carl*<br>May 31 - Cologne, (DE) @ Underground*<br>Jun 1 - Amsterdam, (NL) @ Paradiso*<br>Jun 19 - Dublin, (IE) @ Olympia<br>Jun 20 - Belfast, (IE) @ Mandela Hall<br>Jul 9-11 - Cheltenham, (UK) @ 2000 Trees Festival<br>Jul 24 - Beelen, (DE) @ Krach Am Bach<br>Jul 25 - Sheffield, (UK) @ Tramlines Festival</p>
<p>*with <a href="myletsmusic.com">Mylets</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35919732015-02-27T12:25:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:16-05:00Inside the making of Heirs by Rory Friers<img src="//41.media.tumblr.com/ebf01874f9d9e3b3a23c3a51a4205b8f/tumblr_nk9y23MEJg1u3swnko2_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/c61ec247117253dc65c7e5196fa096fa/tumblr_nk9y23MEJg1u3swnko4_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//41.media.tumblr.com/1bf60de52e1a75d36d8951d460682841/tumblr_nk9y23MEJg1u3swnko6_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/592da54ab1a4e3f43177a646c4fa3e88/tumblr_nk9y23MEJg1u3swnko8_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/7d2d191bf26e25deffd3b2417fcc694c/tumblr_nk9y23MEJg1u3swnko3_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//41.media.tumblr.com/0edd437bc21e10a90b984ce29620e009/tumblr_nk9y23MEJg1u3swnko1_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//36.media.tumblr.com/aea3bdf16424cebad822bb6bd7e06236/tumblr_nk9y23MEJg1u3swnko10_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//36.media.tumblr.com/5cbec6ce2f392451913a52850296c132/tumblr_nk9y23MEJg1u3swnko7_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/b39a4cc652f4cda9bc56d2df545d5e3b/tumblr_nk9y23MEJg1u3swnko5_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/f11ee5044df0573db72971b499b494e7/tumblr_nk9y23MEJg1u3swnko9_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p>Making Heirs</p>
<p>Thought id just put up a small selection of photos from the making of our album Heirs and tell you a bit about the process. The album came out of a lot of ideas, something like 30 songs in total I think, our filtering system was pretty brutal, only our absolute favorite parts and songs made it through. It was hard to leave a lot of what we’d written off the album but what it meant was we ended up with something where all four of were in love with every little nook and cranny. We were invested in every second of sound on there because every part and nuance had to justify its own existence and it had to fit together as an album, so we have a bunch of left over tracks that we’re going to do something with at a later date.</p>
<p>It was a really intensive process; On the third floor of an old Linen Mill in West Belfast in our rehearsal room we spent the first week in January clearing out gear and building a small make shift studio set up to demo everything as we went, then spent all day every day just chipping away at songs for 6 months. We had blackboards on each wall where we would write all the working titles and songs in progress, then each song would migrate onto the next board as it got to the next level of completion, like a little factory belt, it was always exciting when a track made it onto the last board.</p>
<p>Sometimes it got very intense, It was like being underwater for a few months, like anything that wasn’t album related seemed to be muffled and a bit distant, i think thats why it feels so emotive to me when i listen to it, like all the songs absorbed that tense drive we all had making it and we wanted to create very strong feelings when you listen to it and for it to have a journey like feel from the first note to the last, like its meant to listened to in one go.</p>
<p>We just wanted to make sure we continued stepping out of our comfort zone, making new sounds, approaching how we arranged things differently. Our last album All Hail Bright Futures felt so good in terms of shedding that worry about what people were going to think of us and just embracing that experimental mindset and progressing ourselves, we really wanted to keep that mentality in what ever it was that was going to come out when we got in the room for Heirs. It feels like this record wouldn’t exist with out what we did on All Hail, but Heirs has taken another step towards something new again. Its sort of like the same chocolate bar but this album has a way higher cocoa content! All Hail was covered in popping candy and multi coloured sprinkles and Heirs is like an 85% bar of Green and Blacks.</p>
<p>I'm very very grateful that i got to make this album with Johnny, Chris and Niall, they have so much ambition and drive and passion to do and make and see more and more its impossible not to stay inspired and excited for the next thing and the thing after that and the thing after that. </p>
<p>We hope you like it.</p>
<p>Rory Friers - <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/new/roryfriers.tumblr.com">taken from his own personal blog HERE</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35919722015-02-05T12:25:00-05:002022-03-16T07:45:08-04:00HEIRS Pre-Orders for Vinyl and CD now live in the US & UK Stores<figure><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/7d07203eb3b495b41e5d241f1a961d08/tumblr_inline_njbqb6UNo31r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p>The pre-orders for the new <a href="asiwyfa.com">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> Album "Heirs" are now live in both the <a href="http://hellomerch.com/collections/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar">N. American $ store</a> and the <a href="http://sargenthouse.awesomedistro.com/artists/asiwyfa">EU/UK £ store </a>- The Vinyl comes in Opaque Yellow (only available in N. America 1k) and Translucent Lime Green (Only available in Europe 1k) and then in Black which will be in retail stores. Pre-orders will ship on or around April 30th - the Album comes out on Sargent House on May 4 in Europe and May 5th in USA. The Bundles come with a choice of shirt and poster all designed by <a href="http://sonnykay.com">Sonny Kay</a>.</p>
<p><b>N. America: <a href="http://hellomerch.com/collections/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar">http://asiwyfa.hellomerch.com</a> </b></p>
<p><b>EU/UK: <a href="http://sargenthouse.awesomedistro.com/artists/asiwyfa">http://sargenthouse.awesomedistro.com/artists/asiwyfa</a></b></p>
<figure><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/4bdb957b9004dc9f0698c85cc3227ebf/tumblr_inline_njbqkkBev01r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p>There is also the "Heirs" Astronaut zip up hoodie available in both stores.<br><a href="http://hellomerch.com/collections/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar">US</a> / <a href="http://sargenthouse.awesomedistro.com/artists/asiwyfa">UK </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35919712015-02-05T12:20:00-05:002015-03-11T15:19:32-04:00DIY Premieres first new track Run Home - Irish Dates announced to EU Tour<figure><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/2192fd9f858f430993d28d00473dc3e2/tumblr_inline_njb6w1lGYC1qbzv4w.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<figure><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/aaadc35289f740fb5bfd691dbc845c17/tumblr_inline_njb6mijrnO1qbzv4w.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
<p>This May, Belfast four-piece <a href="https://www.facebook.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> release their new ‘Heirs’ album on <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House</a>. Their fourth LP, it’s being led with the mind-flowingly triumphant ‘Run Home’, a track so pumped on adrenaline that it well and truly lives up to its title - seriously, try staying static for one split-second with this playing.</p>
<p>‘Run Home’ is one of an initial thirty tracks penned from the record, with writing sessions spanning six months. Off the bat, it sounds like one of the band’s most meticulously-constructed songs to date, a brilliantly restrained exercise in tightly-wound rock. Double-timed drums, rollicking “yo” chants and ear-gouging guitar licks - this is a shameless showcase of all things bonkers.</p>
<p>‘Heirs’ is released on 4th May. Check out And So I Watch You From Afar’s UK and European dates with Sargent House label mate Mylets opening on all but Irish ones <a href="asiwyfa.com/shows">HERE.</a></p><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/189381749&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%"></iframe>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34895202015-01-27T16:02:03-05:002017-02-04T12:54:58-05:00Heirs album to be released May 4th, 2015 - EU tour dates announced<p><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/7c22299c90a4f0734903334f7d867144/tumblr_inline_nit4qwKIuK1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p>We're excited to announce the release of Heirs, the fourth full length studio album by <a href="www.asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You from Afar </a>which will be released on May 4th via <a href="www.sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House.</a> The band will also head out in support of the new record on a headlining European tour starting on April 28 through June 1st, with label mate <a href="www.myletsmusic.com" target="_blank">Mylets</a> as the opening act on all the shows.</p>
<p>There is also a new website at <a href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank" title="asiwyfa.com">asiwyfa.com </a>where you can now sign up for their mailing list to stay up to date on all news and for their first track premiere from the album coming soon.</p>
<p>EU Tour dates and details can be found below, and yes Irish shows and a N. American tour are all to come as well...<br> </p><script src="https://widget.bandsintown.com/javascripts/bit_widget.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p><a class="bit-widget-initializer" data-artist="And So I Watch You From Afar" data-prefix="fbjs" href="https://www.bandsintown.com/And%20So%20I%20Watch%20You%20From%20Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar Tour Dates</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35057242014-12-15T13:15:00-05:002022-04-03T14:03:56-04:00State Magazine on 'No Parachute' Photo Exhibit and ArcTanGent Live Video<p><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/875526f5da0f6227448c677b2dece956/tumblr_inline_ngnhint9M81r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><a href="http://state.ie/features/new-asiwyfa-live-video-and-photo-exhibition"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/61134596bf7d33c2bc606727ec17ab73/tumblr_inline_ngnf9vqFtF1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/06958c33551e5207f5ded563ae138c60/tumblr_inline_ngnfa6Z5gH1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>Approaching their tenth anniversary and the release of album number four next year on Sargent House there’s increased activity on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> front. Ahead a larger project in 2015, on December 18th sees a work in progress launch for <i>No Parachute</i>, a visual document from the band’s Rory Friers and tour manager Graham Smith. Featuring photographs such as the one above, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/establishedcoffee">Established Belfast</a> will host a selection of the work for three days.<br><br></p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jexYQaSMeVw?rel=0" width="500" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>State is also chuffed to bring you an exclusive video premiere of the band playing at the <a href="http://arctangent.co.uk/">Arctangent Festival</a>, courtesy of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/smallpondrec">Small Pond Recordings</a>. All of which whets are appetite for their imminent return to action…</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35057222014-10-26T13:15:00-04:002015-02-04T16:11:49-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar "D is for Django the Bastard" Live from ArcTangent Festival<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gAxI6WJApqo?rel=0" width="500" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p>Thanks to the good people at <a href="http://www.smallpondrec.co.uk/">Small Pond Recordings</a> for making and sharing this live video of <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">ASIWYFA </a>from their set at <a href="http://arctangent.co.uk//">ArcTanGent festival</a>. <br><br></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35057202014-10-26T13:10:00-04:002021-04-19T06:01:01-04:00Pedal Chatter with Rory Friers<p><a href="http://feckingbahamas.com/collect-pedals-youre-watch-afar"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/98ebda4fafb78ef7689aef35333855b0/tumblr_inline_ne2b5mMxUc1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/d68c82b732303ffe519c76efd524f177/tumblr_inline_ne2b5uMP7l1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>After doing a <a href="http://feckingbahamas.com/how-to-collect-pedals-if-youre-tera-melos" title="HOW TO COLLECT PEDALS… IF YOU’RE TERA MELOS">special on <b><i>Tera Melos</i></b></a> and the pedals used by their guitarist, Nick Reinhart, I felt the need to make it into a series. Yes, the topic is close enough to my heart that I could probably talk all day about pedals. But my real reason for wanting to do this series is that sometimes you have the privilege of seeing a guitarist play live whose pedals are more than a cheap trick, or a simple tone enhancer. It becomes something else entirely: a truly indispensable part of the way the artist is able to express themselves. After Reinhart, the next person on my hit-list was (and it won’t come as a surprise) Rory Friers from <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar"><i><b>And So I Watch You From Afar</b></i></a> – a Belfast band with a more than mammoth sound. Thankfully he had a spare moment to talk to us at this year’s ever-brilliant <a href="http://arctangent.co.uk/">ArcTanGent festival</a>. This is what was learned.</p>
<hr><p><b>FB: How did you go about choosing your pedals?</b><br><i>R: I think to begin with, I didn’t have any pedals and the first pedal I got that really made my ears and eyes prick up was just a delay pedal. I remember, I didn’t really know anything about effects, but a lot of the bands we were playing with at the time, like <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Adebisi_Shank"><b><i>Adebisi Shank</i></b></a>, and a band from Belfast called <b><i>Killing Spree</i></b>, and a band called <b><i>We Are Knives</i></b>, they were playing this weird mathy instrumental stuff, and we didn’t really know what we were doing but we just knew that we enjoyed that kind of music and it was just kind of like “why is it that those bands sound different from my band?” and it was “oh they’re using these things in the ground”. So all I had was a distortion pedal; I don’t even think I had a tuner at the time, so buying pedals was kind of like going into a sweets shop and picking the one that looked cool to begin with; a delay and a reverb, and then gradually as you become a bit nerdier and a bit more obsessed about it all, you just start collecting things. I guess everyone’s done that trip to try and differentiate your band from another band.</i></p>
<p><b>And you just got into it all gradually?</b><br><i>Yeah, because like none of us are particularly good musicians in a way. Like none of us really learned how to play our instruments properly, and we were only as good as the last song we wrote, and we had to become better to write better songs. So pedals helped us feel like we were making noise that other people weren’t.</i></p>
<p><b><img src="//feckingbahamas.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/6937788442_d65deea813_z-225x300.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="6937788442_d65deea813_z" /></b></p>
<p><b>So using pedals is partly about helping you make a sound that’s more individual.</b><br><i>Yeah, absolutely! Because there’s only so much you can do with chords and notes you know? And when you can turn one small movement on a guitar into something vast or huge, or deep, or far away, you can dynamically change how people are perceiving what’s happening in front of them. And I guess that just starts with a pickup, and an amplifier. Because essentially you’re just playing this tiny little note, and it’s just a way of recycling that and making it into something exciting.</i></p>
<p><b>If you could only choose one pedal, would it be a delay?</b><br><i>That’s a tough one! Is your amp allowed to have distortion?</i></p>
<p><b>Yeah, your basic tone is mostly sorted already.</b><br><i>Yeah, then I guess a really awesome delay pedal. You know, it’s just cool how you can turn one note into many. It used to be back in the day, just something for making lots of extra noise, but once you get into the details and you can become selective over where extra notes are landing, you can create anything from like arpeggiated things to really long glitchy soundscapes. So I guess it would be one of the most versatile pedals.</i></p>
<p><b>And it can make some really simple riff just sound massive and complicated.</b><br><i>Yeah! Like what you said there pretty much sums up my entire attitude towards playing. Like I’m not a virtuoso on guitar so anything that makes it all sound cooler and better…</i></p>
<p><b>There’s like a smoke and mirrors element…</b><br><i>One hundred percent, yeah. Like I have this one pedal that makes a note go from its current pitch to like two octaves higher – like a pitch shifting thing. It does a really linear unnatural straight up. And whenever you play and there are kids in the front row who maybe aren’t into pedals, and I use this effect, all these kids are like, “fuck!” and it’s the most cheater basic thing, and I just use it all the time, and they’re like, “fuck yeah! That’s awesome”. So yeah, smoke and mirrors, completely.</i></p>
<p><b>What was your first pedal and where were you… and what year was it? Go back in time. Paint us a picture</b><br><i>It was many moons ago. Well I was very lucky and my Dad’s brother had passed down the Fender Telecaster I’m playing today, a twin reverb amplifier, and a box of some pedals, and in there was an auto-wah, which is, you know, really terrible; there was a chorus, which at the time I really hated – it just reminded me of <b>Type O Negative</b> or something; but then there was this MXR distortion pedal, and it was my first run in with a distortion pedal. And I would connect all these pedals together and turn the MXR up so that it was creating feedback, and I wouldn’t even play the guitar, I’d just sit the guitar at the amp and sit and twiddle knobs. And I just thought, “this is unbelievable, I don’t even have to do anything”, and I would just listen to how these soundscapes unfolded, which essentially was just feedback I guess, just terrible noise. And my mum really hated it, and she would switch the amp off and my ears would be ringing.</i></p>
<p><i>Actually, it was really weird, because other than the MXR, the other two pedals were Boss pedals, so I got in my head for some reason that these little Boss stomp pedals were good and that other pedals looked silly. So my other first pedals were a Boss delay and a Boss reverb, and a Boss octave, and I looked like I was a Boss demo guy. And I didn’t have a pedal board or anything, so I’d have them all in a line. It was terrible because they’d always get kicked and I’d turn around and there’d be these seven pedals scattered into the crowd, and it wasn’t like where you’d pull out a cable and put it in, it would be like stopping the songs and having to connect all the pedals together again. So that was when I was about sixteen or seventeen.</i></p>
<p><i>But since then we’ve been collecting and a new pedal would come along and make another one redundant. Some of the new pedals we’ve got recently, and some of the companies – especially smaller ones – are making stuff that’s incredible. We got some pedals given to us from a few different people for the new album we’re making at the moment. And they’re just incredible. It’s always a testament to a pedal, when you get a new one and you’ll write a song that day. Like you just switch it on and it’s like you’ve got a new song. That happened a few times on the last record.</i></p>
<p><b>Has there ever been a moment, maybe on stage, where you’ve just felt that the tap dance becomes too complicated?</b><br><i>Yeah, yeah, definitely. There was a point where – and this isn’t even a joke – there was a point where I was thinking about taping a ruler, like cello-taping a ruler across here [points under one shoe], so I would be able to do two pedals at once. Just one of those six inch rulers. And I started telling the guys and they were just like, “dude, that’s the lamest thing I’ve ever heard”, and it would have been me with these paddles on my feet. Like you’ve just gotta figure out a better way to do things. But it just becomes like you’ve got your pallet of stuff and after a while you just know where they are. So your wee tap dance becomes your wee ritual, and your arsenal in a way. It does get too much sometimes, but it’s kind of a beautiful skill.</i></p>
<hr><p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gAxI6WJApqo?rel=0" width="500"></iframe></p>
<p>As a bonus addition to this Focus feature, our good friends at <a href="http://www.smallpondrec.co.uk/">Small Pond Recordings</a> have kindly provided this amazing live video of ASIWYFA at ArcTanGent festival. Stay in touch with what ASIWYFA are up to (including the making of their new album, which we in the Bahamas are more than excited about) through their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar">Facebook</a> and <a href="http://feckingbahamas.com/asiwyfa.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a>.<br> </p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35057192014-10-02T13:10:00-04:002015-03-11T16:31:26-04:00ASIWYFA Cover story in October Issue of The Thin Air<p><a href="http://thethinair.net/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/95a479d0c9befcd122a55789d1eb9d41/tumblr_inline_ncukj5CrZA1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> were honored to be asked to be on the very first cover of the debut of <a href="http://thethinair.net/">The Thin Air</a> Magazine in print. With a feature story about their upcoming album coming out on <a href="http://sargenthouse.com">Sargent House</a> in 2015.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35057172014-10-02T13:05:00-04:002015-02-04T16:05:38-05:00Live Video Interview from Nantes, France<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3sflbuzqcKA?rel=0" width="500" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35057162014-09-03T13:05:00-04:002015-02-04T16:04:39-05:00Le Garage TV Video Interview: ASIWYFA<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZZ1nz9mujkY?rel=0" width="500" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/66c1ae3696d3d5697bc063aad512b375/tumblr_inline_nbc7mvEkHA1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35975952014-08-25T11:15:00-04:002015-03-13T14:15:52-04:00ASIWYFA featured in Guinness Amplify film The Artist's Journey<iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="IclxdEoVskg" data-video-thumb-url="http://img.youtube.com/vi/IclxdEoVskg/0.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IclxdEoVskg?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="315" width="560" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><br><a contents="And So I Watch You From Afar" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> are featured in the short film by <a contents="Guinness Amplify" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.guinnessamplify.com/" target="_blank">Guinness Amplify</a>, a new initiative by the Guinness Brewing Company to "connect the freshest new music talent with audiences all over Ireland, as well as providing them with some of the resources and expertise they need to help them along the way." <br>The film focuses on the obstacles that performing artists face, and also features James Kelly of <a contents="WIFE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/wifesounds" target="_blank">WIFE</a> and Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones) providing voiceover.And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056712014-07-08T12:45:00-04:002015-02-04T15:45:12-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar Audio - Photos from Recording Drums for New Album<p><img src="https://36.media.tumblr.com/3106964f463a106cbd92115af03c5219/tumblr_n8enntfUco1rj4gc9o1_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/634f66f03ea236b5c0bb1675b27617ed/tumblr_n8enntfUco1rj4gc9o2_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/ed671cb0cea6ce71431b411e19865b88/tumblr_n8enntfUco1rj4gc9o3_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/c4b20e4d2f5061492c49a51bb2548726/tumblr_n8enntfUco1rj4gc9o4_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/0988f7872e155f275121cb34dc8ee128/tumblr_n8enntfUco1rj4gc9o5_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/410babbd43b10559a9ec5297ae3046e6/tumblr_n8enntfUco1rj4gc9o6_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/6f07804165801c4f3f5a1afc3fd7ee6b/tumblr_n8enntfUco1rj4gc9o7_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://36.media.tumblr.com/2c7fb7a2d656aaec7cf018dee5362f23/tumblr_n8enntfUco1rj4gc9o8_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/d2f22e3f3f6d1d0e564cb533ab6304ae/tumblr_n8enntfUco1rj4gc9o9_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><br><br><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://sargenthouseeu.tumblr.com/post/91167810652/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-have-just-started">sargenthouseeu</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have just started recording for the new album. Here are some pictures from the guys. Day 1 & 2… Drums are first.<br>You can follow to see more and get news from the band on <a href="http://instagram.com/asiwyfa_music">instagram @asiwyfa_music</a> or twitter @asiwyfa_band</p></blockquote>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056692014-06-05T12:45:00-04:002015-03-11T16:29:23-04:00Rory Friers of ASIWYFA heads back to Marrakesh to teach music<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/VW8f9rgj_qs?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>Last year, <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> played in Marrakesh for the Sun Festival, while there they helped to teach local artists how to record. Above is a clip made by the <a href="http://www.britishcouncil.org/">British Council</a> from that journey. Rory Friers will be heading back this week again with his friends and allies from Belfast to teach again. Many thanks to the British Council for supporting art and music.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056672014-05-19T12:40:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:13-05:00Chris Wee featured in new issue of The Drummers Journal<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/26ae722afdcc013cea8db0c1480595598a070d1a/original/screen-shot-2015-03-11-at-2-27-28-pm.png?1426109332" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><br><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/f072f11e14b245dc4bd1b1620c3f3c60/tumblr_inline_n5ufh8ZXLi1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/3a80de20d9a2cb0379df0597825f9c55/tumblr_inline_n5ufhle4Jf1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/072bf7caf58dff15c9b6c732847395fc/tumblr_inline_n5ufi1vebv1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/1a7312e4f339e29464c236d7bdc1d046/tumblr_inline_n5ufikonV41r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/01b29c3c53e78a95a34a15af37f34a01/tumblr_inline_n5ufj69CSu1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/99188601214e148141c347e3bf265a7f/tumblr_inline_n5ufjk0TTA1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><a href="http://thedrummersjournal.com/TDJ-Issue-Six.pdf">CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FULL ISSUE / CHRIS WEE ARTICLE IS IN (ISSUE 6, PAGE 18-23)</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056662014-05-06T12:40:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:13-05:00EMM Live Review of ASIWYFA Headline set at Handmade Festival<p><a href="http://www.eastmidlandsmusic.co.uk/reviews/handmade-festival-friday-review/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/5aeed6dd02ec1330afa5c579941aa2c5/tumblr_inline_n55way2YFO1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/b3cd9915a9e52878e0e076ab5cb33058/tumblr_inline_n55wbd4nvW1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br>...And so to <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar"><b>And So I Watch You From Afar</b></a>. Shamefully I have to admit I had not come across this band before, despite them coming from my hometown of Belfast. The band have performed in Leicester many times and almost consider it their musical home from home. The previously cluttered stage took on a very bare and clear appearance and it was soon obvious why. These guys don’t stand still for a minute and deliver a frenetic set of alternative math, prog and post rock. Fresh from a tour of Asia and Europe this is their closing night before returning to the Emerald Isle.<br><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/f2ebc75100b9f6104bf7addd66b9ba40/tumblr_inline_n55wc8K91S1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p>The band are mainly an instrumental set-up with occasional vocals led by Rory Friers and more likely to be chants than lyrics. Opening with <i>Euonia</i>/ <i>Big</i> <i>Thinks</i>, from their most recent album, <i><a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com">All Hail Bright Futures</a>,</i> I initially thought I was in for a night of Celtic Rock but the sound develops quickly into something less generic – a wonderful fusion of powerful riffs, structure-shifting rhythms, catchy melodies and experimentation with time signatures. Whilst many of the songs go through similar power riff, ballad, power stages, there is plenty of variety.</p>
<p>Working through tracks from both <i>Gangs </i>and <i>All </i><i>Hail </i><i>Bright Futures, </i>the band have the crowd in the palm of their hand and Rory intersperses songs with genuine friendly banter – not the usual meaningless ‘this is our new song’ mumblings. Clearly Leicester has a special place in their musical souls.</p>
<p>The band is much lauded for positivity in it’s music and this comes through both in the music and the audience reaction. During the performance I could hear very occasional Celtic influences that took me back to one of my favourite Irish bands, Horselips. But with <b>And So I Watch You From Afar</b>, they are very much in the background.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.eastmidlandsmusic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/As-I-Watch-You-From-Afar-3.jpg"><img src="//www.eastmidlandsmusic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/As-I-Watch-You-From-Afar-3.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="And So I Watch You From Afar" /></a></p>
<p><i>Django</i> was one of my favourites and as with many of their songs could be aptly summed up as aggressive but gentle when it needed to be.</p>
<p>The band finished off with favourite, <i>S is for Salamander</i> and left the stage, in stages, each to febrile adulation and genuine warmth. A set of over an hour and we were leaving the majestic setting of Hansom Hall approaching midnight musing on a magical Handmade bill.</p>
<p>Come back soon <b>And So I Watch You From Afar, </b>but maybe shorten the name for the sake of my typing fingers!<br><br><a href="http://www.eastmidlandsmusic.co.uk/reviews/handmade-festival-friday-review/">See full review here</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056652014-03-26T12:40:00-04:002015-02-04T15:37:27-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar Tour Photos from Asia<img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/dedc42ae144bce182457c78864202f69/tumblr_n31yz4Tuvd1r533n8o1_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/57ec349d44b1692eef5e338366a7732c/tumblr_n31yz4Tuvd1r533n8o2_400.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
margin-top:-111px;
width:268px;" /><img src="https://36.media.tumblr.com/7892d96601b6a0b4357e6d2f4d887613/tumblr_n31yz4Tuvd1r533n8o3_400.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:268px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/a2b0c4c49f3fe198b5e783fdac0bc68b/tumblr_n31yz4Tuvd1r533n8o4_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><br>Photos of <a contents="And So I Watch You From Afar" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/asiwyfa" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> from their recent tour in Asia.And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056552014-03-14T12:30:00-04:002017-02-04T13:24:11-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar Announce UK & Europe Tour for April 2014<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L5b41CudXA8" width="100%"></iframe></p>
<p>Only just returned home from their recent Asia tour <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar">And So I Watch you From Afar </a>embark on their last European tour of their current run supporting “All Hail Bright Futures”, which has already seen them play all across USA, India, Asia, Europe, Africa and more!</p>
<p>More festival slots are still to be announced for the rest of 2014 but then the band will return to the studio later in 2014 to begin working on new material.</p>
<p>Make sure <b>NOT</b> to miss these dates!</p>
<p><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/1942dbc6ba6d272bb7b90d1d1ba11e12/tumblr_inline_n2ffefcW0j1ryyjn7.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p>pic by <a href="http://www.daramunnisphotography.com/">Dara Munnis</a></p>
<p><iframe frameborder="no" height="450" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/playlists/3987397&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe></p>
<p><b>APRIL</b></p>
<p>Fri 18th - Zottegem, Belgium @ <a href="http://www.dunkfestival.be/">Dunk Festival </a><br>Sat 19th - Schijndel, Netherlands @ <a href="http://www.paaspop.nl/">Paaspop Festival</a><br>Mon 21st - Augsburg, Germany @ Musikkantine<br>Tue 22nd - Poznan, Poland @ Minoga<br>Wed 23rd - Bratislava, Slovakia @ Randal Club<br>Thu 24th - Budapest, Hungary @ A38<br>Fri 25th - Vienna, Austria @ Flex Club<br>Sat 26th - La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland @ Bikini Test<br>Mon 28th - Leeds, UK @ Belgrave Music Hall<br>Tue 29th - Newcastle, UK @ Cluny 2<br>Wed 30th - Edinburgh, UK @ Studio 24</p>
<p><b>MAY</b><br>Thu 1st - Liverpool, UK @ <a href="http://www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk/">Liverpool Sound City</a><br>Fri 2nd - Leicester, UK @ <a href="http://handmadefestival.co.uk/">Handmade Festival</a></p>
<p><a contents="KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST ASIWYFA SHOWS ON THEIR WEBSITE" data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank">KEEP UP TO DATE WITH ALL THE LATEST ASIWYFA SHOWS ON THEIR WEBSITE</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056542014-02-20T12:30:00-05:002022-04-28T03:57:44-04:00POPSPOKEN Interview: A is for And So I Watch You From Afar<p><a href="http://popspoken.com/entertainment/2014/01/interview-watch-afar/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/60225cf54ac280dafadabcda7e9d4757/tumblr_inline_n1batj8d2o1r1itoc.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://popspoken.com/entertainment/2014/01/interview-watch-afar/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/a3e44ec1bf4ad3c36e60ae54897d3538/tumblr_inline_n1batpoYQn1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p><b><a data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a></b> on touring, producing a new album and smelling like ‘manly meat’? </p>
<p>Since the release of their latest album <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/"><i>All Hail Bright Futures</i></a>, the post-rock outfit hailing from Belfast have had their work cut out for them. Just like finding a lost object, you’d leave no stone unturned. The men too have not been leaving stones, or in this case countries ‘unturned’. They have been playing countless shows to fans in the USSR to China and now thanks to the good folks at Kitty Wu Records, they’ll be playing a show right here alongside local prog favorites sub:shaman!</p>
<p>We managed to snag the band consisting of Rory Friers and Niall Kennedy on guitar, Johnny Adger on bass and Chris Wee on drums in between their swamped schedule to discuss the process of writing and producing the album, band dynamics and of course, touring!</p>
<p><b>Hello And So I Watch You From Afar! What have you guys been doing recently?</b></p>
<p>Hello there! We’ve just finished an amazing year of by playing some Irish shows that started the 13th December in Dublin and finished on New Years Eve in Cork. Prior to that we had the absolute pleasure of playing our first shows in India, a very successful American co-headline tour with our label mates <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/T_T_N_G">TTNG</a> and since <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/"><i>All Hail Bright Futures</i></a> was released in March, some of the best shows we have ever played across Europe and beyond.</p>
<p><b>So first things first, how did And So I Watch You From Afar come about?</b></p>
<p>ASIWYFA came together in 2005 on the north coast of Ireland. At the time I wasn’t part of a band but the other boys were and I was very keen to get back playing live music. One evening after an alcohol fuelled conversation (in which I revealed my next musical project would be called And So I Watch You From Afar) I was persuaded to come to Rory’s house to jam and the rest is history.</p>
<p><b>What gave you the reason and motivation to record All Hail Bright Futures? Also, what is the meaning behind the album?</b></p>
<p>I think All Hail was the second album we really wanted to make but due to circumstances at the time it didn’t happen and Gangs did. When we started working on what became All Hail as a three piece, it became apparent to us that we could continue to push ourselves and the music in whatever direction we wanted so we did. The comfort zone was left far behind and things happened in the studio which we’d never thought possible at a time. The album represents that point in everyone’s life when it’s time to put up or shut up. The point where you come out at the other end of the tunnel and realise that’s the direction you should’ve gone in the first place but you realise you’re a better person for having taken that detour.</p>
<p><b>How do you guys approach writing and recording songs?</b></p>
<p>Song writing had always stemmed from an idea that one of us brings to the table and if we all like it we jam it out and figure our parts out. For All Hail it was the first time that we were suggesting each other’s parts and coming up with vocal harmonies! Everything felt new so we’re keeping that mentality as we head into writing the new record. This time Niall is involved and we are all excited about ideas that have been jammed so far.</p>
<p><b>What was the process of producing the album like?</b></p>
<p>Rocky O’Reilly at Start Together Studios in Belfast produced the album and as a lot of the album came together in the studio, I felt really glad to be working with him again. (He had recorded and had a lot to do with our other two albums) Rocky is an exceptionally talented musician who fully gets what ASIWYFA are about and that makes the production process a lot easier and more enjoyable.</p>
<p><b>The first time I heard your demos, I felt that ASIWYFA’s sound was pretty darn unique and it felt almost as if it had its story to tell. Not many bands are able to achieve this, what was the secret behind it?</b></p>
<p>Thank you very much. Truth be told, what you heard on that first demo was very heavily influenced by music we’d been listening to at the time but it ended up tweaked somehow and with our slant on it all. All four of us had separate tastes in music but it came together in the middle and worked.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/L5b41CudXA8" width="460"></iframe></p>
<p><b>How has performing been so far? Were there any downright bat shit crazy experiences that you and your band have shared?</b></p>
<p>On stage is where we feel most comfortable so over the years I think the shows have gotten better. Performing the songs we’ve created and watching the crowd enjoy them is my favourite part of being in this band. There have been loads of amazing moments with the crowds since we started touring, from comically timed stage diving to circle pitting to The Voiceless. One year at Pukklepop festival in Belgium I sang with Gallows whilst the rest of the lads looked on. Not bat shit crazy but great times with great people.</p>
<p><b>What type of crowds do you all prefer playing? Small and more intimate gigs or large festivals?</b></p>
<p>I think all of us would answer this question differently. There is always something special about playing a show where the crowd are as sweaty as you and in your face feeding of each other’s energy. However, it’s also an incredible experience to play a festival (in Portugal for example) where people know your songs and go fucking mental.</p>
<p><b>What have been the craziest fan experiences you all have gotten?</b></p>
<p>We’re very lucky to have an incredibly devoted fan base who are all just on the journey with us. I have never met a fan I’d consider crazy. It is so fucking awesome that so many of them have the band logo or a song title tattooed on them somewhere, including a very good friend of ours Jarlath who has an entire back piece based around the Gangs artwork. Legend.</p>
<p><b>If you guys could pick an epic band you’d want to support, who would it be?</b></p>
<p>For me personally it’s got to be Queens of the Stone Age or Mastodon. We are all huge fans of so many bands though it’s hard to pick one. We have had the pleasure of playing with some unbelievable bands. We played a few shows with Them Crooked Vultures so got to meet and play with heroes . Also playing with Nine Inch Nails in our home city was very special.</p>
<p><b>If your sound could be represented by a scent or a flavor, what would it be?</b></p>
<p>Given the popularity of bananas and coconut milk between the rest of the boys, probably a combination of these! You can’t beat the manly smell of cooking meat though!</p>
<p><b>Will this be your first trip in Singapore?</b></p>
<p>For three of us it will be. Another beautiful place I can’t believe I’m going to play. I think for Chris it’s a dream come true as he has family there and has spent many hours in Singapore.</p>
<p><b>What have you heard about the crowds here and what is one thing that you guys would want to do when you’re here? (E.g. try the local food)</b></p>
<p>I haven’t heard too much about the crowds but if you guys are ASIWYFA fans you’ll be the same appreciative amazing people that keep us making music and keep us on the road so we can’t wait to meet you.</p>
<p><b>Lastly, what do you want your audience to feel after catching your set?</b></p>
<p>Like finally making that fucking life changing decision they’ve been putting of for the past while only sweatier!</p>
<p>There’s no doubt we’ll be sweating it out at Zouk on the 28th! Grab your tickets ASAP <a href="http://kittywurecords.wordpress.com/2013/12/13/asiwyfa-singapore/">here</a>.</p>
<p><b><a data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows">CLICK HERE FOR ALL AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR TOUR DATES</a></b></p>
<p><a href="http://popspoken.com/entertainment/2014/01/interview-watch-afar/">By: Isabelle Chan</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056532014-02-20T12:30:00-05:002015-02-04T15:26:59-05:00Asian Tour Starts February 28th in Singapore and ends in Beijing China<p><b><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/9efb76828b6bb8a2b3d8a37b1d944956/tumblr_inline_n1b9oisk3j1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></b></p>
<p><b><br>ASIWYFA ASIA TOUR 2014<br></b>28th Feb - Singapore @ Zouk Club<br>1st March - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia @ Black Box (Publika)<br>2nd March - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam @ Q4<br>4th March - Bangkok, Thailand @ Mongkol RCA<br>7th March - Manila, Philippines @ Alpha Tent<br>8th March - Hong Kong @ Hidden Agenda<br>11th March - Shanghai, China @ Mao Livehouse- <a href="http://www.juefestival.com/">JUE Festival</a><br>12th March - Beijing, China @ Mao Livehouse- <a href="http://www.juefestival.com/">JUE Festival</a></p>
<p><a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows">SEE ALL ASIWYFA SHOWS AND DETAILS HERE <br></a></p>
<p><iframe src="http://feeds.artistdata.com/iframe.shows/artist/AR-5F4978ED959A8940/iframe" width="500" height="500" frameborder="no"></iframe></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056522014-01-16T12:25:00-05:002015-03-11T17:37:05-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar - the Acoustic Sargent House Glassroom Session<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="325" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/MrI5l0a_1P4?rel=0" width="500"></iframe></p>
<p>There is a first time for everything and when you visit <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House </a>headquarters in Los Angeles a Glassroom session is a must. <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> performing acoustic. Who would have thought it.<br><br> </p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056512014-01-07T12:25:00-05:002015-02-04T15:23:36-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar announce first two tours of 2014 from France to Asia<p><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/c136f5773096db5b08a7a5edd9ceeef2/tumblr_inline_mz1gfuIcRy1ryyjn7.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p><p>Not ones to stay off the road for long, <a href="http://asiwyfash.tumblr.com/">And So I Watch you from Afar</a> have just announced their first two tours of 2014. First they will do a run in <a href="http://tmblr.co/ZVV8-t13Ty7wS">France & Luxemborg</a> in early February then the band will return to Asia for a second time now to tour their latest release <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures">"All Hail Bright Futures"</a>. That tour kicks off in Singapore on 28th February and takes in Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines and China.</p>
<p><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/971bc4655b660a20a637e7d1a7ca4560/tumblr_inline_myzlsyaii71ryyjn7.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><b>ASIWYFA LIVE - FEBRUARY 2014<br></b>1st - Besançon @ La Rodia<br>2nd - Lille @ Le Peniche<br>3rd - Paris @ Batofar <br>4th -Luxembourg @ Den Atelier <br>5th - Orleans @ Astrolab<br>6th - Nantes @ Le Ferrailleur<br>7th - Lyon @ Marche Gare<br>8th - Nimes @ La Paloma<b><br><br>ASIWYFA ASIA TOUR 2014<br></b>28th Feb - Singapore @ Zouk Club<br>1st March - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia @ Black Box (Publika)<br>2nd March - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam @ Q4<br>4th March - Bangkok, Thailand @ Mongkol RCA<br>7th March - Manila, Philippines @ Alpha Tent<br>8th March - Hong Kong @ Hidden Agenda<br>11th March - Shanghai, China @ Mao Livehouse- <a href="http://www.juefestival.com/">JUE Festival</a><br>12th March - Beijing, China @ Mao Livehouse- <a href="http://www.juefestival.com/">JUE Festival</a></p>
<p><a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows">SEE ALL ASIWYFA SHOWS AND DETAILS HERE </a></p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/L5b41CudXA8" width="100%" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056492013-12-19T12:20:00-05:002015-02-04T15:20:53-05:00Live4Ever's Top 20 Essential Albums of 2013 - All Hail Bright Futures at #1<p><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/9ac19f55f8cb873f81300c1006bb68de/tumblr_inline_my2om8AUaE1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/006fd88a5b7e939fd8374ef5f84accd1/tumblr_inline_my2oniwFIs1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p><p>Another year of essential listening draws to a close today with The Albums.</p>
<p>From the ‘rich arcane pleasures and secret thrills’ of veteran Richard Thompson, to the ‘near flawless, brazen, yet reflective dancefloor filling triumph’ of Arctic Monkeys’ ‘AM’ and the ‘explorations and celebrations of life and death’ which inform Black Rebel Motorcycle Club’s ‘Specter At The Feast’, both high profile and under-the-radar album releases have fallen under the gaze of Live4ever’s talented writing staff as 2013 has progressed, and here a select 20 have been pulled out and revisited for you to take a look through. <a href="http://www.live4ever.uk.com/2013/12/live4evers-essential-listening-2013-the-albums/">SEE FULL LIST HERE</a> <br><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/695e88d731da98c4e69bfdd734f17eb5/tumblr_inline_my2oq6YgnM1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056472013-12-16T12:20:00-05:002017-02-04T13:24:08-05:00Spread Music: Live Videos & Interview ASIWYFA in Montreal<p><a href="http://www.dontspreadbullshitspreadmusic.com/spread-session-watch-afar/"><img src="//www.dontspreadbullshitspreadmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/113-px-Logo.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.dontspreadbullshitspreadmusic.com/spread-session-watch-afar/" title="Spread Session – And So I Watch You From Afar"><img src="//www.dontspreadbullshitspreadmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1391427_10151991123266323_1341828744_nsized-600x400.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" /></a></p>
<p>" These guys are the real McCoy." - Sargent House 2013 Tour Lineup</p>
<p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar"><i>And So I Watch You From Afar</i></a>, also known as <i>ASIWYFA</i>, was formed late in 2005 and went through a couple of member changes. The current members are Jonathan Adger on Bass, Rory Friers on Guitar, Niall Kennedy on Guitar, and Chris Wee on drums.</p>
<p>I recently had the chance to witness one of their numerous live performances in Montreal when they were on tour with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/TTNG"><i>TTNG</i></a> and <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Mylets"><i>Mylets</i></a>. Being natural performers, they deliver a live experience that is as intense as it is organic. The raw beauty evocated through the fingertips of these musicians is something that can only be felt in person. They are truly exceptional people, and <i>Big Things do Remarkable </i>music. They give back to their local scene in grandiose ways and really offer up support to up and coming acts. They even let <i>100 Onces</i> and I stay at their place when touring through Belfast. </p>
<p>"These guys are really humble and talented guys who make super bomb music” – 100 Onces</p>
<p>I sat down with the guys in an interview to discuss their exploratory and fun-loving writing process, their different influences, the band’s unique sound, their future plans, and their numerous experimental jams. Listen in to the entire interview below.</p>
<p>Great guys, great tunes, and great shows.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/119772618" width="100%"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vrnl8tZ1-iQ" width="100%"></iframe><br><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2ga1jd3Duw0" width="100%"></iframe><br><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OWvG8-TOCyE" width="100%"></iframe><br><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8lNvpLAclj4" width="100%"></iframe><br><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6bnJqyq2vGQ" width="100%"></iframe><br><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ONHyB1HRt3s" width="100%"></iframe><br><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FL16gSEIGgQ" width="100%"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=1227770086/size=medium/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/transparent=true/"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://www.dontspreadbullshitspreadmusic.com/spread-session-watch-afar/">Taken from an article on Spread Music.</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056462013-11-25T12:20:00-05:002015-02-04T15:18:12-05:00ALTAR TV LIVE SESSION: And So I Watch You From Afar "Ambulance"<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SrJwhdfEH-g?rel=0" width="500" height="325" frameborder="0"></iframe> <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> performs "Ambulance" live for <a href="http://altartv.com/videos/663-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-ambulance">AltarTV </a>shot while on a US tour stop in November 2013. This track is from the album '<a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures">All Hail Bright Futures</a>' out now on <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House.<br><br></a><br>Don't Miss ASIWYFA 2013 Holiday Shows in Ireland <a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows">- SEE ALL SHOW DETAILS HERE</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056062013-11-13T12:10:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:12-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar LIVE with Audiotree<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/f1dab3becaf503cb569ca69bb69e2780/tumblr_inline_mw60a40cuC1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p><p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/L5b41CudXA8?list=PLunIrIqYqs7-XbbXPBSlY4Elwzqt99RsA" width="500" height="325" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> stopped by <a href="http://audiotree.tv/">Audiotree</a> before their show in Chicago a few weeks ago and recorded a great live session. You can download the audio and hi-res video in HD of the entire session <a href="http://audiotree.tv/session/watch-afar/"><b>here.</b></a></p>
<p>Be sure to catch <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> with <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/T_T_N_G">TTNG</a> and <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/Mylets">Mylets</a> on their last week of tour in the US before they head to <a href="http://asiwyfash.tumblr.com/post/64797780398/asiwyfa-announce-first-ever-shows-in-india-november">India</a> for the first time. </p>
<p><b><a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows">ALL AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR SHOW INFORMATION HERE.</a></b></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056442013-11-12T12:15:00-05:002015-02-04T15:17:23-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar Live Photos from Toronto<p><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/a3c4aefbbb3b2c34ea3aaa2ca6d38a68/tumblr_mw6ewhlwm31r533n8o1_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/824f477012e9d968803be3fd4f61c352/tumblr_mw6ewhlwm31r533n8o2_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://36.media.tumblr.com/bf8baf74aa3901f49a8cb6b36e8d1d1a/tumblr_mw6ewhlwm31r533n8o3_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/54cbfa96ca95638ccd9af757b2d4daa3/tumblr_mw6ewhlwm31r533n8o4_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/d506cfa9b079a39d507ba59edadb4fdd/tumblr_mw6ewhlwm31r533n8o5_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/8abf159e06375022eb19aa14d3e33d2c/tumblr_mw6ewhlwm31r533n8o6_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/710dfa64cfe8be63dde45a1e665a44ff/tumblr_mw6ewhlwm31r533n8o7_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/78ab65672176f8d59479d4e54a077b63/tumblr_mw6ewhlwm31r533n8o8_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><br><br><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> live at the Horseshoe Tavern, Toronto, Canada on November 9, 2013 - See <a href="http://www.aux.tv/2013/11/photos-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-at-the-horseshoe-tavern/"><i>All Photos by: Riley Taylor, AUX TV</i></a><br><br><a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows"><i>See All ASIWYFA Tour Dates HERE</i></a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056052013-11-07T12:10:00-05:002015-02-04T15:10:24-05:00ASIWYFA - "Big Thinks Do Remarkable" Live on RTE<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7uQGyBHQ2Ho" width="500" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe><a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> preform "<a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/"><i>Big Thinks Do Remarkable</i></a>" on RTE - Ireland's National Television and Radio Broadcaster.</p><p><a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> are currently on tour in the US with <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/T_T_N_G">T T N G</a> &<a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/Mylets"> Mylets</a>. Soon after returning home later this month, they'll head to <a href="http://asiwyfash.tumblr.com/post/64797780398/asiwyfa-announce-first-ever-shows-in-india-november">India</a> for the first time ever to play in Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi as part of the <a href="http://nh7.in/weekender">Bacardi NH7 Weekender</a>. <br></p>
<p><a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows">SEE ALL ASIWYFA SHOW DETAILS AND SCHEDULE HERE</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35056032013-11-04T12:10:00-05:002015-02-04T15:08:36-05:00ASIWYFA LIVE FROM THE MEDIA CLUB IN VANCOUVER<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/q2xTYLvzrdw" width="460" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p><a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> playing "Like A Mouse" live from their 10/9 show at The Media Club in Vancouver, BC. Thanks to <a href="http://vimeo.com/elcheapo">El Cheapo</a> for the video. </p>
<p>Be sure to catch <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> live who are currently out on tour alongside label-mates <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/T_T_N_G">T T N G</a> and<a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/Mylets"> Mylets</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows">SEE ALL TOUR DATES HERE </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35055522013-10-29T12:05:00-04:002021-07-17T05:05:40-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar Live Photos from Dallas<p><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/b0d4f62a87f6a50d95fbd9402d44b711/tumblr_mvgbiufSVv1r533n8o1_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/48ecf967e8f7f65776effcc428b38929/tumblr_mvgbiufSVv1r533n8o2_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/3f7654c3f5a1a23245d5ae3ad2c1edc4/tumblr_mvgbiufSVv1r533n8o3_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/42c115ae96f41cd844e579bd41ab923a/tumblr_mvgbiufSVv1r533n8o4_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/f10042040bbf9a80dfcfff9967d9cb18/tumblr_mvgbiufSVv1r533n8o5_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/6738f4cd632d52a11bc5024fee2c3f67/tumblr_mvgbiufSVv1r533n8o6_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/3416c82f22d8904b940e10969a378b10/tumblr_mvgbiufSVv1r533n8o7_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><br><br><a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/and_so_i_watch_you_from_afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> photographed live by <a href="http://nicksayersphotography.com/?p=42">Nick Sayers</a> at Club Dada in Dallas, TX on October 21st. Be sure to catch <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/and_so_i_watch_you_from_afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> on their <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com">Sargent House</a> tour with <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/T_T_N_G">T T N G</a> & <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/Mylets">Mylets</a></p>
<p><a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows">SEE ALL TOUR DATES HERE</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35055312013-10-22T11:55:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:12-05:00ASIWYFA Announce first ever shows in India - November 2013<p><img src="//india.mapsofindia.com/images/india-flag-1280x768.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="india-flag-1280x768.jpg (1280×728)" /></p>
<p>Not resting until they play ever country in the world, <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch you from Afar</a> have announced three dates in India before they wrap up this year with some home shows back in Ireland as well. The band is currently on the <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House Tour</a> in the USA with label-mates <a href="http://thistownneedsguns.tumblr.com/">TTNG</a> and <a href="http://mylets.tumblr.com/">Mylets.</a> While in India they will take in Bangalore, Mumbai and Delhi as part of the <a href="http://nh7.in/weekender">Bacardi NH7 Weekender</a>.<br><br><a data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows">SEE ALL ASIWYFA SHOW DETAILS AND SCHEDULE HERE</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>ASIWYFA INDIA 2013</b></p>
<p>Nov 23rd @ <a href="http://nh7.in/weekender/bangalore/">Bacardi NH7 Weekender</a> - Bangalore<br>Nov 26th @ <a href="http://musicconnects.indiantelevision.com/">Nokia Connects</a> [After-Show] - Mumbai<br>Nov 30th @ <a href="http://nh7.in/weekender/ncr/">Bacardi NH7 Weekender</a> - Delhi NCR</p>
<p> </p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="281" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/75209766?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" width="500"></iframe></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35055282013-10-21T11:55:00-04:002015-02-04T14:55:41-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar Live Photos from El Paso<p><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/de8e980f89f76aeb42e5d2ecd0358ab9/tumblr_mv19htCdYv1r533n8o1_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/1aefbd467f822220ed4c7a605509e3a8/tumblr_mv19htCdYv1r533n8o2_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/528dd07c7d3c0c940a0ba9efd4ebaebd/tumblr_mv19htCdYv1r533n8o3_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://36.media.tumblr.com/7d00648013735b493d1cef098ba16e16/tumblr_mv19htCdYv1r533n8o4_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://36.media.tumblr.com/2b2a2da14113cffc6fb346af6b4f5388/tumblr_mv19htCdYv1r533n8o5_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/de884f8072cddf84bd99070b3d5c337c/tumblr_mv19htCdYv1r533n8o6_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/76f9aabc736c41bfdffa495af7d9d382/tumblr_mv19htCdYv1r533n8o7_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/5e7b3affc2b4600b5c432cf77b3de3d9/tumblr_mv19htCdYv1r533n8o8_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/2ee30d813b8bf593f95ef40f068de9df/tumblr_mv19htCdYv1r533n8o9_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><br><br><a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> photographed live by <a href="http://www.andrewdominguez.com/">Andrew Dominguez</a> in El Paso, Texas on October 21, 2013 at their Red 7 show part of their <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com">Sargent House</a> Tour with <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/TTNG">TTNG</a> and <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/Mylets">Mylets</a>. <br><br><a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa">SEE ALL AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR TOUR DATES HERE.</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35055252013-10-14T11:55:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:12-05:00ASIWYFA on Audiotree Live on October 26th in Chicago & N. American tour rages on<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/5ae49b041b641899bea546ae705d4ab1/tumblr_inline_muohhr0ua61r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p>Make sure to tune in to see it live both <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> and <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/TTNG">TTNG</a> will be playing back to back sessions while in Chicago on <a href="http://audiotree.tv/live/">Audiotree Live</a> at 12PM and then 3:30 CST before they play that same night in Chicago at Subterranean on the <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House tour</a> also with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Mylets">Mylets</a>. <br><br><a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows">SEE ALL ASIWYFA TOUR DATES HERE</a></p>
<p><b>SARGENT HOUSE TOUR // ASIWYFA // TTNG // MYLETS</b><br>Oct 11 - Calgary, AB @ Broken City<br>Oct 12 - Edmonton, AB @ The Pawn Shop<br>Oct 15 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court<br>Oct 16 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre<br>Oct 17 - Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad<br>Oct 18 - El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace<br>Oct 19 - Austin, TX @ Red 7<br>Oct 20 - Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s<br>Oct 21 - Dallas, TX @ Club Dada<br>Oct 22 - Oklahoma City, OK @ ACM @ UCO Performance Lab<br>Oct 24 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club<br>Oct 25 - Madison, WI @ The Sett - University of Wisconsin<br>Oct 26 - Chicago, IL @ Subterranean<br>Oct 28 - St. Louis, MO @ The Firebird<br>Oct 29 - Nashville, TN @ Exit/IN<br>Oct 30 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade<br>Nov 01 - Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits<br>Nov 02 - Tampa, FL @ Crowbar<br>Nov 03 - Orlando, FL @ The Social<br>Nov 04 - Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern<br>Nov 05 - Raleigh, NC @ Kings Barcade<br>Nov 06 - Washington, DC @ The Rock and Roll Hotel<br>Nov 07 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Garfield Artworks<br>Nov 08 - Pontiac, MI @ Pike Room w/ 65 DOS & Caspian too! <br>Nov 09 - Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern<br>Nov 10 - Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks<br>Nov 11 - Montreal, QC @ Il Motore<br>Nov 13 - Hamden, CT @ The Space<br>Nov 14 - Boston, MA @ The Sinclair<br>Nov 15 - Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory<br>Nov 16 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church<b><br></b></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35055262013-10-10T11:55:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:12-05:00Beatroute Magazine (Canada) Interview: ASIWYFA<p><a href="http://beatroute.ca/2013/10/07/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar/"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/8bffa4c2bb0fb3004d75ce512da3d8fa/tumblr_inline_muoebh61j11r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/e484f5ba03aae4bc9ea1915df9d6a1b0/tumblr_inline_muoedsqUNQ1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>Northern Ireland’s upstart gift to the post-rock era, <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>, has been making waves and garnering restraining orders since 2005. Formed in Belfast, the intrepid four-piece surprises and delights by interspersing their angular rock hooks with dissonant bursts of electronic fury. With two albums and two EPs to their credit, <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">ASIWYFA </a>has earned a reputation for creating powerful, multi-dimensional, instrumental pieces augmented by the occasional glockenspiel or human voice. Burning the candle at both ends, dual guitarists <a contents="Rory Friers" data-link-label="Rory Friers" data-link-type="page" href="/rory-friers" target="_blank">Rory Friers</a> and <a contents="Niall Kennedy" data-link-label="Niall Kennedy" data-link-type="page" href="/niall-kennedy" target="_blank">Niall Kennedy</a> juxtapose melody and cacophony with incendiary results. Each pulse of noise, every break in the action, provides an abrupt but mutually-adopted jumping-off point for the band’s next musical (mis)adventure. With bassist <a contents="Johnny Adger" data-link-label="Johnny Adger" data-link-type="page" href="/johnny-adger" target="_blank">Johnny Adger</a> and drummer <a contents="Chris Wee" data-link-label="Chris Wee" data-link-type="page" href="/chris-wee" target="_blank">Chris Wee</a> laying down a solid foundation, ASIWYFA’s towering sonic spires threaten to scrape the very heavens. It’s a good thing that these math-rock druids have their feet firmly planted on good old terra firma.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>BeatRoute: How would you describe the current musical scene in Ireland at this time and where does ASIWYFA fall into the scheme of things? </b></p>
<p><b>Chris Wee:</b> The Irish scene is still really healthy in terms of the quality of music coming out. Unfortunately, gigs are definitely feeling the effects of the recession with less numbers. We were fortunate to be coming up the ranks in Belfast at a time when there was a lot of collectivism and passion in the scene. ASIWYFA curated a mini-festival back in 2008 in Belfast, called “A Little Solidarity,” which showcased a huge variety of local talent and was a real high point for us career-wise, as well as a marker for how good our local scene was. There was a great sense of bands helping each other out and that is still very much alive in the present day. Back then, we were only beginning to do small bits of touring and were very active in Belfast. But, nowadays with our touring schedule we don’t get to spend much time in Belfast as we would like to. It’s nice to come back and get down to local shows when we’re home.</p>
<p><b>BR: How do you intertwine disparate elements like melody and brute force to make a cohesive whole? You often use explosive bursts of electronic distortion to punctuate and underscore your more straight-forward rock and roll creations. Are your juxtapositions intended as to come across complimentary rather than clashing, or both? </b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://beatrouteab.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/asiwyfa2.jpg"><img src="//beatrouteab.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/asiwyfa2.jpg?w=470" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="asiwyfa2" /></a><br>CW:</b> From the outset, we have always strived to make interesting music, not just to entertain an audience but to challenge and entertain ourselves as well. We have also been keen never to cover old ground in terms of our writing and that has continually pushed us into new territory. Our writing process has evolved quite a lot since our first jamming way back in 2005/6. Rory [Friers, guitar] has always been the brains in regards to bringing the initial ideas of melodies, riffs and rough structures. Then, we get into the rehearsal room and thrash around until we start to get an idea of the song. That’s where the dynamics come in and ideas for ridiculous changes in pace or mood come from. We can be quite ruthless with material in that if we’re getting bogged down with an idea it’s better to cut it loose and move on to make sure the momentum and the creativity is maintained.</p>
<p><b>BR: In what ways is <i>All Hail Bright Futures</i> a reflection of the depth and complexity you’ve continued to build into your songwriting style since the release of your award-winning album, <i>Gangs</i>?</b></p>
<p><b>CW</b>: <i>All Hail Bright Futures</i> was written with a lot less of the boundaries and restrictions we had with earlier work. With this album we decided that we would try and make the guitars sound as little like guitars as possible to keep the sound fresh and guitar lines were transposed onto other instruments to create a rich variety of sounds. We went into the studio with a very small percentage of the album written and it allowed us to be more open to different instruments and sounds, less precious over the older conventions of just guitars and drums.</p>
<p>We approached it with really open minds and a willingness to try all sorts of different instrumentation.</p>
<p>There was also a much more collective contribution from the three of us during the recording, the three of us were in all day every day constantly discussing and contributing ideas of how the song was progressing, which was an immensely satisfying experience.</p>
<p><i>Catch And So I Watch You From Afar at Broken City (Calgary) on October 11 and at the Pawn Shop (Edmonton) on October 12.</i></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35055232013-10-08T11:50:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:12-05:00SLUG Magazine Feature on ASIWYFA (Salt Lake City Under Ground)<p><a href="http://www.slugmag.com/articles/6366/ASIWYFA.html"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/290a7da46c1935aa230fff5b8f8ff5db/tumblr_inline_mud2tgKfyl1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/daa7a71a9605d3090843f808e51df3c4/tumblr_inline_mud2tvwH5F1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/ac498d238fb89e047944e5e96ce2c625/tumblr_inline_mud2vcT3Lx1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><i>Taste the cotton candy rainbow when Irishmen <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> take over Kilby Court on Oct. 15. Courtesy of </i><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/"><i>Sargent House</i></a><br><br><a data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows">SEE ALL ASIWYFA TOUR DATES AND DETAILS HERE </a><br><br>Sometimes you can’t help but be blown away. On Oct. 13, 2010, I meandered into The Basement in Ogden and was greeted by thunderous drumming, huge riffs and four Irish maniacs throwing themselves around the stage with their instruments. I was definitely blown away. Somewhere in between <b>Slayer</b> and <b>Rush</b>, <b>Shellac</b> and <b>Mogwai</b>, the band had a crushing intensity that was belied by their playful nature and the way their songs transitioned between heavy passages and bouncy breakdowns. If lightning could strike down from rainbows, or cotton candy spontaneously combust into fire, the sounds being created onstage would be the perfect musical accompaniment. I discovered that the band was And So I Watch You From Afar, and I have been a huge fan of theirs ever since. Armed with a new label, a new album and new members, the band will return to Utah on Oct. 15 as part of the Sargent House Tour. <a href="http://www.slugmag.com/articles/6366/ASIWYFA.html">SLUG </a>spoke with drummer Christopher Wee in anticipation of the performance.</p>
<p>Since the release of their first album in 2009, the band has been gaining notoriety in Europe, garnering spots on prestigious festivals such as Reading and Leeds, and performing on European TV. With a penchant for naming songs reflective of their sound (“Set Guitars to Kill” and “If It Ain’t Broke… Break It!”), the band’s raucous performances soon brought them to the U.S. on a string of dates supporting Japanese legends <b>Envy</b>.<br><br>“We’re well known in the independent touring scene in Europe, but I prefer touring America, to be honest,” Wee says. “People [in America] are more open-minded when it comes to new music. When we did that support tour for Envy, a lot of people came up to us and told us they liked our band, and a lot of people were actually there at the beginning of the show to watch us open, which is something we didn’t see a lot of in the U.K. back in the day—we played to nobody for so many tours.” The band was invited to perform at SXSW in 2011, and it was there that their working relationship with Sargent House (home of <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Russian_Circles">Russian Circles</a>, <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Boris">Boris</a> and <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Chelsea_Wolfe">Chelsea Wolfe</a>, among others) began. The label licensed the group’s second album, <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/">Gangs</a>, for its U.S. release, and internationally released their new album, <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures">All Hail Bright Futures</a>.<br><br>All Hail Bright Futures, released in March 2013, finds the band shifting moods, focusing more on the positivity of their sound and less on their musical ferocity. Caribbean rhythms, futuristic space sounds, wind instruments, Afrobeat and fractured vocals are melded with ASIWYFA’s typical driving sound to create an album that is resilient in its celebratory tone—it sounds like the coolest goddamn beach party you’ve never been to. “The new album is a lot more positive and definitely more reflective of our mood at the time,” Wee says. Guitarist Tony Wright left the band shortly before the album was created, causing a fair amount of stress within the group. “The recording process for the remaining three of us really saved us from that awkward time, and we came to a realization that we were intent on keeping the band going and writing new music. As soon as we got into the studio, it felt like a big freedom to do whatever we wanted that we had never felt before,” Wee says. <br><br>Primarily an instrumental band, ASIWYFA have never shied away from incorporating the occasional “Woo!” or other exuberant human noise into songs, but All Hail Bright Futures includes much more vocalization—“Ba Ta Bo Da Ka” features a rhythm of those syllables repeated over and over, and the title of “Ambulance” is joyfully spell-screamed out in something that almost resembles a chorus. “For the whole lifetime of the band, we started out as the four of us jamming and seeing what would come out, and this instrumental thing just naturally came out. We never shunned the idea of vocals—if the song sounds like it would sound better with vocals, we’ll do it, and that’s always been the case,” Wee says. With the increase of vocals—which Wee considers instruments in and of themselves—the band also focused on incorporating new instruments into their sound. Piano, flute, steel drums, trumpet and more pop up throughout All Hail Bright Futures, adding new elements to the band’s sound. However, it was not until late in the recording process that the problem of replicating these sounds in the live performance was considered. Fortunately, a solution was easily created. “We shied away from confronting that problem until pretty late on, but I got a drum sampler, and we were able to load in the basic sounds of a lot of the different instruments and made them cymbals, so a lot of the different instruments from the new album are live, triggered samples,” Wee says. From watching videos of the band playing new songs, the transition is seamless. <br><br>Headlining the Sargent House Tour with label mates <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/TTNG">TTNG</a> and <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://myletsmusic.com" target="_blank">Mylets</a>, And So I Watch You From Afar are sure to blow more new minds in the U.S. this fall. Bring your dancing shoes, a gaggle of friends to convert and something you don’t mind getting incredibly sweaty in to Kilby Court on Oct. 15 and experience the rainbow lightning for yourself!</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35055242013-10-06T11:50:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:12-05:00LINE OUT: Seattle Show Recommend from Brian Cook, no less...<p><a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/10/07/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afars-ecstasy-inducing-post-rock"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/24c0d5d6ae97882a63302b72915a615e/tumblr_inline_mud5oyffhy1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/95caa52da74a59c0dcadfabaa6e2d862/tumblr_inline_mud5rasvKv1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><img src="//media.tumblr.com/90b9ba9ce796b55d6eb8bf568e5e5bd3/tumblr_inline_mud5rlT6tQ1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p><p>The greatest compliment a band can get is to be recommended by a great musician from bands you love. <b>Brian Cook</b> of <a href="http://russiancirclesband.com">Russian Circles</a>, <b>These Arms Are Snakes</b> and <b>Botch</b>... in his column for <a href="http://lineout.thestranger.com/lineout/archives/2013/10/07/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afars-ecstasy-inducing-post-rock">Seattle Stranger's Line Out</a> says go see the Sargent House tour at The Crocodile - October 7th. <br><br></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35055222013-08-21T11:50:00-04:002015-02-04T14:47:20-05:004 Countries, 4 Festivals in 4 days<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UMvrzlo75Ho" width="500" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar?directed_target_id=0">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> take you through a typical summer weekend in July - playing in 4 Countries, 4 Festivals in 4 days ... it ain't a job it's a lifestyle. <br><br>Coming to a town near you <a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows">SEE ALL ASIWYFA TOUR DATES HERE </a><br></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35055022013-08-20T11:50:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:11-05:00ASIWYFA ON TOUR, ALL THE TIME - Announce GERMAN tour for September<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZSdKTwH5L0A?rel=0" width="480" height="360" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar </a>will be doing an all German city tour in September - The video above proves it... But they are also touring all over the rest of the world however, the video does not prove that - below are their tour dates which does prove it. <br><br><b><a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows">SEE ALL ASIWYFA TOUR DATES & DETAILS HERE </a></b><br><br><b>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR - LIVE</b> <br>Aug 21, 2013 - Belfast, NI @ Belsonic Festival w/ <a href="http://www.nin.com/">Nine Inch Nails</a><br>Aug 23, 2013 - Leeds, UK @ <a href="http://www.leedsfestival.com/">Leeds Festival </a><br>Aug 25, 2013 - Reading,UK @ <a href="http://www.readingfestival.com/">Reading Festival </a><br>Aug 27, 2013 - London, UK @ The Old Blue Last - <b>SH Show <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">SOLD OUT</a></b><br>Aug 31, 2013 - Somerset, UK @ <a href="http://arctangent.co.uk/">ArcTanGent Festival </a><br>Sep 09, 2013 - Groningen, NE @ Vera<br>Sep 10, 2013 - Berlin, DE @ Festaal Kreuzbery<br>Sep 11, 2013 - Hannover, DE @ Chez Heinz<br>Sep 12, 2013 - Osnabrück, DE @ Kleine Freiheit<br>Sep 13, 2013 - Leffinge, DE @ Leffingeleuren Festival<br>Sep 14, 2013 - Frankfurt,DE@ Das Bett<br>Sep 15, 2013 - Stuttgart, DE @ Keller Klub<br>Sep 17, 2013 - Tilburg, NE @ <a href="http://incubate.org/2013/">Incubate Festival</a><br>Sep 18, 2013 - Essen, DE @ Zeche Carl<br>Sep 19, 2013 - Utrecht, NE @ Tivoli De Helling<br><b><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar"><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/243acd0c5e6eec51ea95cc3dab284630/tumblr_inline_mruii9B61O1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar"><br>ASIWYFA</a> // <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/TTNG">TTNG</a> // <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Mylets">MYLETS</a> - SARGENT HOUSE TOUR</b><br>Oct 02, 2013 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo <br>Oct 03, 2013 - Santa Ana, CA @ The Constellation Room <br>Oct 04, 2013 - San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar <br>Oct 05, 2013 - San Francisco, CA @ The Bottom of the Hill <br>Oct 07, 2013 - Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile Cafe <br>Oct 08, 2013 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios <br>Oct 09, 2013 - Vancouver, BC @ The Media Club <br>Oct 11, 2013 - Calgary, AB @ Broken City<br>Oct 12, 2013 - Edmonton, AB @ The Pawn Shop <br>Oct 15, 2013 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court <br>Oct 16, 2013 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre <br>Oct 17, 2013 - Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad <br>Oct 18, 2013 - El Paso, TX@ Lowbrow Palace <br>Oct 19, 2013 - Austin, TX @ Red 7 <br>Oct 20, 2013 - Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's<br>Oct 21, 2013 - Dallas, TX @ Club Dada <br>Oct 22, 2013 - Oklahoma City, OK @ ACM @ UCO Performance Lab <br>Oct 24, 2013 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club <br>Oct 25, 2013 - Madison, WI @The Sett @University of Wisconsin <br>Oct 26, 2013 - Chicago, IL @ Subterranean <br>Oct 28, 2013 - St Louis, MO @ The Firebird <br>Oct 29, 2013 - Nashville, TN @ Exit/In <br>Oct 30, 2013 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade<br>Nov 01, 2013 - Jacksonville, FL@ Jack Rabbits <br>Nov 02, 2013 - Ybor City, FL @ Crowbar<br>Nov 03, 2013 - Orlando, FL @ The Social <br>Nov 04, 2013 - Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern <br>Nov 05, 2013 - Raleigh, NC @ Kings Barcade <br>Nov 06, 2013 - Washington, DC @ Rock and Roll Hotel <br>Nov 07, 2013 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Garfield Artworks<br>Nov 08, 2013 - Pontiac, MI@ Pike Room @ Crofoot <br>Nov 09, 2013 - Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern <br>Nov 10, 2013 - Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks <br>Nov 11, 2013 - Montreal, QC @ Il Motore <br>Nov 13, 2013 - Hamden, CT @ The Space <br>Nov 14, 2013 - Cambridge, MA @ The Sinclair <br>Nov 15, 2013 - Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory <br>Nov 16, 2013 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian </p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35055002013-08-18T11:45:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:11-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar Audio @ Indiependence - Hot Spot Interview<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/b2b78ed2a607fa81931d0b2110399198/tumblr_inline_mrr3rkMinv1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/d61807d880c9689930819c20564aa017/tumblr_inline_mrr3rst7pF1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/e71d78ddd2e0aece175a3cb66df5a742/tumblr_inline_mrr41esbrl1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p>It's not often you get the chance to hang out with the incredible <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> just before they take to the stage but that's exactly what happened when the boys took to the couch at the <a href="http://www.hotpress.com/news/10091829.html"><i>Hot Press</i> </a>Hot Spot @ Indiependence.</p>
<p>Subject to a grilling from Roe McDermott, ASIWYFA were in flying form as they discussed latest album <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures"><i>All Hail Bright Futures</i></a> - specifically the introduction of vocals - the closure and legacy of their former Richter Collective label, the strange places they've toured and a great deal more besides. <a href="http://www.hotpress.com/news/10091829.html">CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35054992013-08-04T11:45:00-04:002015-02-04T14:41:38-05:00Rory & Chris Video interview from the Indiependence Music & Arts Festival 2013<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7VCE5912430?rel=0" width="500" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe> Rory Friers and Chris Wee sat down to talk about the new <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> album <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures">All Hail Bright Futures</a>, what it's like to be on <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House </a>and their upcoming seven week North American tour with label mates <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/TTNG">TTNG</a> and <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Mylets">Mylets</a> all from backstage at the Sargent House Stage at Indiependence Music & Arts Festival this past weekend. <br><br>Don't Miss ASIWYFA on tour <a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows">SEE ALL DATES HERE </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35054982013-07-29T11:40:00-04:002015-02-04T14:40:52-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar Live with Interview from Paris<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/6WWrNRl9-Ug?rel=0" width="500" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> on April 15, 2013 Live at "La Maroquinerie", Paris with some bits from the gig and an interview.<br>Director : Alexandre Gaté<br>Sound Engineer (Video Mix) : Ambroise Harivel<br>Translator : Maxime Bihan-Poudec</p>
<p><b><a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows">Don't Miss ASIWYFA out on Tour Now - see all show info here </a></b></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35054972013-07-24T11:40:00-04:002015-02-04T14:39:57-05:00BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION - Live from Glasgowbury Music Festival<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TYJamTXhGBQ?rel=0" width="500" height="315" frameborder="0"></iframe></p><p> <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> playing "Beautiful Universe Master Champion" live at their headline set at the Glasgowbury Music Festival on July 19, 2013. <br><br>ASIWYFA still have many more European Summer Festivals to play and a September Headline Tour in Germany before they head to North America for the <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House Tour</a> with label mates <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/TTNG">TTNG</a> & <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Mylets">Mylets </a><br><br><a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows">Click to SEE ALL ASIWYFA TOUR DATES & DETAILS HERE </a><br><br><br></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35054962013-07-21T11:40:00-04:002015-02-04T14:38:54-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar - Photos From The Road<p><img src="https://36.media.tumblr.com/7077fed0dba5fc379b731a59bafcce72/tumblr_mqawrpOGfu1r533n8o1_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://41.media.tumblr.com/65e77a8b037cd3b5aff6cdf9a9588fb3/tumblr_mqawrpOGfu1r533n8o2_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/1dfa5fd422e05e6f633becd5043a66e0/tumblr_mqawrpOGfu1r533n8o3_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/121e7e6fe48fa77c08bdfa39d0b9cbae/tumblr_mqawrpOGfu1r533n8o4_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/013ae1a7b80bd3c602b7164577b7518b/tumblr_mqawrpOGfu1r533n8o5_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/844001c2de841e661b7e25100ac78665/tumblr_mqawrpOGfu1r533n8o6_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/ddfd223d9962cad693d1df82ea9b5645/tumblr_mqawrpOGfu1r533n8o7_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://36.media.tumblr.com/04c25233422cd8832cec7f7da3e93bd3/tumblr_mqawrpOGfu1r533n8o8_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/b9c8adcae65be688310024f36c8ce57e/tumblr_mqawrpOGfu1r533n8o9_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><img src="https://40.media.tumblr.com/e5f0bfbb258f2e0289448e472c60354c/tumblr_mqawrpOGfu1r533n8o10_1280.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="
width:540px;" /><br><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar </a> in the past 4 days. Played 4 Countries . At 4 Festivals and are still going strong all Summer Long... pictures taken from the instagrams of <a href="http://instagram.com/grahamsmith#">Graham Smith</a>, <a href="http://instagram.com/leemcmahon#">Lee McMahon</a> & <a href="http://instagram.com/roryfriers">Rory Friers </a><br><br><iframe frameborder="0" height="320" src="https://www.facebook.com/video/embed?video_id=10151768870446323" width="500"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows">See all ASIWYFA TOUR DATES HERE </a><br><br>And don't miss seeing them on their US / Canadian tour with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/TTNG">TTNG</a> & <a href="http://artistdata.com/Mylets">Mylets </a><br>October/November 2013</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35054942013-07-09T11:35:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:11-05:00Sargent House Presents: ASIWYFA & TTNG Co-Headline North American Tour with Mylets on all shows<p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/a598dc15a4c330f70770f94cfa948794/tumblr_inline_mpol8pHvw71qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p><p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House</a> is pleased to announce a triple-bill North American tour featuring Belfast, Northern Ireland's <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> and England's <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/TTNG">TTNG</a> (formerly This Town Needs Guns) both playing full headlining sets. Which will also feature one-man-band <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Mylets">Mylets</a> who will open on all dates, making his debut on his first extensive nationwide tour. The traveling trio of Sargent House bands kicks off October 2nd in L.A.<br><br>ASIWYFA support their third album <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures">All Hail Bright Futures</a> which was released March 19th, 2013. TTNG support their sophomore album <a href="http://thistownneedsguns.bandcamp.com">13.0.0.0.0</a>, which was released January 22nd, 2013. Mylets supporting his collection of three EPS that were remastered and released as one album called <a href="http://mylets.bandcamp.com">Retcon</a> on May 7th, 2013. <br><br><b>ASIWYFA // TTNG // MYLETS TOUR</b><br>Oct 02 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br>Oct 03 - Santa Ana, CA @ The Constellation Room<br>Oct 04 - San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar<br>Oct 05 - San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of The Hill<br>Oct 07 - Seattle, WA @ Crocodile Café<br>Oct 08 - Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios<br>Oct 09 - Vancouver, BC @ Media Club<br>Oct 11 - Calgary, AB @ Broken City<br>Oct 12 - Edmonton, AB @ The Pawn Shop<br>Oct 15 - Salt Lake City, UT @ Kilby Court<br>Oct 16 - Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre<br>Oct 17 - Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad<br>Oct 18 - El Paso, TX @ Lowbrow Palace<br>Oct 19 - Austin, TX @ Red 7<br>Oct 20 - Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's<br>Oct 21 - Dallas, TX @ Club Dada<br>Oct 22 - Oklahoma City, OK @ ACM @ UCO Performance Lab<br>Oct 24 - Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club<br>Oct 25 - Madison, WI @ The Sett - University of Wisconsin<br>Oct 26 - Chicago, IL @ Subterranean<br>Oct 28 - St. Louis, MO @ The Firebird<br>Oct 29 - Nashville, TN @ Exit/IN<br>Oct 30 - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade<br>Nov 01 - Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbits<br>Nov 02 - Tampa, FL @ Crowbar<br>Nov 03 - Orlando, FL @ The Social<br>Nov 04 - Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern<br>Nov 05 - Raleigh, NC @ Kings Barcade<br>Nov 06 - Washington, DC @ The Rock and Roll Hotel<br>Nov 07 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Garfield Artworks<br>Nov 08 - Pontiac, MI @ Pike Room<br>Nov 09 - Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern<br>Nov 10 - Ottawa, ON @ Mavericks<br>Nov 11 - Montreal, QC @ Il Motore<br>Nov 13 - Hamden, CT @ The Space<br>Nov 14 - Boston, MA @ The Sinclair<br>Nov 15 - Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory<br>Nov 16 - Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church</p>
<p>And Europe there are tons of Summer Festivals and September Tour Dates for all three bands happening - Click links below for each band to see full list of all shows.</p>
<p><a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows">SEE ALL ASIWYFA TOUR DATES & DETAILS HERE </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35054932013-07-05T11:35:00-04:002022-05-26T05:51:57-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar - European Festival and more September Tour Dates Announced<p><b><img src="//media.tumblr.com/7f7d60fe412b167699ec0acd74ee28d6/tumblr_inline_mpheitrI0b1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></b></p>
<p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have announced headline German and Netherlands dates for September to follow an impressive run of Summer Festivals all across Europe. Then in October the band will head back to tour the USA & Canada with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House</a> label mates <a href="http://thistownneedsguns.tumblr.com/">TTNG</a> co-headlining & <a href="http://mylets.tumblr.com/">Mylets</a> to open all shows. US Tour dates to be announced soon.</p>
<p><b>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR - SUMMER FESTIVALS <br></b>Jul 13, 2013 - Cheltenham, UK @ <a href="http://www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk/">2000 Trees Festival</a> (also w/ <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Adebisi_Shank">Adebisi Shank</a> & <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/TTNG">TTNG</a>)<br> Jul 18, 2013 - Benicassim, ESP @ <a href="http://fiberfib.com/index.php/en/">FIB Benicassim Festival</a><br> Jul 19, 2013 - Draperstown, NI @ <a href="http://www.glasgowbury.com/">Glasgowbury Festival</a><br> Jul 20, 2013 - Steventon, UK @ <a href="http://truckfestival.com/">Truck Festival</a><br> Jul 21, 2013 - Dour, BE @ <a href="http://www.dourfestival.be/en">Dour Festival</a><br> Jul 28, 2013 - Leeuwarden, NL @ <a href="http://welcometothevillage.nl/">Welcome To The Village Festival</a><br> Aug 2, 2013 - Cork, IE @ <a href="http://www.indiependencefestival.com/">Indiependence Music & Arts Festival</a> (SH Stage)<br> Aug 3, 2013 - Warrenpoint, NI @ <a href="http://tanglewoodmusic.co.uk/">Tanglewood Festival</a><br> Aug 4, 2013 - Tullamore, IE @ <a href="http://www.castlepalooza.com/">Castlepalooza Festival</a><br> Aug 21, 2013 - Belfast, NI @ <a href="http://belsonic.co.uk/">Belsonic</a> (Supporting NIN)<br> Aug 23, 2013 - Leeds, UK @ <a href="http://www.leedsfestival.com/">Leeds Festival</a><br> Aug 25, 2013 - Reading, UK @ <a href="http://www.readingfestival.com/">Reading Festival</a><br> Aug 31, 2013 - Bristol, UK @ <a href="http://arctangent.co.uk/">Arctangent Festival</a></p>
<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/2851631e8daac690c773ba75dc8d88cc/tumblr_inline_mpgms5maqY1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><i>First German Headline Tour for ASIWYFA</i></p>
<p><b>SEPTEMBER GERMANY & NETHERLANDS DATES</b></p>
<p>Sep 9, 2013 - Groningen, NL @ Vera<br> Sep 10, 2013 - Berlin, GER @ Festsaal Kreuzbery <br> Sep 11, 2013 - Hannover, GER @ Chez Heinz<br> Sep 12, 2013 - Osnabruck, GER @ Kleine Freiheit <br> Sep 14, 2013 - Frankfurt, GER @ Das Bett <br> Sep 15, 2013 - Stuttgart, GER @ Keller Club<br> Sep 17, 2013 - Tilburg, NL @ <a href="http://www.incubate.org/2013/">Incubate Festival</a> (also w/ TTNG & Mylets)<br> Sep 18, 2013 - Essen, GER @ Zeche Carl <br> Sep 19, 2013 - Utrecht, NL @ Tivoli de Helling</p>
<p><i><a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows">See All Show Details and ASIWYFA Confirmed Tour Dates HERE</a>.</i></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35054872013-07-05T11:35:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:11-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar play Morocco, lead workshops <p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/25e8491a2024aa8333dfb2f0bb8f2cb4/tumblr_inline_mpevurnFrq1qz4rgp.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p><p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/3fe4ab3afa5865731efb5af8604ad352/tumblr_inline_mpevs9lCee1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><b>Supporting Morocco - Northern Ireland links in the music industry</b></p>
<p>Following on from their 2012 China tour for UK Now with the British Council, Northern Ireland’s <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">And So I Watch </a><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar">You From Afar</a> performed at Morocco’s new youth music event, Sun Festival, in Marrakech. This performance is part of a bigger, on-going Morocco – Northern Ireland link focusing on supporting creative and technical skills development for young people involved in music-making. </p>
<p>Through the support of the British Council, Start Together Studio’s Producer Rocky O-Reilly, and Jimmy Devlin they led workshops with young Moroccan band members over 6 days, in partnership with the festival.</p>
<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/bf971ba3417599b1136bed10c08b1bed/tumblr_inline_mpevqxsphu1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p>And So I Watch You From Afar play upbeat, motivational post-math-rock, using guitars to emotionally connect with their audience. It's seen them play hundreds of gigs from USA to Russia. They are signed to the legendary US management & record label <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House</a>.</p>
<p><i>- Written by </i><a href="http://www.britishcouncil.org/asiwyfa_press.pdf"><i>Seainin Bates, </i><i>Taken from British Council NI Website<br>-</i><i>Photos by </i></a><a href="photosby.si">Simon Mills</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/35054862013-06-03T11:30:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:11-05:00Verbicide Magazine Album Review: All Hail Bright Futures<p><a href="http://www.verbicidemagazine.com/2013/06/03/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/#"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/d80dd86e64bc9366048cd9af2a9cd82b/tumblr_inline_mnturbsL4A1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/7e5152a2bc57f6c31e1d63afb0256887/tumblr_inline_mnturmmNac1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34945512013-05-28T17:10:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:11-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar announced for NIN Belfast Show<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/902c0cf7ac5f7ff9cf5854a93b8ed888/tumblr_inline_mni1bwkgxz1qz4rgp.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/37c25f289b9bd4d4b057a67120c96e9c/tumblr_inline_mni1i0025b1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
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<p><a href="http://asiwyfash.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">And So I Watch You from Afar</a> have been announced as main support to Nine Inch Nails at this years Belsonic Festival at Custom House Square, Belfast, Northern Ireland.</p>
<p>Nine Inch Nails will headline Belsonic at Custom House Square, Belfast, on Wednesday August 21st. This will be the band’s debut Northern Irish show, as well as their first Irish headline show in almost 20 years. </p>
<p>Tickets go on sale Friday May 31st at 9am.</p>
<p><strong>More Information:</strong> <span><a href="http://belsonic.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://belsonic.co.uk/</a></span></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34925222013-05-09T17:50:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:10-05:00ASIWYFA Announce a ton of Shows and Festivals Summer 2013<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/b8ee0b71bd201b3930e46c8579b76c5d/tumblr_inline_mltthmun0f1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p>Summer time... Let's do this and stay tuned because there are still more to be announced...</p>
<p><a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows" target="_blank">SEE ALL SHOW DETAILS HERE </a><br><br><strong>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR 2013</strong> <br>May 3, 2013 - Draperstown, NI @ Cellar Bar <br>May 4, 2013 - Louth, IE @ <a href="http://www.vantastival.com/" target="_blank">Vantastival Festival</a><br>May 5, 2013 - Castlebar, MAY @ TF Royal Theatre<br>May 11, 2013 - Belfast, NI @ The Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival <br>May 15, 2013 - Dublin, IE @ Whelan's <br>May 16, 2013 - Dublin, IE @ Whelan's <br>May 20, 2013 - Essen, DE @ <a href="http://www.openair-werden.de/" target="_blank">Pfingst Open Air Werden </a><br>Jul 13, 2013 - Gloucestershire, UK @ <a href="http://www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank">2000 Trees Festival</a><br>Jul 18, 2013 - Benicàssim, UK @ FIB - <a href="http://benicassimfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank">Benicassim Festival </a><br>Jul 20, 2013 - Steventon, UK @ <a href="http://truckfestival.com/" target="_blank">Truck Festival </a><br>Jul 21, 2013 - Dour, Belgium @ <a href="http://www.dourfestival.be/en" target="_blank">Dour Festival </a><br>Jul 28, 2013 - Leeuwarden, NL @ <a href="http://welcometothevillage.nl/" target="_blank">Welcome To The Village Festival</a><br>Aug 2, 2013 - Cork, IE @ <a href="http://www.indiependencefestival.com/" target="_blank">Indiependence Music & Arts Festival </a><br>Aug 23, 2013 - Leeds, UK @ <a href="http://www.leedsfestival.com/" target="_blank">Leeds Festival</a><br>Aug 25, 2013 - Reading, UK @ <a href="http://www.readingfestival.com/" target="_blank">Reading Festival</a><br>Aug 31, 2013 - Somerset, UK @ <a href="http://arctangent.co.uk/" target="_blank">ArcTanGent Festival</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34944732013-05-09T17:05:00-04:002021-01-28T08:14:24-05:00DIY Show Review: London April 16, 2013<p><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/live/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-the-garage-london/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/1565cb90d5b5627638efb2242e8b8c97/tumblr_inline_mmjw3u0xgE1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/87809d72da7c883a7cad73cb29781d5a/tumblr_inline_mmjw4afiFW1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p><a contents="And So I Watch You From Afar" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>’s biggest headline show in England - take two. This run of dates, the Irish band’s largest of their career, were planned for last autumn, but had to be rescheduled amongst news of medical procedures and bankruptcy.<br><br>Tonight doesn’t pass without incident, either. After Antlered Man’s disjointed, frenetic noise opens the show, Gallops announce moments before they are due onstage that they aren’t able to play due to illness.<br><br>ASIWYFA’s third album ‘<a contents="All Hail Bright Futures" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank">All Hail Bright Futures</a>’ proved a real triumph, emerging from the adversity of money worries and departing members and taking the band in a much brighter, uplifting direction. Its opening quartet of ‘Eunoia’, ‘Big Thinks Do Remarkable’, ‘Like A Mouse’ and ‘AMBULANCE’ opens the show in typically storming form.<br><br>Songs from the band’s first two albums; self-titled debut and second LP ‘<a contents="Gangs" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank">Gangs</a>’, provide the darker, drawn out moments of the set, and the band now possess three albums which make up a wonderfully structured, blended and impeccably performed post-rock live show – there’s a bit of everything. Although some of the experimentation (steel drums and flute solos…) on ‘All Hail Bright Futures’ was in danger of not being able to translate into a live setting, in practice it does so gloriously.<br><br>The show is littered with gracious and utterly honest gestures of thanks from ‘frontman’ Rory Friers, whose onstage energy and passion is an absolute joy to watch.<br><br>Maybe the band never thought they’d be here; their first sold out show outside of Ireland, and one which is so rapturously received. They’ve had plenty more than their fair share of troubles in the past year, but it seems like it’s that resurgent energy that drives them to put on the show of their lives tonight, and absolutely beam their way through it, exchanging little knowing looks from band member to band member. “Yeah, we’ve done it, guys.” They sure have.</p>
<p><strong>Rating: 8/10</strong></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34944722013-05-09T16:55:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:10-05:00Photos of And So I Watch You From Afar performing at The Garage in London<p><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/24b2c2b63ed02286d4b338f70e68ac4e/tumblr_mmjvwhZrwT1r533n8o1_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="width: 500px;" /><img src="//36.media.tumblr.com/21c8c8685dcec714d273571202615157/tumblr_mmjvwhZrwT1r533n8o2_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="width: 500px;" /><img src="//41.media.tumblr.com/4ae4ece2fec03899ffb17daa85a0f5af/tumblr_mmjvwhZrwT1r533n8o3_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="width: 500px;" /><img src="//36.media.tumblr.com/2dbdbf736c8c55701d44bf0130f5f66c/tumblr_mmjvwhZrwT1r533n8o4_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="width: 500px;" /><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/a87f5f111281d5acfe781979a8a934cf/tumblr_mmjvwhZrwT1r533n8o5_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="width: 500px;" /><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/bd3ba010da48043ea14f4935460ca0f7/tumblr_mmjvwhZrwT1r533n8o6_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="width: 500px;" /><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/9f40701c4522542bb21c0d01851e46af/tumblr_mmjvwhZrwT1r533n8o7_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="width: 500px;" /><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/4179020f1bdeb9e68bd46ac8bdd28086/tumblr_mmjvwhZrwT1r533n8o8_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" style="width: 500px;" /><a href="http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/photos/live-photo-gallery/lomography-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-at-londons-garage-123804#8" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/61ab2d195a6b2cc223364ffa971f4e16/tumblr_inline_mmjvpe9rdi1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
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<p><br>Photos of <strong><span><a href="http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/artists/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-103324" title="And So I Watch You From Afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a></span></strong> live from their sold out show in London at the Garage on April 16, 2013.</p>
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<p><em>Photos by <a class="ext-link" href="http://www.siamakamini.com" rel="external" target="_blank">Siamak Amini</a></em></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34923892013-04-29T16:30:00-04:002017-02-04T13:01:29-05:00All Hail Bright Futures - Lot's of album Reviews <p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/m6b6" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/b81cb4cc8cd99d38be2508984c3ff352/tumblr_inline_mjkfl5Pk6Y1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><br><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>'s new album "<a href="http://asiwyfa.hellomerch.com" target="_blank">All Hail Bright Futures</a>" came out everywhere on March 19, 2013 on <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> and so many great reviews are coming out it's just too much to post each. Below you can click on any publications link and see the full review. Thanks to all that have listened! <br><br>To Order on Vinyl or CD from the band click <a href="http://asiwyfa.hellomerch.com" target="_blank">HERE </a><br>Available at all digital retailers w/ 2 bonus tracks <br><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-hail-bright-futures-bonus/id602931431" target="_blank">ITUNES</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bright-Futures-Bonus-Track-Version/dp/B00BSWTMGW/ref=sr_shvl_album_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1363714115&sr=301-4" target="_blank">AMAZON</a>, or the bands own store <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com" target="_blank">HERE</a><br><iframe frameborder="0" height="100" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=1227770086/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" width="400"><a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures" data-mce-href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures">All Hail Bright Futures by And So I Watch You From Afar</a></iframe> <br><br>Don't miss ASIWYFA on <a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows" target="_blank">TOUR NOW - SEE ALL DATES</a> . <br><br></p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/m6b6" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/a3f31a07333489c399fcb9f3b9999c4a/tumblr_inline_mjx4o0Pr8C1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p><em><strong>This Weeks Best Albums - Week of March 19th, 2013</strong></em><br>"Glistening guitar textures and extra-thick bass licks again lead the way, but there are more than a few simple and harmonized vocal refrains to go with intermittent usage of voice as texture. And with sonic switcheroos in the form of trumpet, flute, and synthesizers, the latest from ASIWYFA announces the band’s own bright future." - <a href="http://alarm-magazine.com/best_albums/this-weeks-best-albums-march-19-2013/" target="_blank">Alarm </a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/m6b6" target="_blank"><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/238dac8b3a7d96d7a6efea1fd2d77582/tumblr_inline_mjkdm6ymIR1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>"The sun is shining, the party’s started. ASIWYFA sound like they’re having fun shaping and performing this music, and you’ll want to be part of it. " - <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/m6b6" target="_blank">BBC Music <br><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/ae3a0d894a5ebc97a2657fb72756321f/tumblr_inline_mjprv3g4dn1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>"their new album is definitely their best yet." - <a href="http://thefourohfive.com/review/article/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank">The 405</a><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/m6b6" target="_blank"><br><br></a><a href="http://www.state.ie/album-reviews/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/875526f5da0f6227448c677b2dece956/tumblr_inline_mjkdsoOPyl1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>"If <em>All Hail Bright Futures</em> is anything, it’s definitely not more of the same. It is daring, adventurous, breathtaking and – above all else – bloody brilliant." - <a href="http://www.state.ie/album-reviews/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank">State.IE</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.state.ie/album-reviews/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank"><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/aefdb35204de5b9de928567972605caa/tumblr_inline_mkc3mxgXKI1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>" I love the state of duality the newest album of theirs holds, riding a fine line between anthemic high energy rock and colorfully enriched deviations into experimental forms. <em>All Hail Bright Futures</em> is a phenomenal piece of modern art." <a href="http://soundcolourvibration.com/2013/03/27/asiwyfa-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank">- Sound Colour Vibration</a><a href="http://www.state.ie/album-reviews/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank"><br></a><a href="http://www.state.ie/album-reviews/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank"><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/8ed6400f2a79939af0e2b2efe26eb252/tumblr_inline_mjnuskZDCH1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>"Everything about And So I Watch You From Afar’s third record is staggeringly delightful. From beginning to end it is a wonderful medley full of bombast and cheer" - <a href="http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures-120418" target="_blank">The Line of Best Fit <br><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/756d342e36d882b5c6abb5def7ad267a/tumblr_inline_mjx44jnyxQ1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>"ASIWYFA reveal that beneath the sixteenth notes and rapid drum fills there is a beating, vivacious heart. <em>All Hail Bright Futures</em> indeed." <br><a href="http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/169478-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank">- Pop Matters</a><br><br><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/m6b6" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/5ca5f87e82ab2a7e0efc2c6246bad17c/tumblr_inline_mjkdwmfFlJ1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>"It’s hard for some instrumental acts to keep their sound fresh, but ASIWYFA have exploded out in every direction and pulled together an album that is totally new, but cogent, and yet familiar and true to their sound and sensibilities—some might say ‘fresh to death.’" - <a href="http://www.decoymusic.com/reviews/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank">Decoy</a><br><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/c90f905b0ff32bf93c3fb30306602f1e/tumblr_inline_mjkf6bh1v81qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>" Initially it took me off-guard, but even <em>Gangs</em> took me a while to fully wrap my head around at first. Some may wonder why they've tweaked the formula. For me I think it’s a refusal to play it "safe" or stand still for too long. I'm all for evolution, especially when it sounds so damn good."- <a href="http://echoesanddust.com/2013/03/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank">Echoes and Dust</a></p>
<p><a href="http://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2013/03/12/record-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/f4036b64bca46851703ee5ab767037b5/tumblr_inline_mjkd0v0v7x1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a>"The best way to describe <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar’s </a>latest full length album <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank"><em>All Hail Bright Futures</em></a> is as 12 tracks of 100% pure positivity. This album just exudes good vibes, which is a change in the band’s sound. Where ASIWYFA’s previous album <em>Gangs </em>seemed like a battle cry on the way into some epic and gory battle, <em>All Hail Bright Futures</em> is the celebration after a long hard-fought victory. " -<a href="http://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2013/03/12/record-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank"> Bearded Gentlemen Music <br>[[MORE]]<br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/e47f458787e6c4b75adab5f8873cbc28/tumblr_inline_mjkfcyXbBr1qz4rgp.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br>"Different as it may be, ‘All Hail Bright Futures’ shouldn’t be condemned to endless comparisons to older material. Not only a great album in itself, it paints a picture of a band unrestrained by expectations and boldly rocketing forward." <a href="http://iheartau.com/2013/02/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank">AU Magazine</a></p>
<p><a href="http://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2013/03/12/record-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank"><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/5f207c71d4c1631db267e69e879996b2/tumblr_inline_mjkf7a130Y1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>"<span><span>The album showcases a plethora of influences, styles, and vibrancy that illustrates how the band is still going strong following the departure of Tony Wright. "</span></span>- <a href="http://noisographyreviews.blogspot.com/2013/03/reviewed-asiwyfa-all-hail-bright-futures.html" target="_blank">Noisography <br><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/b051b6c847db97bb3b9f9ec7771a4bb4/tumblr_inline_mmjwwvXo7I1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>"<em>All Hail Bright Futures</em> is nothing short of a good time. Check it out." - <a href="http://americanaftermath.net/2013/03/31/review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank">American Aftermath <br><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/fe19c6e720a348ca0f40edbfd088477b/tumblr_inline_mmjx4qSgwp1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>"In comparison to their previous two releases, ‘<em>All Hail Bright Futures’</em> is a much more solid album from front to back." - <a href="http://postrockstar.com/2013/03/27/roundtable-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank">Post-Rockstar </a></p>
<p><a href="http://noisographyreviews.blogspot.com/2013/03/reviewed-asiwyfa-all-hail-bright-futures.html" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/37b1e15a0f424f672200c42b1ade2d01/tumblr_inline_mmjx1a7VRI1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>"They’re back everyone, and they’re back in a big way. All Hail Bright Futures is a ludicrously upbeat take on the signature And So I Watch You From Afar sound.- 10/10 " - <a href="http://www.vistanow.org/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank">Eagle Eye Vista</a></p>
<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/0a87c4109f37bdc249f2bbffe8a80b61/tumblr_inline_mjmnd83fZa1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p>"Third time lucky with the Choice Music Prize? You shouldn't need luck with something as good as this. " - <a href="http://www.rte.ie/ten/2013/0313/andsoiwatchyoufromafar.html" target="_blank">RTE</a><a href="http://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2013/03/12/record-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank"><br><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/875d46968384d5bdab2e42c0aaa7fa74/tumblr_inline_mjkebunpYl1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>" It’s a gloriously uplifting record full of all sorts of flourishes like horns and strings alongside the standard post-rock instrumentation and, yes, before you get too worried, there are sections where the band get a little heavy and bring to mind some of the less subtle moments of bands like <strong>Red Sparowes </strong>or <strong>If These Trees Could Talk</strong>. So if you’re looking for something a little different, look no further." - <a href="http://www.heavyblogisheavy.com/2013/03/12/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank">Heavy Blog is Heavy</a><a href="http://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2013/03/12/record-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank"><br><br></a><a href="http://www.goldenplec.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures-review/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/eef269ae18b503bfc9132dc4a505cf1c/tumblr_inline_mjkdjcsJi81qz4rgp.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p><br>"much like every ASIWYFA album so far, ‘All Hail Bright Futures’ is full of life." - <a href="http://www.goldenplec.com/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures-review/" target="_blank">Golden Plec </a><a href="http://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2013/03/12/record-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank"><br><br><span><img src="//media.tumblr.com/1ae69c3d520578198b0938fdc63de0a8/tumblr_inline_mjm6d6iB5K1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></span></a></p>
<p>"exploding into Big Thinks Do Remarkable (below) a track that sounds like Slayer-playing-the-sounds-of-Soweto or Bathory-meets-the-Bhundu-Boys. Jubilant, heavy and as infectious as the handles on a primary school toilet door, it’s a perfect one-two punch that has put this Northern Ireland band on our radar as our favourite post-post rock band of the moment." - <a href="http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/music_and_videos/music-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar/" target="_blank">Classic Rock </a></p>
<p><a href="http://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2013/03/12/record-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/a4a6358090a061efebcfa548490cd8ed/tumblr_inline_mjmc4s5gRt1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>"They’ve shaken things up beautifully to avoid stagnating and stalling, and <em>All Hail Bright Futures </em>is the band at their most bright, positive and progressive." - <a href="http://musicalmathematics.co.uk/album-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank">Musical Mathematics<br><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/b19586fbdc064dde3501625c95c21c5c/tumblr_inline_mmjxbyBImR1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
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<p><em>"All Hail Bright Futures</em>, makes no apologies: Within 43 minutes you’ll hear dubstep dropouts, lo-fi flute solos, joyful indie-rock chanting, marimba breaks and ear-splitting surf lines. Oftentimes in the same song." - <a href="http://www.mxdwn.com/2013/03/27/reviews/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank">Mxdwn <span id="more-32795"></span></a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34944392013-04-26T16:30:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:10-05:00Bearded Magazine: Live Review of ASIWYFA London Show<p><a href="http://www.beardedmagazine.com/live/article/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-the-garage-london-16.04.13" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/29293ea61b015b64fec6f739e5136d83/tumblr_inline_mlvmts1iAl1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/05b6ec93737ee0e11eb9a58af1c09cb8/tumblr_inline_mlvmu19a7I1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/f8d841edd3f497d8703cc050f3616ea8/tumblr_inline_mlvmyd5sgp1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p>Tonight was always going to be good, but for something so beautiful, so epic, so special to come from within London’s Garage took me completely by surprise. Never have I been more impressed by a band's live performance.<br><br>This four piece from Ireland are unique. They are a band of brothers in the truest sense. They clearly love each other, love their songs and adore their fans. This is the formula responsible for the special sound they produced tonight. Without any stage facade, glaring lights and a tonne of lyrics to fall back on, <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank"><strong>ASIWYFA</strong></a> managed to captivate an entire room. The word magical does not do them justice.<br><br>This is ASIWYFA’s first sold out concert outside of Ireland. They are grateful and humble (note frontman <a contents="Rory Friers" data-link-label="Rory Friers" data-link-type="page" href="/rory-friers" target="_blank">Rory Friers</a> finishing every song with a thank you) and phenomenal; deserving every inch of adoration they are receiving tonight. Right from the first song the boys are playing like they’re trying to destroy the building. Except it’s not just loud, its perfect. <a contents="Chris Wee" data-link-label="Chris Wee" data-link-type="page" href="/chris-wee" target="_blank">Chris Wee</a> is not your average drummer. His energy and skill provide the rest of the band with a wild and insane beat, not once struggling or fading away into an unnoticeable backdrop.<br><br>By the time their third song ‘Ambulance’ starts, everyone in the room is completely covered in sweat and altogether captivated. It is rare and exciting to witness a crowd so consumed by the band, that when they pause, the room turns silent; every person hanging off the last note, desperate for more. ASIWYFA own tonight.<br><br><a contents="Adger" data-link-label="Johnny Adger" data-link-type="page" href="/johnny-adger" target="_blank">Adger</a> describes ‘S is for Salamander’ as a song to dance to. And so the room danced. Rory Friers and <a contents="Niall Kennedy" data-link-label="Niall Kennedy" data-link-type="page" href="/niall-kennedy" target="_blank">Niall Kennedy</a>'s guitar playing is an overwhelming ride of stupefying calibre. Their synchronised playing is flawless, allowing the sound to reach that of thrashing dexterity.<br><br>ASIWYFA refuse to commit to just playing the standard post-rock sounds of crescendo guitars, textures and epic harmonies, their songs have their own fearless formulas, building a grandiose atmosphere which could never be replicated. When they do use the genre specific traits, they are done with such power, such boldness, it transports them into a whole different dimension of rock genius.<br><br>Despite the band reaching their encore of ‘Set Guitars to Kill’ and ‘Voiceless’, they show no real signs of tiring. You only have to look at their faces to tell that they are throwing everything they have at this show. A mix of intensity, and desire sweeps across their faces as they grimace at every note, dying to please, and not to falter.<br><br>The show ends with the band bowing and grinning. The crowd are mesmerized, blown away and just all out impressed; clambering to the stage to get nearer the men who just provided them with the greatest show they had ever seen. I repeat, no other post rock show has or will beat tonight. All Hail Bright Futures indeed!!</p>
<p> </p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34925032013-04-23T17:45:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:10-05:00Rock A Rolla Magazine Feature on ASIWYFA<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/80c1a6f68b7d8ed64919dcafbe15841b/tumblr_inline_mlqdckyDwb1qz4rgp.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/4fe8c2b77bc6a49ab41dab0a8500654b/tumblr_inline_mlqdd13TcS1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><br><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> featured in the April/May 2013 issue of <a href="http://www.rock-a-rolla.com/" target="_blank">Rock A Rolla Magazine</a> on newstands now! <br><br></p>
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<p></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34944382013-04-23T16:30:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:10-05:00MM: Live Review Manchester<p><a href="http://musicalmathematics.co.uk/live-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-academy-2-manchester-20-04-13/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/7d012ef43e218bf16068f8f1ee1fe127/tumblr_inline_mlvib1TRnx1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/335f360ea29f56e763cf5eb468010d24/tumblr_inline_mlviba730a1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><span class="font_large">You know those shows that come along every once in a while where you really feel like you’re witnessing something special?</span></p>
<p>You get the feeling that every night on the current tour by Northern Ireland’s finest post-math-dance-rock merchants <a contents="And So I Watch You From Afar" data-link-label="Home" data-link-type="page" href="/home" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> has been that way. On the back of their most polished and accomplished work to date, <a contents="All Hail Bright Futures" data-link-label="All Hail Bright Futures" data-link-type="page" href="/all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank">All Hail Bright Futures</a>, they pack out the smallest of the Manchester Academy venues on the last night of a stretch originally scheduled for November but cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Judging by the way everyone filters in early, they’ve been biding their time ever since the news broke.</p>
<p>First up though, Londoners Antlered Man have the task of warming up a crowd already nearing boiling point and are thankfully more than up to it. Drafted in for the remainder of these dates at the last minute owing to Gallops’ absence (which we now, unfortunately, know the reason for), their blend of obnoxious jagged noise, stoner grooves and weird nuances (penny whistles, megaphones, singing in character?!) they prove the perfect curveball to kick off proceedings for a largely unsuspecting crowd. Their sound is refreshingly pushing against trend, unlike anything else on the scene at the moment – think a mix between the frenetic, psychotic nature of Future of the Left and System of a Down segueing into the sort of grooves Kyuss would be proud of.</p>
<p>We’ve just about managed to get our head around what we’ve just observed before the tinkling guitars of recent album-opener ‘Eunoia’ shimmer from the PA and the four Belfast boys take to the stage. From here they launch into ‘Big Thinks Do Remarkable’ and it’s clear that energy and enthusiasm are in abundance, and immediately spreading around the room. The huge grin across the face of guitarist Rory Friers is replicated wherever you look and the euphoria is both palpable and clearly humbling to those onstage. By the time they slam into the groove of ‘Ambulance!’, what appears to be the happiest pit in the world opens up and will remain in full swing for the rest of the evening. “This song’s about only doing things that make you happy”, Friers tells us before old favourite ‘Don’t Waste Time Doing Things You Hate’, although he seems to be preaching to the converted on this occasion.</p>
<p>While other instrumental rock bands tend to work on the formula of slowly building to intense emotional peaks, with the occasional out and out banger thrown in for good measure, ASIWYFA have set themselves apart by favouring the latter. On paper, this relative lack of light and shade should be to their detriment, but both on record and in a live setting they have perfected the art of structuring a set of material and are somehow able to sustain their high throughout. The encore gives us chance to catch our breath as they revel in the moment, apparently reluctant to start closer ‘The Voiceless’ as it would signal the end of this run of dates. Its glittering crescendo leaves few keen to head home themselves, and we can only hope they make good on their promise to be back sooner rather than later.</p>
<h2><span class="font_regular">Check out Antlered Man @ facebook.com/antleredman</span></h2>
<h2><span class="font_regular">Check out And So I Watch You From Afar @ asiwyfa.bandcamp.com</span></h2>
<p><a contents="Words by Kyle Rice" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://musicalmathematics.co.uk/live-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-academy-2-manchester-20-04-13/" target="_blank">Words by Kyle Rice</a></p>
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<p> </p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34945502013-04-20T17:05:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:11-05:00Entertainment. IE: Interview with ASIWYFA<p><a href="http://entertainment.ie/music/news/Interview-And-So-I-Watch-You-From-Afar/173061.htm" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/df0cbedc27a1107d5de6f27a61f060a3/tumblr_inline_mmjxhvl96a1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/f520cf9dcadb61bda4bc93a0b6933609/tumblr_inline_mmjxig25GQ1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p><em>Belfast noisemakers <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have a hard-earned reputation as being one of this island's absolute best live acts. Not only that, they're also one of the few bands capable of bottling up the magic they weave on stage and capturing it in a recording.</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>The four piece released their third studio album <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank">All Hail Bright Futures </a>earlier this week and John Balfe caught up with them to talk about it, whether it represents a shift in tone for them and what it's like being one of hardest working live bands around today </em></p>
<p><br><strong>The reception to the album has been fantastic so far. Having worked on something internally as a band for so long, it must be a gratifying feeling to hear such praise once you release the thing?</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>RF - Yeah, definitely. Obviously we never shied away from trying to step out beyond the comfort zone and each time we do that it entails new ground and new sounds and new music. You're never sure if all the people who liked the first album, or the second album, or the Letters EP are all going to like it. As the time came closer and closer we thought, 'this is going to be interesting'. We certainly stepped out beyond what was easy to do. It's great to see people really discussing the record and the tracks.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Is the word 'departure' too strong to use in relation to All Hail Bright Futures?</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>RF - No, definitely not. What we've always strived to do is progress and change. Repetition is our biggest fear. Anything that solidifies that we haven't done that is great to hear, as long as the word 'good' is before 'departure' and it's not 'what a terrible departure'!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>There's a much higher representation of vocals on this album than your previous two. Was that a natural progression for you as a band, or did they just happen to be the songs you collectively wrote this time around?</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>JA - Probably a mixture, to be honest. We'd always maintained that if we thought there was a tune that could be made better by having some form of vocal on it we would try some things out. We never set out to be solely instrumental; it's just the way it worked at the time. Now, this is working. There was really only two parts in our old set that had some kind of vocals, we decided instead of us being stand-offish and hoping people in the audience would sing it for us we thought we'd project the voices and actually try and sing it. Then melodies we came up with ended up staying as a vocal part instead of us playing them, so we decided to stick with it and see what happens.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Niamh Danger from The Danger Is is on there in a few songs too, right?</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>RF - She's on 'Like A Mouse' and 'Ambulance' and other bits. She's brilliant, we had so much fun the day she came up to the studio. The working title for 'Like A Mouse' was 'Wee Banger' and we were getting her to do all these screams. She asked, 'what's this song called?' and we were like 'Wee Banger'. She goes, 'We Bang Her?!' </p>
<p><img src="//entertainment.ie/images_content/rect/asiwyaIV.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="321" width="620" /></p>
<p><em>L-R: Niall Kennedy, Rory Friers, Johnny Adger, Chris Wee</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>There's flute, horns and strings on this album. Where did that impetus come from?</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>RF - That's actually my dad and his mate doing that. It spawns from the initial idea of the band when we felt that we could kind of do anything. If it works, it works. There's probably lots of stuff which has not worked and therefore has not been heard on an And So I Watch You From Afar album. Like, whenever Niamh came up it wasn't like we had something prepared and it was like, 'Niamh, do this'. So yeah, flutes and trumpets. We've got Van Morrison's trumpet player on there - Linley Hamilton - he's just an inspiration.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>NK - He's got loads of really good, filthy jokes as well..</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>I've been told that most bands make their money from touring and merchandise and that there's not a lot of money in things like record sales anymore. Is that a myth in your experience or is it true?</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>RF - It's certainly not a myth, but that's not because we make a lot of money on tour it's because you literally make nothing from record sales. You just don't. There's a certain amount of costs that come along with putting a record out, even in a very modest way.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>JA - Keeping the band on the road as well, it's very expensive.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>RF - Once you've made a record and you're waiting for that money to come in at the backend of the cycle, once you break even with a record - that's party time. The money you make on top of that is usually pittance. The money that makes us a self-sufficient band is made on tour predominantly. But that's cool because that's where it feels most real. That's where it feels like you're actively in a band.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>CW - You're personally selling your CD to a person, it feels quite real.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Between April 1st and April 20th your touring schedule gives you one day off. Is that a good way to travel in the sense that I would understand that word to mean?</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>NK - A lot of the time you don't get to see all the cool shit. You get somewhere and you just see the inside of the bar.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>JA - How many times have we been to Rome? Everyone's always like, 'is Rome nice?' and I say that I honestly don't know. The people I met in the venue were lovely, though.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>NK - But when we started the US we drove through the Rockies and that was amazing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>RF - It's based on luck and where you have to travel through to get.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>JA - We were ten minutes from the Grand Canyon and couldn't go. The thing is you the world in a unique way, because you're seeing little pockets of these people who you are meeting and hanging out with. They're very real lives, instead of browsing through a brochure and figuring out what to do each day. It's very strange and unique and ever-changing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Niall, you're the newest addition to the band having joined in October 2011. How has the experience been for you?</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>NK - It's been great. We live together anyway, and have been best friends for many years now. It's been very easy to make the transition but obviously they were very big shoes to step into. There was a lot of pressure, A LOT of pressure at the start but it's been really fun and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Speaking of Tony [Wright, former ASIWYFA guitarist], this is the first album you wrote without his input. In terms of the creative input that he'd put into the previous two records, did you have to try and mirror any of that or did you just write an album as the band you are now?</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>RF - Yeah, just like that. We approached it just like we'd do any other record. The only difference was that we wrote a bit more of it in the studio and, of course, we were writing twice as many guitar lines. There was three people writing guitar lines for a fourpiece-plus band. We decided when we went it to record it that we weren't going to worry about how we would play it live at all.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>CW - I think we would have been totally limited by that, as in 'I can't be doing that and this at the same time, so I better not do it'.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>I remember reading a tweet from one of you from around the time when 'Gangs' was coming out which said that now that it was released, you had to learn how to play it live. Is that the case with All Hail Bright Futures too?</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>RF - The thought that we had tweeted that about 'Gangs' seems literally hilarious now. We had to learn parts in Gangs which were quite difficult to play, but on this album it's like we're having to learn to sing in a four-part harmonies, whilst playing our instruments with new pedal set-ups, with extra live sampling, pads and electronics.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>JA - We've been rehearing off and on for a while. We toured pretty extensively with Niall last year, whenever we came back from China we decided to make a start on this. None of us were particularly comfortable singing while playing. Chris has a bunch of new toys that he's working with, samplers and all sorts of things.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>How do you replicate the strings, horns and flutes?</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>JA - We're a nineteen-piece band now!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>RF - Chris has got a sampler and he triggers stuff. We really wanted to try and avoid the backing track thing. We've played with bands who had a backing track - it sounds great - but very robotic every night.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>And it'll sound the same every night as well...</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>RF - Yeah, exactly. Even though it was a lot harder, we wanted to trigger stuff live.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>NK - It gives you a bit more freedom as well to get more creative with it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>RF - Like Johnny said, it's about finding who's got the spare hand at what point!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>It sounds like you're playing Twister on stage!</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>RF - It's exactly like Twister! That sound needs to come in at this point, what's everyone doing?</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Festival season is kicking off soon, presumably you'll be doing some?</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>RF - We haven't decided to what extent we want to do festivals this year. We definitely know we want to do some. There's a few we've confirmed and a few we know we're going to announce but we haven't quite decided whether to go out all summer or not. We'll certainly be doing a few key ones, and maybe we'll do a whole load, but for now we're trying to pick good festivals. We want to make sure we gives ourselves time before we go to America again in September and we also want to make sure we're playing other music other than just the new album, we've always got to feel like we're making new music.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br><strong><em>All Hail Bright Futures</em></strong><em> is out now on CD, LP and Digital via </em><a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/"><em><strong>Sargent House</strong></em></a><em>.</em></p>
<p>(via <a contents="Entertainment.ie" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://entertainment.ie/music/news/Interview-And-So-I-Watch-You-From-Afar/173061.htm" target="_blank">Entertainment.ie</a>)</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34944412013-04-20T16:35:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:10-05:00HOT PRESS INTERVIEW: And So I Watch You From Afar<p><a href="http://www.hotpress.com/ASIWYFA/music/interviews/Hot-Press-meets-ASIWYFA/9699249.html?new_layout=1" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/252aeb3a5476b8d3b27a491dca0627f0/tumblr_inline_mmjv7srzoQ1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.hotpress.com/ASIWYFA/music/interviews/Hot-Press-meets-ASIWYFA/9699249.html?new_layout=1" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/53df927550fd1a91fac7ae6ef4654c2d/tumblr_inline_mmjv88SuUy1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p class="articlefirstpara">It’s taken three albums for <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar </a> to turn that frown upside-down. On the buoyantly-titled <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank">All Hail Bright Futures</a>, joie de vivre is in abundance and doesn’t sound like a sonic trick. In person, Belfast’s premier guitar outfit seem carefree and content. You can’t help wonder when the sunshine arrived. Glowering masterpiece <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com" target="_blank">Gangs </a>worked its dark magic in 2011 – the ensuing plaudits only added to the pressure the ensemble was under. Compounding that, founding member Tony Wright departed for his own project that September. Then there were more recent cash-flow problems, followed by the closure of their beloved former label The Richter Collective.</p>
<p class="articlebody">Instead of feeling swamped, it has been a freeing time. They’ve dreamt it all up again.</p>
<p class="articlebody">“Whenever anything significant happens in any walk of life,” ventures guitarist <a contents="Rory Friers" data-link-label="Rory Friers" data-link-type="page" href="/rory-friers" target="_blank">Rory Friers</a>, “it gives you great moments of clarity where you can really evaluate yourself and lose any bad habits. Restart. It’s like fucking New Year’s Eve! Tony leaving was a huge moment of significance. Very suddenly we were in the studio as three ‘musicians’ rather than a guitarist, a drummer and a bass-player.”</p>
<p class="articlebody">Drummer <a contents="Chris Wee" data-link-label="Chris Wee" data-link-type="page" href="/chris-wee" target="_blank">Chris Wee</a> nods.</p>
<p class="articlebody">“It was less about being really precious about the part you’d written and more about whether it was right for the song. It was a totally open forum.”</p>
<p class="articlebody">That ushered in a new positivity. When they chant the title of fourth track ‘Ambulance’, for example, even that word of warning spills out on a sea of good vibrations.</p>
<p class="articlebody">“We knew pretty early on that we wanted to make something that was really a joy to listen to,” says Friers. “Everybody’s having it pretty shitty at the moment. I think if we were still 18, we’d write a pessimistic, ‘middle finger up to the bad times’ thing. We thought we should maybe react to it in a different way.”</p>
<p class="articlebody">It means that All Hail Bright Futures is the least snotty ‘reactionary record’ you’re likely to hear. Still, they’re pushing against the past.</p>
<p class="articlebody">“We needed to prove that we could be absolutely fearless. A lot of things had gone on with the band, we’d gone through a lot of shit. It was really great to know that we could absolutely push ourselves. Not wussing out at the last minute and making another ‘math rock’ album”.</p>
<p class="articlebody">A brave new world, then. Guitarist <a contents="Niall Kennedy" data-link-label="Niall Kennedy" data-link-type="page" href="/niall-kennedy" target="_blank">Niall Kennedy</a> is joining them on the journey. Though the band have yet to “brand” him (they warn that a tattoo of the Gangs symbol might be coming his way), he’s not any old blow-in.</p>
<p class="articlebody">“Niall’s always been involved in pretty much everything we’ve done from day one,” reflects bassist <a contents="Johnny Adger" data-link-label="Johnny Adger" data-link-type="page" href="/johnny-adger" target="_blank">Johnny Adger</a>. “He was always a port of call if something was written. It was a very easy transition to make musically.”</p>
<p class="articlebody">He’s not the only addition. While they haven’t quite got the dance moves down pat, the chiefly instrumental act are most certainly the ‘All Singing ASIWYFA’ these days. You’d like to think it happened spontaneously with the four finding themselves huddled around a mic and harmonising barbershop-style.</p>
<p class="articlebody">“Not far from it!” laughs Friers. “We decided it was a really good time to restructure things during our first tour with Niall. Right, there’s some songs that have vocals on them... instead of waiting for the crowd to do it, let’s put in four microphones! That became just so enjoyable, y’know? Singing at microphone and having people singing back at you. Even if it’s just phonetic syllables essentially, it was like ‘wow’. So we thought we’d do it a bit more: let’s give those words actual meaning. Worry about learning to do it afterwards.</p>
<p class="articlebody">The old ‘play guitary singy’ thing? That’s a new one!”</p>
<p class="articlebody">One change wasn’t quite so welcome. The band were crestfallen when the Richter Collective ended last year.</p>
<p class="articlebody">”We try to be staunchly and completely sans nostalgia at all times.” Friers notes. “It’s your enemy when it comes to being progressive in creativity. But it was hard not to be like ‘ahh!’ (lets out an agonised moan), y’know? I remember the Richter Collective starting. That’s when Dublin and Belfast felt a world away. It was this mythical label that was putting out gnarly bands from Dublin. We were like, ‘Fuck! We want a piece of this.’</p>
<p class="articlebody">They duly got one when Gangs came out on the imprint. Adger makes the point that the label’s legacy will live on, that those bands are still operational. Friers nods.</p>
<p class="articlebody">“The Richter Collective as a label that’s actively putting out music has ceased to be a business,” Friers concludes, “but ‘Richter Collective’ as a thought and an idea still feels very alive and powerful.”</p>
<p class="articlebody">Another positive spin on the ever-turning wheel. Onwards and upwards, let’s watch them go far.</p>
<p class="articlebody">All Hail Bright Futures is out now. ASIWYFA play Whelan’s, Dublin on May 15 & 16</p>
<p>(via <a contents="Hot Press" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.hotpress.com/ASIWYFA/music/interviews/Hot-Press-meets-ASIWYFA/9699249.html?new_layout=1" target="_blank">Hot Press</a>)</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34924812013-04-09T16:55:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:10-05:00STENCIL MAG: Interview with Rory Friers / ASIWYFA <p><a href="http://issuu.com/stencilmag/docs/issue18" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/dc911bb2b4d2e430860917138ccaf0c1/tumblr_inline_ml0iring7q1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/b429741986372ae65703bd23f929d6c0/tumblr_inline_ml0is5Reqc1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" />[[MORE]]<img src="//media.tumblr.com/cbae55b10955a5ccf335b9e8382d190d/tumblr_inline_ml0isptW2z1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/d339227380e6dab24676a89ebd0dd2bc/tumblr_inline_ml0itgQa8H1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/1af6eee2f94ecfd9f4a0d8c89d35732f/tumblr_inline_ml0ityG6X41qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://issuu.com/stencilmag/docs/issue18" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/6a2b323aae83115107b3834d48a61399/tumblr_inline_ml0iuiNhwl1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>click above to go to Stencil Magazine PAGE 30-32 online to read in full </a></p>
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<p> </p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34924772013-04-03T16:50:00-04:002022-07-31T12:54:51-04:00ASIWYFA Announce Dublin Album Launch Shows<div><img src="//media.tumblr.com/b44d51ac71b151276976c26bb425f0e4/tumblr_inline_mko9kg1S3O1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></div>
<p><br>The Stay Golden: Two evenings curated by ASIWYFA, in association with Whelan's Live and Sargent House, celebrating the release of their new album ‘All Hail Bright Futures’ on May 15th & 16th in Dublin, Ireland.<br><br>Since the release of their Choice Music Prize nominated sophomore album Gangs, ASIWYFA have continued touring with the blistering ferocity for which they've become known around the world. Now, the band return to Dublin to mark the launch of their boldest statement yet. An album that is bursting with positive vigor and glorious harmonies, All Hail Bright Futures exhibits the new and triumphant sounds of a magnetizing band at their best.<br><br>ASIWYFA are curating the lineup and will be playing full live sets on both nights, set in the intimate surrounding of Whelan's on Wexford Street, Dublin. Join them to herald in the bright future of the band.<br><br><strong>TICKETS</strong> (Available EXCLUSIVELY through WAV)<br><br><a href="http://www.whelanslive.com/index.php/wav-tickets/asiwyfa-album-launch-tickets-150513/">ASIWYFA ALBUM LAUNCH TICKETS 15/05/13</a><br>(€14.50 incl booking fee)<br><a href="http://www.whelanslive.com/index.php/wav-tickets/asiwyfa-album-launch-tickets-160513/">ASIWYFA ALBUM LAUNCH TICKETS 16/05/13</a><br>(€14.50 incl booking fee)</p>
<p><br><strong>LISTEN</strong><br><iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fplaylists%2F3987397" width="100%"></iframe></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34923922013-04-02T16:30:00-04:002022-05-07T11:53:30-04:00Big Thinks Do Remarkable live from BBC Ulster this week only<p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0174nzw" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/338cc64216500a5976ffdbabeeaa5b31/tumblr_inline_mkn2pftRTl1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><img src="//media.tumblr.com/fe20c6ac4cab76b0c7a8d7439c9e5829/tumblr_inline_mkn2qm04Hb1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p>Check out <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar </a>performing their song "Big Thinks Do Remarkable" from their new album <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank">All Hail Bright Futures</a> live on <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0174nzw" target="_blank">BBC Radio Ulster</a> - the audio is now posted for this week only <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0174nzw" target="_blank">HERE</a>. <br><br>And don't miss ASIWYFA on their headline EU Tour now - <a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows" target="_blank">SEE ALL DATES HERE </a><br><br></p>
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<p></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34923912013-03-27T16:30:00-04:002021-11-06T04:48:40-04:00Two Tube TV: Catch Up with ASIWYFA<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YfyuI22CQFE?rel=0" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> sat down, crossed their legs and chatted it up with <a href="www.twotube.ie%20" target="_blank">Two Tube TV.</a> Don't miss ASIWYFA on tour NOW in Europe <a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows" target="_blank">SEE ALL DATES HERE</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34923872013-03-12T16:25:00-04:002023-12-10T11:42:47-05:00Track By Track of And So I Watch You From Afar " All Hail Bright Futures" <p><a href="http://musicalmathematics.co.uk/exclusive-track-by-track-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/e2fc176969bc0f990dd4eca8eeda2f57/tumblr_inline_mjkengLIi01qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>Click to go hear Audio<br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/a2bcc41025550f08cf6aae964212070e/tumblr_inline_mjkero97RV1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>‘EUNOIA’</p>
<p>(‘The goodwill a speaker cultivates between himself and his audience.’)</p>
<p>This song was one of the last to be tracked in the initial recording sessions, however it was created to provide a snapshot of what was to come in the album. The faint voice of Rhiannon, Johnny’s 9 year old niece can be heard in parts. The basis of ‘Eunoia’ came from an old guitar loop of Rory’s which also gave birth to the next track, ‘Big Thinks Do Remarkable’.</p>
<p>‘BIG THINKS DO REMARKABLE’</p>
<p>With All Hail Bright Futures, we were striving to make a guitar album but one with unconventional guitar tones and sounds, and ‘Big Thinks..’ was the first of the experimentation. Essentially it was the three of us writing music for a four, six or sometimes seven-piece band. We decided that we would worry about the performing of the songs later and that was a liberating feeling. The ‘sun is in our eyes..’ lyric came late in the recording process. It represents various obstacles we had to overcome in the making of this album, as well as heralding in positive changes the band experienced along the way.</p>
<p>‘LIKE A MOUSE’</p>
<p>This track was named after a Mike Watt lyric, inspired by our encounters with the great man during a few shows we played together in Europe. Mike is a true road warrior and sets a shining example to all bands that tread the ardous touring path. The riff came from a Noiser writing session, one of our many side projects. In this track, the drums and cymbals were tracked separately which proved a welcome challenge for Chris who tracked that afternoon bashing pieces of foam instead of cymbals. Niamh from The Danger Is provided the female vocal, and she kindly spent a couple of hours singing and screaming to create the desired effects.</p>
<p>‘AMBULANCE!’</p>
<p>Another big departure from our conventional guitar tones, as well as Rocky (producer) and Johny’s stellar work on achieving that obnoxious bass sound which blended beautifully with the guitars. The end section of the song is one of our collective favourite parts on the whole album, which is topped off by Lindley Hamilton’s (Van Morrison) majestic trumpet work. The piano outro was Chris playing an old organ, his first non percussive offering to date, making it sound like the end of an old Nintendo game.</p>
<p><a href="http://musicalmathematics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2247894997-1.jpg"><img src="//musicalmathematics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2247894997-1-780x780.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="2247894997-1" /></a></p>
<p>‘THE STAY GOLDEN (PARTS 1&2)’</p>
<p>We wrote ‘The Stay Golden’ as we wanted to make a song that pulsed and flowed well on a simple repetitive beat, away from time changes and frantic dynamics. This song underwent the most change of any on the album. We struggled with the start sequence; trying to find the right balance of a mechanical feel without losing organic sounds. ‘We know, we know, that that’s not the way no’ was about being aware that you’re not always in control of everything but that you can reply on gut instincts to make the best decisions in a situation. Niall has a cameo on this track with an arp towards the end, and also appears is some of the gang vocals throughout the album.</p>
<p>Part 2 continues the quest for unusual and synthy guitar sounds, and the drums were recorded in a loud concrete stairwell to capture a great natural reverb.</p>
<p>‘RATS ON A ROCK’</p>
<p>From a very early stage this sounded like it was heading towards a song with a real tropical feel to it, so we decided to go all out. Guitars that sounded like steel drums led on to us getting steel drummer Jonathan Scales from New York to guest on the track, as well as dropping in samples of birdsong and generally pushing boundaries. Moments like this on the album really sum up the fun and daring recording process that All Hail Bright Futures was born out of.</p>
<p>‘TRAILS’</p>
<p>The string arrangement on this was an example of us taking melodies normally played on guitar and expanding their potential through other instrumentation. The track also further exploits the masterful work of Lindley on trumpets, who on his day in studio was laying down amazing tracks within five minutes of being in the building. The background noise on the track is us chatting backstage at a show in the UK. This was put in as ‘Trails’ has a travelling feel to it, and represents a snapshot of touring life for us.</p>
<p>‘MEND & MAKE SAFE’</p>
<p>‘Mend…’ was a track we had been working on quite a bit before the recording process, so the solid structure meant a swift tracking stage, allowing for more time to embellish and experiment with interesting sounds. The flute loop is provided by Julian (Rory’s Dad) and Phil O’Connor, who appeared previously on Gangs, and features several times on the album, adding further dimensions to the songs. The song also contains the first melodica track ASIWYFA have ever used, which started out as a bit of a joke but turned out to sit really well in the track. There is also a cheeky tribute to Jimmy Chamberlin in some of the drums.</p>
<p><a href="http://musicalmathematics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2-1000x400.jpg"><img src="//musicalmathematics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/2-1000x400.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="2-1000x400" /></a></p>
<p>‘KA BA TA BO DA KA’</p>
<p>‘Ka Ba Ta…’ is maybe the biggest departure for the band thus far in terms of approach to song production. Rocky suggested replacing Rory’s original guitar melody with vocal and pieced together a really interesting blend of frenetic, stacato voices. The track also has the first acoustic guitar on any ASIWYFA song. A really fun track to make, it solidified our wish to always push ourselves in different directions and continue to make music we really enjoy.</p>
<p>‘THINGS AMAZING’</p>
<p>This song produces a dynamic shift from ‘Ka Ba Ta…’ and features more of the multi-layered and heavily modified guitar and bass sounds typical of the record. In this track, the guitars and bass were run through a Moog synth. The track also features heavily synthesized drums to give it a more dancey atmosphere.</p>
<p>‘ALL HAIL BRIGHT FUTURES’</p>
<p>Starting as a simple rehearsal room demo of just guitar and drums, this song really came to life once we began working on it in the studio. The arrangement process was quite swift and the song was tracked within a short day. In the end section, original guitar melodies from earlier forms of the song were replaced with trumpets and vocals. It is another favourite song of ours as it was an exercise in us expanding our writing repertoire creating a song with a simple repetitive rhythm and pace rather than relying on shock dynamics or time signatures.</p>
<p>‘YOUNG BRAVE MINDS’</p>
<p>The final track on the album came out of Rory’s guitar loop, with the guitar, bass and drums being tracked live in one take after a brief run through of arrangement. We wanted this to be a big finish to the album, so we set about creating a huge wall of guitars and other instrumentation. The lyric line was written in our house late at night after a seriously long day at the studio, but sums up the enthusiasm and vigour the making of this album brought out in us. Like ‘Eunoia’ opening the album, we wanted ‘Young Brave Minds’ to provide a snapshot of all the characters and sounds that had appeared throughout the album, we wanted the song to almost be like our end credits.</p>
<h3>All Hail Bright Futures is released via Sargent House on March 18th.</h3>
<h3>You can pre-order the album @ <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank" title="asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures">asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures</a> </h3>
<h3>Read our review <a href="http://musicalmathematics.co.uk/album-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-all-hail-bright-futures/" target="_blank">HERE</a>
</h3>
<p>Intro by Will Richards</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34923862013-03-11T16:25:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:09-05:00VICE NOISEY: Full Album Stream a week early<p><a href="http://noisey.vice.com/blog/here-is-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afars-new-album-all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/7951f1a2157afa9fb417b31239fbab95/tumblr_inline_mjicj314is1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/27258b2b35bbdc2f2ad90fbf52fb0933/tumblr_inline_mjicjlpeTI1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><img src="//media.tumblr.com/b81cb4cc8cd99d38be2508984c3ff352/tumblr_inline_mjicnzxnlW1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p>Here's <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar's</a> newest effort, <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank"><em>All Hail Bright Futures</em></a>, due out next Tuesday, March 19th on <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> Records. Stream it below via SoundCloud, and pre-order the album from the <a href="http://asiwyfa.hellomerch.com/" target="_blank">band's website</a>, or on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/all-hail-bright-futures-bonus/id602931431" target="_blank">iTunes</a>.<br><br><a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows" target="_blank">SEE ALL TOUR DATES FOR ASIWYFA </a><br> <iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Fplaylists%2F3987397&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true" width="100%"></iframe></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34923852013-03-08T16:20:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:09-05:00BBC Music Album Review: All Hail Bright Futures<div class="details clearfix stayOpen">
<p class="pull-quote"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/m6b6" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/238dac8b3a7d96d7a6efea1fd2d77582/tumblr_inline_mjd1nyPqSX1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p class="cite"><span class="reviewer vcard"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/a6608a6d0fc41b76bfa6d1c0b4943a91/tumblr_inline_mjd1q9qmhd1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></span></p>
<p class="cite"><span class="reviewer vcard"><span class="fn"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/bcce1bb20e30266c8dda0ab33343dd12/tumblr_inline_mjd1rmgIX51qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></span></span></p>
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<div class="review_content copy thinRule">
<p>What are <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/0fb7d725-4dfd-45d2-944c-6ffa375a142d">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> up to? Haven’t they seen the news recently? The world’s gone wrong: massive global debt, massive unemployment and B*Witched are reforming. Misery. Everywhere.</p>
<p>Yet this, the Belfast band’s third album, is ridiculously optimistic and happy. It’s downright chirpy. It whisks you away to a beach party in the Caribbean where the sun’s shining and everyone’s laughing and dancing.</p>
<p>ASIWYFA’s mostly-instrumental rock has always been full of flair and bombast. Their success as a band is built on the understanding that instrumental rock can plod and get dull unless you propel it forward with powerful riffs, shape-shifting rhythms and catchy melodies. As a result, their music is never boring.</p>
<p>Previous album <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/zpzb">Gangs</a> was built on shrill guitars and aggression. As it ducked and wove, it resembled prog rock. All Hail Bright Futures retains some of that template, but with a lighter touch and a broader sonic palette. The music is always on its toes, eager to spring off somewhere new.</p>
<p>On opener Eunoia, guitars ring out and echo like delicate pats on steel drums. On Like a Mouse – which must be an ironic title – riffs buzz and rattle onwards at such speed that they almost spin out of control.</p>
<p>This album is full of new ideas. There are cheeky marimba rhythms on The Stay Golden. On Ka Ba Ta Bo Da Ka, the lads layer up those spoken syllables with hand claps and a funky bass riff before winding up to a crisp crescendo – it’s like <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/af37c51c-0790-4a29-b995-456f98a6b8c9">Vampire Weekend</a> delivered with menace.</p>
<p>There’s a xylophone on the title track, and whoops and cheers are littered throughout the album. The cry goes up on Big Thinks Do Remarkable: “The sun, the sun, the sun… is in our eyes!”</p>
<p>The sun is shining, the party’s started. ASIWYFA sound like they’re having fun shaping and performing this music, and you’ll want to be part of it. Oh they’ve been watching the news alright, and they’ve stuck two fingers up at it. We should all be doing the same. by</p>
<p class="cite"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/m6b6"><span class="reviewer vcard"><span class="fn">Mike Haydock</span> </span> <span class="date" title="2013-03-08">2013-03-08</span> </a></p>
</div>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34923822013-03-05T16:20:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:09-05:00Rocksound Magazine & The Fly review "All Hail Bright Futures"<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/42bbc8e675212a408549f0eead8be129/tumblr_inline_mj7lsfdKgY1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/be2224371ba945d8c4dda8ea3bee9185/tumblr_inline_mj7luaOX2d1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/b824c652449005f75d9ad4eac971b576/tumblr_inline_mj7lvb5l1c1qz4rgp.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/bc66e4aa884f1d738bc11e9ca14df629/tumblr_inline_mj7lvu68t11qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34923542013-02-25T16:15:00-05:002022-05-20T05:25:27-04:00Total Guitar Magazine's Album Review: All Hail Bright Futures<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/1c55054140596d6379b7434745a96aa3/tumblr_inline_misrl14aCV1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/bcce1bb20e30266c8dda0ab33343dd12/tumblr_inline_misrm5ZmrJ1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/77a9ec9553aca45c9b3a66f6cc9f0099/tumblr_inline_misrmlQguB1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
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<p></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34923522013-02-22T16:10:00-05:002023-12-10T11:43:30-05:00ASIWYFA Add Irish shows to the start of their EU tour & Announce 2000 Trees & ArcTanGent Festival Plays<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/552180e24367a61cce3cfd51dab12277/tumblr_inline_mimv80ZW4F1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><span><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have just added a few additional shows in Ireland before starting their full EU tour that coincides with the release of their new album, <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank">All Hail Bright Futures</a>. Tour support on the EU dates will be <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gallopsgallops" target="_blank">Gallops</a>. The announcement comes a week after their European Tour Announcement and new track premiere via </span><span></span><a href="http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/news/premiere-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-reveal-big-thinks-do-remarkable/">DIY Magazine</a><span> of the song "Big Thinks Do Impossible" . Also announced are the first two festival plays for Summer at <a href="http://www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk/" target="_blank">2000 Trees</a> and <a href="http://arctangent.co.uk/" target="_blank">ArcTanGent Festival</a>. <br><br><iframe frameborder="0" height="100" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/album=1227770086/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" width="400"><a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures" data-mce-href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures">All Hail Bright Futures by And So I Watch You From Afar</a></iframe> </span><br><span class="body"><strong><br>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR 2013<br></strong></span>Fri 01, Mar, 2013- Portrush, N. Ireland @ Retro Bar<br>Fri 22 Mar, 2013 - Newry, Ireland @ Amplified <br>Sat 23 Mar, 2013 - Waterford, Ireland @ The Forum <br><span>Sun 24 Mar, 2013 - Cork, Ireland @ </span><span>Cyprus Avenue</span><span class="body"><strong><br></strong></span><span class="body">Thu 28 Mar, 2013 - Limerick @ Dolans Warehouse<br> <br><strong>ASIWYFA & GALLOPS</strong><br>Apr 02, 2013 - Winterthur, Switzerland @ Gaswerk<br>Apr 03, 2013 - Modena, Italy @ La Tenda<br> Apr 04, 2013 - Rome, Italy @ Traffic Club<br> Apr 05, 2013 - Conegliano, Italy @ Appartamento Hoffman<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 06, 2013 - </span>Vienna, Austria @ Flex<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 07, 2013 - </span>Munich, Germany @ Strom<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 08, 2013 - </span>Amsterdam, Netherlands @ MelkWeg<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 09, 2013 - </span>Berlin, Germany @ Lido<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 10, 2013 - </span>Hamburg, Germany@ HafenKlang<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 11, 2013 - </span>Luxembourg, Luxembourg @ Kulturfabrik<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 12, 2013 - </span>Koln, Germany @ Gebauede 9<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 13, 2013 - </span>Hasselt, Belgium @ Muziekodroom<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 15, 2013 - </span>Paris, France @ La Maroquinerie<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 16, 2013 - </span>London, UK @ Garage<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 17, 2013 - </span>Bristol, UK @ The Thekla<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 18, 2013 - </span>Birmingham, UK @ HMV Institute (Temple and Library)<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 19, 2013 - </span>Glasgow, SL, UK @ O2 ABC<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 20, 2013 - </span>Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy 3<br><br><strong>FESTIVALS</strong><br>Jul 13, 2013 - Gloucestershire, UK @ <a href="http://www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk" target="_blank">2000 Trees Festival</a><br></span><span class="body"><span class="body">Aug 31,2013 - Somerset, UK @ <a href="http://arctangent.co.uk/" target="_blank">ArcTanGentFestival </a></span><br><br><a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows" target="_blank">SEE ALL SHOW DETAILS HERE </a><br></span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34923502013-02-14T16:10:00-05:002023-12-10T12:31:46-05:00DIY Track Premiere: And So I Watch You From Afar - ‘Big Thinks Do Remarkable’<p><a href="http://www.thisisfakediy.co.uk/articles/news/premiere-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-reveal-big-thinks-do-remarkable/" target="_blank"><span class="body"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/a83c756cd03b2e9a82d0500c27484836/tumblr_inline_mi7zgccOcp1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/3c8c10ea0eb67426f3abac5a323b9ca3/tumblr_inline_mi7zu6UV0i1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></span></a></p>
<p><span class="body">In the lead up to the release of their brand new album, <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have already unveiled one song "<a href="https://soundcloud.com/sargent-house/asiwyfa-like-a-mouse" target="_blank">Like A Mouse</a>", but now, DIY is giving you another taster.<br> <br> Taken from their forthcoming third album '<a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank">All Hail Bright Futures</a>', we're premiering the new (and rather boisterous) cut from the Northern Irish band, 'Big Thinks Do Remarkable'. You can check it out below.<br> <iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F79125622" width="100%"></iframe><br> <br> The album itself - the follow-up to their 2011 album '<a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank">Gangs</a>' - marks their first recording as a three-piece, after Tony Wright departed the band last year. The full-length was recorded in Belfast's Start Together Studio with Rocky O' Reilly, and gets released on 19th March through Sargent House. <br> <br> The band have also confirmed plans for a full UK and European headline tour.<br> <br> <strong>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR 2013</strong><br> Apr 02, 2013 - Winterthur, Switzerland @ Gaswerk<br>Apr 03, 2013 - Modena, Italy @ La Tenda<br> Apr 04, 2013 - Rome, Italy @ Traffic Club<br> Apr 05, 2013 - Conegliano, Italy @ Appartamento Hoffman<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 06, 2013 - </span>Vienna, Austria @ Flex<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 07, 2013 - </span>Munich, Germany @ Strom<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 08, 2013 - </span>Amsterdam, Netherlands @ MelkWeg<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 09, 2013 - </span>Berlin, Germany @ Lido<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 10, 2013 - </span>Hamburg, Germany@ HafenKlang<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 11, 2013 - </span>Luxembourg, Luxembourg @ Kulturfabrik<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 12, 2013 - </span>Koln, Germany @ Gebauede 9<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 13, 2013 - </span>Hasselt, Belgium @ Muziekodroom<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 15, 2013 - </span>Paris, France @ La Maroquinerie<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 16, 2013 - </span>London, UK @ Garage<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 17, 2013 - </span>Bristol, UK @ The Thekla<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 18, 2013 - </span>Birmingham, UK @ HMV Institute (Temple and Library)<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 19, 2013 - </span>Glasgow, SL, UK @ O2 ABC<br> </span><span class="body"><span class="body">Apr 20, 2013 - </span>Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy 3</span></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34919802013-01-23T13:35:00-05:002020-02-20T09:12:25-05:00The Needledrop Track Review: And So I Watch You From Afar "Like A Mouse"<p><a href="http://theneedledrop.com/2013/01/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-like-a-mouse/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/d5d5be45b80e7fcbc042680534f5321c/tumblr_inline_mh3dqdGPsw1ryyjn7.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/5e87c13223120e95de57f654a4489a2e/tumblr_inline_mh3dqxG0jQ1ryyjn7.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><iframe frameborder="0" height="100" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/v=2/track=527492547/size=venti/bgcol=FFFFFF/linkcol=4285BB/" width="400"><a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/track/like-a-mouse" data-mce-href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/track/like-a-mouse">Like A Mouse by And So I Watch You From Afar</a></iframe> <br><br><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> dropped a really fun instrumental alternative rock song.</p>
<p>For some reason everything about this song just makes me think about an over the top movie chase scene, but in something along the lines of <em>Scott Pilgrim</em>. It is tightly composed and the song gets off to a quick start with lots of distortion and pumping drums. When the song devolves into a break down that does involve some light vocals I just can’t help, but go back to my original analogy something about the song is almost cartoonish in nature, in such a distinct way that I am seeing it through a nostalgic lens. At any rate this track has managed to bring me back to my childhood and that alone makes it worth a listen. - <a href="http://theneedledrop.com/2013/01/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-like-a-mouse/" target="_blank">Anthony Fantano</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34919752012-12-20T13:25:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:09-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar Announce EU Tour<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/b8ee0b71bd201b3930e46c8579b76c5d/tumblr_inline_mfb0rkSshp1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar </a>are taking their show back on the road. US & Canadian tour dates will be coming for Spring 2013 as well so stay tuned.</p>
<p><br><strong>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR - ALL HAIL BRIGHT FUTURES TOUR</strong> <br>Jan 31, 2013 - Galway, Ireland @ Roisin Dubh<br>Apr 02, 2013 - Winterthur, Switzerland @ Gaswerk<br>Apr 03, 2013 - Modena, Italy @ La Tenda<br>Apr 04, 2013 - Rome, Italy @ Traffic Club<br>Apr 05, 2013 - Conegliano, Italy @ Appartamento Hoffman<br>Apr 06, 2013 - Vienna, Austria @ Flex<br>Apr 07, 2013 - Munich, Germany @ Strom<br>Apr 08, 2013 - Amsterdam, Netherlands @ MelkWeg<br>Apr 09, 2013 - Berlin, Germany @ Lido<br>Apr 10, 2013 - Hamburg, Germany@ HafenKlang<br>Apr 11, 2013 - Luxembourg, Luxembourg @ Kulturfabrik<br>Apr 12, 2013 - Koln, Germany @ Gebauede 9<br>Apr 13, 2013 - Hasselt, Belgium @ Muziekodroom<br>Apr 15, 2013 - Paris, France @ La Maroquinerie<br>Apr 16, 2013 - London, UK @ Garage<br>Apr 17, 2013 - Bristol, UK @ The Thekla<br>Apr 18, 2013 - Birmingham, UK @ HMV Institute (Temple and Library)<br>Apr 19, 2013 - Glasgow, SL, UK @ O2 ABC<br>Apr 20, 2013 - Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy 3<br><br><a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows" target="_blank">SEE ALL SHOW UPDATES & DETAILS </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34919742012-12-19T13:20:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:09-05:00N. American & European Merch Stores Now Up - PRE- ORDER for All Hail Bright Futures is now Live <p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/7531174e69f789945486fefbc2c56563/tumblr_inline_mfawo2SgvI1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>And So I Watch You From Afar</a>'s "<a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank">All Hail Bright Futures</a>" <strong>PRE-ORDERS</strong> are now up on both sides of the pond. Available on Vinyl, CD and in great Bundle deals in the <a href="http://asiwyfa.hellomerch.com" target="_blank">N.American Store</a> and the newly launched <a href="http://backstreetmerch.com/stores/asiwyfa/" target="_blank">UK Store</a> both stores can ship anywhere in the world so pick your preference! - Each store has other merch to choose from as well.The album is also available as a <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank">DIGITAL pre-order</a> where you get the first track right away <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/all-hail-bright-futures" target="_blank">HERE </a></p>
<p><a href="http://asiwyfa.hellomerch.com" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/41ec2ce0a5ce11df5558e35ff7bcc97e/tumblr_inline_mfawch8RcO1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://asiwyfa.hellomerch.com" target="_blank">GO TO N. AMERICAN STORE </a><br><br><a href="http://backstreetmerch.com/stores/asiwyfa/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/2e5d6d71ad087eb8e6490a6d8e509216/tumblr_inline_mfawfu15bx1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://backstreetmerch.com/stores/asiwyfa/" target="_blank">GO TO EURO STORE </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34919722012-12-18T13:20:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:09-05:00Alarm Magazine: Track Review for And So I Watch You From Afar's "Like A Mouse"<p><a href="http://alarm-magazine.com/2012/massive-mice-northern-irish-math-rockers-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-go-big-on-like-a-mouse/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/a3f31a07333489c399fcb9f3b9999c4a/tumblr_inline_mf8uzcipZ21qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://alarm-magazine.com/2012/massive-mice-northern-irish-math-rockers-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-go-big-on-like-a-mouse/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/4b4256e5ef1d7f2c626d63dbd0a03a3d/tumblr_inline_mf8v01YZRy1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://alarm-magazine.com/2012/massive-mice-northern-irish-math-rockers-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-go-big-on-like-a-mouse/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/9fb39ca4235858fd9952017fd68f357f/tumblr_inline_mf8v0ggUmL1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://alarm-magazine.com/2012/massive-mice-northern-irish-math-rockers-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-go-big-on-like-a-mouse/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/58fcbd17e121863617170d4bc0043748/tumblr_inline_mf8v0o6AtH1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://alarm-magazine.com/2012/massive-mice-northern-irish-math-rockers-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-go-big-on-like-a-mouse/" target="_blank">click to go to ALARM story</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34903542012-12-17T17:55:00-05:002022-08-08T23:01:50-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar Announce - All Hail Bright Futures & Post First new track<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mf6pwefkxV1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>'s new album <em>All Hail Bright Futures</em> will be out worldwide on <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> on March 19, 2013. And from the sounds of the debut track <a href="https://soundcloud.com/sargent-house/asiwyfa-like-a-mouse" target="_blank">Like A Mouse</a> their future is certainly bright! Take a listen and spread the good news! We will also be announcing this week all their European tour dates for March/April 2013 in support of the new record. Stay tuned!</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F70366879" width="100%"></iframe><br><br></p>
<h5>
<span class="style3"> <img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mf6q4yD3yt1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br></span><span class="style3"><br></span>
</h5>
<p>Artist: <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar </a><br> Album: <em>All Hail Bright Futures</em> <br> Label: <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House </a><br> Release date: March 19, 2013</p>
<p>Tracklisting<br> 1. Eunoia<br> 2. Big Thinks Do Remarkable <br> 3. <a href="https://soundcloud.com/sargent-house/asiwyfa-like-a-mouse" target="_blank">Like a Mouse</a> <br> 4. AMBULANCE<br> 5. The Stay Golden Pt.1<br> 6. The Stay Golden Pt. 2 (Rats on Rock) <br> 7. The Stay Golden Pt.3 (Trails...)<br> 8. Mend and Make Safe<br> 9. Ka Ba Ta Bo Da Ka<br> 10. Things Amazing <br> 11. All Hail Bright Futures<br> 12. Young Brave Minds</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34903532012-11-20T17:55:00-05:002022-05-16T02:00:19-04:00Benefit Show in Belfast On December 15th<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdsv66UZRa1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be headlining a special Benefit show to raise money for Cancer Charities in memory of Bart Lyons. Along with a whole line up of fantastic Irish bands - Come support a night of great live music for a very worthy cause. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BenefitBelfast" target="_blank">SEE MORE INFO HERE</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption"><span class="hasCaption">SATURDAY DECEMBER 15th | MANDELA HALL | BUNATEE | BAR SUB</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>A <span id="yiv1463464310misspell-10"><span class="yiv1463464310mark">fund raising</span></span> event for cancer charities and for sufferers of cancer in memory of Bart Lyons</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="yiv1463464310apple-style-span"><span>Performing at the event will be</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="yiv1463464310mark"><strong><span><span id="yiv1463464310misspell-16">And So I Watch You From Afar</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="yiv1463464310mark"><strong><span><span id="yiv1463464310misspell-17">LaFaro</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>Axis Of</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="yiv1463464310mark"><strong><span><span id="yiv1463464310misspell-18">Eatenbybears</span></span></strong></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>Ed Zealous</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>The Continuous Battle of Order</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>Bats</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>More Than Conquerors</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>No Spill Blood</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>Sons of Burlap</span></strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>with more to be announced over the coming days....</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>This December at very short notice and group of musicians, promoters, venues, contributors and music lovers have come together in Belfast to raise money for cancer and for sufferers of cancer, spurred on by the death of local friend, musician and band mate Bart Lyons who played with members of <span class="yiv1463464310mark"><span id="yiv1463464310misspell-14">ASIWYFA</span></span> and Axis Of in their band Sons of Burlap. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>The result of this coming together of people is Benefit, featuring bands from north and south of the border all playing for nothing other than to contribute to something important</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>We aim to raise over £8000 and all we ask from everybody is to help it be known that Benefit is taking place. Take this poster and this blurb and put it on your <span class="yiv1463464310mark"><span id="yiv1463464310misspell-15">Facebook</span></span>, send it on your mailing list<span class="yiv1463464310apple-style-span">, tweet about it, talk to people about it, make sure the work and time put into this by everyone including yourself makes a difference to the people we're raising this money for</span></span></p>
<p><span class="yiv1463464310apple-style-span"><span>Thank you</span></span></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34902482012-10-02T17:30:00-04:002017-02-04T12:56:43-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar & Sargent House Make it official Worldwide<p><a href="http://sargenthouse.tumblr.com/post/32749490796/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-sargent-house-make-it" target="_blank">Reposted from Sargent House</a></p>
<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mba5orb6BJ1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>We are beyond excited to announce that after having only been surrogate parents for North America we have finally had the full adoption go through for <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> who have now officially joined <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> for both worldwide management and as the label for their next albums. We will be announcing new Tour News and album release details soon. But yes, it's absolutely happening Early 2013 we will all have a NEW And So I Watch You From Afar album to enjoy. Welcome to the family boys. You already know how much we've loved you! <br><br>Make Friends with the boys from Belfast<br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar" target="_blank">Facebook </a><br><a href="http://twitter.com/asiwyfa_band" target="_blank">Twitter </a></p>
<p>And check out one of my favorite clips of them playing with full Ulster Orchestra. Love it!</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PELNmYs1_xw?rel=0" width="500"></iframe></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34902472012-08-08T17:30:00-04:002017-02-04T12:56:42-05:00ASIWYFA Video Interview at Dublin Airport On their Way to China Tour<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1inHXuRrd3M?rel=0" width="500"></iframe> <br><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> caught up with <a href="http://45sound.com" target="_blank">45sound</a> at 5am in Dublin Airport on Wednesday August 8th 2012 before they flew off for their first ever China Tour. They told us how much they are looking forward to their 10 days & 5 shows in China, and how much they enjoyed their "dream" coast-to-coast US & Canada Tour in June & July.<br><br>Videos from each of the 5 Chinese shows will be up on <a href="http://45sound.com" target="_blank">45sound.com</a> shortly afterwards, thanks as always to sound legend Andy Coles for recording and mixing the live audio!<br><br>45sound also has live footage from ASIWYFA's Sold Out New York show from The Studio @ Webster Hall on July 27th 2012. For those videos and more <a href="http://45sound.com/shows/222" target="_blank">Click HERE </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34901792012-08-01T17:05:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:08-05:00ASIWYFA - CHINA TOUR 2012<p><a href="http://www.spli-t.com/splitworks/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-wishes-all-leos-a-happy-birthday/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m836jaHbM91r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be playing for the first time ever in China. For more info and details go <a href="http://www.spli-t.com/splitworks/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-wishes-all-leos-a-happy-birthday/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34901772012-07-13T17:05:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:08-05:00Ryans Rock Show Video Interview from Los Angeles<p><a href="http://www.ryansrockshow.com/php2/interviews/39-interviews/11513-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-interview.html" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m748mnAROe1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m748mx1mKg1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>"It was surreal being there," bassist Johnny Adger says of touring Europe in 2010 with <a href="http://www.themcrookedvultures.com/us/home" target="_blank">Them Crooked Vultures</a>. “On the first night, [Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones, and Josh Homme] introduced themselves to us. I was like ‘yeah, I know who you are,’” he laughs.</p>
<p><span class="style25">Shortly before dusk outside a restaurant on the Miracle Mile, <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> say that birds of a feather do rock together — especially in their native Belfast, Ireland. The members of the instrumental group have known each other for years, and often collaborated in a hip hop-inspired collective dubbed Team Fresh.</span></p>
<p>"Where we’re from… there were some pretty legendary moments," guitarist Rory Friers comments. "[Team Fresh] shows seem to rally a lot of the local kids together."</p>
<p>Currently <a href="http://www.ryansrockshow.com/php2/news/10980-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-zechs-marquise-summer-tour-announeed.html" target="_blank">migrating across the States</a> with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Zechs_Marquise" target="_blank">Zechs Marquise</a> in support of their latest album <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank"><em>Gangs</em></a>, And So I Watch You From Afar are no strangers to the Interstate Highway System. Having recently completed a <a href="http://www.ryansrockshow.com/php2/news/10808-russian-circles-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-tour-announced.html" target="_blank">trek with Russian Circles</a>, ASIWYFA <a href="http://www.ryansrockshow.com/php2/news/4051-touche-amore-la-dispute-envy-trash-talk-tour-dates-announced.html" target="_blank">toured North America</a> a couple years ago with Touche Amore.</p>
<p>Says Friers of the band’s first US run, “We didn’t have much of a reason to come out here, other than we just wanted to tour America. We couldn’t afford it really…I guess we wanted to do it to prove that that’s what we were prepared to do.”</p>
<p>Staying true to their Northern Ireland DIY ethos, And So I Watch You From Afar have plans to begin work on a new album by the year’s end. On the agenda first: <a href="http://www.ryansrockshow.com/php2/news/11419-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-to-tour-china.html" target="_blank">a trip to China</a>.</p>
<p>"The tunes that we wrote in our little hometown have somehow got us to China. It’s pretty incredible."</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34901702012-06-25T17:05:00-04:002018-10-18T12:04:38-04:00Vancouver Weekly Live Review of ASIWYFA June 22 at the Biltmore Cabaret <p><a href="http://www.vancouverweekly.com/russian-circles-with-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-june-22-at-the-biltmore-cabaret-review/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m66qtfr7AF1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m66qrpDpe61r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>The doors opened twenty minutes late last Friday as an eager line-up formed outside the <a href="http://www.biltmorecabaret.com/" target="_blank">Biltmore Cabaret</a>. <a href="http://russiancircles.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a> fans clearly made up the majority of those in attendance, but an impressive number of giddy and devoted <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> fans made their presence known. We happily filed in around 8:30 p.m., chilled from the rain, and scrambled to secure a prime spot in one of the famed venue’s beautiful booths.</p>
<p>Comprised of Rory Friers (guitar), Johnny Adger (bass) and Chris Wee (drums), Belfast’s ASIWYFA hit the stage at 10:15 p.m. and quickly electrified the room with their exuberant, frantic rock. Sweat and smiles quickly spread throughout the crowd as the three-piece jumped back and forth between trippy ambient bits and hard-driving, balls-out riffs, all of which exude an undeniably infectious positivity. While focusing largely on tunes from 2011’s <em>Gangs </em>(such as the thumping <em>“Think:Breathe:Destroy”</em> and the spacey, 10-minute epic <em>“Homes – … Samara to Belfast”</em>), the set still provided a comprehensive sweep of their back catalogue, including pieces from 2010’s <em>Letters</em> EP (<em>“S Is For Salamander”</em>) and their eponymous 2009 effort (the huge <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU_wQb1qs-4" target="_blank"><em>“Set Guitars to Kill”</em></a>, <em>“The Voiceless”</em>).</p>
<p>ASIWYFA set the bar very high with a powerful, engaging performance that featured a lot of genuine crowd interaction and appreciation, and prompted some spirited yelping, howling, and not to mention surfing from the crowd. <br><a href="http://www.vancouverweekly.com/russian-circles-with-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-june-22-at-the-biltmore-cabaret-review/" target="_blank"><br>SEE FULL SHOW REVIEW HERE </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34901412012-06-17T16:20:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:08-05:00Hello Canada - The Eagle Has Landed Let the Tours Begin<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5slqbDtzo1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5slqiYNts1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have landed! Photos taken while in the Winnipeg Airport waiting for their van to arrive. Let's TOUR!!!<br><br><a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows" target="_blank">SEE ALL SHOW DETAILS HERE </a><br><br><strong>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR</strong><strong> & RUSSIAN CIRCLES</strong> <strong>- 2012</strong><br>Jun 18th - Winnipeg, MB @ The Park Theatre w/ <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Indian_Handcrafts" target="_blank">Indian Handcrafts</a><br>Jun 19th - Saskatoon, SK @ Amigos Cantina w/ <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Indian_Handcrafts" target="_blank">Indian Handcrafts</a><br>Jun 20th - Calgary, AB @ Dicken’s Pub - <a href="http://www.sledisland.com/" target="_blank">Sled Island Fest</a> w/ <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Indian_Handcrafts" target="_blank">Indian Handcrafts</a><br>Jun 22nd - Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret <br>Jun 24th - Seattle, WA @ Neumos w/ Sand Rider <br>Jun 25th - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge w/ <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Crypts" target="_blank">Crypts</a><br>Jun 27th - Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s w/ <a href="http://dfhvn.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Deafheaven </a><br>Jun 28th - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall w/ <a href="http://dfhvn.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Deafheaven</a><br>Jun 29th - Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre w/<a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Chelsea_Wolfe" target="_blank">Chelsea Wolfe</a> & <a href="http://dfhvn.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Deafheaven</a><br><br><strong>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR & ZECHS MARQUISE</strong> <strong>- 2012</strong><br>Jun 30th - Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction<br>Jul 01st - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah <br>Jul 02nd - Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room <br>Jul 04th - San Antonio, TX @ The White Rabbit <br><span class="text_exposed_show">Jul 05th - Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald’s <br> Jul 06th - Austin, TX @ Red 7 </span><br>Jul 07th - Dallas, TX @ Club Dada <br>Jul 08th - Norman, OK @ The Opolis<br>Jul 10th - St Louis, MO @ The Firebird w/ <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Gypsyblood" target="_blank">Gypsyblood</a><br>Jul 11th - Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen w/ <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Gypsyblood" target="_blank">Gypsyblood<br></a>Jul 12th - Lansing, MI @ Mac’s Bar <br>Jul 13th - Toledo, OH @ Mickey Finns <br>Jul 14th - Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern <br>Jul 16th - Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose <br>Jul 17th - Louisville, KY @ Headliner’s Music Hall <br>Jul 18th - Nashville, TN @ 12th & Porter <br>Jul 19th - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade <br>Jul 20th - Gainesville, FL @ 1982 Bar <br>Jul 21st - St Petersburg, FL @ local 662 <br>Jul 22nd - Mobile, AL @ Alabama Music Box <br>Jul 24th - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 <br>Jul 25th - Baltimore, MD @ Sonar <br>Jul 26th - Cambridge, MA @ T.T. the Bears <br>Jul 27th - New York City, NY @ The Studio at Webster Hall w/ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Brontidetheband" target="_blank">Brontide </a><br>Jul 28th - Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie w/ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Brontidetheband" target="_blank">Brontide </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34901402012-05-31T16:20:00-04:002019-12-18T08:22:06-05:00MTV Iggy's Top Ten List: The Next Generation of Guitar Heroes // Rory from ASIWYFA makes the list<h3><a href="http://www.mtviggy.com/lists/the-next-generation-of-guitar-heroes-10-players-who-shred-the-past/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4x39cdW8s1qbzv4w.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" height="182" width="410" /></a></h3>
<div class="wp-caption alignleft" id="attachment_86305">
<img src="//all.mtvworldverticals.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Rory_Friers.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="200" width="300" /><br>
<h3>10. Rory Friers</h3>
Belfast, Northern Ireland houses a fearsome post-rock monster known to the world as <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>
<p>The band name might not sound very aggressive, but Rory Friers’s guitar is as formidable as it is articulate. On songs like “Gang (starting never stopping)” he displays an ability to speak with out words that is especially welcome considering ASIWYFA is an all instrumental band.</p>
<p>Admittedly, we don’t have any idea what he’s talking about, but you have to love the way he says it.</p>
<a href="http://www.mtviggy.com/lists/the-next-generation-of-guitar-heroes-10-players-who-shred-the-past/" target="_blank">SEE FULL LIST</a> <br>
<div class="wp-caption alignleft"></div>
</div>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34901382012-05-22T16:15:00-04:002022-05-28T16:17:18-04:007 Billion People Alive All At Once Live with The Ulster Orchestra <p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PELNmYs1_xw" width="500"></iframe> <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_From_Afar" target="_blank"><br>And So I Watch You From Afar</a> performing their track <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank">7 Billion People Alive All At Once</a> with <a href="http://www.ulsterorchestra.com/" target="_blank">The Ulster Orchestra</a> at Ulster Hall in Belfast, Ireland on May 21, 2012 - Video taken from a live stream from the BBC.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34901152012-05-21T16:10:00-04:002022-05-25T23:44:58-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar to Perform With Ulster Orchestra May 22, 2012<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4dug5XQ9Y1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>Tomorrow night, Tuesday May 22nd <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be performing songs specially arranged with <a href="http://www.ulsterorchestra.com/" target="_blank">The Ulster Orchestra</a> live from The <a href="http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/ulsterhall/index.aspx" target="_blank">Ulster Hall</a> in Belfast, as part of the The Great Northern Songbook series</p>
<p class="MsoPlainText">You can stream it online live on BBC Radio <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01dvy85" target="_blank">here</a>, performance starts at 8pm Belfast time / in the United States that would be Noon PST or 3pm EST - Tune in!</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34901142012-05-18T16:10:00-04:002021-09-21T14:40:11-04:00ASIWYFA: USA & CANADIAN TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED <p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m48fbehrZG1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be heading to the United States and Canada for a whole bunch of touring with other <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> family bands. First to Canada for some shows and <a href="http://sledisland.com" target="_blank">Sled Island Festival</a> with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Russian_Circles" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a> and <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Indian_Handcrafts" target="_blank">Indian Handcrafts</a>, then to the west coast joining up for some shows with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Deafheaven" target="_blank">Deafheaven</a> and ending in Los Angeles at the El Rey at the big <a href="http://1656music.com" target="_blank">Sargent House / 1656 Music </a>Show with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Chelsea_Wolfe" target="_blank">Chelsea Wolfe</a> also playing. In July we will be doing a co-headliner tour with our funky brothers, <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Zechs_Marquise" target="_blank">Zechs Marquise</a>. There are still a few more shows to be added so keep an eye out for updates <a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows" target="_blank">HERE </a>and always make sure to check directly with venue websites for door times/ set times and age restrictions. <br><br><a href="http://sargenthouse.tumblr.com/post/23305665544/whose-the-best-local-band-in-your-city-want-to-play-on" target="_blank">DOES YOUR BAND WANT TO OPEN A SHOW ON OUR TOUR? READ THIS</a><br><br><strong>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR</strong><strong> & RUSSIAN CIRCLES</strong> <strong>- 2012</strong><br>Jun 18th - Winnipeg, MB @ The Park Theatre w/ <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Indian_Handcrafts" target="_blank">Indian Handcrafts</a><br>Jun 19th - Saskatoon, SK @ Amigos Cantina w/ <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Indian_Handcrafts" target="_blank">Indian Handcrafts</a><br>Jun 20th - Calgary, AB @ Dicken's Pub - <a href="http://www.sledisland.com/" target="_blank">Sled Island Fest</a> w/ <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Indian_Handcrafts" target="_blank">Indian Handcrafts</a><br>Jun 22nd - Vancouver, BC @ Biltmore Cabaret <br>Jun 24th - Seattle, WA @ Neumos <br>Jun 25th - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge <br>Jun 27th - Sacramento, CA @ Harlow's w/ <a href="http://dfhvn.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Deafheaven </a><br>Jun 28th - San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall w/ <a href="http://dfhvn.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Deafheaven</a><br>Jun 29th - Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre w/<a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Chelsea_Wolfe" target="_blank">Chelsea Wolfe</a> & <a href="http://dfhvn.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Deafheaven</a><br><br><strong>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR & ZECHS MARQUISE</strong> <strong>- 2012</strong><br>Jun 30th - Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction<br>Jul 1st - San Diego, CA @ The Casbah <br>Jul 2nd - Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room <br>Jul 4th - San Antonio, TX @ The White Rabbit <br><span class="text_exposed_show">Jul 5th - Houston, TX @ Fitzgerald's <br> Jul 6th - Austin, TX @ Red 7 </span><br>Jul 7th - Dallas, TX @ Club Dada <br>Jul 8th - Norman, OK @ The Opolis<br>Jul 10th - St Louis, MO @ The Firebird w/ <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Gypsyblood" target="_blank">Gypsyblood</a><br>Jul 11th - Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen w/ <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Gypsyblood" target="_blank">Gypsyblood<br></a>Jul 12th - Lansing, MI @ Mac's Bar <br>Jul 13th - Toledo, OH @ Mickey Finns <br>Jul 14th - Toronto, ON @ Horseshoe Tavern <br>Jul 16th - Pittsburgh, PA @ Smiling Moose <br>Jul 17th - Louisville, KY @ Headliner's Music Hall <br>Jul 18th - Nashville, TN @ 12th & Porter <br>Jul 19th - Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade <br>Jul 20th - Gainesville, FL @ 1982 Bar <br>Jul 21st - St Petersburg, FL @ local 662 <br>Jul 22nd - Mobile, AL @ Alabama Music Box <br>Jul 24th - Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 <br>Jul 25th - Baltimore, MD @ Sonar <br>Jul 26th - Cambridge, MA @ T.T. the Bears <br>Jul 27th - New York City, NY @ The Studio at Webster Hall w/ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Brontidetheband" target="_blank">Brontide </a><br>Jul 28th - Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie w/ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Brontidetheband" target="_blank">Brontide </a><br><br><a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows" target="_blank">ALL UPDATED ASIWYFA SHOWS & DETAILS HERE</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34901132012-05-17T16:10:00-04:002017-02-04T12:56:30-05:00ASIWYFA: Live Review & Video from Camden Crawl - Dublin 2012<p> <a href="http://niallflack.gigape.com/user/2012/05/17/camden-crawl-dublin-review/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m46ygpKrEE1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" height="149" width="151" /></a></p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z7fKtyaWS5s?rel=0" width="500"></iframe></p>
<p>"Sticking around the Button Factory, the venue fills up nicely for Friday’s main attraction, Northern Ireland’s finest, <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/And_So_I_Watch_You_From_Afar" target="_blank"><strong>And So I Watch You From Afar</strong></a>. Their set kicks off with a furious rendition of <em>Set Guitars To Kill </em>and <em>S is for Salamander </em>both are fantastic and whip the crowd into frenzy. The Button Factory seems to be the ideal venue for ASIWYFA with them sounding massive and every note is pitch perfect. <em>7 Billion People </em>and <em>Don’t Waste Time Doing Things You Hate </em>(dedicated to the late Beastie Boy MCA) get the crowd signing along and the band look like they love every minute of it. There is a really special moment with set closer <em>The Voiceless </em>with guitarist Rory and Niall climbing into the crowd and playing the last 3 minutes in the middle of the baying fans. By far the highlight of the day it was a superb performance. "- <a href="http://niallflack.gigape.com/user/2012/05/17/camden-crawl-dublin-review/" target="_blank">Niall Flack (Click to read full review)<br></a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34899922012-05-07T15:30:00-04:002023-12-13T02:21:06-05:00A Joyful Slog - A Documentary <p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lgvGuRfsoJ8?rel=0" width="500"></iframe><br>This is a documentary looking at some of Ireland's DIY bands and culture over the last 5-20 years or so. It is a Dublin Community Television production and was made by the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/CommunityOfIndependents" target="_blank">Community Of Independents</a> collective that works with the channel. Featuring live footage and audio of various Irish artists including ASIWYFA as well as insightful interviews with some of the people that have been involved in the growth of this scene. Enjoy!</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34899912012-05-03T15:30:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:07-05:00ASIWYFA Announce Canadian & US Tour Dates with Russian Circles, Indian Handcrafts, Deafheaven & Sled Island<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3gbvuDmnY1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" height="333" width="500" /><br><a href="http://asiwyfash.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be playing some Canadian shows including Calgary's <a href="http://www.sledisland.com/" target="_blank">Sled Island Festival</a> along with label mates<br><a href="http://russiancircles.tumblr.com" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3gbhqX2xc1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://russiancircles.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3gbxauIGx1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>and Canada's own <a href="http://indianhandcrafts.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Indian Handcrafts</a>.</p>
<p><strong>ASIWYFA</strong> and <strong>Russian Circles</strong> will then hit the States together and join up with <a href="http://dfhvn.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Deafheaven</a> for a few shows as well. Below are all the shows with Russian Circles. ASIWYFA will be continuing on their own <a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows" target="_blank">US tour</a> starting around July 5th with some other <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> bands <a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows" target="_blank">to be announced soon</a>. <strong>These shows will ALL RULE</strong>. You would be a fool to miss it. Riffs and Chugg for life.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/russian-circles/shows" target="_blank">RUSSIAN CIRCLES</a> / <a href="http://artistdata.com/asiwyfa/shows" target="_blank">AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR</a> </strong><br>Jun 18, 2012 - Winnipeg, MB (CA) @ The Park Theatre ^^<br>Jun 19, 2012 - Saskatoon, SK (CA) @ Amigos Cantina ^^<br>Jun 20, 2012 - Calgary, (CA) TBA @ Sled Island Festival ^^<br>Jun 21, 2012 - Calgary, (CA) TBA @ Sled Island Festival ^^<br>Jun 22, 2012 - Vancouver, BC (CA) @ Biltmore Cabaret ^<br>Jun 24, 2012 - Seattle, WA (US) @ Neumos ^<br>Jun 25, 2012 - Portland, OR (US) @ Doug Fir Lounge ^<br>Jun 27, 2012 - Sacramento, CA (US) @ Harlow's **<br>Jun 28, 2012 - San Francisco, CA (US) @ Great American Music Hall **<br>Jun 29, 2012 - Los Angeles, CA (US) @ El Rey Theatre ** Special Guest TBA<br><br>^ w/ Russian Circles, And So I Watch You From Afar<br>^^ w/ Russian Circles, And So I Watch You From Afar & Indian Handcrafts<br>** w/ Russian Circles, And So I Watch You From Afar & Deafheaven</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34899882012-04-24T15:30:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:07-05:00THE CAMDEN CRAWL Q&A : AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR - Interview <p><a href="http://www.thecamdencrawl.com/news/article/the-qa-crawl-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2zq2sKnCg1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><br><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be appearing at <a href="http://www.thecamdencrawl.com/" target="_blank">CC2012</a> on Sunday 6th May, as well as our sister festival in Dublin the weekend after. Check out their profile page for more info.<br><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2zq62QVRv1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><br>When we arrived at <a href="http://asiwyfash.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar </a>HQ, we had a feeling from their band name that they may be loquacious. And so it proved: the post-rock outfit were in fine fettle.<br><br><strong>What is your first memory or experience of Camden Town?</strong><br>It was probably with the lads in the band when we first started playing shows in the UK a few years ago. We'd tour about in a Mitsubishi Carisma with no sat nav and have no idea about congestion charges or just how hectic london is. I remember our clutch blew out near Camden and we had to join the AA and it cost all the money we'd made the whole tour. I can also remember clipping a cars wing mirror and we got chase by these dudes who cornered us in their car and were trying to get a bat out of their boot to "bash" us, but my Irish charm had them laughing and joking with us after a couple of minutes. I'm sure I was there as a kid with my dad a few times but those are my first proper memories of being in camden, my favourite memory is going with my buddy Sully to eat vegan food along the canal.<br><br><strong>In what one other city would you put on a festival like the Camden Crawl and why?</strong><br>I'd do it somewhere full on, maybe like this place Rojvin in Croatia in late August when the tourists are starting to thin out, it's this beautiful little town built on rock in the Adriatic sea that I used to stay with friends back when I was a back packing hippy skateboarder with no band. It's all cobbled streets, blue sea, fresh sea food, grappa, amazing banter, it's would be so good I think.<br><br><strong>If the band were to appear live on any US television series, which would it be?</strong><br>I wouldn't be adverse to a spot on Curb Your Enthusiasm or maybe Jersey Shores but that would just be to see Adger (ASIWYFA bassist) dish out some street justice on those horrible horrible people<br><br><strong>What one instrument that isn't part of your line-up do you secretly wish was?</strong><br>A brass section, I find I'm almost always trying to my guitar tones sound like brass,like trying to emulate their sound,brass sections can riff it out,I love it. My favourites at the moment are Hot 8 Brass Band, check out there cover of Sexual Healing and you'll see what I mean.<br><br><strong>Describe your sound in 10 words or less:</strong><br>Loud, lovely, OCD and occasional a little sexy<br><br><strong>What is the most interesting event the band has planned for 2012?</strong><br>I think we're going to China in the summer which is blowing our minds at the moment, I hope it all works out but it's looking like a go-er right now. We have a few things we're gonna be announcing next month which is our most exciting news but that's for next month.<br><br><strong>Tipple of choice?</strong><br>Stout, tho I did have some cocktails the other night and had something amazing with Tia Maria<br><br><strong>Anything specific you want to plug?</strong><br>Richter Collective, Belfast music, Verse Chorus Verse, and just watch this space for some ASIWYFA related announcements.<br> </p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34899872012-04-24T15:25:00-04:002022-04-17T23:39:34-04:00Live4Ever Interview: And So I Watch You From Afar // SXSW & ‘Back In The USSR’<p><a href="http://www.live4ever.uk.com/2012/04/sxsw-interview-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-back-in-the-ussr/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2zps3UCvV1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://www.live4ever.uk.com/2012/04/sxsw-interview-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-back-in-the-ussr/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2zpd6FbsK1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br>Back in the USSR, they don’t know how lucky they are; in the midst of a typically hot and humid South By Southwest festival in Texas, And So I Watch You From Afar are looking back on an ever so slightly cooler environment when they last visited Russia for a tour which nonetheless proved to be hotter than they could ever have imagined.<br><br>“It was like -25c, really harsh conditions, so the daytimes would maybe be a bit of a slog and be hard work, freezing cold. But then the crowds at night would just make it so worthwhile,” they tell Live4ever in this exclusive SXSW interview.<br><br>The Irish group also found time to candidly discuss all details behind the shock exit of influential band member Tony Wright and the subsequent arrival of long-time friend Niall Kennedy, as well as why they were dancing around the garden after landing a coveted support slot with <strong>Them Crooked Vultures</strong>.<br><br><strong>Live4ever with <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> at South By Southwest 2012. You played our showcase which was broadcast by VenueOne.com yesterday lads – how did you feel about it?</strong><br>Really enjoyed it, really liked the venue. We heard that place is pretty new as a venue on the South By list. Yeah, thought it was great, really, really enjoyed it – nice set-up, good line-up, good mix of bands, think you guys put on a really good line-up.<br><br><strong>You all have a tattoo, have you got this tattoo (to newest member Niall)?</strong><br>(Niall): Not yet…<br>We haven’t got him drunk enough yet!<br><br><strong>You have to be drunk to get it?</strong><br>(Niall): I guess if the situation appears where it seems like the right thing to do maybe I will.<br><br>We should explain – the tattoos are your symbol from both the covers of the ‘Letters’ EP and the ‘Gangs’ album.<br><br>(Niall): It’s actually designed by my old flatmate Tim Farrell. We used to live together – he’s a graphic designer in Belfast. I think he came up with a whole bunch of ideas and we picked that one. It was something sort of simple, identifiable – not saying it’s as good as or as recognizable yet – but the one thing that stuck with everyone was it’s kinda like the <strong>Black Flag</strong> logo. So we wanted a logo that we could just put places and which would look good on a shirt – people wouldn’t have to learn the massive name, they’d just see that. We played a show in Russia that had a big black curtain and a white curtain behind it, and we were able to part the curtain in the middle and just made the logo! It’s good if it’s real simple.<br><br><strong>Talking about the Eastern Bloc – how are the fans out there?</strong><br>Fucking brilliant! Mental – there’s a lot in common with the Irish and the Russian people, the only difference is they speak better English! They’re brilliant, they’re really into it. They’re just so thankful that you’ve made the journey over there and they’re just really passionate about it as well so they’re mad into it, going nuts. But they are really gentle with each other as far as, you know, moshing or whatever word you want to use, and stage diving. You go to some shows and you see people just jumping recklessly in and kicking people in the face. They sort of more like flop on to people instead of diving and then they all get passed around and sat down. They’re more rough with Niall and Rory whenever they go in than they are with each other.<br><br>Anytime we would jump into the crowd within probably about 5 or 10 seconds they would lift us up so we would be crowd surfing while we’re playing guitar, which we were never expecting, but maybe it’s just like a custom over there or something. We want to just like dance with them in the crowd and rock out, but they just wanted to push us up into the ceiling instead!<br><br><strong>How do you get the word out to Russian kids about you and that you’re going to go over there? Was it a part of little festivals, with three of four bands? Any Russian bands you were playing with?</strong><br>Yeah, some really good ones actually. The Russian thing just began organically with people finding us on last.fm and downloading us illegally maybe, and we didn’t really know to what extent people knew about us over there. We got asked to do a tour by a company and it was crazy. We got there and it was like, ‘I wonder if anybody comes?’ and in the end there was hundreds of kids turning up and they spot you a mile away and they were all going mad. Getting your photo taken in the street – making you feel like you’re important!<br><br><strong>How does that actually feel – you roll up to a venue, you don’t know if anyone’s going to show up and there’s 200 people there in a sold out show?</strong><br>It’s like the ultimate drug, the ultimate reason to be in a band. It makes it all make sense. When we went to Russia it was like -25c, really harsh conditions, so the daytimes would maybe be a bit of a slog and be hard work, freezing cold. But then the crowds at night would just make it so worthwhile. You forgot about anything that happened during that day…any food poisoning that you’d got! The crowds just make everything disappear.<br><br><strong>Did you get introduced to some really good vodka?</strong><br>Yeah; we had one night where you’d buy a few bottles of vodka for the table and then you just pull yourself shots, you know? There was a type of vodka they had called Parliament. And it’s…we always mix vodka at home ‘cos it’s disgusting but there, as long as it’s cold, you can drink it and it doesn’t give you that ‘ugh!’ kind of feeling you get, it’s actually really nice. It’s nice to drink it neat. It’s palatable!<br><br><strong>We want to go back to Tony’s exit from the band – not that Niall hasn’t taken over that role, but Tony seemed an integral part of the band and we were very surprised to hear that he left. So what went on with that and what was he doing?</strong><br>Well about a year and a half ago – he’s always been a singer/songwriter – and about 18 months ago he started taking that more seriously and was starting to gig a bit, and it just got to the point where we had a big tour coming up and it got to that tipping point where it was his involvement with the band and his own thing got to the point where it was make or break – one or the other, you know? There was an element of frustration as well; like we’re always going to love him, but if something makes you unhappy that you’re supposed to love doing and you stop loving it, it’s time to move on.<br><br><strong>And he never came across as anything like that, that’s the thing – he was always so into it, he always gave it everything, like all of you do.</strong><br>(Niall): He is just super into music. He’s just super passionate about music and performing and everything, and he’d pour himself into anything he did in the same way. He’s just an awesome musician and person and performer. I found out about Tony’s departure about 10 days before the tour we went on, so I was grieving Tony’s loss as much as any of the fans were ‘cos I’m a big supporter and he’s been involved in the band for a long time, and I’ve followed every step along the way. Me and Rory moved to Belfast around the same time when I started Panama Kings so we were always involved in each other’s stuff, did some gigs together and stuff, and always kept like a good handle on each other. I was gutted when he left as well but I guess it just seemed like no-one wanted to stop so…<br><br><strong>…Must have been really tough for him to make that decision.</strong><br>(Chris): Yeah it was tough for everybody; being in a band together for 5 or 6 years, and Johnny was in a band with Tony called PepperBook years ago, and me, Rory and Tony were in a band called Zombie Safari Park, so there’s a huge history with all of us.<br><br><strong>So what’s Tony’s project called?</strong><br>VerseChorusVerse.<br><br><strong>And it’s him, acoustic?</strong><br>Yeah. We actually went to see him about two weeks ago for his first ever performance with a backing band and it was awesome. He had Lukey from General Fiasco playing drums and a couple of other dudes. So yeah it was brilliant. We’d seen him a couple of times before just with his acoustic, and when we’re on tour we always check in. He keeps putting videos up online and stuff and we’ve been following it, and then getting to see him do it live was special. It was great to see him doing it and really loving it. He’s had a lot of really good news recently as well, don’t know if we can go into it, but sure he’ll tell you himself.<br><br><strong>How does it feel to be on <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> (label set up by Cathy Pellow, who also runs Omar Rodríguez-López of Mars Volta/At The Drive In’s Rodriguez Lopez Productions) with someone so influential, and partnered by somebody as massively influential on all of you growing up as musicians – most of you have said At The Drive-In’s album ‘Relationship of Command’ is a big influence.</strong><br>Yeah it’s incredible. As soon as we signed up with them it’s like you’re suddenly entering into this big family you know, a really good feeling. It’s been great meeting some of the bands at South By as well. Like we’ve been hanging out with <a href="http://gypsyblood.bandcamp.com/album/cold-in-the-guestway" target="_blank">Gypsyblood</a> and <a href="http://indianhandcrafts.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Indian Handcrafts</a> and some other dudes from the label and it just feels like a big family. So we’re psyched about the showcase tonight (March 18th), we think it’s going to be really fun.<br><br><strong>Have you met Omar Rodriguez-Lopez?</strong><br>No – hopefully he’ll be around. He’s got a film showing at South By, he’s not performing this year. We met him at Oxegen about three years ago – fanboyed it you know, waited till after they had finished and went up to him. So it’s cool when things like that happen – one minute you’re chasing after a band to say hello after a show, then next thing you’re on a label that’s co-owned (by them).<br><br><strong>In preparation for playing live you rehearse, and rehearsals can take many forms. The Minutes told us they don’t really rehearse, they don’t really like it except for before studio recordings, and you guys have had so many shows over the last couple of years – do you even rehearse?</strong><br>We don’t really, that’s the product of playing so many shows, and then when you do get a bit of time you just end up writing rather than rehearsing.<br><br><strong>So what happens between writing something, recording it, and preparing to go on tour?</strong><br>Last time with ‘Gangs’ we really had to rehearse before we went on tour, and that’s probably the only time we would rehearse unless we had something big coming up.<br><br><strong>So what would the rehearsal schedule be?</strong><br>We have a room that we share with a couple of other bands in Belfast and we just head out there and spend a bunch of hours trying to rehearse before a show, but we end up trying out new stuff ‘cos it’s just fun.<br><br><strong>How is that so when your music is so intricate and the interplay with the guitar parts especially?</strong><br>(Niall): Well I had ten days to learn the tracks before we went out, so we sat down for a couple of hours to do that and go over some stuff. But then when you’re out on the road we don’t really take days off – we don’t really like days off – so it’s pretty much every night and then if it’s a headline show of ours we’ll get to soundcheck and cover stuff then as well. And so if you’re doing it every day it’s like a rehearsal as well.<br><br>We start with the best intentions; it’s like, ‘Let’s get back into the 9 to 5 routine’, then 9 to 5 became 12 to 7, you know? It’s like ‘Fuck I don’t want to be in for 9 in the morning so let’s go out and just jam new stuff instead’. We have a schedule set out for the next year maybe, of touring and what not, but we have allocated probably a month and a half to two months of pretty solid rehearsal. It’s the first time we’ve ever had that luxury of time.<br><br><strong>You, Niall, have been friends and known the band for a while? You’ve soundchecked for them and stuff like that?</strong><br>(Chris): Yeah he drummed for us as well. The rock trivia is that Niall’s been in the band twice and we’ve only ever been in it once. ‘Cos whenever I was at university there was some gigs in the early beginnings of the band when I was in England and I couldn’t get back so Niall drummed for us.<br><br><strong>And did you have your own stuff going on as well?</strong><br>(Niall): Yeah, I used to play for a band called Panama Kings. Actually me and Rory first met in a bar that we worked in, and about a week after working together we played each other music – like we were just talking about music and knew straight away that we were clicking. And a week later we started Team Fresh which is a band we played in, which was like an Irish punk/hip hop kind of thing that we played back home, and so that was about 7 or 8 years ago now. And just always been really tight, then through Rory met Johnny, and known Chris for a little bit longer and Tony at the same time.<br><br>I remember going to see Zombie Safari Park and coming up to the stage afterwards with all these beers ‘cos I was really happy to know that Rory could actually play guitar – we’d got on so well and I was just like, ‘Please God don’t let them be shit on guitar, and I’m going to have to be like, ‘…Really good man(!)’. So we did Team Fresh for ages together and then moved to Belfast at the same time. We did our own things and then Panama Kings came to an end, continued to play with Team Fresh, started recording for a solo thing that I’m doing as well, and then Tony left and that’s where it’s at at the minute.<br><br><strong>What of plans to tour the States?</strong><br>Yeah the plan is to hopefully get back over in the summer, if we can land a support tour.<br><br><strong>If you could pick a massive band you’d want to support who would it be?</strong><br>(Chris): I would love for <strong>Nine Inch Nails</strong> to be back on the road, I think that would be my ultimate tour support.<br><br>(Rory): At the minute it’s a toss up between <strong>Mastodon</strong> or <strong>Queens Of The Stone Age</strong>, I think we could fit in in both ways.<br><br><strong>Do you think about how the band would fit with that music, or that fanbase, or just purely because you’re a fan?</strong><br>Initially it’s like, ‘I would love to play with them’, and then you start thinking about it more in realistic terms like, ‘Would it work?’ But it’s terrifying, shit like that, that used to be just pipe dreams, and now people are going, ‘Well OK, why don’t we put in for them?’, and it’s, ‘Eh? You want us to play with you?’.<br><br>It was like when we got the <strong>Crooked Vultures</strong> thing – it was ridiculous. That was one of the few times we were practicing – when we got the phone call. Another really rare thing that happened that day was the weather was very good! So we got this call asking us if we would do it, and Rory was on the phone and he just started dancing round the garden.<br><br>(Niall): Then about an hour later Rory called me and asked if I was free for a couple of weeks, ‘You want to come roadie for us?’. Any downtime I have, anyway to make money is perfect you know? Then he’s like ‘It’s a little band called Them Crooked Vultures…’, and I was like, ‘Oh shit!’. It was a great tour.<br><br><strong>So who’d be your band then Niall?</strong><br>I’d probably be the same as Rory – Queens or Mastodon would be awesome.<br><br> </p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34899842012-04-23T15:25:00-04:002017-02-04T12:56:17-05:00Venue One: Video Chit Chat with And So I Watch You From Afar at SXSW 2012<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uI9LVCZ3qiQ?rel=0" width="500"></iframe> <br><a href="http://asiwyfash.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have a little chat with <a href="http://venueone.com/#!/archive" target="_blank">Venue One</a> while in Austin at this years SXSW Festival. You can see a ton of other live videos of <a href="http://venueone.com/#!/1528124038001/And-So-I-Watch-You-From-Afar/Set-Guitars-To-Kill" target="_blank">ASIWYFA courtesy of VenueOne.com HERE </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34899812012-04-19T15:25:00-04:002022-05-25T23:46:08-04:00This Is Not A Scene, It's An Interview with Rory Friers of And So I Watch You From Afar<p><a href="http://www.thisisnotascene.com/2012/rory-friers-of-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-talks-to-thisisnotascene/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2rc91I6jQ1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br>Gilbert Potts was pretty impressed by “<a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank">Gangs</a>”, the latest album from Irish instrumental progressive/post rock outfit <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar </a>(ASIWYFA). Guitarist <a data-link-label="Rory Friers" data-link-type="page" href="/rory-friers" target="_blank">Rory Friers</a> was more than happy to share his views on the early days of the band, playing in Ulster Hall and the difference between being in a recording studio and being on stage…<br><br><strong>Changes in life happen mostly fluidly, but sometimes we sit back and think of moments that changed our lives. I’d like to ask about some of those moments, starting with whether in your younger years you saw a band or heard a record and something clicked and you knew music would become your life?</strong><br><br>There's probably been a lot of those moments, sometimes I feel I’m having them too frequently! but there’s definitely been some real markers for me, like when my dad played me “Good Times Bad Times” by Led Zeppelin and we tried to work out how he was playing his kick drum so fast, that whole song just made me want to know more about this weird world I was hearing for the first time, it blew my face off. Don’t even get me started on Queen.<br><br><strong>When you started playing together, did you have common feelings about the sound you wanted or was it a process of trying different things until one day you realised you had hit upon a sound that you all wanted to play?</strong><br><br>I think we all knew we wanted to play something that was very different from the punk music we’d been playing all through our teens, but specifics, we didn’t really know. It was a case of trial and error, just trust our ears and be brave, but it’s always evolving, todays favourite song is in tomorrows bargain bin, we’re pretty impatient when it comes to our music but that keeps things exciting.<br><br><strong>Did you set out to have a unique sound, or did it just happen that way?</strong><br><br>Yeah we definitely wanted to make music that was doing something new and fresh, that’s always been a motivation for us, primarily something that excites us, that we look forward to playing live to people and then something we can record and be proud of. Then its back to the drawing board to push things forward again, we’re very lucky we have that drive in us to keep upping it.<br><br><strong>Was there a point when you realised your music actually did something to listeners – meant something to them?</strong><br><br>Yeah, pretty early on when we had become totally immersed in the songs we were playing and when we had become semi proficient playing them we definitely start to feel there was a response from the people coming to our shows, and that just grew. I think because we’ve never have an ulterior motive musically, that we aren’t writing the music for any other reason than we love it, it comes across pretty sincere and I think people get that.<br><br><strong>Is there a venue you’ve played that represents having reached some sort of milestone, like the Ulster Hall?</strong><br><br>Yeah, Ulster Hall was pretty special, that’s where we all grew up watching our favourite bands, to play to 1500 people in your home country is just amazing, although that show was a bit of an anti climax in the end because our set was cut short but my mum and dad were very proud that night.<br><br><strong>OK enough of that line of questions. You’ve built your following and acclaim on the back of a feck-load of touring and gigging. How does that feed into the creative process?</strong><br><br>We get to see a lot of bands, a lot of people, a lot of places, so its impossible for all that not to feed in to whats inspiring us to make music, the album Gangs was a bit of a dedication to that. You hear things you want to replicate and get to be involved briefly in scenes or movements or happenings you want to be a part of, its great fodder for writing music or just being creative in general, by the nature of touring your surrounded by different creative people every night.<br><br><strong>To what degree do the stage band and the recorded band differ and in what way are they the same?</strong><br><br>One is very wet and one is dryer. I suppose live your prime objective is the people standing in front of you, were as in the studio our prime objective is to satisfy ourselves. Live is doing what we’ve recorded in the studio justice and making people have the best time of their lives, albums are what we leave here forever so we need to make sure they make us happy first of all.<br><br><strong>Instrumental bands all tend to get described in the context of that band “Emperor Mogwai and the Ros Explosions”, and I imagine that happens to you. Does that make you cry?</strong><br><br>We have shed tears yes, we’ve had all those bands loads of times, its funny though, because it’s just hard for people to see past the lack of vocals, and all those bands rule but even they are all so different from each other. But we don’t mind really, people just need to have a comparison to make sense of stuff<br><br><strong>Any collaborations likely to come out of it?</strong><br><br>I’d like to collaborate with that band you mentioned ‘Emperor Mogwai and the Ros Explosions‘ they sound gnarly, them or Municipal Waste<br><br><strong>Playing at SXSW in Texas presents the opportunity to meet an enormous number of music makers from around the world. Did you strike up a few friendships there last month?</strong><br><br>Yeah for sure, we got to meet and hang out with all our label buddies on <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> for the first time, that was amazing, we have some new friends for life with those dudes. We can’t wait to get back over and hang play more shows with them all.<br><br><strong>When are you coming to play in Australia, and what time does your set start?</strong><br><br>Soon, its starting 10am our time, so i guess that 9pm down under, get the beers in.<br><br><strong>Has Prince William spoken to you since you stood him up on his wedding day?</strong><br><br>No, but he owes me money so I think he’s just using it as an excuse to avoid me. lesson learned, never spot a royal money for his rent.<br><br><strong>Is there some prize up for grabs for the longest instrumental band name that can’t be pronounced when abbreviated so saying the initials takes almost as long as saying the name? If not, what should the prize be?</strong><br><br>I hope so, we must be in contention? the prize should be the acronym inducted into the dictionary under any definition of their choice. i.e. ASIWYFA – a great bunch of lads!</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34899772012-04-17T15:20:00-04:002017-02-04T12:56:17-05:0024 Hours in the life of ASIWYFA - Minsk <p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0sJ0yeiwRXw" width="500"></iframe> <br>This video follows 24hrs in the life of <a href="http://asiwyfash.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> on the final day of their winter tour of Russia, Belorussia and Ukraine 2012 in Minsk.<br><br><a href="http://asiwyfa.tumblr.com" target="_blank">CHECK OUT THE ASIWYFA TOUR BLOG</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34899662012-04-13T15:20:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:07-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar/ Spain & France Shows April 2012<p><strong><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2fds4Jvke1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br></strong><a href="http://asiwyfash.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be headlining a few shows in Spain and France. Dates below all details can be seen <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a> <strong><br><br>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR LIVE</strong> <br>Apr 14, 2012 - Barcelona, (ES) @ Sala Becool w/ Atleta<br>Apr 15, 2012 - Madrid, (ES) @ Moby Dick<br>Apr 18, 2012 - Porto, (PT) @ Plano B w/ O Bisonte<br>Apr 20, 2012 - Lyon, R-A (FR) @ Marché Gare w/ No Shangsa<br>Apr 21, 2012 - Paris, (FR) @ Nouveau Casino w/ Geste </p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34899282012-04-07T15:15:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:07-05:00This Is Not A Scene, It's A Review of Gangs <p><a href="http://www.thisisnotascene.com/2012/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-gangs/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m24nk4J4lL1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m24nlbulDa1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>Released in 2011, “<a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank">Gangs</a>” caused quite a stir. It’s one of those records that got played a lot by people who don’t normally listen to instrumental music as well as those who live off the stuff. The verdict was overwhelmingly one of being knocked down by the explosion of sound – mainly the distorted, metallic, atonal riff-fest found on a few tracks. While the word “eponymous” is generally used to mean “self-titled” in describing records, it the case of their 2009 debut it also took the meaning of the band giving their name to a sound. The consensus in 2011 was that these guys remain innovators rather than followers.<br><br>Looking back on it I understand the excitement but on listening again some months on and alongside other great releases of 2011-12, some of the cracks are a little wider. For example, I find some of the repetition of the squealing riffs continues too long in parts. It’s a great sound but a little annoying in the end. Regardless, the niggles simply see me rating this an eight and a half when it would probably have scored a nine or more the first times I heard it.<br><br>One of the most noticeable aspects of “Gangs” is how tightly <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> (ASIWYFA) play, with an instinct that only comes from putting in the hard work. All reports I’ve had tell me this is a quartet that knows how to play live and it’s evident in their recorded work.<br><br>The show kicks of with a rallying chant before the lads let fly with their trademark racket in “BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION” (clearly not taking this name-your-instrumental-track game to seriously), before it all settles down momentarily in preparation for shrieking, loopy, bouncy riffs and crashing cymbals.<br><br>The next two songs continue the pace you don’t normally find in post-rock but is part of the new breed led by bands like ASIWYFA and What the Blood Revealed. “Gangs” is made up of songs of moderate length that maintain the anti-pop and anti-verse-chorus-verse structure that post-rock was built on. Rather than just take the highlights package of some awesome, long crescendocore, ASIWYFA does as 65daysofstatic did in 2003 and turns its nose up at the Explosions In The Sky sound- more experimental and fuller in variety of texture and sound, and above all they smack you about with a grin on their face.<br><br>There’s still some of the more laid back mathy sound of “7 Billion People All Alive at Once”, but the loopy riffs are a constant in the record no matter the pace of the song, and we are really here for 120 bpm, not some long, slow noodling.<br><br>Just as the album starts with a musical cry of “All for one…”, you can sense the beers being opened and bottles clinked as the 45 minute masterpiece of instrumental rock draws its last breaths. To tell you the truth, ignore what I said earlier. This is still almost a nine out of ten a year on. <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com" target="_blank">Buy it. Now</a>!<br><br>Our Rating: [8.5/10]<br><br><a href="https://www.facebook.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar – Facebook Page</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34899272012-02-28T15:10:00-05:002018-08-05T14:50:18-04:00And So I Watch You From Afar to Play The Sargent House / 1656 Music Showcase at SXSW - March 16th<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m04f7ryoLi1r4yh1q.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> and <a href="http://1656music.com" target="_blank">1656 Music</a> presents our official <a href="http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/?conference=music&lsort=venue&day=16&category=showcase#B" target="_blank">SXSW</a> show lineup for Friday, March 16th at <a href="http://www.batbaraustin.com/" target="_blank">Bat Bar </a>- 218 E. 6th Street with the following bands. <br><br><a href="http://dfhvn.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Deafheaven</a> - 1:00am <br><a href="http://zechsmarquise.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Zechs Marquise</a> - 12:05am <br><a href="http://chelseawolfe.net" target="_blank">Chelsea Wolfe</a> - 11:10pm <br><a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> - 10:15pm <br><a href="http://indianhandcrafts.net" target="_blank">Indian Handcrafts</a> - 9:20pm <br><a href="http://marriagesband.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Marriages</a> - 8:25pm <br><a href="http://gypsyblood.net" target="_blank">Gypsyblood</a> - 7:30pm <br><br>W/ special guest sets from <a href="http://eurekathebutcher.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Eureka The Butcher</a> between bands</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34899262012-02-26T15:10:00-05:002017-02-04T12:56:09-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar Video Interview & SXSW<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u28XwN5noPY" width="500"></iframe></p>
<p>45 Sound caught up with <a href="http://twitter.com/rory_friers" target="_blank">Rory Friers</a> of <a href="http://asiwyfash.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> just after they played at The Music Show in Dublin's RDS. Here he talks about how their recent tour of Russia, Ukraine & Belarus went, and also how the band are looking forward to traveling to Texas in two weeks for South By Southwest. Below is their entire SXSW schedule and a festival play at BroFest in Dallas.<br><br><strong>And So I Watch You From Afar - USA March 2012 </strong><br>3/12 - Northern Ireland Show at <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/austin-tx-uk-music-embassy-mar-12-2012/783799" target="_blank">UK Music Embassy </a><br>3/15 - TBA<br>3/16 - Day Show the Irish Breakfast at <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/austin-tx-bd-rileys-irish-pub-austin-mar-16-2012/783967" target="_blank">BD Reilly's </a><br>3/16 - <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> / <a href="http://1656music.com" target="_blank">1656 Music</a> Official SXSW at <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/austin-tx-bat-bar-mar-16-2012/783981" target="_blank">Bat Bar </a><br>3/17 - <a href="http://www.musicfromireland.org/" target="_blank">Music From Ireland</a> Official SXSW show at <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/austin-tx-friends-bar-mar-17-2012/783973" target="_blank">Friends </a><br>3/18 - <a href="http://paradeofflesh.com/brofest/" target="_blank">Brofest </a>in Dallas, TX at <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/dallas-tx-club-dada-brofest-2012-mar-18-2012/763729" target="_blank">Club Dada </a><br><br><a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE FOR ALL SHOWS AND DETAILS<br></a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34899242012-02-23T15:10:00-05:002017-02-04T12:56:09-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar to Play The Music Show - Dublin<p><a href="http://www.hotpress.ie/And-So-I-Watch-You-From-Afar/news/ASIWYFA-gear-up-for-The-Music-Show/8751977.html?new_layout=1&page_no=1&show_comments=1" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzvl4001Hk1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br>Stay tuned for an in-depth interview on the technical side of ASIWYFA in a future issue of <a href="http://www.hotpress.ie/And-So-I-Watch-You-From-Afar/news/ASIWYFA-gear-up-for-The-Music-Show/8751977.html?new_layout=1&page_no=1&show_comments=1" target="_blank"><em>Hot Press</em></a>. For a taste of what’s in store from the guys at The Music Show, check out this amazing full set from the band’s Moscow gig last week:</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S6qSQhVMLb4?rel=0" width="500"></iframe></p>
<p class="articlefirstpara">Having just returned from a grueling two-week jaunt across Russia that saw them packing out houses left, right and center, instrumental geniuses <a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank"> And So I Watch You From Afar</a> hit the RDS this weekend where they intend to bring the Live Stage to its knees at <a href="http://www.themusicshow.ie" target="_blank">The Music Show</a>.</p>
<p class="articlebody">“We can’t wait,” beams guitarist Rory Friers. “We can’t wait to be back in Dublin, it feels like it’s been years. I’ve been watching some videos of The Music Show from the past couple of years and it looks really fun.”</p>
<p class="articlebody">With last year’s critically acclaimed <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank"><em>Gangs</em></a> one of the ten nominees for next week’s <strong>Choice Music Prize</strong>, there’s a certain degree of pressure on the collective shoulders of ASIWYFA when it comes to their next work. Friers is adamant that no two albums will sound the same and is keen that the band retain their experimental edge.</p>
<p class="articlebody">“Right now we’re using a whole new range of equipment that’s really quite new to us so we’re messing around with a lot more electronic stuff, using midi, using samplers here and there,” he says. “We’re having fun stretching our muscles in another world. It’s relatively new ground for us but very inherent soundwise, the kind of noises we’ve listened to all our lives and now we’re creating ourselves.</p>
<p class="articlebody">“Who knows if it will seep into And So I Watch You From Afar or whether it’s stuff we do on our own but we’re having a lot of fun exploring these new technologies, which is why I’m really excited about getting down to The Music Show because by the looks of it, there’s an awful lot of stuff to play with.”</p>
<p class="articlebody">The Music Show 2012, presented by Hot Press in association with RTE 2fm, runs from February 25-26 in The RDS, Dublin.</p>
<p class="articlebody">Tickets are available (€12 one day, €16 for the weekend) on <a href="http://www.ticketmaster.ie/promo/5dhspu" target="_">Ticketmaster</a>.</p>
<p class="articlebody">For more info see The Music Show's website <a href="http://wordpress.hotpress.com/themusicshow" target="_">www.themusicshow.ie</a>.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34899232012-02-17T15:10:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:07-05:00The Irish Times' Una Mullaley reports back from Russian Tour<p><a href="http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/theticket/2012/0217/1224311880113.html" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzjvoauq1o1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzjvps3mMe1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p>. . . all over Russia, actually. Belfast band <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have a devoted fanbase in the land of Putin. Braving snowdrifts and sub-zero temperatures, <strong>UNA MULLALLY</strong> joins them on the road</p>
<p>‘WE NEEDED THIS. We needed this.” A young Russian man at a metal club in Penza, 400 miles southeast of Moscow, is emphatically explaining to And So I Watch You From Afar what it means that they are playing a gig in his city. It’s -20 degrees outside when this band from Belfast arrives, their van reversed into a snow drift. The club’s convivial owner, Sasha, emerges with a scarf that matches the black and yellow decor of his venue, and a grin as wide as the Sura river that would flow through the city if it wasn’t frozen, and, with outstretched arms, announces: “you’re home!”</p>
<p>Seven days into a two-week Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian tour, ASIWYFA are reminded of their previous exploits at this small club by a poster of the band’s former line-up that adorns the graffitied dressing-room walls. It might seem odd that an instrumental rock band based in Belfast are trekking thousands of miles across Russia in the depths of a winter so freezing that dozens of people are dying from the cold, to bring their music to cities that most people outside of that country have never heard of. But here they are: Rory Friars (guitar), Niall Kennedy (guitar), Chris Wee (drums), Johnny Adger (bass), their soundman Andy, Alex, their Russian tour manager, and a stoic Russian driver called Ruslan, who keeps a bat wrapped in gaffer tape in the back of the van.</p>
<p>The sun rises in the morning, bears shit in the woods, ASIWYFA tour. It’s what they do.</p>
<p><strong>FEEL THE LOVE</strong> </p>
<p>It’s a week earlier, and the introductory marching drum thud of <em>Set Guitars To Kill</em> is kicking in as an encore at a club called Plan B in Moscow. When the band finally walks off stage, fans are waving vinyl sleeves in their direction and reaching out for high fives. An interview with Rolling Stone Russia begins backstage. Rory can be heard saying, “the word ‘compromise’ is not in the vocabulary of our band”, as the dressing room door closes shut. Outside in the bar, a young Russian woman screams, “I love you!”</p>
<p>“I love you back!” Niall Kennedy, the newest band member, replies with a hug. People are asking him where they can get black jeans as skinny as his. But there’s no Primark women’s section in Russia. Everyone in the queue is waiting for their moment to thank the band, and the people who’ve already bought a record and had it autographed retreat to a bench to examine the signatures. They sell dozens of band T-shirts.</p>
<p>The love that Russian fans have for this band is quickly coming into focus. (Later, ASIWYFA find out that the support band that night drove 1,000km to play the gig.)</p>
<p><strong>FOND FAREWELL TO A FRIEND</strong> </p>
<p>This is all awesome, but ASIWYFA have had to work hard to get here. Two years ago, when the band was playing more than 200 shows a year, they became completely institutionalised by touring (and to a certain extent, they still are).</p>
<p>On one occasion, having finished a tour and returned to Ireland, Rory and Chris continued sleeping in their van for two nights because they couldn’t handle the return to the “normality” of not being on the road. They had a saying at the time: “We are ostriches and tour is our sand.”</p>
<p>Relationships with girlfriends shattered. Friendships were stretched. They stopped getting calls from mates while they were on tour.</p>
<p>Some previous friends virtually ignored them, thinking that because they were in <em>Kerrang!</em> magazine they must now be too big for their boots. Then last year, Tony Wright left the band. Upon his departure, the remaining trio quoted Richard Bach in a press release: “Don’t be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or a lifetime, is certain for those who are friends.”</p>
<p><strong>ONCE HE WAS A KING</strong> </p>
<p>Enter Niall, formerly of Panama Kings, recruited officially 10 days before a European tour last September. Full of good-natured divilment, he’s been in the band twice, initially as a drummer while Chris was at university in Newcastle.</p>
<p>Russia calls again, and here they are, sweating after the first show in Moscow, apps buzzing, ears ringing, hands being shaken.</p>
<p>Celebrations are kept to a minimum thanks to an imminent 10-hour drive north. They make a toilet stop in a petrol station and see that the temperature is knocking -30 degrees. Mercifully, it’s slightly warmer when they reach St Petersburg (-18 degrees). By the second song that night, kids in ASIWYFA T-shirts are stage-diving. And they don’t stop. Drinking Jim Beam in a karaoke bar, after the gig, a fan talks about how all of her friends were so excited to see them play. “They are incredible, incredible,” she fawns on a loop.</p>
<p><strong>NO SLEEP TILL NIZHNY NOVGOROD</strong> </p>
<p>The next day is filled with a 16-hour drive to Nizhny Novgorod. Just before they go on, Rory has a fake panic. “I’m not ready at all! Hang on: lemon face / lion face / lemon face / lion face,” he repeats, adopting the appropriate expressions. “Okay, I’m ready.”</p>
<p>It’s this combination of relaxation and wit that typifies the band’s pre-performance ritual, if you can call being completely unfazed and chilled-out a ritual. There are few if any pre-show jitters; instead they spend the time trying to figure out what flavour crisps they’re eating, re-stringing guitars and drinking the local beer, requested as part of their rider. Chris prefers playing smaller rooms, and you can see why – within a few seconds, the punk-ish venue becomes a moshpit.</p>
<p>In the toilets, a man dripping in sweat is punching the wall with enthusiasm at the sounds outside. He goes to the sink to wash his face and knuckles as a girl wearing an ASIWYFA shirt emerges from a cubicle.</p>
<p>The man has a piss, and then launches himself at the door into the moshpit. Legs fly skyward. The barmen temporarily stop serving in order to rock out. Niall and Rory are held aloft by the crowd, and surfed back to the stage – as they are every night – while they play <em>The Voiceless</em> . Johnny as always remains centre stage, eyes closed, bass pounding, head banging.</p>
<p>The barman bursts into the backstage area with a funnel and a bottle of something and tries to force it down Johnny and Andy’s throats. Johnny’s freaking out that it’s the same shot that was lined up for them as they came out for the encore, which instantly made him feel locked. Instead, they opt for post-gig shots of Jaegermeister, which come with slices of peppered orange.</p>
<p><strong>GET YOUR KICKS IN KAZAN</strong> </p>
<p>It’s the next day and the band wakes up in the van in the Russian Republic of Tatarstan as the city of Kazan’s massive and beautiful kremlin, built at the behest of Ivan the Terrible, comes into view. “I wonder if Ivan the Terrible was always Ivan the Terrible,” Rory muses. “Maybe he started as Ivan the Alright, then Ivan A Bit Full On,” offers Chris.</p>
<p>At the gig, the crowd is young, local to the 15-plus universities in the city. Ruslan, the driver, hasn’t said a word until this evening. Instead of sleeping in the hotel during show time, he watches the gig, and subsequently drags Alex over to the band to translate how great he thought it was: “you brought out emotions in me.”</p>
<p>Back in the hostel, fans are scrawling “And So I Watch You From Afar” on a chalkboard, putting their songs on the stereo, and waiting for the guys to come and drink whiskey with them. In the band’s dorm, there’s a map of the world covering an entire wall. This leads to ideas about where to play next.</p>
<p>Niall is keen on the Azores. Chris fingers the map, pointing slightly regretfully to a place in Siberia, near Mongolia, where they were meant to play. In the morning, some stragglers are still there, asleep on the couch under coats, as the band heads out for another 500km drive. Andy drinks three cans of Red Bull and promptly falls asleep. Next stop Samara.</p>
<p><strong>SAMARA SCENE</strong> </p>
<p>Driving through blinding whiteness, endless stretches of snow and ice interrupted only by forest, they reach the city. This is the place that inspired a track on their Choice Music Prize-nominated album <em>Gangs, Samara To Belfast</em> . It’s a complex, 10-minute epic that Niall has yet to perfect so they won’t be playing it tonight. In their pleasant apartment accommodation, Chris finds a puppet of a cow Johnny instantly christens “Mos-cow”. Last time they played here, Johnny and Rory were brought to the top of a tower block where they got tattoos of Russian bears, an inking which was preceded by the tattoo artist’s rather unsettling quip, “Don’t worry, I won’t give you the AIDS.”</p>
<p>The kids who brought them to get tattooed, a two-piece band called DEAFDEAF, are supporting them again tonight. When they first met DEAFDEAF, Rory felt as though he was meeting his own band years previously in Portrush – DIY kids in a place with no discernible musical culture to identify with, scraping together instruments, PA systems and friends to create their own scene.</p>
<p>Backstage, boxes of costumes – presumably meant for podium dancers who populate this kind of cool, mirrored venue that looks something between a gay bar and a strip club – are raided.</p>
<p>Outside the chants start, “AND. SO. I. WATCH. YOU. FROM. AFAR. AND. SO. I. WATCH. YOU. FROM. AFAR.” Chris dons the tiny yellow shorts Rory bought him for Christmas. Fans are lining the stairs and balcony of a club. The chants continue at the end of the set. This time: “THANK. YOU. THANK. YOU.”</p>
<p>DEAFDEAF bequeath ASIWYFA a crate of beer. There are endless hugs and high fives. In the van on the way back to their beds, a harmonised chorus of Frère Jacques starts, the lyrics replaced with band names, starting with their own acronym sung phonetically, “Asiwyfa, Asiwyfa, La Faro, La Faro, Adebisi Shank, Adebisi Shank, Axis Of, Axis Of.”</p>
<p><strong>ALL THE WAY TO PENZA</strong> </p>
<p>At dawn, it’s off to Penza. En route, Alex, a master of logistics and serenity, withstands another bout of police intimidation. The cops, corrupt, are constantly stopping the van trying to extract money through inventing fines: “you don’t have the right visas . . . you don’t have the right documentation . . .” and, rather hilariously, “you are transporting drug addicts” – hilarious because the band’s drug intake involves beer, cigarettes and tropical-flavoured chewing gum. Zahvat is the kind of club where it’s perfectly acceptable to punch and shatter a bottle of beer out of someone’s grasp.</p>
<p>People hang out smoking at the squat toilets when the all-kicking, all-elbowing crowd gets a bit too much.</p>
<p>“Where is Tony?” someone in the crowd shouts during the gig.</p>
<p>“We love Tony very much,” Rory says from the stage, dedicating <em>A Little Bit Of Solidarity Goes A Long Way</em> to their former bandmate. The possibility of an after-party is thwarted when no one else can fit into the van.</p>
<p><strong>KEEPING ON</strong> </p>
<p>Voronezh’s rock club is called Tarantul. The stage is a giant metal spider whose body is formed by the drum riser. Mind Portal, a Russian prog metal group ASIWYFA are fans of, are supporting. Rory and Niall have covered the backstage yellow dressing room door in fake band names and logos with black permanent marker, a tour game they play persistently that has also expanded to Twitter. “Tricked Into A Cave”, “Oceans Of Shit”, “Cornered In The Gymnasium”, “Wrecked Futures”.</p>
<p>Right now, the band is scraping by. Any money that’s generated goes back into it.</p>
<p>Rory would like to be able to come home from tour and take his Mum and Dad out for a meal. Johnny would like to be able to</p>
<p>afford rent. But most of all, they want to be able to continue to make music.</p>
<p>“We really never want to repeat ourselves, we want to diversify, keep doing it,” Rory says. “We want to make people happy,” Niall adds.</p>
<p>Before the gig in Voronezh, they’re trying to think of a memory they most want to keep from this tour. “Chris in that drag suit!” Rory exclaims, referring to Chris’s shirtless pre-Samara-gig costume of giant pink glitter wings, a silver mask and foot-high gold platforms. “Off the record, off the record!”</p>
<p>Chris intervenes. And once more, like all good mates, they collapse into laughter around a table of beer and cigarettes. That night, again, they play their hearts out. Suddenly, naming a song <em>Don’t Waste Time Doing Things You Hate</em> makes more sense than ever before.</p>
<hr><p><em>Gangs</em> by ASIWYFA is nominated for the Meteor Choice Music Prize</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34899102012-01-12T15:05:00-05:002017-02-04T12:56:08-05:00The Quietus : Big Riffs At Close Quarters - And So I Watch You From Afar Interviewed<p><a href="http://thequietus.com/articles/07712-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-interview" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxp8ahyRDy1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br>The Northern Irish quartet arrived on a wave of confidence and unity, but after a year peppered with international acclaim and broken bones they lost their founding guitarist. <a href="http://thequietus.com/articles/07712-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-interview" target="_blank">Kiran Acharya</a> spoke to the band about the recording of second album <em><a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank">Gangs</a>.</em></p>
<p>When I’d finally settled on a functional introduction the whole story changed. Tony Wright left the band, replaced by Panama Kings guitarist Niall Kennedy. Despite this, <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar’s</a> second album <em>Gangs</em> would still be released in the USA by <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a>, home to <a href="http://russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a>, <a href="http://hellaband.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Hella</a> and <a href="http://omarrodriguezlopez.com" target="_blank">Omar Rodriguez-Lopez</a>. And Wright, rolling solo, was already performing as VerseChorusVerse, teaming up to tour the UK with Jonah Matranga, previously of Far. Then Wright rejoined And So I Watch You for a single performance at the Ulster Hall in Belfast. It was a final farewell and also a celebration because they’d just been named Best Live Act in the first Northern Irish Music Awards.</p>
<p>But that was it. The quartet with matching tattoos and songs like ‘A Little Bit of Solidarity Goes a Long Way’ would continue without a founding member. Wright’s second-to-last show had been performed sitting down, owing to an assault in Vienna and two broken ribs. At the Ulster Hall, during ‘The Voiceless’, he was held aloft by the crowd.</p>
<p>It was nice to have a proper ending,” he explained. “I didn’t do it for me or for the boys in the band, but for the people who made And So I Watch You From Afar what they are. Because without the people, believe me, we – and they – are nothing.” This idea, ‘without people you’re nothing’, is a slogan that And So I Watch You adopted from <strong>Joe Strummer</strong>. Both parties take the attitude into the future. The exact reasoning for the break is still unclear, and back in the spring there was no indication of a split. And So I Watch You From Afar were in London, launching <em>Gangs</em> at the Scala. By four o’clock fans were queuing round the corner.</p>
<p>That evening, guitarist Rory Friers insisted that And So I Watch You From Afar are not a nostalgic band, but all four – Friers, Wright, drummer Chris Wee and bassist Jonny Adger - happily shared memories of the journey so far. They had self-funded a tour of the USA and been around Europe with Them Crooked Vultures. The second record was racking up plaudits and now has featured in best of 2011 lists. “It's the theory of diminishing returns,” Friers said. “You’ve done it once, so what’s next?”</p>
<p>The campaign to launch <em>Gangs</em> had taken in Ireland and the south coast of England, beginning in Belfast on the same Friday as the Royal Wedding. Not that they paid much heed to the blue bunting and ticker-tape parades. After returning from America they had a period of stasis waiting for <em>Gangs</em> to come out, a period in which they had to learn to play their own songs. Unlike their debut album, the quartet wrote Gangs in the studio and spent rehearsal time trying to match their live performance to the recorded material. The studio was Rocky O'Reilly’s space at the Oh Yeah centre in Belfast's Cathedral Quarter. The producer was clinical. O’Reilly allowed three hours for preparation but spent six or seven fiddling around with the amplifiers and microphones.</p>
<p>Guitarists Friers and Wright had developed their technique, tone and style. <em>Gangs</em> is far more varied than their earlier music, something that comes from the sheer range of music they listen to. Wright brings the love of Strummer, but that night in London they soundchecked to Pantera. Friers explained that they’d inevitably been influenced by the Irish scene, which seems to be growing in every direction at once.</p>
<p>“It’s hard not to be massively inspired by Irish acts like <a href="http://adebisishank.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Adebisi Shank</a>, <strong>Bats</strong>, <strong>Cast of Cheers</strong>,” he said. “But even as early as <strong>We Are Knives</strong> and <strong>Tracer AMC</strong>. We’ve always had a thing for that alternative way of thinking about music and it really feels like there’s a wealth of it at the moment. Ireland’s really coming of age.”</p>
<p>And So I Watch You From Afar began in 2005 when Adger was invited to join Wright, Friers and Wee to jam in Whitepark Bay, a small town on Northern Ireland's north coast not far from the Giant’s Causeway, where Storm Thorgerson photographed models dressed as mermaids for <strong>Led Zeppelin</strong>’s <em>Houses of the Holy</em>.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0l5wy5TuTj4?rel=0" width="500"></iframe></p>
<p>Nothing remains from their earliest sessions but they generated enough momentum to realise that being in a band was fun enough to be worth exploring further. Now, both ASIWYFA and VerseChorusVerse treat an album or an EP as a reason to get out on the road. “Product-wise it's about making nice vinyl, the artwork, the tactile thing that excites us as fans,” said Friers. “As far as selling them? It’s what keeps us alive on the road.”</p>
<p>This is meant almost literally, as Jonny Adger discovered in Russia. They were loading in to a venue in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia’s fifth-largest city. The ground was thick with ice. After hoisting amps and equipment up two sets of stairs Adger stepped off the kerb and fell: “All my weight on my left knee. Wrecked it.”</p>
<p>At the hospital there was a communication breakdown. The nurses spoke no English and the local tour manager spoke a different Russian dialect. “Next thing I’m lying face-down with my pants round my ankles and a needle in my bum cheek,” he said. “I could smell plaster of Paris but nobody could tell me what was going on.”</p>
<p>The hospital staff didn’t realise that Adger’s quadricep had gone into shock from the impact. They plastered only half his leg in a makeshift splint. This prevented the bassist from traveling comfortably in the van, but he performed sitting down, his leg straight out.</p>
<p>“It was horrible,” he said. The cast lasted two nights. In a hotel room Adger’s bandmates gathered like a gang of apprentice surgeons to liberate the limb using only a corkscrew.</p>
<p>After Russia, they made it to the USA. Despite sharing the stage with Japanese metallers <strong>Envy </strong>and Californians <strong>Trash Talk</strong>, the expense of flights and transporting gear almost bankrupted the band. As with their earliest shows in Ireland, they lived on the line, hustling just to make it to the next town.</p>
<p>Friers remembers the first day. “We were standing there with our pedals and guitars and, I think, a hundred dollars in the bank. If we didn't sell any merch we didn't have enough to get to the next venue. That was terrifying. The album was on our minds, we knew we should have been at home recording. It was just fucking stressful.”</p>
<p>Chris Wee agrees. Only he and Friers had driver's licenses, so along with tour manager Graham Smith he found himself doing shifts behind the wheel. “We were in the US for five weeks, getting money straight away for petrol. We’d spent so much getting there that everything was maxed out.”</p>
<p>Despite being delirious with the driving, the drummer’s eyes widen when he remembers motoring through Big Sur and Kerouac country, feeling the rain in LA, passing through Seattle and seeing the seeing the sparkle of the Pacific. In the course of one night he drove across both a time zone and the 45th parallel. It could be tense and tiring, but a small epiphany came as he sat alone in a grotty Idaho pizza place. Leaning back to look at the graffiti on the ceiling, he saw one slogan that stood out like a mantra: <em>Fear is temporary, but regret is permanent.</em></p>
<p>Another peak experience came in Kansas, now commemorated on <em>Gangs</em> in the song ‘Ghost Parlor KA-6 to...’ The band had a day off and were invited to play at a tumbledown student house known as Ghost Parlor, using borrowed amps and drums. They struck up in the front room, loud enough to make the floor shake. Friers remembers people jumping off staircases. “It felt just like the shows we did growing up. All the issues and stress and Visas and travel were gone. It was just like being a real-life band again.”</p>
<p>Later that night, after the London show’s stage invasion, the band settled and the Scala was silent. By 2am everyone was dutifully loading out, heaving boxes down a square spiral staircase to the van outside on the Pentonville Road. Outside on the pavement, Wright strummed an acoustic guitar. Further along in the shadows Friers flipped a skateboard, letting it land with a clatter.</p>
<p>“I guess it’s about two things,” he said. “Progressing creatively, and being able to write. But for that to happen we’ve got to put everything into a band. If we want to write the music that we eventually want to write, we’ve got to do nothing else. And we can always just see it on the horizon. “We haven't had jobs for two years,” he added, by way of a farewell. “But we’ve got to get a career out of this. We’re all getting to the age where we need to know we’re not going to be fucked for the rest of our lives.” It was time to leave central London, and as the van doors clunked shut there was nothing to suggest that the band inside were anything but united.</p>
<p>But it was growing cold and I remember feeling thankful that I didn’t have to travel as far as they did. The next morning meant a ten o’clock start for Bristol, with only 120 minutes allowed for the drive.</p>
<p><em>Photo by Carrie Davenport</em></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34898932012-01-11T15:05:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:06-05:00Choice Music Prize Shortlist Announced - ASIWYFA Makes the List<p><a href="http://choicemusicprize.com/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxnaz1UlBj1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" height="102" width="154" /></a><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxnb1tQoQY1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>Ireland's<a href="http://choicemusicprize.com/" target="_blank"> Choice Music Prize</a> announced the Short List of Nominations today for 2012. <a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> are honored to have made the list for their album <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank">Gangs</a>.</p>
<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxnb5dRZkx1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><a href="http://choicemusicprize.com/" target="_blank">And the nominees are -</a></p>
<p>And So I Watch You From Afar – Gangs (Richter Collective / Sargent House )<br> Bell X1 – Bloodless Coup (Belly Up Records)<br> Cashier No 9 – To The Death of Fun (Bella Union)<br> Lisa Hannigan - Passenger (Hoop)<br> The Japanese Popstars – Controlling Your Allegiance (EMI)<br> Jape – Ocean of Frequency (Music Is For Losers)<br> Patrick Kelleher & His Cold Dead Hands – Golden Syrup (Osaka Records)<br> Pugwash – The Olympus Sounds (EMI/1969 Records)<br> Tieranniesaur – Tieranniesaur (Popical Island)<br> We Cut Corners – Today I Realised I Could Go Home Backwards (Delphi)</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34898922012-01-09T15:00:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:06-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar Announce Russia/Ukraine Tour Dates<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxjw2ntfsj1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxjw27EF9x1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> will be headlining <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows" target="_blank">a tour</a> in Russia in February 2012. <br><br><strong>ASIWYFA - RUSSIA /UKRAINE 2012 </strong><br>Feb 02 - Moscow @ <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/moscow-no-state-plan-b-feb-2-2012/762397" target="_blank">Plan B </a><br>Feb 03 - St Petersburg @ <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/saint-petersburg-no-state-arktika-feb-3-2012/762407" target="_blank">Arktika </a><br>Feb 04 - Yarislavl @ <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/yaroslavl-no-state-avangard-feb-4-2012/762413" target="_blank">Avangard </a><br>Feb 05 - Nizjnj Novgorod @ <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/nizjnj-novgorod-no-state-freedom-feb-5-2012/762417" target="_blank">Freedom <br></a>Feb 06 - Kazan @ <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/kazan-no-state-zheltaya-kofta-feb-6-2012/762421" target="_blank">Zheltaya Kofta</a><br>Feb 07 - Samara @ <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/samara-no-state-zvezda-feb-7-2012/762426" target="_blank">Zvezda</a><br>Feb 08 - Penza @ <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/penza-no-state-zahvat-feb-8-2012/762428" target="_blank">Zhavat </a><br>Feb 09 - Voronezh @ <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/voronezh-no-state-tarantul-feb-9-2012/762433" target="_blank">Tarantul </a><br>Feb 10 - Rostov @ <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/rostov-no-state-podzemka-feb-10-2012/762439" target="_blank">Podzemka </a><br>Feb 11 - Donetsk @ <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/donetsk-no-state-detroit-feb-11-2012/762441" target="_blank">Detroit </a><br>Feb 12 - Kharkov, Kabardino-Balkariya @ <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/kharkov-kabardino-balkariya-no-state-zhara-feb-12-2012/762448" target="_blank">Zhara </a><br>Feb 13 - Kiev @ <a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/kiev-no-state-hleb-feb-13-2012/762453" target="_blank">Hleb </a><br>Feb 15 - Minsk @<a href="http://artistdata.sonicbids.com/asiwyfa/shows/minsk-magadan-no-state-yula-feb-15-2012/762461" target="_blank"> Yula </a></p>
<p>stay up to date on news from the band <br><a href="http://twitter.com/asiwyfa_band" target="_blank">@ASIWYFA_Band</a><br><a href="http://twitter.com/rory_friers" target="_blank">@Rory_Friers</a><br><a href="http://twitter.com/asiwyfa_Chris" target="_blank">@ASIWYFA_Chris</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34898902012-01-05T14:55:00-05:002017-02-04T12:56:05-05:00Fans Picked The Set List / ASIWYFA Played It - Happy New Years <p><a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxcv54jh7Z1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>And So I Watch You From Afar</a> invited a group of fans to their rehearsal rooms in Belfast for a special performance that would be broadcast on New Years Eve of a set list chosen by the fans. They were then asked to record the session on their mobile phones. Special thanks to everyone who donated their footage - and now let's go to the video tape.<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s--YvV-zmQ0?rel=0" width="500"></iframe><br><a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a> - K Is For Killing Spree</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1Yf5sYok8d8?rel=0" width="500"></iframe><a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a> - Don't Waste Time Doing Things You Hate</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qJQ5mE8gb_A?rel=0" width="500"></iframe><br><a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a> - BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HkZ00kwpMEE?rel=0" width="500"></iframe><br><a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a> - Search:Party:Animal</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IoIKe_2M2u4?rel=0" width="500"></iframe><br><a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a> - 7 Billion People All Alive At Once</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V6D3YWP4_TM?rel=0" width="500"></iframe><br><a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a> - Set Guitars To Kill</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34898892012-01-05T14:55:00-05:002021-08-03T08:41:59-04:00Pop Matters Reviews: Gangs<p><a href="http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/152179-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-gangs/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxc90rkoHo1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxc922TmVj1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>2011 has been a banner year for post-rock. Two of the year’s finest releases, <strong>Mogwai’</strong>s <em>Hardcore Will Never Die, But You Will</em> and <a href="http://russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a>’ <a href="http://russiancircles.bandcamp.com/album/empros" target="_blank"><em>Empros</em></a>, are some of the strongest releases the genre has seen in awhile. Those records are particularly refreshing given that some bands tend to stagnate after awhile in the post-rock formula of crescendo and decrescendo. Even some of the genre’s most noteworthy groups (<strong>Explosions in the Sky</strong>, for example) are now only recently escaping from the rut of repetition, which they did with this year’s release <em>Take Care, Take Care, Take Care.</em> 2011 has proved that the creative engines in this genre are still running, which bodes well for many of the lesser-known outfits to rise up and plant their stake firm as genre innovators.</p>
<p>Irish instrumentalists <a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> might just be doing that here. Ever since their eponymous debut, the band have distanced themselves from post-rock’s follies, most successfully by incorporating math-metal tendencies into their complex songs. Tricky riffs, perplexing melodies, and time signature changes that rival <strong>The Dillinger Escape Plan</strong> all add quite nicely to the band’s distinctive sound. All of those elements are especially present on <a href="http://asiwyfa.hellomerch.com" target="_blank"><em>Gangs</em></a>, which is by no means a sophomore slump. The record is relentless from beginning to end (made evident by the urgent all-caps on the album opener “BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION”), and it is one hell of a ride.</p>
<p>The blending of math-rock and post-rock is the best thing that the record has going for it, and on the whole, the band nails it. Particularly distinctive are the guitar lines that, while never at the level of <strong>Steve Vai</strong>-like shred, are quite tricky and at times groovy. The opening riff to “Think: Breathe: Destroy” is a prime example; for a moment, it sounds almost off-key, but once the song picks up, the chaos starts to make sense. At other times, the guitar lines sound comfortable in the post-rock mold—notably the main riff to “7 Billion People All Alive at Once”, the record’s most beautiful track, which recalls post-rockers <a href="http://redsparowes.com" target="_blank">Red Sparowes</a>. Rhythmically, the record also impresses: Drummer Chris Wee at types lays down some <strong>Russian Circles</strong>-like grooves, which complement the record’s time signature-bending intensity. On “BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION”, Wee alternates between furious, epic beats to more subdued patterns effortlessly.</p>
<p>What adds to the brilliance of the band’s sound is that they don’t overdo it. At 44 minutes, <em>Gangs</em> isn’t a long record, and given how good it is, the time flies by. Moreover, even though this is a “heavy” record, the band doesn’t merely crank the gain up to 11 on the amp and let it rip. The riffs are appropriately intense, but they’re always properly restrained. The intense riffing on “...Samara to Belfast,” the second part of the two-part “Homes” fits in organically with the less heavy portions earlier in the song instead of sledgehammering the song into submission with its heaviness. This allows the band to better demonstrate their musical prowess, which is never in doubt from the album’s opening guitar bursts. <em>Gangs</em> is the sound of a band that can be heavy without even trying.</p>
<p>Amidst the record’s impressive technical musicianship, there are very few emotive moments to be found. The closest we get is on “7 Billion People All Alive at Once”, which I’m guessing is a meditation on the world’s exponential population growth. It’s the most down-tempo and relaxed thing on this album, which more or less maintains its insistent ferocity throughout, but even in its relative tranquility, it doesn’t quite pack the emotive power it could. At one point, the track even sounds like Explosions in the Sky, who have mastered the emotive, navel-gazing guitar instrumental. <em>Gangs</em> isn’t merely an exercise in cold, Berkelee-worthy displays of musical theory knowledge, but it’s so stuck on high energy that the emotive spectrum isn’t fully explored.</p>
<p>Though these guys may not have quite perfected their excellent formula just yet, <em>Gangs</em> is nevertheless a step in the right direction. Instrumental rock can easily be boring, but never for a second can that be said of <em>Gangs</em>: a record which expertly balances technical virtuosity with catchiness, and does so in spades.<br><br>by <a href="http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/152179-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-gangs/" target="_blank">Brice Ezell for PopMatters </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34898882011-12-20T14:55:00-05:002021-03-17T03:02:39-04:00Jeph Jacques Best Albums of 2011 - Best Description of ASIWYFA "Gangs"<p><img src="//www.questionablecontent.net/images/top2011/andso.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><strong>#4 <a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>- <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank">Gangs</a></strong></p>
<p>OH MY GOD WE WON THE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP AND THE LOTTERY AND WE’RE SPENDING THE LOTTERY MONEY ON A FUCKING ROCKET SHIP AND WE’RE GONNA GO CARVE A HUGE DICK ON THE MOON WITH A GIANT LASER WE PUT ON THE ROCKET SHIP AND ALL OF OUR PETS HAVE BECOME IMMORTAL AND WE JUST MADE OUT WITH THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PERSON WE’VE EVER MET AND IT TURNS OUT THEIR MOM IS REALLY REALLY NICE TOO AND THIS COFFEE WE’RE DRINKING IS FUCKING DELICIOUS I THINK IT’S THAT STUFF THAT CIVET CATS POOP OUT AND IT’S OUR BIRTHDAY PARTY AND EVERYONE IS INVITED AND NOBODY WILL EVER BE MEAN TO ANYBODY ELSE EVER AGAIN is pretty much what this album sounds like. - <a href="http://jephjacques.com/post/14436851577/my-favorite-albums-of-2011" target="_blank">Jeph Jacques </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34898872011-12-12T14:55:00-05:002024-03-06T22:43:57-05:00Indie 30: RECORD REVIEW: AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR - GANGS<p><a href="http://www.indie30.com/reviews/621-record-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-gangs.html" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lw3uq031F41qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lw3urcYsi41qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p>Originally released in Ireland and Europe earlier this year, <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank">Gangs</a>, the second release from the honest, hard working Northern Irish post rock band <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> recently received a much deserved North American gong through <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> taking the then quartet's music to a much wider audience. Following up their heavy sounding self titled debut with an equally muscular album, albeit with more melodic sensibility, the individual virtuosity from the band is well and truly on display here as Roy Friers and the now departed Tony Wright throw out inventive twin guitar attacks ably assisted by a tight as a drum rhythm section of Johnathon Adger (bass) and Chris Wee (drums). None of the eight tracks rest on their laurels at any time as the arrangements are just as meticulous as the technical aspects of their music. Gangs marks a departure of sorts sonically and personnel wise for the band and is the last album with founding guitarist Tony Wright who recently left just before their just completed marathon tour of Europe. The fact that the band completed that tour and were as impressive as ever with touring guitarist Niall Kennedy (ex Panama Kings), if their Berlin show was any indication, not missing a beat, suggests that despite Wright's decision And So I Watch You From Afar will continue to go from strength to strength.</p>
<p>There is a real organic feel to And So I Watch You From Afar, a band that has either written, recorded and toured virtually incessantly since their inception in 2006, a possible reason why Wright left. The band had spent, apart from the odd few days here and there in each others pockets, practicing, refining and mastering their approach and sound. Throughout it all, a DIY aesthetic has ensued more out of necessity than choice. It has meant that the band has done it tough in many ways, often organizing their own gigs and doing their own promotion. The lack of a team of middle men has meant that the band are much closer to their loyal fan base than most and actually enjoy interacting with them as evidenced by their social media activities. Check out their exhaustive facebook updates <a href="http://www.facebook.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar" target="_blank">here</a>. But it wasn't all smooth sailing during the gestation period for Gangs. The band had written 25 tracks which they intended to whittle down to 10 but after much conjecture decided to scrap the entire set. The ensuing few weeks saw this collection of tracks written at frenetic pace and rather than giving off the impression of things being rushed, the eight tracks are impressively focused and taut. Despite the difficulties, the strength of relationships in general comes through loud and clear on Gangs as the band constantly push the limits of their own abilities, pulling it off every time and for their fans leave nothing in the proverbial locker room - starting the writing process from scratch says so much about what they are willing to do to put out music they are comfortable with. </p>
<p>Intentions are set immediately with military like stealth of 'BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION', a tune as big as its name looks and sounds as bass and drums chug away underneath alongside an off-kilter yet disciplined duel guitar riff. 'Gang (starting never stopping)' starts of at a frenetic pace and is probably the fastest thing the band have ever done. It contains a fat riff in its mid section that focuses the song and takes things back a notch. 'Search:Party:Animal' starts in gritty fashion with a spacey like leading riff underpinned by circular rhythms before a foreboding bass line precedes a explosive cacophony of sound. There's little doubt that metal features heavily as an influence in the bands DNA and unlike other post rock bands where the creation of atmosphere is the main drive, ASIWYFA rely more on riffs and melody. That's not to say they don't create atmospherics in their music as '7 Billion People All Alive At Once' attests, an almost anthem like track with shout out vocals written in the bands early years.<br><br>'Think:Breathe:Destroy' rests on a twin guitar off riff before descending into an apoclayptic frenzy. Probably the most impressive track on the record is the two part 'Homes - Go Parlour KA-6 To...' and Homes - Samara To Belfast'. The first part of the track starts off with a slow melodic bent with an almost calypso pop like beat which is further evidence of the band's willingness to explore new horizons. The second half delves into prog-rock stylings at times and consists of a mixture of lush sonic soundscapes and angular riffs which combine beauty in its most quiet moments with a harsh edge in its loudest. The tracks outro is the best thing the band has done and even contains a slight nod to electronic music.</p>
<p>Sure, there's little doubt that ASIWYFA's sound is not new. Familiar elements that have been incorporated by Mogwai, Boris, Russian Circles, Explosions In The Sky, This Will Destroy You, the list goes on, can be found here. But what sets this band apart is its absolutely genuine approach to all aspects of its work, including the musically indirect, and its willingness to step out of traditional post rock forms. From composition, technical detail and constant personal contact with its fan base, there is an acute honesty in what they do that is demonstrable in every note, every beat on both Gangs and their other releases. Gangs for its part puts forward a more cohesive blueprint where every riff, every melody fits together as a whole. This is all the more impressive as the band has a tendency to try and weave in a number of different rock genres from progressive and math rock, obvious nods to metal as well as some post hardcore elements. ASIWYFA's trajectory from here is hard to predict given their current circumstances but there's little doubt in Gangs that they have more than whetted the appetite of old and new fans alike that will be hanging for what comes next from the hard working trio.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.indie30.com/reviews/621-record-review-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-gangs.html" target="_blank">James Stocker - December 10, 2011.</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34898822011-12-12T14:50:00-05:002024-02-20T04:35:04-05:00BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION - Live from Paris<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KqIlp3o539c" width="500"></iframe> <br><a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> live at Point Ephemere 04 October 2011 Paris.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34898852011-12-05T14:55:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:06-05:00Slug Magazine Reviews: And So I Watch You From Afar's Gangs<p><a href="http://www.slugmag.com/article.php?id=3171&page=1" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvre1x5Cgl1r1itoc.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lvre3xJhd51r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>And So I Watch You From Afar - Gangs<br><a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> / Richter Collective (Ireland)<br>USA Street: 11.08.11<br><br><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwfya.com" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a> = Fugazi + Russian Circles + Caspian<br><br>You try to start attaching too many sub-genre tags to an original band, and you put a little too much shit with the steak. Let’s be clear, Gangs is huge. Gangs is hypnotic. <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank">Gangs</a> is breathtaking. A monolithic juggernaut pieced together between festival appearances, it’s a dualistic record, the genius of which lies in its ability to occupy two spheres: hard to place and instantly enjoyable. Indie, metal, electronic, dub and anything with a “post” prefix comes to mind, but it’s best not to get bogged down in all that blogger nonsense. Circuitous riffing, bombastic rhythms and the occasional choral detour coalesce into one rockin’ slab of cerebral aggression. Don’t misunderstand me, this ain’t sludge and it never crawls. Hyperfast on its feet, incorporating erratic blends of African percussion and Asian ambiance, constantly flitting between massive and more massive, never sacrificing melody or texture, it’s a document of belligerent beauty from one of this era’s pre-eminent instrumental trios. –<a href="http://www.slugmag.com/article.php?id=3171&page=1" target="_blank">Dylan Chadwick</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34898842011-11-24T14:50:00-05:002017-02-04T12:56:04-05:00Search:Party:Animal - Live From Paris <p><iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qDdxa6fmvyU" width="500"></iframe></p>
<p><a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> perform <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank">Search:Party:Animal</a> from the album <a href="http://asiwyfa.hellomerch.com" target="_blank">Gangs</a>, live at Point Ephemere October 4, 2011 in Paris.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34898832011-11-24T14:50:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:06-05:00The Aquarian Review: And So I Watch You From Afar "Gangs"<p><strong><a href="http://www.theaquarian.com/2011/11/24/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-gangs/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv6k2v2RCr1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br>In A Word: Spectacular<br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv6k3iVIRZ1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></strong><br><br>Northern Ireland’s instrumental math rock quartet <a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar </a>are back with their second studio album, <a href="http://asiwyfa.hellomerch.com" target="_blank"><em>Gangs</em></a>. Right from the start the bouncy yet powerful guitar riffs in “BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION” amps up the album’s energy. With noisy, and grungy guitars matched with heart-racing drums “Gang (Starting Never Stopping) picks up where the first track left off to ensure the sugar rush doesn’t stop. During “Search:Party:Animal” a sense of paranoia is brought out by the booming drums and menacing sirens.</p>
<p>In contrast to the third piece, “7 Billion People All Alive At Once” is a carefree tune with fun vocals, a funkalicious bass groove and whimsical melodies. Overall, this composition is easy to get down to. Robotic guitars and a Celtic tribute can be found in “Think:Breathe:Destroy,” one of the semi-weak spots on <em>Gangs</em>. This tune lacks the spark that the others pushed forth. With drums that mimic the sound of someone running, the chaos continues with “Homes- …Samara To Belfast.” Despite ending in a soft lull, the intense start and stop pacing of the instruments adds an effect that sounds like punches are being thrown in different directions and aids in making the seventh song one of the standout pieces on the album. Clanking drum sticks count off the eighth and final cut, “LifeProof.” The final song has a much stronger classic post-rock sound to it, and ends on an explosive note with the sounds of trashcans being banged on.</p>
<p>Though each cut on <em>Gangs</em> has a different sound, they all flow together to create an album that is nothing short of high energy and leaves the listener gasping for more. Despite the fact that some songs are stronger than others, a favorite can be made by each and every one of them.</p>
<p>—by <a href="http://www.theaquarian.com/2011/11/24/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-gangs/" target="_blank">Roz Smith</a>, November 24, 2011</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34897702011-11-23T14:30:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:06-05:00Last Shows of 2011 - December in Ireland - Celebrate New Years With Us<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv4oloaquu1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar </a>will be playing a <a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com/shows" target="_blank">few shows</a> at the end of December to ring out the old, and bring in the new, including a New Years Eve show at Roisin Dubh in Galway.<br><br><strong>AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR - December 2011 </strong><br>Dec 28 - Celtic Clubhouse - Castlebar, IE<br>Dec 29 - The Crane Lane Theater - Cork, IE<br>Dec 30 - Forum - Waterford, IE<br>Dec 31 - Roisin Dubh - Galway, IE</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34896592011-11-16T14:30:00-05:002017-02-04T12:55:29-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar Audio Interview w/ British Council<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lurp3eE6Qc1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p>Here’s an interview <a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a>’s Chris Wee and Johnny Adger did with the <a href="http://www.britishcouncil.org/" target="_blank">British Council</a>, where they look back over the history of the band, the state of the scene in Belfast, their touring experiences this year and what the future holds.</p>
<p><object height="81" width="100%"><param name="movie" value="https://player.soundcloud.com/player.swf?url=http%3A%2F%2Fapi.soundcloud.com%2Ftracks%2F26610660&"></object><span><a href="https://soundcloud.com/britishcouncil/asiwyfa-tea-tunes">Show 534 - And So I Watch You From Afar - Tea & Tunes</a> by <a href="https://soundcloud.com/britishcouncil">British Council</a></span></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34896222011-11-16T14:30:00-05:002023-12-18T20:53:04-05:00Tastemakers Review: Gangs <p><a href="http://tastemakersmag.com/reviews/cd-reviews/2011/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-gangs/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lurjjpTVk71r1itoc.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lurjkptfz21r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<h1>And So I Watch You From Afar<br>Gangs</h1>
<p>Instrumental music is a delicate art, and one that is perhaps not given the attention it deserves in rock, where the concept of a front man is so alluring. There’s something to be said for the aura of the Robert Plants of today, but it’s far too easy to back up the argument that any artist without a vocalist doesn’t have the cultural appeal to make it big.</p>
<p>Instrumental music‘s presence is most recognized under the monumental umbrella of “rock music” within the post-rock genre that, while not necessarily instrumental, seeks out more formless, ambient melodies and is often better heard without vocal accompaniment.</p>
<p>Many post-rock bands do bring a healthy dose of rock and roll insanity to their music; bands like Mogwai and Explosions in the Sky certainly feature enough riffing and the kind of song structure that you could claim that this is rock. But ever since Sigur Rós set the standard for post-rock and ambient music with 1999’s <em>Ágætis Byrjun</em>, the definition of the genre has changed. Artists sought to portray beauty and nostalgia over carnal energy, and while that’s in no way a bad thing, I don’t think I’d be out of line in asserting that most post-rock isn’t rock music at all.</p>
<p>I recently came across <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>, a band from Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is an instrumental rock band. But it doesn’t play ambient or post-rock music. It plays rock; face-melting, riff-rifling, drum-pounding rock.</p>
<p><em>Gangs</em>, the band’s latest and second record, is forty-four minutes divided into 8 tracks of consistently enjoyable music. The opening track, “BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION,” is a good indication of the band’s stylistic preferences on the whole. Geometric riffs steadily mutate with the aid of fiery drumming and tactfully layered guitars, and loud, cathartic climaxes would make great sing-songy pub anthems. That is – if there were any words to sing.</p>
<p>ASIWYFA is certainly capable of tender moments, however. “7 Billion People All Alive At Once” sounds like a pleasantly intoxicated Kumbaya moment (à la “Beautiful Day” by U2). “Homes – Ghost Parlor KA -6 to…” features a smooth math-rock riff to far less aggressive drumming than is featured on most of the record, that recurs on the nearly ten minute follow-up track “Homes – …Samara to Belfast.” “BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION” and “Search:Party:Animal” also feature slower interlude sections.</p>
<p>And So I Watch You From Afar probably won’t get the kind of acclaim Mogwai or Explosions in the Sky have received, but has seen good work reap results. The band has toured with Them Crooked Vultures and played at 2011’s Reading, Eurockéennes and Bennicàssim, SXSW in 2010, and Pukkelpop and Oxegen in 2009. It’s a young band with considerable technical chops and a real knack for composition; ASIWYFA is definitely worth your attention.</p>
<p><em>Gangs</em>, was released this past April by Irish label Richter Collective, and was released stateside by <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> on November 8.</p>
<p><strong>Recommended Tracks:</strong> BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION, Gang (Starting Never Stopping), 7 Billion People All Alive At Once, Homes – …Samara to Belfast, Lifeproof</p>
<p><a href="http://tastemakersmag.com/reviews/cd-reviews/2011/and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-gangs/" target="_blank">By Nick Hugon </a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34896192011-11-12T14:30:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:05-05:00MTV Iggy: Reviews "Gangs"<h5>
<a href="http://www.mtviggy.com/reviews/gangs-by-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lukah2qdDr1r1itoc.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://www.mtviggy.com/reviews/gangs-by-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lukajdfmfA1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" height="240" width="240" /><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lukajxJOmB1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" height="240" width="240" /></a><br><br>Expanding Minds Without A Word</h5>
<p>Belfast trio <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar’s</a> post-rock deserves respect from fans of uncompromising and intellectually challenging music. But it may also grab the ears of a few listeners who had previously clung to the verse-chorus-verse shallows, in particular because it doesn’t cling to the expected tropes of its own micro-genre.</p>
<p>The group draws on rock’s brainiest movements — prog, math rock, and post-hardcore — but you don’t need a degree in music theory to enjoy their sophomore album <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/gangs/id472822100" target="_blank"><em>Gangs</em></a>. On the follow up to 2009′s self-titled debut, they switch time signatures with the best of them, but they switch between recognizable rhythms — from a rock beat to, say, a waltz with a charming wink. Certain rhythms and tonal progressions even seem teasingly inspired by their Celtic roots. Moves like this allow them to be at once highly complex, strikingly muscular, and upliftingly melodic, especially on the mind-expanding first track “BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION.”</p>
<p>Throughout <em>Gangs</em>, psychedelically intricate passages rear into snarling breakdowns before before sloping into a calm jazzy meadow. And this is all without getting tedious, and that sort of thing can get tedious. The trick is that ASIWYFA will pick a bright, lively theme or even something like a hook to elaborate on. An example of this approach is the prismatic “Gang (starting never stopping),” which takes the harsh metallic blues of a group like the Dead Weather and refracts it to make it glitter.</p>
<p>There are no vocals on <em>Gangs</em>, but the music is articulate and expressive enough to entertain the mind while reaching the brain’s pleasure centers with the sureness of your most guilty-pleasure screamo band. Still, for all its grace and hallucinatory qualities <em>Gangs</em> is most likely little more than a well-designed calling card for the live show. By all means check out the album, but absolutely watch for tour dates near you.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34896612011-11-11T14:30:00-05:002017-01-16T09:23:06-05:00Alarm Magazine "This Week's Best Albums: November 8th, 2011 - And So I Watch You From Afar "Gangs"<p><a href="http://alarmpress.com/40224/features/best-albums-of-the-week/this-weeks-best-albums-november-8-2011/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lucvbfNQ141qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lucvj0Yoeq1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lucvdpxZeq1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><br><a href="http://www.facebook.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar" target="_blank"><strong>And So I Watch You from Afar</strong></a><br><em>Gangs</em> (<a href="http://sargenthouse.com/" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> / <a href="http://flavors.me/rctrcollective#9b3/tumblr" target="_blank">Richter Collective</a>)</p>
<p>Stream: And So I Watch You from Afar: "<a href="http://alarmpress.com/40224/features/best-albums-of-the-week/this-weeks-best-albums-november-8-2011/" target="_blank">Beautiful Universe Master Champion</a>"</p>
<p>In March, the peerless <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> label gave American listeners a much-needed introduction to <a href="http://adebisishank.com" target="_blank"><strong>Adebisi Shank</strong></a>, an Irish instrumental trio that merges raging guitar harmonies with spasmodic electronics. Now Sargent House is at it again with Richter Collective, the DIY Irish label that counts <strong>Adebisi Shank's</strong> drummer <strong>Mick Roe</strong> as a co-founder, to provide American distribution for the sophomore release of <a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank"><strong>And So I Watch You from Afar</strong></a>, a Belfast-based trio of mathy post-rockers from Northern Ireland.</p>
<p>Based on the other side of the Emerald Isle, And So I Watch You from Afar has a similar MO to Adebisi and sonic brethren such as <strong>Don Caballero</strong>, <strong>The Advantage</strong>, and <strong>Maps & Atlases</strong>. And like Don Cab, the band excels with a heavier rhythmic quality thanks to single-octave riffs, deep bass grooves, and mid-tempo breakdowns. At times, it seethes with a punk ferocity, but at others, it's content to charm listeners with clean-channel harmonies and wordless choruses (such as on the buoyant and glistening "7 Billion People All Alive at Once").</p>
<p>Over the course of its 44 minutes, <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank"><em>Gangs</em></a> delivers an unrelenting and celebratory riff fest. There's a dash of <a href="http://fangisland.tumblr.com" target="_blank"><strong>Fang Island</strong></a> here, a touch of <strong>Mogwai</strong> there, and a smidge of whatever math- or post-rock group fits any given passage. But when it's all said and done, ASIWYFA just sounds like itself — a band having a grand ol' time.<em> - <a href="http://alarmpress.com/40224/features/best-albums-of-the-week/this-weeks-best-albums-november-8-2011/" target="_blank">Text by Scott Morrow</a>.</em></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34896172011-11-08T14:30:00-05:002022-02-15T01:21:53-05:00Gangs North American Release Today / Full Album Stream on Spinner<p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Y7RWrqY-Ek/Tov_ZiDnpoI/AAAAAAAAAmg/99DbSDflHPw/s1600/asiwyfa.jpg"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lucrxg1Atz1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br>Belfast, Ireland's celebrated instrumental band <a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar </a>release their sophomore album, <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank"><em>Gangs</em></a> today via <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a>, partnered with Dublin label <a href="http://flavors.me/rctrcollective" target="_blank">Richter Collective</a>. The complete album is available for streaming all week courtesy of Spinner: <a href="http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/15">listen HERE</a>.<br><br><em>"This is the sound of a gang who’ve never been tighter, and a postcard of their journey that couldn’t have captured them at a higher peak." </em><em>9 out of 10 - <a href="http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16180/reviews/4142551" target="_blank">Drowned In Sound </a><br><br>"An utterly immersive tour de force and a series of thrills as transient as the breeze, ‘Gangs’ triumphs on every possible level. " </em><em>9 out of 10 -</em><a href="http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16180/reviews/4142551" target="_blank"><em>Rock Sound </em></a></p>
<p>Known for their unrelenting tours that has seen them play over 300 shows since the start of 2009, <strong>And So I Watch You From Afar</strong> (ASIWYFA to their fans) don't know how to take a break. From appearances at SXSW, Eurosonic, Electric Picnic, Novarock, Canadian Music Fest, Popkomm, Pukkelpop, Sonisphere, to tour dates in Europe, North America, Russia and a support slot for rock supergroup <strong>Them Crooked Vultures</strong>, the band has been on the road playing music non-stop since the release of their fan-stirring debut self-titled album.<br><br>In between, the band was nominated for Ireland's coveted <strong>Choice Music Prize</strong> for Album Of The Year and <strong>XFM</strong>'s New Music Album Of The Year, released <em>The Letters</em> EP in February 2010 and a stop-gap tour single "Straight Through The Sun" in November 2010. They were also just named "Best Live Act" at the NIMA's 2011 (Northern Ireland Music Awards).<br><br>It's a small wonder then, that the band actually managed to record their highly-charged second album <em>Gangs</em> at all with that punishing schedule. It was recorded on weekdays between festival appearances over the summer of 2010 during July and August at Start Together Studios in Belfast with producer Rocky O'Reilly and the help of a young technician by the name of Lee McMahon.<br><br>A matter of weeks before they entered the studio, the band scrapped 22 songs they had written after the release of their self-titled debut. "We spent the last year and a half writing but we essentially did this album in eight weeks," guitarist Rory Friers says of the decision. "We suddenly took this notion that we didn't like any of the songs. This was four weeks before we went into the studio. We had demoed the whole thing and had it all mapped out. We took bits and pieces that we liked but we wrote a whole new set of songs. It's worked out."<br><br>As a result, <em>Gangs</em> is the band's most cohesive record, a 44-minute, eight song unyielding document of the band's last two years playing together told through ironclad guitar riffs and colossal yet increasingly subtle rhythms. "We had a far broader experience of things," says Rory. "We really wanted to try and get it on the record, which sounds weird because we're an instrumental band, but there are songs on there that we specifically wrote to try and capture the vibe of new and meaningful things that we've all experienced."<br>It's a celebratory record, one which fittingly culminates in a samba outro on the album's final song "Lifeproof" which layers up many takes of percussion played by the band in the studio until a carnival atmosphere is created, whistles and all. <br><br>The heart of <em>Gangs</em> is a section entitled Homes: "Ghost Parlor KA-6 to Samara to Belfast" which spans tracks six and seven. It's a near 10-minute epic which taps into the emotions of returning to familiar places and visiting new ones for the very first time. "It's a cheesy thought but we wanted to capture our journey through touring: seeing so many different things, unexpected happenings, sudden changes and then a homecoming," Rory explains. "The end of that tune sums up the relief and elation of coming back into Belfast and getting to see our friends and family again."<br><br>It's a sentiment echoed by the title of the record - <em>Gangs</em>. "In the same vein, everything we've done, places we've played all, people we've met, all circulate around these pockets of people, pockets of scenes and pockets of culture. These gangs of people who emanate from everywhere. It's that DIY / <strong>The Clash</strong> / <strong>Black Flag</strong> sort of thing that our band is like a gang sometimes." - <a href="http://usthemgroup.blogspot.com/2011/11/irelands-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar.html" target="_blank">US/THEM Group</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34896162011-11-02T14:30:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:05-05:00Northern Ireland Music Awards 2011 : Best Live Act<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lu1wkpYfom1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> took home the <a href="http://entertainment.ie/music/news/ASIWYFA-confirmed-for-Northern-Ireland-Music-Awards/89153.htm" target="_blank">Northern Ireland Music Award</a> tonight for Best Live Act at NIMA 2011</p>
<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lu1wnpf8731qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34895752011-10-22T14:25:00-04:002015-03-12T18:42:15-04:00Bandwidth Sessions: ASIWYFA Perform "Gangs" Live<iframe width="500" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLQxJr_9eziPgUd32IY5vnt-QmXj9UnoBn" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<p><br><a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> <a href="http://www..bandwidthsessions.com/asiwyfa-gangs" target="_blank">play through</a> their entire second album 'Gangs' at Start Together Studio, Belfast.<br><br>Camera: Will McConnell<br>Recorded by Rocky O'Reilly</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34895642011-10-22T14:20:00-04:002023-04-17T02:59:38-04:00Drowned In Sound Reviews Gangs / 9 out of 10<p><span class="mark"><strong class="value"><a href="http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16180/reviews/4142551" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lthdsm69HN1r1itoc.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lthdtdF5o11r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" height="270" width="270" /></a><br><br>9</strong> / <span class="best">10</span></span></p>
<p>Truly, there’s never been a more clear or concise way to describe Belfast four-piece <a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank"><strong>…And So I Watch You From Afar</strong></a> than as a 'gang.' As anyone who bears witness to their live show can testify, theirs is a synergy, an understanding that binds so strongly together that in their frantic motion - with limbs thrashing instruments like birch on flesh - it forces the resulting sound to rise taut and athletic, a monstrous proposition that has to be so in order to meet its makers head-on in masculine conflict. There are enough opportunities to see this as well; ASIWYFA remain a gang in a true sense too, a band who tour out of necessity, playing well over 100 dates per year, their sustained intimacy bleeding into their music. It gives a sense that whatever output they release is merely a postcard, a marker from whichever corner of the world they happen to be in at that point.</p>
<p>What that opening paragraph basically indicates is that <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com" target="_blank"><em>Gangs</em></a> is by far and away this band’s finest work yet, the emphatic result of all those live shows, all that time spent together in tour vans, on ferries and planes, that thin line between affinity and claustrophobia exploding forth into a work of sheer energy. You can hear them gathering themselves for the onslaught right at its beginning, volleys of chanting, a brotherhood calling back and forth in ‘BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION’s revved up opening before they push off into the first of dozens of joint-mangling guitar hooks. On initial listens to <em>Gangs</em> the aim appears simple: find the riff, lock-in the rest of the track’s components and drive, beat and harry them to breaking point. ‘BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION’ revisits its central motif several times; follow-up ‘Gangs (Starting Never Stopping)’ pushes things ever further, guitarists Rory Frier and Tony Wright seemingly setting out to hurt their rhythm section, upping the ante to ever more breakneck levels. You can almost see the sweat seep out of the speakers before their maelstrom of dexterity gives way to great waves of squalled sound, a trick repeated again in ‘Search:Party:Animal’s’ siren-backed metal-leaning axesmanship.</p>
<p>In this opening triad the emotional tenor is set and, yes, there isn’t too much to it other than the rush and instantaneous impact of noisy euphoria. Yet after this introductory salvo the group truly start to spread their wings, embedding new tricks and nuances into the album’s back end with a hitherto unseen subtlety. On ‘7 Billion People All Alive At The Same Time,’ amongst returning clarion vocals calls – a reaffirmation of their togetherness, perhaps - lurks a more refined guitar line that struts and grooves in a manner quite apart from the band's stock-in-trade razor sharp math-rock. The second half of ‘Think:Breathe:Destroy’ re-visits their Irish heritage, albeit recalling the re-located punk of Dropkick Murphys (ok, so on paper that sounds crap, but run through their tightly-woven intensity it’s really, really not). Final track ‘Lifeproof,’ meanwhile, throws a complete surprise in at the LP’s very end, the band playing out a carnival-esque rhythmic outro, samba, whistles and all.</p>
<p>Perhaps most impressive however is the two-part ‘Home: Ghost Parlor KA -6 To Samara To Belfast.’ Spread across tracks six and seven, it sees the band thin out their density and make use of the newly found space surrounding them; guitars come shrouded in echo and delay while flutes skitter in and around their off-beat meanderings. It’s the slickest of gear changes, and one only emphasised when they begin to unfurl again, re-colouring in the gaps first with playful enthusiasm and then furious vigour.</p>
<p>So it’s another technically accomplished instrumental album, so what? The 'so what' is that, contrary to belief, it is still possible to advance on templates like this, those built on simple foundations of guitar, bass and drums, and And So I Watch You From Afar have proved this brilliantly. The 'so what' is that despite their tendency of swapping about time-signatures and restlessness during passages, you’re never left in doubt of the singular and collective direction they’re going in, the 'so what' is, fuck, just the pure joy coming out of this record, each hook made for manic bounding up and down to, tongue wagging, big goofy grin on face. This is the sound of a gang who’ve never been tighter, and a postcard of their journey that couldn’t have captured them at a higher peak. - <strong class="b_author reviewer vcard">by <a href="http://drownedinsound.com/releases/16180/reviews/4142551" target="_blank"><span class="url fn author">Simon Jay Catling</span></a></strong></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34895632011-10-22T14:20:00-04:002021-05-07T04:37:10-04:00Rock Sound Review "Gangs" 9 out of 10<p class="rating"><strong><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lthdheCouK1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lthdjag4zM1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></strong></p>
<h3>And So I Watch You From Afar - Gangs</h3>
<p><strong>Written and recorded in a matter of weeks, ASIWYFA obviously work amazingly under pressure... </strong></p>
<p class="rating"><strong>Rating: 9</strong></p>
<p>Written and recorded in a matter of weeks, following a terrifying last-minute decision to scrap an entire album’s worth of material, it’s to <a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank"><strong>And So I Watch You From Afar</strong></a>’s eternal credit that not one second of ‘Gangs’ could possibly be mistaken for a rush job. In fact, the self-imposed time restraints have merely served to sharpen the quartet’s focus in quite glorious fashion. Intended to represent the band’s collective experiences of travelling the world over the past two years, ‘Gangs’ is a journey in every sense of the word, and the attention to detail is stunning. Seamlessly flowing from repetitive, hypnotic guitar patterns to delectable swathes of effortless grace, the record builds and burns, stacking surprise upon surprise before breaking it all back down to delicately strummed moments of reflective reprieve. Partial as they are to the odd heads-down riff-a-thon, <strong>ASIWYFA</strong> manage to sidestep the depressingly over-used quiet / loud dynamic with aplomb, constantly keeping the listener on their toes by shifting from the euphoric to the intricate without warning, forever ensuring that not one element overstays its welcome. By turns an utterly immersive tour de force and a series of thrills as transient as the breeze, ‘Gangs’ triumphs on every possible level.</p>
<p class="writer-credit"><a href="http://www.rocksound.tv/writers/article/pete-withers">Pete Withers</a></p>
<p class="writer-credit">Gangs will be released in N. America on <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> November 8, 2011<br>Gangs was released in Eur0pe on <a href="http://flavors.me/rctrcollective" target="_blank">Richter Collective</a> May 2011</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34895612011-10-22T14:20:00-04:002021-12-15T03:50:23-05:00ASIWYFA's Johnny Adger Interview with Pure Savage<p><a href="http://www.puresavage.net/?p=186" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ltdokuRmof1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ltdok6iFfv1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>With <a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> playing support to <a href="http://www.thejoyformidable.com/" target="_blank">The Joy Formidable</a> in London’s HMV I had opportunity to catch up with Johnny Adger for a chat.</p>
<p>Support shows are not the norm for <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/7-billion-people-all-alive-at-once" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a> any more. Last year has seen headline shows in London’s Scalia, venues in Luxemburg, Russia, Poland, Germany, Spain, France and a host of other Eastern European cities, but this short tour with The Joy Formidable give them another chance to bring their music to listeners who maybe otherwise would have missed out. Johnny believes that there is a “…cross over in the music between [the two bands]….but it can still be hard to go back to being the 30 minute support band.”</p>
<p>Last month saw the departure of guitarist Tony Wright being temporarily replaced by Niall Kennedy (formerly of Panama Kings). Naturally this was a something I wanted to ask Johnny about – wondering if there would be a change in the dynamic of the band. He noted that people may see a change because: “Tony was such a big part of the band”. However, Johnny was quick to add that they “…were never trying to replace Tony and still aren’t. It was a way of facilitating the tour we’d planned to do”. It’s actually Niall’s second time being in <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/7-billion-people-all-alive-at-once" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a> after he covered on drums “…for 5 or 6 gigs whilst Chris [Wee, current drummer] was graduating from University”. Niall joins for the rest of the rest of Gangs Winter tour which sees <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/7-billion-people-all-alive-at-once" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a> play throughout the UK, Europe and Ireland.</p>
<blockquote><div><h2 class="fontcolor1">“…we were never trying to replace Tony and still aren’t.”</h2></div></blockquote>
<p>Long tours have become “normality” for the band, and are something <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/7-billion-people-all-alive-at-once" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a> are famed for. 2010 saw them play in 17 countries across Europe as well as America. They have learnt from previous tours now “…how to eat properly and take things in moderation”. For a band whose mantra is: “write – record – tour”, the hard times for the band come on the rest days rather than on tour. Always looking towards the next tour and wanting to practice, the difficulty comes when you try to switch off “…because you don’t want to – but we’ve learnt to spend a few days apart [to help the band] then you find yourself on the phone to one of the other guys asking when are we going to meet up and play this riff and practice again”. It certainly seems obvious that touring and playing live is something the band lives for and enjoys immensely.</p>
<p> <img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ltdoohQeRL1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/7-billion-people-all-alive-at-once" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a> are famed for what seems like a strong bond with their fans, second album Gangs being named because of this. Johnny feels that this is due to the honesty throughout the band’s music, only playing what they like and feel comfortable with. The instrumental element to their sound isn’t a conscious decision rather it being what they enjoy, again Johnny references the honesty that lies there. Starting off “…putting on our own gigs, and putting bands on that we enjoyed”. This hard work and DIY attitude strengthened the band and allowed them to develop: “…people started asking “How have you done this?”". The relationship between their fanbase and the band is further strengthened by the band always making time to chat to the fans after gigs as they “…enjoy it… and it’s important to give something back”. Johnny also highlighted how important it was to play gigs at home in places like Omagh, Strabane and Warrenpoint as they “…get communication from people in those areas who can’t travel as easily to Belfast, so we do the smaller shows to give people the chance to see us close up.”</p>
<p>The Winter Gangs tour is punctuated by a performance at the inaugural Northern Ireland Music Awards at the start of November. It’s an event that Johnny is looking forward to and believes is “…long overdue for Northern Ireland to have its own distinct awards”. It’s an event which comes at a time when Northern Ireland’s music scene is at its most vibrant. <span>When </span>I asked Johnny for any of his tips for local acts that he favours, he points out his best friends in LaFaro who are sounding like “…nothing anybody has ever attempted before”. There was also a nod to Eaten by Bears, and a championing of Axis Of “…who’ve evolved into something that hasn’t been done before”. Certainly the critical success that <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/7-billion-people-all-alive-at-once" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a> have achieved over the years – notably having Gangs reviewed in the Culture section of the Sunday Times the same week as the latest Foo Fighters album and receiving a higher rating – has done no harm to the local music scene. Johnny points out that at times it’s “…overwhelming that people think we’re responsible for something at home”, due to their hectic touring schedule and a lot of time being spent away from Northern Ireland: “…being away so much, it’s easy to lose touch”.</p>
<blockquote><div><h2 class="fontcolor1">“…being away so much, it’s easy to lose touch”</h2></div></blockquote>
<p>Currently there is no Belfast or Northern Ireland full gig planned for this Winter Tour, but “Never say definitely no, it depends on the schedule…if it’s the right opportunity and it is something different, and we have something to offer local fans then we’ll do it.”</p>
<p>The performance by <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/7-billion-people-all-alive-at-once" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> that evening was stunning. A 30 minute set made up of primarily songs from Gangs got an excellent response from the crowd. The band sounds tight as ever, and it certainly wasn’t evident that Niall Kennedy had only been with the band since September.<em><strong> - <a href="http://www.puresavage.net/?p=186" target="_blank">Article by Niall Flack</a></strong></em></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34895602011-10-22T14:20:00-04:002024-02-20T04:37:16-05:00And So I Watch You From Afar joins Sargent House<p><span><a href="http://flabmag.com/latest/sargent-house-arbiters-of-instrumental-bands/" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsuy3qLs0U1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></span></p>
<h2>Sargent House Poised to Become the Arbiters of Instrumental Music.</h2>
<p><a><img src="//flabmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/ASIWYFA-590x393.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" height="393" width="590" /></a></p>
<p>The Echo Park, CA based independent record label & management company, <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> has added another instrumental band to their growing roster of (mostly) instrumental bands. This time it’s the celebrated Irish band <a href="http://www.facebook.com/andsoiwatchyoufromafar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>.</p>
<p>According to the press release Sargent House partnered with Dublin label <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Richter-Collective/69222285417">Richter Collective</a> to announce the forthcoming North American release of the group’s sophomore album, <em>Gangs</em>. A pair of MP3s from the album are available today: opener, “BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION” is available for <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=7cklvidab&et=1107981249808&s=6613&e=001I0adxfkUCB76tfJ1StnnEf-GfPHuTs1U9iVU_nvY6o2BTNhKVHkBgmXHMPrz41DXjaqoh-EdpurQ5V6Ygos1EHnHbQTB9lmA_RIc_IPe0ntQE3VnUpQmiuRJ8Pz5bCbIKHLNX6h5VD3X3I4h80aZfKSNVbNKQnCmaXH9er-oWnxL-zvVnmAtmF0v708kFRgn">download HERE</a> and the brilliantly titled “Search:Party:Animal” can be downloaded <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=7cklvidab&et=1107981249808&s=6613&e=001I0adxfkUCB5WE6tDBUhmaLV78IpeUXZMPc5Ekr5y-Wpx840IAuXQgslvh0u5Rj2s5NL01fXm4iujawfjyrtikJ-PlflrihDCL1EQthuLvuR6eVe11HLdgM9nZ4_tl3hhIEoYY6DtggNXXnQAdXpdg1pfm8l76tXbewJwDKEZCkk=">HERE</a>.</p>
<p>Let’s admit that we aren’t aficionados of the Irish music scene, like, at all, and our only references are U2, The Cranberries and The Corrs. Oh yeah, and how can we forget Enya or, god forbid, Sinèad O’Connor – all of whom have wrung the fuck out of life’s pathos with their baleful tomes to love and war – Irish style, of course. I can’t imagine <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sargenthouse" target="_blank">Sargent House </a>would have signed anyone of those acts (well, maybe Sinèad circa <em>The<em> Lion and The Cobra,</em></em> but forget about it after that.), especially in light of the current roster which features <a href="http://fangisland.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Fang Island</a>, <a href="http://redsparowes.com" target="_blank">Red Sparowes</a>, <a href="http://adebisishank.com" target="_blank">Adebisi Shank</a>, <a href="http://russiancircles.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a>, <a href="http://zechsmarquise.com" target="_blank">Zechs Marquise</a> (on imprint Rodriguez Lopez Productions), <a href="http://teramelos1.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Tera Melos</a>, <a href="http://hellaband.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Hella</a>, etc. — all bands with epic instrumentation and minimal, if any, (mercifully) lyrical content. Each band has its own unique voice on a roster filled with like-minded musicians, and while some stand out more boldly than others, it is the diversity <em>and</em> plurality of the instrumental approach that makes this supposed non-genre a boon, if not calling card, for the label.</p>
<p>[[MORE]]I think they’re on to something here even if instrumental bands are neither marketable nor apparent cash cows. There is something to be said for the artistry and intellect involved in creating music that pushes far beyond the standard 4/4 song structure, creating challenging, but more often than not, rewarding listening experiences. In fact, those that have mastered their instruments, and are willing and open collaborators with their fellow band mates, have created soundscapes that are interactive <em>and</em> experiential on the psychic/emotional plane, rather than passive listening experiences.</p>
<p><a href="http://zechsmarquise.com" target="_blank">Zechs Marquise</a>, whose recent release, <a href="http://zechsmarquise.com/GettingPaid" target="_blank">Getting Paid</a>, flirts with lyrical content, but ultimately excels where their psychic and groove heavy instrumentation takes center stage, is a fine example of an instrumental band that uplifts the genre to high art yet grounds it on the basic human interactive level. But it was their debut album, <a href="http://zechsmarquise.bandcamp.com/album/our-delicate-stranded-nightmare" target="_blank"><em>Our Delicate Stranded Nightmare</em></a> that makes the case for <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> leader, <strong>Cathy Pellow</strong>’s apparent penchant for finely crafted instrumental music. Coupled with<strong> Red Sparowes</strong>, <strong>Fang Island</strong> (also flirty with the lyrics but excelling at morphing vocal harmony into vocal instrumentation) <strong>Russian Circles</strong> and “Math” rockers <strong>Hella</strong>, <strong>Tera Melos</strong>, et al., you come to view the label’s roster as a curatorial practice in which the genre of “instrumental music” comes into its own paradigm, albeit one with heretofore limited marketing appeal, but one that stakes its own claims and makes it own case – music critics need not weigh in.</p>
<p>In light of this latest edition to their line-up the argument could be made that Pellow is more than a savvy music (art) collector. She could very well be the savviest businesswoman in the music biz. If her eclectic roster reaches commercial success, there will be no doubts.</p>
<p>Visit Sargent House on the Interwebs:</p>
<p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/" target="_blank">Official</a> | <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sargenthouse" target="_blank">Facebook</a></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34895622011-10-18T14:20:00-04:002021-11-01T08:00:49-04:00Gangs Review<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ltbj110jSE1r1i5wb.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="And So I Watch You From Afar - Gangs" height="175" width="175" /><br><strong>And So I Watch You From Afar</strong><br><em>Gangs</em><br>Sargent House / Richter Collective 2011</p>
<p>By <a href="http://twitter.com/donkeremaan" target="_blank">Donkeremaan</a></p>
<p><strong><span>●</span> <span>●</span> <span>●</span> <span>●</span> <span>○</span></strong><br> </p>
<p>Hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, this bunch slapped together a record that has me falling to my knees in awe. Admittedly, I am running behind hopelessly, because this is my first encounter with <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank"><strong>And So I Watch You From Afar</strong></a>, but it’s one that I won’t forget easily. The band is treading on the paths of post- and mathrock, barely shedding a word doing so. And it all makes complete sense from start to finish.</p>
<p>On social media, I said something like: ‘<em>Gangs</em> contains some riffs that make me belly-itchingly happy’ and that feeling already startles me when absorbing “Gang (Starting Never Stopping)”. Simplicity still rules supreme. Up next is a sizeable portion of ADD rock that has any unsuspecting human being run for his life. It’s all over the place akin to <strong>Lighting Bolt</strong> after an hour of taking cheap music lessons. And seeing as I’m dropping names anyway: <strong>65daysofstatic </strong>with a dash of <strong>Battles</strong>. There, done. Incidentally, the neurotic need for chaos is finely balanced. “7 Billion People All Alive At Once” is a breather with its melodic ‘pa pa, pa pa, pa pa, pa pa, pa pa, pa pa, pa pa, pa da da da’ sing-along. “Think:Breathe:Destroy” reactivates the belly-itching hyperactivity mode.</p>
<p>Then: the breaking point.</p>
<p>The final 18 minutes of the album present a soothing and adventurous after-party of a mental and hectic celebratory event. In other words: it actually has significant added value. Prog, folk, postrock (<strong>Sickoakes </strong>spring to mind), even a bit of funk. And some of those riffs, of course! You know, those with the belly and such. Three minutes into “Homes - …Samara To Belfast” and everything falls into place. The puzzle is perfect, no need to amend. Or perhaps a shiny layer on top. That’d be excellent…</p>
<p>(This review was originally published in Dutch on <a href="http://www.fileunder.nl/archives/2011/06/and_so_i_watch_you_from_afar_gangs.php" target="_blank">File Under</a>.)</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34895652011-10-17T14:20:00-04:002023-12-10T12:07:59-05:00BBC : And So I Watch You From Afar "Gangs" Review <p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/zpzb" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lthe9sa3QL1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lthecrA5da1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" height="300" width="300" /><br><br>"ASIWYFA prove that the loud and voiceless do not have to sound ineloquent."<br><br>As important to any album where maximum volume is its central theme is its punctuation. With no vocal lines to emphasize dynamics, Belfast quartet <a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a> have excelled at pushing riffs or motifs to their logical centre stage; a place where few dare to tread in fear of exhausting their audience.</p>
<p>While the songs on this second LP are based around precious few new ideas – many of which can be heard on their 2007 mini-album <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com" target="_blank">This Is Our Machine and Nothing Can Stop It</a>, their 2009 self-titled debut album and the following <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com" target="_blank">The Letters EP</a> – it's the introduction of a particularly resonant mantra, such as halfway through closer Lifeproof, that brings the barrage of blows an unexpectedly elegant quality. For the most part, though, <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com" target="_blank">Gangs</a> is an album strewn with the debris of a war march, albeit one laced with smirks and triumphant songs.</p>
<p>When notes are bent chronically out of shape on Gangs (starting never stopping) or when the dub influences and flowing Mellotron-like whispers sneak in on the first half of Homes, the album really starts to feel textural as opposed to bludgeoning. It's here that ASIWYFA reveal possible new paths they will follow. It is within Homes, this album’s centrepiece, that the full range of sonics they've employed since inception really collide into each other. The feedback-soaked fake ending sounds as if you've just spent the last 20 minutes being shelled, the ringing in your ears gradually subsiding.</p>
<p>But while the relentlessness of it could be off-putting, Gangs is laced with syncopation, breathing space, warped tones and – most importantly – a sense of travel, with a beginning middle and end. The waltzy intro on 7 Billion People All Alive At Once is a delightful breather which later blooms into a hearty seafaring gang vocal, while the high-pitched pinball sounds on Search:Party:Animal signal a landmark in the band's orienteering.</p>
<p>There's no getting away from the distortion, the overclocked thrumming strings gushing from the amplifier speakers; but why would you want to? It's what ASIWYFA do best: hyperactive flurries of notes, squealing crescendos, riffs upon riffs with some modulated into glitchy oblivion. The rhythm section anchors it all without dragging proceedings into tedium. The jaunty melodies and jagged incisors savaging them into bite-size shapes remain engaging for the full 45 minutes, proving that the loud and voiceless do not have to sound ineloquent. by <span class="reviewer vcard"><span class="fn"><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/zpzb" target="_blank">Brad Barrett</a></span> </span></p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34895592011-10-02T14:15:00-04:002017-01-16T09:23:04-05:00Gangs to be released in North America on Sargent House / November 8th 2011<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lta3lctDHN1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>'s album <a href="http://asiwyfa.hellomerch.com" target="_blank">Gangs</a> will see it's North American release through <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> on November 8th, 2011.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34899222011-06-21T15:05:00-04:002022-04-24T11:19:39-04:00402: Album Review "Gangs"<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/24bd20d60069f6738e58fee2857e06d5d6e9170c/original/screen-shot-2015-03-10-at-2-41-15-pm.png?1426023928" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /></p>
<div class="entry">
<p><a href="http://402productions.com/reviews/2011/06/album-reviews-and-so-i-watch-you-from-afar-gangs/cover-3/" rel="attachment wp-att-3474"><img src="//402productions.com/reviews/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/COVER-e1306915003303.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" height="600" width="600" /></a></p>
<p>Seems like some amazing math rock is coming out of the UK lately. <a href="http://402productions.com/reviews/2011/02/album-reviews-adebisi-shank-this-is-the-second-album-of-a-band-called-adebisi-shank/"><strong>Adebisi Shank</strong> is obviously an instrumental opus</a>. Someone recommended me <a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank"><strong>And So I Watch You From Afar</strong></a> (ASIWYFA for short) if I wanted the intensity of Adebisi Shank but simmered rather than boiling. They were not wrong.</p>
<h3>"BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION”</h3>
<iframe frameborder="0" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NR6j7yLltfw?rel=0" width="500"></iframe>
<p><strong>THE PROS </strong><br>First off, I’m only comparing <a href="http://asiwyfaSH.tumblr.com" target="_blank">ASIWYFA</a> to their neighbors <a href="http://adebisishank.tumblr.com" target="_blank">Adebisi Shank </a>because I reviewed Adebisi Shank earlier this year. It should be known that ASIWYFA has been around a few years (and album releases) longer than the Shankers. So, although it may sound like I’m talking as if ASIWYFA came after Adebisi Shank, it’s only because of how the album review orders came about this year.</p>
<p>Back to cooking references, Adebisi Shank is sort of like a steak and potatoes dish. It’s mostly this extremely flavorful meat, seered off and broiled for maybe 25 minutes. On the side, you have these electronic parts that sort of quell the fierce all out attack of beefy riffs and walls of sound. On the other hand… ASIWYFA is more like a risotto. All the flavors are slowly cooked into each other, held together by a main stock of juicy riffage. And, personally, I’m a very large fan of risotto.</p>
<p>At times,<em> <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com/album/gangs" target="_blank">Gangs</a></em> owns your life with these completely face-melting mash of guitars. It’s very akin to a Adebisi Shank or a <strong><a href="http://402productions.com/reviews/2010/02/nw-reviews-fang-island-st/">Fang Island</a> </strong>cut. However, what sets these guys (and particularly, this album) apart is the way they sometimes sonically say <em>You know, let’s turn the intensity knob down a bit and see what happen</em>. It becomes more of a <strong><a href="http://402productions.com/reviews/2009/10/russian-circles-geneva/">Russian Circles</a> </strong>or <strong><a href="http://402productions.com/reviews/2011/05/album-reviews-explosions-in-the-sky-take-care-take-care-take-care/">Explosions in the Sky</a> </strong>flavor at that point. At times, it even tastes like <strong>Sigur Ros</strong>.</p>
<p>Something that some of these newer, face-melter type bands are lacking might be the completeness of what <em>Gangs</em> brings to you after listening through the entire thing. There is more of a story to be told through this album than any other math-rock or instrumental album I’ve heard this year, including Explosions in the Sky’s <em>Take Care, Take Care, Take Care</em>, which is a sort of milestone to be noted in my book.</p>
<p><strong>THE CONS </strong><br>Something that I stressed with Adebisi Shank’s release was the fact that they are a three-piece band doing more with less. They sample themselves to create these electronic sounds live, all have multidimensional abilities pertaining their instruments (i.e. introduction of slap bass on some songs), and create a sort of madness with their live show. For ASIWYFA, they don’t seem to be pushing any sort of revolutionary boundaries that haven’t been heard before. That isn’t necessarily a bad things… I mean, you wouldn’t want to ask Yo-Yo Ma to join Godspeed You! Black Emperor for a night. That would probably be a train wreck. However, no one really thought Metallica and the San Francisco Philharmonic was going to be that mind blowing, and yet it was. The big idea behind these statements is that ASIWYFA does what they do very well… but could they do more?<br><br><strong>THE VERDICT</strong><br>Between Explosions in the Sky and <em>Gangs</em>, <em>Gangs</em> clearly takes it in my book. Between Adebisi Shank and <em>Gangs</em>, I gravitate towards <em>Gangs</em> sitting here at my desk more than I would Adebisi Shank’s album. However, I’d rather see Adebisi Shank live, with ASIWYFA following behind in very close. But this isn’t about live shows. This is definitely about finding the best album of the year. And, with the 402 midterms coming up, ASIWYFA seems like a fairly strong candidate next to Adebisi Shank. Yet again, Ireland reigns.<br><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxpf2eo32I1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
</div>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34895662011-05-15T14:25:00-04:002023-12-10T14:22:35-05:00Absolute Punk Review: Gangs<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/158282/f3e0021d4cdbbdb0dcafd35a5744b44a616114d4/original/screen-shot-2015-03-10-at-2-40-51-pm.png?1426023874" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lthen9PNVs1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>“We are the Bull. You are the china shop” – <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://asiwyfa.com" target="_blank">And So I Watch You From Afar</a><br><br>How often do you see a bands myspace page ‘catchphrase’ actually give an accurate representation of the band? They stampeded into the post rock scene with blistering weight and precision. Helped by their increasingly famous live shows that are guaranteed to give you a good nights sleep & on the back of an incredibly dynamic and solid self titled debut album, the band has now released <a href="http://asiwyfa.bandcamp.com" target="_blank"><em>Gangs</em></a>; an eight track leviathan. For a band that works as hard as they do, and keep in touch with their fan base as much as time allows them, you had to say that the pendulum has been gravitating in their favor even before a second of new material was heard…so the “sophomore slump” was not necessarily something any of their fans had in mind; and rightly so because <em>Gangs</em> is as great as it is massive.<br><br>The album begins in emphatic fashion with <em>BEAUTIFULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION</em>, launching crunching guitars towards you before an extended build with technical, finicky riff-age that eventually launches you back into the walls of crushing sound…their formula on display from the outset. In the quieter moments, the classic ‘post rock’ rears its head where calmer moments and melodies build into something massive, ASIWYFA do not fall victim of sounding “just like every other post rock band” though; they have a distinct style, a capacity for the different and the angular and when the noise hits at its climax, you are guaranteed to pick up your air guitar.<br><br><em>Search:Party:Animal</em> and <em>Think:Breathe:Destroy</em> guide you through a myriad of twisting guitar and up tempo drum work effortlessly without sounding too ‘mathy’ or ambiguous. The balance is there, and good thing to for all too often do bands shred to the point that they lose sight of the overall cohesion of the song. ASIWYFA have really nailed it in this respect; they know when and how to unleash the different stages and dynamics of each song.<br><br><em>7 Billion People All Alive At Once</em> and <em>Homes - …Samara To Belfast</em> sweep you through landscapes of music ranging from the soft and beautiful to the aforementioned weight of their heavier moments.<br><br>Like their self titled debut, there are no vocals on this album but there are the occasional "oi’s" and "hah’s" but they are fewer or at least less noticeable this time around which I personally find to be a shame. They were always so well placed and consciously urged the listener into an even higher state of musical frenzy and in a live setting this worked to the bands favor…not to mention they are just so much fun.<br><br>ASIWYFA have tirelessly toured their way through an ever growing army of fans across Europe and the US without losing sight of their roots and continuously wowing critics with their blend of monstrous anthems and technical prowess. That said, the band have not revolutionized themselves with <em>Gangs</em>. They have taken what they knew they were at good first time round, shed some of the cliché post rock elements and pressed on in a direction which at this stage in their career was perhaps a safer bet as opposed to trying something completely new, but it was the right bet. It is always hard for instrumental bands these days to stake their claim in the ‘post rock’ world but ASIWYFA have taken their flag and shattered the earth underneath it to call at least a little piece of it their own.</p>And So I Watch You From Afartag:asiwyfa.com,2005:Post/34895712011-05-12T14:25:00-04:002021-08-12T13:39:57-04:00Ragged Words Review: Gangs<p><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lthfnjrFnm1r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p>
<p><a href="http://raggedwords.com/reviews/album-reviews/album-review-and-so-i-watch-you-afar-gangs" target="_blank"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lthfmwnnA81r1itoc.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>Just how far can instrumental post-rock be pushed before it begins to lose its appeal? <a href="http://raggedwords.com/artists/and-so-i-watch-you-afar">And So I Watch You From Afar</a>’s self-titled debut album was released in 2009 to cries of brilliance from critics and fans alike, who embraced the Northerners' <a href="http://raggedwords.com/reviews/album-reviews/and-so-i-watch-you-afar">"heavy as fuck"</a> sounds as their own. Now, having recently <a href="http://www.raggedwords.com/news/asiwyfa-sign-richter-collective-album-may">made the move</a> from the Derry-based <a href="http://www.smalltownamerica.co.uk/" target="_blank">Smalltown America</a> label to Dublin's <a href="http://www.raggedwords.com/features/interview/interview-unsung-heroes-2010-no1-richter-collective">Richter Collective</a>, the Belfast four-piece are back with an eagerly-anticipated follow-up, Gangs.</p>
<p>Right from the first few chords of album-opener 'BEAUTFIULUNIVERSEMASTERCHAMPION' (because a lack of vocals automatically gives a band the right to call a song whatever they damn well please), you can feel the room shake with apocalyptic musical rage. Screaming guitars and hammering drums assail your ears for the opening twenty seconds, until a pleasant surprise suddenly arrives: ASIWYFA slow things down (by their standards) to an insanely-catchy riff and drum roll, before building back up once more and unleashing another cacophony. It’s hard to believe such volume could be generated by a mere four people.</p>
<p>If this opening sets standards high, the following 'Gang (Starting Never Stopping)' sees the band revert somewhat to the screamcore-without-the-screaming template that proved so successful on their debut. One thing they appear to have mastered with age is the ability to stop at will and allow their huge sound to breathe – if only for a few brief seconds at a time. Such restraint has added an extra dimension to the sounds of fellow post-rock exponents like <a href="http://www.raggedwords.com/reviews/album-reviews/album-review-mogwai-hardcore-will-never-die-you-will">Mogwai</a> and <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CB4QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fraggedwords.com%2Freviews%2Falbum-reviews%2Falbum-review-explosions-sky-take-care-take-care-take-care&ei=2bnLTbqYA8yFhQfpxfyoAg&usg=AFQjCNHFp2bl3gKwEsjDGePqePX28POzVw" target="_blank">Explosions In The Sky</a>, and its presence is notable on a number of these tracks. It's all very well being repeatedly hit over the head with walls of guitar, but sometimes the listener can get just as much enjoyment from a less frenetic, more contemplative style of attack.</p>
<p>Although comparisons with the similarly acronym-friendly Explosions will remain inevitable, ASIWYFA are in fact closer to the brainy dynamics of <a href="http://www.raggedwords.com/news/new-battles-record-gloss-drop-out-june">Battles</a>. The industrial, metallic sound that gives Gangs much of its bark doesn't so much invite itself into your head as force its way inside. As was the case with their first record, there are more than enough guitar and drum hooks here to make up for the absence of vocals; indeed, you get the sense that vocals would only serve as a distraction, diluting the album’s brilliantly-crafted chaos.</p>
<p>This is a record of rounded quality rather than intermittent peaks, but highlights include the uncompromising 'Think:Breath:Destroy', whose brazenly hardcore outro is likely to reverberate around your skull long after Gangs has reached its conclusion, while album-closer 'Lifeproof' performs delightful tricks on the listener's musical vocabulary.</p>
<p>The brutal beauty of these eight tracks might just pass you by on first listen, but on every listen after that Gangs scales musical heights that vocals just sometimes cannot reach.</p>And So I Watch You From Afar