Interview with Heights

Heights are a band that are not ashamed about gatecrashing every atom of your consciousness. The Hertfordshire five-piece thoroughly impressed us at Room Thirteen with their 2009 debut, 'The Land, The Ocean, The Distance' and have been glowing red-hot on our radar with their progressive hardcore ever since. Their involvement with the Red Bull Bedroom Jam last year allowed their music to burrow into more ears than ever before; so as they continue their rough and ready assault upon the UK's music scene we thought we would quickly get a word in and hear all about what they're getting up to.

R13: So what are your plans for 2011? We've heard that a visit to a certain kangaroo-populated country is on the cards...
Heights:We've got loads planned for 2011 so we're looking forward to it. We are just out on the road with Devil Sold His Soul at the moment, then we are indeed off to Australia. Then when we get back our album will be out pretty soon after! So we have a pretty busy six months ahead of us.

R13: Are you able to tell us much about the new album you've been recording or are you going to go all coy like actors from Eastenders and that do when appearing on 'This Morning'?
H: Well if you want a sneak peak then head to a show to hear a few songs! And we also just put out a track called 'Eye For An Eye' with Rock Sound. But in general I think people will just hear a slightly heavier and more mature record.

R13: We thoroughly enjoyed 'The Land, The Ocean, The Distance'. Do you think the UK is ready for the next (wonderful) slap around the face with your hefty sound? Who are you into on the scene here?
H: I do hope so! The album will be a bit of a heftier slap than the EP as its all a bit more riff heavy. There are so many good bands in the scene at the moment, some of our favourite are Brutality Will Prevail, The Ghost Of A Thousand and Flood Of Red.

R13: Of course we've got to mention the success you had with the Red Bull Bedroom Jam, what did getting so far do for your confidence and creativity as a band?
H: It was certainly such a great boost to our confidence in more ways than one. It was really great to see so many people coming out of the woodwork to support us, but it was also a boost to our confidence on stage after the experience of playing on such big stages.

R13: It's been a bit of a tumultuous time at Heights HQ of late really, what with the ceremonious sacking of your management and the subsequent cancellation of tours. Has disaster made you stronger as a band?  What was the main focus to pull you through?
H: What didn't kill us made us stronger! We learnt a huge amount from the whole affair and we've come out the other side very lucky to be working with some great people. Our main focus throughout it all was to get back on the road as soon as we could!

R13: So, when everything has settled and tours can be rescheduled, what can we expect from coming to see you live?
H: Blood, sweat and tears....and new songs!

R13: What are the three highlights of the past year and the top three on the wish list for this year?
H: Our tour in November with Flood of Red and House vs Hurricane was a definite highlight for us, we had an absolute blast on that tour and made some great friends. Other highlights would definitely have to be playing the festivals in the summer and laying down the tracks for our album. Our wish list for this year must be to get our album out to as many people as we can, play as many shows as we can and visit as many new places as we can.

R13: If Heights are going to gain a reputation for just one thing, what would you want it to be and why?
H: For being great lovers, for obvious reasons.

R13: If people should listen to only one of your songs to get the best idea of what Heights are about, which one should it be and why?
H: I would head online and check out our new song 'Eye For An Eye', i think its the best flavour of what our album is going to be about.

R13: We heard about the loss of your much loved van to some pesky German police while you were in Europe with Flood of Red. (Please note readers, they were not being naughty boys. The van was apparently, for want of a better word, knackered.) We extend our condolences. Would you like to give a brief eulogy for the van that played such a part in Heights?
H: Our van was born in the summer of 2009 and christened Queen Latifah. She carefully navigated us through tens of thousands of miles of touring and not cleaned once before she was cruelly cut down in her prime. RIP the queen.

To keep up to date with Heights news and to download 'The Land, The Ocean, The Distance' absolutely FREE(!) head over to www.weareheights.com.