By Mark Tavender | Photography Wayne Bordoli Photography
A decade in the making, Komputaband’s ‘Silent Hours’ is finally here, and it was worth the wait.
Komputaband’s debut album in 2013 was a pure electronic affair, but ‘Silent Hours’ sees the duo expanding their sonic palette, layering in indie-inspired riffs and basslines that effortlessly blend with their electronic core. Fans of Tears For Fears, Air, MGMT, and New Order will find much to love in this richly textured soundscape.
I sat down with Dave Oswald and Gary Bell (Lee Dolman and The Komputa couldn’t make it) in Baba Yaga’s to delve into the story behind this long-awaited release. The band’s origins trace back to 2012, when Dave and Lee, longtime friends, joined forces with Gary to explore their shared passion for electronic music. Their initial goal was to create music for TV and film, hence the fitting moniker “Komputaband.” However, the demands of their busy lives meant that this ambition took a backseat, although they continued to write and record whenever they could. This extended gestation period allowed Komputaband’s sound to evolve organically. “Silent Hours” is a testament to this evolution, showcasing a more layered and nuanced approach to songwriting.
Why have the band decided to bring out an album of their new music now?
“It’s like having a painting hidden away in the attic,” Dave explains. “We didn’t want to look back with regret, wishing we’d shared our music. If even one person connects with it, that’s enough for us.”
Both Dave and Gary are multi-instrumentalists, with Gary modestly admitting to being the more proficient of the two. He attributes his musicality to a combination of “nature and nurture,” having grown up in a musical family and first picking up a guitar at the tender age of five. Their true passion, however, lies in the recording process. Having started with a four-track recorder, they embraced the advancements in technology, finding it easier to capture their ideas directly onto a computer.
The album is full of intriguing lyrical vignettes, some with a distinctly dark edge. When questioned about the inspiration behind these lyrics, Dave reveals, “It’s really all imagined scenarios. Sometimes I don’t even have lyrics when I start; I just come up with words to fit the music.” This, of course, is the beauty of music – its subjectivity. A song crafted over countless hours can resonate with different listeners in profoundly different ways. With a wealth of material still waiting to be released, Komputaband are keen to maintain their momentum and continue sharing their unique musical vision with the world. ‘Silent Hours’ is a compelling reminder that good things come to those who wait. Their sound is a glorious collision of pulsating synths, infectious grooves, and hauntingly beautiful melodies. Imagine if Kraftwerk took a detour through a darkwave club, then emerged blinking in the shimmering dawn of a rave via a stopover at an indie club. It’s a heady mix, and one that’s utterly captivating.
