AN force in Britain’s musical sphere, The Staves have been regularly captivating audiences at every turn; whether in the live arena or on record, for the better part of five years.
Touring the globe off the back of their rich, harmony-filled material, the Watford-born trio are not only respected among the folk community but have won over the wider music press and found fans from every pocket of society.
Currently in the midst of a lengthy excursion around the UK, Camilla Stavely-Taylor spoke to TTV about the very prosperous year they’ve experienced and what their plans are going forward into 2016 and beyond.
“It’s been great to be on the road again. The tour has been loads of fun so far. We’ve got some great guys playing horn and string arrangements in some of the tracks which has been a dream come true and has breathed new life into some of the older songs for us.”
Their current jaunt around the UK’s venues brought them to Glasgow’s The Old Fruitmarket last month. One of the most picturesque and magnificent live settings that Scotland has to offer, Camilla spoke warmly of not only the surroundings but also the city’s world renowned crowd that came out to witness their finely-tuned performance.
“That place is so beautiful. I’d never been there before so it was a really pleasant surprise. Glasgow dates are always one of the ones we look forward to on a tour. You lot are just so vocal and up for it which we love. We had so much fun at that gig. With our music sometimes people feel as though they can’t even breathe too loud between songs but when an audience are responsive and have a bit of banter it creates such a great atmosphere for us as performers.”
The release of their If I Was LP heralded the arrival of a new era for the band, one which had both critics and fans commending them for the bold leaps and sonic experimentation which were so prevalent throughout its 12 track duration.
“You never make music for critics to fawn over, but it’s always lovely to have people say nice things about a record you’ve made. Making this album was a real milestone for us both creatively and personally so it feels truly fulfilling to hear that someone has connected with it on a personal level. I think of the times that I’ve been going through something and have heard a song that has truly spoken to me or helped me in some way. Those times are so important, and to think of a person having that with something we’ve made is a massive privilege.
One crucial figure in the production of The Staves’ latest LP from outwith the band’s ranks was Justin Vernon, the American multi-instrumentalist and artist perhaps best known as Bon Iver. Camilla talks of this relationship and insists that the band would be eager to repeat their collaboration at a later date: “Justin was a pivotal part of this record indeed. The whole process of working at his place was life-changing. He’s a person that can make you feel totally at ease and comfortable enough to be vulnerable and creatively free. That’s so important. He of course had some ideas that were alright too! We’d love to work with him again.”
Another important part of their career was their spell supporting Florence + The Machine throughout the UK tour. Playing a variety of shows including a date at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro, Stavely-Taylor is very enthusiastic about the experience: “The Flo tour was really fun. It can be strange playing in massive places but then it can also be very liberating. The stage is big and you can really get in your zone up there. It’s impossible to tell how the tour ‘helped’ us, but it was a cool experience and it’s always fun to play to a different crowd.”
With their own star growing, it must be hard for Camilla and her bandmates to keep up-to-date with what’s happening in the constantly evolving musical landscape. While there are some artists and albums which she loves, she concedes that it’s incredibly hard to keep up: “I’m in dire need of some new music to listen to. I have been to immersed in doing our own thing for ages!
“Feist is a constant inspiration, as is Laura Marling. She does her own thing and changes each album which is refreshing. I have been listen to The War On Drugs’ record but that’s old now I guess. I need new music!”
After a rollercoaster of a year The Staves, are ready for some much-needed rest and relaxation in 2016? “Hopefully we’ll get a little bit of rest before we do anything and then hopefully tour in countries we haven’t been able to pay proper attention to such as the States. I’m sure we’ll feel the urge to create new music soon.”
The Staves’ tour concludes tonight with a sold out show at London’s Roundhouse. Stream the band’s recent Steady EP below:
