Cathedral Bells
Album: Ether
Release Date: 2021
USA
Born from the depths of obscure analog gems, lies dream pop/shoegaze offering, Cathedral Bells. Conceived as a solo experiment in the Fall of 2018, Matthew Messore crafted jangly guitar and synthesizer layered demos in his bedroom. He soon released a self-titled EP in 2019, followed by full-length ‘Velvet Spirit’ in 2020. Drawing from influences of the 80s, 90s, and early 2010s, Messore (joined by Aaron Gollubier on drums and Kyle Hoffer on bass) blends dreamy soundscapes that draw you in. [Spotify]
Thanks for looking out for dream pop/shoegaze! Will you please introduce your band to us?
Matt, Aaron, & Kyle.
How would you compare your new album Ether with Velvet Spirit?
Both albums are similar in most ways. Ether had a different production/mixing process. I think the new album was also a bit more shoegazey. Ether was more of a collaboration between the band, where velvet spirit was all done solo/minimal.
We have picked your amazing single, Dark Aura, for our loop series. How did it come together?
Dark Aura was one of the last songs written for the album. It was written overnight, making this the quickest song I ever came up with for the project. It was made during a transitional time. It felt special to have this track come out on New Year’s Day.
What is the significance of it for you and the album?
It was very slow and unsteady for some songs in the writing process. I was working on new ideas at the time but scratched a lot of it and kept going back to the drawing board. Nothing really felt right or motivating to work on music through such a strange time. I realized the year really started weighing me down and motivation was decreasing. After a few sparks of writing, I began to develop more ideas. Towards finishing the album, I was exhausted and feeling weird. Now that the album is out and we’ve transitioned into a new year, I feel very proud of how the album came out, and I rediscovered my love for crafting music.
What do you think about the future of shoegaze? Also, do you have any modern favorites you can share with us? I know there are so many bands popping up from Japan, for instance.
I think a balance between lo-fi bedroom production and arranging unique mixes. A lot of new artists are making great music.
I dig everything Eyedress is doing. Also Jaguar Sun, Arverne, Citrus Clouds, CD Ghost.
Distortion or reverb?
Reverb
My Bloody Valentine or Slowdive?
MBV
Sonic Youth or Cocteau Twins?
Sonic Youth
What are some songs you listen to in repeat mode (any genre)?
Lyrics: Dark Aura
Won’t you let us go
Reverie within
Jaded from the spell you’ve casted
Battle we can’t win
Suddenly everything fades to grey
Overshadowed
From afar I see a flame burning out
of existence
What is it you want
Can’t you let it be
Passing unfamiliar places
Empty on the streets
Suddenly everything fades to grey
Overshadowed
From afar I see a flame burning out
of existence
Caving in
All the weight is pulling me down
These walls are caving in
Pulling me down all the way down
Tracklist: Ether
1. “Invisible”
2. “Dayflower”
3. “Rewind”
4. “Out of Nowhere”
5. “Dark Aura”
6. “Ether“
7. “Deep End“
8. “Ghost Dream“
