Following the recent release of their BBC 6 Music playlisted single ‘Switching On’, today, Hull’s LIFE have shared a new remix of the same single by UK Top 10, Mercury Prize nominated Bristol band IDLES. The remix was premiered yesterday by NME who called it “an intimidating, industrial new beast.”
‘Switching On’ was remixed by IDLES guitarist, and long-time friend of the band, Mark Bowen. Honing in on the more exploratory sound of their new single he says:
I have watched LIFE play live well over 100 times and one thing that I really wanted to maintain through the remix is how incredibly tight they are as a band, so I left everything from the original in there. There was something new they were bringing with the song, there’s that assured LIFE sound central but there are experiments in electronics and noise coming closer to the surface. I wanted to push those ideas further, exaggerate them to the point of becoming violent. I often think a remix should eschew the original vocal, all my favourite remixes are unrecognisable as songs, that felt inappropriate here. Mez stays front and centre where he belongs.
Speaking about the collaboration, LIFE frontman Mez Green says:
Switching On is an experimental love-song. When writing the track we homed in on new textures, noises and beats as we continue to fall in love with all aspects of music making, as a result we thought the original single would also work as a remix. Mark Bowen, one of the band’s closest friends, took the helm. Bowen has added some flirtatious sleaze. He has made the track sound like the love you would find coming out the backside of a city at night. It’s seedy, it’s vast and it rains down on you just like IDLES do from their necessary pulpit.
Earlier this year, LIFE also released a video for the new single, which was directed and produced by the band with the help of local filmmaker Josh Moore (who has also collaborated with the band on all of their recent videos). The video channels Wes Anderson-esque colour palettes and symmetrical shots, combining frenetic lighting with dating style video monologues from houseplants trying to find love.
In addition to the new single and remix, LIFE have also finished the first volume of their new zine, ‘Switching On – The Community Collective’. Curated and designed by the band, the 75-page, full colour book brings together poems, lyrics, art, photos, collages, musings and heartfelt stories from all over the world. The zine is pay what you want (£6 minimum) and all profits are being donated to the WISHH (Working Independently to Support Hull Hospitals) Hull Hospitals COVID-19 Appeal. The zine is available to pre-order HERE.
2019 was an incendiary year for the band, which saw them release their critically acclaimed second album ‘A Picture Of Good Health’, earning plaudits from the likes of BBC Radio 6 Music (4 playlisted singles + Album Of the Day) and BBC Radio 1 (Jack Saunder’s Album Of The Weekend) as well as being selected as Liz Kershaw’s Album Of The Year on BBC 6 Music. Similarly, the album has received high praise from a number of major publications as well as featuring in end of year lists from the likes of the Guardian, Dork and more.
Earlier this year the band also went on an arena tour as main support for Kaiser Chiefs, which follows on from their own packed-out UK/EU headline tour and unforgettable album launch in a Camden kebab shop.
LIFE’s latest EU headline tour with Sleep Eater has also now been rescheduled for Winter 2020.
Dates are as follows:
26.10 – Edinburgh – Sneaky Pete’s
27.10 – Manchester – Deaf Institute
28.10 – Hull – Welly Club
29.10 – Sheffield – O2 Academy 2
30.10 – Hebden Bridge – Trades Club
01.11 – Birmingham – O2 Institute 3
02.11 – Bristol – Rough Trade
03.11 – London – Lafayette
04.11 – Nottingham Bodega