SNH: How did Warm Digits come together? Was there an idea of the sound you wanted?
Warm Digits : We had known each other for ages in Newcastle – both playing on each other’s projects (Cathode and The Matinee Orchestra). As Warm Digits, we were originally a laptop duo, making dubbed-out techno, heavily influenced by Basic Channel. After a few gigs, we were asked to do a live score for a work by (Canadian film maker) Norman McLaren. In rehearsals for this, it became clear that the dual laptop didn’t really work for the scoring project, and we decided to try using instruments that we both played – drums and guitar – and we soon realised that it worked better than the dual laptop, and we have developed Warm Digits in that format since then.
How did you come to call yourself Warm Digits?
Steve’s partner said to him that she had cold digits – Steve thought this would be a good name for our band. However, we thought it was to Northern European, and so changed cold for warm.
How would you guys describe your sound? Is krautadelic a fair description?
Blizzardwave, Trans-Pennine, Krautaphonic duo.
I can hear splashes of Trans Am & Neu! as well as a plethora of other musical greats. Who are your personal biggest influences in music?Yes – Neu! and Trans AM. Bands that we have talked about around this project have a wide range of connections – My Bloody Valentine, Lindstrom and Prins Thomas, Chris Corsano, Kraftwerk, Can, Harmonia, Michael Rother, Bob Moog, Emeralds, Drexciya…
What’s your plans for the upcoming year?
We are releasing a 7” on Signals record label. Another tour. Another album…
You guys have played the odd show, any stand out gigs you’ve played? Any particular shows you looking forward to?
We enjoyed supporting Goblin at The Sage in Gateshead. Our album launch at the Star and Shadow in Newcastle was pretty cool. It was fun to go Berlin and play earlier this year. It is always great to support Field Music (which we did at The Deaf Institute in Manchester). We love playing live – and it’s nice to play outside of Newcastle – we’ve done about 30 shows there, and have a great following, so we are looking forward to taking our show to other cities.
With names like Weapons Destruction and Grapefruit, what are your songs titles about?
Weapons Destruction is an anti-nuclear weapons track. Often song titles come out of research – it’s great to read around things we are interested in and find titles there. Also some of our song titles come from experiences we have. For example, Trans-Pennine Express is the train line that we use to visit each other (Newcastle-Manchester), and, of course, it is also homage to Kraftwerk.
Weapons Destruction by Warm Digits
Can you give us a heads up on some of the lesser known bands in the Tyneside/Mancunian area?
Quack Quack are amazing. Silver Fox are great. Rachel Lancaster is amazing.
Beards from Leeds are brill. Razmataz Lorry Excitement played a blinder at a club gig we did recently.
Sometimes your music sounds like being trapped in a computer game. What computer
game are you (?), and what is the best video game EVER?!
We are a BBC programme-it-yourself computer manual. (Andy likes Pacman).
PLAY PACMAN HERE
And lastly, an odd Warm Digits fact please?
One member of Warm Digits was in the original line-up of the 90s pop band Orlando (he left before the time of this video, due to musical differences)
Catch the marvellous Warm Digits, along with Gum Takes Tooth and Pseudo Nippon on Tuesday 25th October for Free at The Old Blue Last. Details on our events page or Facebook here
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