NE DISCOVERY #1 – VENUS IN SPIRALS
Manchester alternative rock trio Venus In Spirals have turned heads with their debut EP WORN, a four-track collection that channels the raw spirit of 90s alternative rock through fuzz-drenched guitars, infectious melodies, and deeply personal songwriting. Drawing inspiration from bands such as Dinosaur Jr., Pixies, Medicine and My Bloody Valentine, the Manchester outfit have crafted a release that embraces authenticity over perfection, tackling themes of depression, anxiety and addiction with honesty and heart.
Self-produced and intentionally rough around the edges, WORN captures the energy and emotion that sit at the core of the band’s sound, balancing abrasive guitar textures with memorable hooks. We spoke with vocalist and songwriter Liam Atkin about the making of the EP, the band’s influences, and why embracing imperfections was an essential part of the creative process.
The EP is called WORN. What does that title refer to specifically? People, relationships, places, or the music industry itself?
As a matter of fact, WORN directly refers to the mixing/mastering stage of making WORN. It took over 3 months to finish. I’m still not sure why it took that long. It’s only four songs! But we’re very happy with the final version of the EP. Also, the music industry can be extremely tiring, especially for an independent artist. We have to reach out to promoters, radio stations, playlists, publications, etc. These days you have to be an influencer, a manager, and a promoter, and being a musician on top of that can definitely leave you feeling a bit worn out!
I think we can all relate to that. Ha. A lot of bands cite Dinosaur Jr. and Pixies as influences. Where do you think your sound diverges from those reference points rather than follows them?
That’s a really good question! I think we diverge by using more pop structures. I’m not saying either Dinosaur Jr. or Pixies don’t write great pop songs; they absolutely do! Also, we as a band all have different musical influences. Ethan and I tend to have more crossover with our influences, but Alex is heavily influenced by heavy metal, which brings in a cool dynamic!
There’s a tension on the EP between melody and abrasion. Did you deliberately chase that balance, or did it emerge naturally during recording?
It was definitely a conscious decision. I love the idea of writing these Pop-Rock tunes but making them a little bit dirty/rough sounding. I’ve been trying to chase the perfect mix of both abrasive and pretty for years, I’m getting closer to the noise I hear in my head.
What was the hardest decision you made while putting WORN together? A song left off, a mix choice, a change in direction?
It was actually me letting go of control and letting Alex (drummer) and Ethan (bassist) come up with their own parts. When I typically write songs, I hear the final product, like what the drums and the bass should sound like. But I’ve realised it’s much more rewarding to hear what Alex and Ethan come up with, because it’s usually something I would’ve never thought to do, and it’s a hundred times better! But regarding the recording process, it was extremely straightforward. It was recorded in my living room, nothing fancy, just trying to capture the energy.
Many contemporary alternative bands are looking backwards to 80s and 90s guitar music. Do you see that as inspiration, nostalgia, or something else entirely?
Absolutely, it’s a big source of inspiration and nostalgia. But for me, it’s more than just the alt-rock music of the 80s/90s; it’s the whole scene and aesthetic. I love the fashion, movies and culture of the 90s. I also have a bit of an obsession with 90’s skateboard culture (even though I can’t skateboard), I love looking at images from that time period and it just seemed like such a vibe. I also love the DIY aspect of the 80s/90s. Like making your own records, zines, making your own merch, putting on gigs in a living room, etc. It seemed like the last real counterculture moment.
Manchester has a huge musical legacy. Does being based there create opportunities, or does it make it harder to escape comparison with the past?
It has created so many opportunities for me personally. Everybody has been so supportive, whether that be promoters, other bands, radio stations, etc. I think it’s easier to escape comparisons from the past. Just because music from Manchester has always been so diverse! It’s weird to think that one city could create a band like The Smiths, The Buzzcocks, The Fall, Joy Division, and the Happy Mondays. To me, they all sound completely different from one another, but all come from this city! Must be something in the water.
What aspect of WORN do reviews and listeners tend to overlook in favour of talking about the band’s influences?
I guess the pop elements of our songs. I think listeners sometimes think Oh! Distortion and screamy vocals, well, it must be grunge!!! But in reality, I’m not that heavily influenced by grunge. I loved Nirvana growing up, but other than that I wasn’t an avid listener to grunge. But I’ve always loved The Cars; they’re probably my favourite rock band, along with the Nolans, especially their song ‘Gotta Pull Myself Together’, and, of course, ABBA. I just love really well-written pop music. Pretty much all I’m trying to be is The Cars with a fuzz pedal!
Was there a point during the making of the EP when you realised what the record was actually about, beyond the individual songs?
Yes, right at the end of recording. It wasn’t until Ethan asked me what the songs were about. I don’t write songs with a specific topic in mind; most of my lyrics are a stream of consciousness, bits of phrases pulled from my notebook. It wasn’t until I sat down, read all my lyrics, and realised what I was singing about and what each song means to me personally. That said, I don’t like stating my opinion on what each song is about. I want people to listen and form their own opinions on the song’s meaning and what it means to them.
You’ve already picked up international radio support. Has the response to the EP matched your expectations, or has anything surprised you?
It’s gone beyond my expectations, to be honest. Everything has surprised me. I wasn’t expecting any radio airplay or to be asked to do interviews! (That has been the weirdest part) Or start gaining a small following on social media. I would’ve been happy to have had ten people listen to us. But we’re still a small band; we’ve got to keep grinding, play as many shows as possible. That’s my goal, just play live as much as possible! I’m extremely humbled when people come to watch us perform live.
If someone discovered Venus in Spirals through WORN ten years from now, what would you hope they understood about the band that isn’t obvious on a first listen?
That we’re just three guys making music. I want them to listen to the tracks and say, ‘Well, if these guys can make music, I can also do music! It’d be cool if at least one person heard it and got inspired to start a band! Oh, and we’re secretly a Pop band disguised in fuzz and noise!
WORN is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp. For the latest news, live dates and upcoming shows, follow Venus In Spirals on social media.
RACHEL BROWN
PHOTOS: VENUS IN SPIRALS PRESS
