Struck on Lark

What were the main reasons in reuniting Lark last year? Were previous disbandings purely brought about logistics (band members moving overseas, etcetera)?
Inge and I just realised that we wanted to keep writing music together. The only reason that we stopped the first time was because I wanted to explore the music industry in the UK.

Photo by Lara McCullagh

What can we expect from your third album, "Gong Is Struck"? I hear that there were some unusual recording techniques employed.

We recorded it in a similar way to how bands recorded in the 1970s: tape machines, analogue mixing desks etcetera. It's quite tribal, even primal in nature, but it's electronic at heart. It makes for an interesting blend of ideas. We broke quite a lot of equipment in making this album.

How does this album differ from "Razbliuto" and "Mouth Of Me"?

It's Lark grown up - more focused in some ways. "Razbliuto", particularly, was quite wild and flamboyant in comparison. Every song felt like it was actually five songs mashed together. "Gong Is Struck" is all about pulse and exploring the possibilities of a single idea. This album is all about movement, tapping into something deeper, a primal level where we relate to music instinctively.

Creating the album via Skype must have been fairly challenging; what were some of the pros and cons of this process?

With me in London and Inge in Cape Town, it provided a way for us to do the album in the first place, which was the important part. It's not ideal because sometimes the magic happens when we're in the same studio together. That's why it took so long to finish - we had to work on it whenever I had a chance to come back to South Africa.

The title "Gong Is Struck" has a very definite and powerful feeling to it. What was the thinking behind this title? Is it a reflection of the tracks?

The name itself comes from the description of a certain ritual. The last line of the instructions being "Gong Is Struck" to symbolise the ending of one experience and the beginning of another. This album represents that very thing for Lark, the ending of a difficult few years and a new beginning.

The new album contains a cover of We Are Growing. Not a song I would initially have linked to the Lark sound. Why the decision to cover it?

Inge always had a love for that song and it fitted with how the album was starting to sound. It's a beautiful song and it needed to be reborn.

Are you looking forward to the national tour? Any exciting dramatic stage tricks planned that you can share with us?

Very excited. You can be sure that there will be some theatrics. Inge's performance has morphed to fit the energy of the new album: primal, animalistic, awesome.

Which local bands do you enjoy and are inspired by?

Always impressed by Mr Cat and the Jackal, they have such great energy.

If Lark could be characterised as an animal, what would it be and why?

There's a song on the new album called Two Wolves, which speaks about the duality inherent in human nature. We each have two opposing voices that pull at us when we reach a fork in the road. I think that is a good symbol for the band, the two wolves balanced in a delicate tug of war.

What's next for Lark, after the new album touring hoopla has died down somewhat?

New music videos, some international shows, as much performing as possible.

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