TLOBF Introducing // MINKS

You can always count on a bit of obscurity to drum up some substantial interest – although if an informative preface is the objective it can prove particularly vexing. However, that irk is entirely self-centred. What I do know is MINKS is the project of Sean Kilfoyle and he’s carved out a sound that glorifies the seasons of dwindling daylight and the dreariness that brings with it. Besides, as he explained to us ahead of the release of their forthcoming debut album By the Hedge, the urge to put names and faces to music is not always imperative…

How did MINKS come to form?

MINKS never really came to form. It’s myself and some friends (Amalie Bruun among others) who like playing music together. It’s not exactly a band, but it’s not exactly a solo project either.

I’ve scoured the net and there’s very little to be found about who you are. What is a very deliberate move to leave people guessing as to your identity or was that just the way it fell?

I suppose it just fell that way. Music doesn’t really need an identity does it? I just wanted to present the music as something to listen to. Everyone loves films or paintings or whatever other art they enjoy, and if it doesn’t matter what a painter or a director looks like, why should it matter what a musician looks like?

Your sound has been described as “relentlessly sad” by some and “bouncy and buoyant” by others. How would you define the overriding mood of the record?

The record basically spans one year in my life and the thoughts it has contained. To me this is what the record sounds like. I have no grand statement to make, unfortunately.

Some people may find it uplifting and some people may find it morose or dark. I don’t know, perhaps it’s just the mood you are in when you hear it. Often this is how music affects me.

Where do your songs come from? What’s your inspiration?

I’ve thought about this a few times recently. I don’t understand my own personal inspiration. It’s hard for me to be moved by something enough to be consciously aware of it as my inspiration. People will compare MINKS to other bands, and while I don’t think that their comparisons are necessarily wrong, most often I’ve not been listening to the band I’ve been compared to, and I’ll wonder to myself: “why does it sound like this?” Perhaps my mind is just wired a certain way and I sponge influence or inspiration without thinking about it.

What was the first record you chose and bought for yourself?

The first three albums to change my life were: Oasis – Definitely Maybe, Nirvana – Nevermind and Weezer – The Blue Album. These were the first records that I felt were mine!

How quickly did By the Hedge come together?

It took about six months from start to finish. Most of the songs would be recorded very quickly and then there would be long periods of time where I sat idle. A lot of the time we’d just be sitting down in the studio drinking beer and shooting the shit, which was equally as fun as recording. After the drums and bass were finished, I would go in and finish the songs by myself. Usually at 7 or 8 in the morning and I have no idea why.

You made it onto Stereogum’s 50 Most Anticipated Albums for 2011. What was your reaction to this? Are you wary of the buzz and hype such recognition could create?

I thought it was pretty cool. At first I was reading the list and I saw us before Radiohead, but then realised it was in alphabetical order. I don’t make music to get hyped by blogs, nor am I against blogs doing what they do. It just seems the way it is right now. I’m not going to lie, I find out about a lot of new bands through blogs that I otherwise would never find and I’m leaning towards thinking that it’s a good thing.

What song can’t you stop listening to at the moment?

‘Greensleeves’ by John Coltrane. I’ve probably listened to this song every single day for the past year.

We’d like you to make us a mix-tape. Let’s kick off with the opening five tracks…

The Softies – ‘Sleep Away Your Troubles’
Belle and Sebastian – ‘If You’re Feeling Sinister’
Vincent Gallo – ‘I Wrote This Song for the Girl Paris Hilton’
Vince Guaraldi Trio – ‘Christmas Time Is Here (Vocal)’
The Field – ‘Over the Ice’

What are you doing to pay the bills in Brooklyn?

Slowly dipping into my large trust fund.

Have you played many live shows yet?

Yeah, we’ve played quite a bit this past year with some great bands. In a few months we are going on tour with the Dum Dum Girls.

Are there any plans for some dates in the UK anytime soon?

Probably in April or May…

By the Hedge will be released 11th January via Captured Tracks