Thirteen Senses return in the new year with their second album entitled "Contact", the follow-up to 2004's "The Invitation". Prior to the release the band head out on three live dates on the thirteenth of October, November and December. Bassist Adam Wilson kindly took some time out ahead of the gigs to answer a few questions about the new album for Music Spotlight.

(Q) You have recently finished recording your second album “Contact”. What can you tell us about the album and the songs on it?

(A) Well, where to start.....basically, the second album is always supposed to be the hardest. Most bands and songwriters spend their whole life leading up to their first album, writing it. This can sometimes span many years. The second album is almost always written on demand to a certain extent. As a song writer and as band, we we're lucky to have an abundance of songs for our second album. Moving to London, and experiencing life as a signed band left us with a wealth of experience from which to draw on.

Notably the main difference is that there is a stronger sense of maturity. In addition to this, experiences playing our generally slow paced first album live, meant that we were almost predisposed to put together some more upbeat tracks too, again this is another prominent difference. We've managed to still maintain what makes us 'us', the songwriting, and the melodies, but we've grown up, become more assertive, and stronger as a band.

(Q) What are you hoping for from the release of Contact?

(A) Basically, all we have ever wanted from any album release is to get the chance to make more. Obviously success in any form (and for us, just hearing from people who really appreciate the music is the best part) is great, but all we want to do, is be able to exist, and make music.

(Q) What have you been doing in the time following the release of The Invitation?

(A) Well, after our last gig (V festival 05) marking the end of the campaign for the Invitation, we have been working on the second album. We had a few songs in place, and spent the majority of the summer piled into a bedroom in our house, constructing the album. We then spent a fair few months in the studio with a fantastic producer Danton Supple, who we recorded the Invitation with.

After that, we then got very bogged down into the throws of 'mixing' which is a crucial part of the proceedings, and we spent a further few months 'tweaking' the album to perfection......or as near as possible! Since the bonafide finishing of the recording side of things, we have spent time on and off rehearsing these songs, and also getting the wheels in motion building up for the release.

(Q) What are your hopes and aspirations for the band for the rest of the year and into 2007?

(A) Well, for the rest of this year, we'd like to do at least a few gigs, and pave the way for a trouble-free release. As for 2007, we'd love to tour our arses off again, all over the UK and definitely around Europe.......that proved to be a fantastic experience last time around......and, on top of everything, have a crack at America....we have a growing fanbase over there, and would LOVE to get the chance to go over and play.

(Q) Do you have a particular favourite track from The Invitation or from the new one, Contact?

(A) I do, I do, by the way, this is Adam, the bass player writing this......My favourite track from the Invitation is probably History. The first time I heard this track I fell in love with the lyrics.....I think it's the closest to a love song that we've ever got, and I think it's just beautiful. As for Contact......I think my favourite has to be a track called 'A lot of Silence Here'. Again, I instantly loved this song when I first heard it. It has come a long way since, but I just love the sumptuous indulgent instrumental sections, that make you feel like you are being swept away on the wind as you lie there dreaming. 

(Q) Do you have any songs left over from the recording of Contact that will go towards a third album or as b-sides?

(A) We do indeed, there are quite a few tracks that came painfully close to making the album but are now being used as B sides. We don't tend to save songs for another future albums, as they seem to document a particular time, and it doesn't always work using old left overs. 

(Q) How do you like to prepare for a gig? Are you looking forward to the three dates coming up?

(A) We like to practice a lot, however it doesn't always work, as wherever we do it......big room, small room, air con, no air con, we get way too hot and have to have regular breaks! These three gig have been such a long time coming....as i said our last performance was V 2005, so we're now gagging to play live....it's a great high, but more than that, we want to showcase our new material in a live setup.....exciting!

(Q) Do you have any interesting facts/stories about the band or its members?

(A) Erm, not really that interesting! Tom is a strict vegetarian, I am only just learning to drive, sometimes when I'm really drunk I wee sitting down! Ha ha, I'd better stop there

(Q) Which other bands have you been listening to lately? Are there any new bands you feel we should look out for?

(A) Well, I did just buy quite a few new albums. Firstly 'Get Cape Wear Cape Fly' is a really quirky and fantastic album. I have also been listening to The Guillemots, The Raconteurs, The Feeling, Thomas Dybdahl, The Killers, and The Zutons......all of these are great. Also, if you have never delved into the world of Sigur Ros, I would recommend doing so right away, they make unbelievable music.

There is one band I would recommend highly.....The Semifinalists.....they appear to be fairly unknown, and are another very quirky band, incorporating a blend of bands like Grandaddy, The Flaming Lips etc, with a spin of their own....very upbeat, original, and analogue!

(Q) If you could pick any five bands to play one ultimate festival, who would you choose and why?

(A) The Beatles: Whether you love or hate them, it is undeniable that what they did for music as a whole should never be forgotten. Queen: Memorable, anthemic, and extremely talented, I've never seen one, but I'm sure a Queen gig would be one of the greatest ever. The Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger, is great to watch, and they are a better live band now than they were in the 70's.
U2. Some of the greatest songs ever, and many have stood the test of time, I don't think many would pass up the chance to get the opportunity to watch this band live.
Thirteen Senses - Because I'm loyal, and you've gotta big yourself up at least a bit!!

(Q) Finally, is there anything else you would like to add?

(A) Well, our new album 'Contact' is due out early 2007, keep checking our website www.thirteensenses.com, and our myspace site www.myspace.com/thirteensenses for updates, exclusive tracks and any other info. Oh and, thankyou for the great questions, and for being our first interview for the forthcoming album!!

Music Spotlight 2006. Visit www.thirteensenses.com for more information on the three gigs, a download of "Contact" from the album of the same name and samples of five other tracks.

Thirteen Senses are:

Will South: Vocals/Piano, Guitar/Keyboards
Tom Welham: Guitar, Keyboards
Adam Wilson: Bass
Brendon James: Drums

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Live Dates:

Oct 13 2006 -  Luminaire, London
Nov 13 2006 -  Luminaire, London
Dec 13 2006 -  Luminaire, London

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Previous Releases:

Album: The Invitation (2004)
Singles: Thru The Glass (2004)
Do No Wrong (2004)
Into The Fire (2004)
Thru The Glass (Re-release) (2005)
The Salt Wound Routine (2005)