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Still Corners

January 18, 2016

Still Corners is an Austin-based group formed in 2008 in London, a duo made up by Tessa Murray and Greg Hughes. Their first full length album, Creatures of an Hour, was released in October 2011 on Sub Pop, and their second album, Strange Pleasures, was released in May 2013.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. Tessa: We are in a band called Still Corners. I sing and write with Greg who engineers and plays guitar and keys. Our last two records were out on Sub Pop and we’re just making the finishing touches to our third LP — a darker more brooding type of thing.

Top 3 favorite or most visited websites and why? Tessa: BBC Weather. I’m English, we’re obsessed with the weather. I love looking at the weather in different cities where I’ve lived or thought about living. A bit sad I know.

Greg: That synthesiser cat website place, it’s basically photos of cats on synthesisers.

What brought you to your current home? Tessa: We’re currently in Austin, TX. We wanted to escape the cold winter for a while and thought Austin would provide some inspiration as we finish off the new record. Greg lived here years ago and I’ve always loved the city.

What kinds of things are influencing your music right now? Greg: We’ve been listening to a lot of synth stuff like Klaus Schulze, James Holden. There’s a local band here in Austin we like called S U R V I V E.

Where do you plan to travel next? Greg: Switzerland, we need to hike and breathe in the air.

Favorite dessert? Greg: Arizona all the way. Oh dessert, chocolate.

Still Corners band photo

How did your interest in music begin? Greg: The first time I really thought deeply about music was when I heard Surfer Rosa, I was 13 I think. I thought to myself, this is the craziest most beautiful thing I had ever heard. Also it sounded different. At the time I didn’t know what it was but now I know it was the production. Things didn’t sound like that on the radio. I realised then there was this whole other world out there.

Who would you ideally like to collaborate with? Greg: Jim Jarmusch and James from Broadcast.

Do you have any guilty pleasures? Greg: I love Enya.

Most embarrassing moment on stage? Tessa: In Sweden before a show and was sick on stage, just behind an amp. I managed to do it discreetly and kept singing.

What was your first paying job? Tessa:  I worked in a sandwich shop when I was about 13. My sister already worked there and she hooked me up with the job which was cool. The only problem was I was really slow at making sandwiches and coffee. I used to hide downstairs washing up because it meant I didn’t have to deal with any customers.

Horses at Night by Still Corners