Look gloomy, the boys always could do that. Now, on their official Glitterhouse-debut the quartet from the South (sic) of the USA has delivered an adequate piece of work that answers the expectations. Jean Yves Tola, founder member alongside singer David Eugene Edwards explains us, what it all means.

The album is called "Secret South". what's it about? "It's about us living in the South" - David (sic) was born in France and speaks with a French accent, so he's a foreigner - "it's not about secrets in the strict sense, but about this special feeling of the South. There nothing is what it seems, everything is open to different interpretations, dark, mysterious."
On the debut-album, "Sackcloth & Ashes", there's a picture of the band, standing in front of a tree, from which only little silver pans are hanging. Somehow this image recalls the "Blair Witch Project." That's a good headword", according to Jean, "and it's exactly what the notion "Secret South" stands for. These little pans are for making pancakes. They're hung in the tree to dry. At the same time they're acting as scarecrows and furthermore they have a spiritual meaning. That's typical of the South."
The "Blair Witch Project" is a good headword in another respect too. Because some 16 Horsepower music would have gone well with it, atmospherically. "Do you think so? Well yes, we have often talked about making film-music. We're very choosy though."

The sound of the new album is very different from its predecessors. It's harsher than the debut-album and there are more sides to it than on the second record. "Well for us this album sounds pretty clean", Jean puts forward, "nevertheless, that is the sound that we were looking for. We rented a lodge in the mountains, dragged our equipment up there and recorded in all tranquillity. In any case, we had set out to seek a new label with this material. Anyhow, I can say, that that's the sound we have been searching for all along."

16 Horsepower used to be signed to A&M. In connection with a large-scaled downsizing-operation the label was downsized and therefore the band suddenly found itself without a recording deal. That was the chance for Glitterhouse, to walk away with the long coveted act. That certainly was a smart move, because with its unusual mixture of drama, religion, voodoo, folk, rock and psychedelic elements the band fully fits the current Glitterhouse trend. How does this brew actually come into existence? "Well, it's like this, David and I write the songs", Jean elucidates, "we don't write as a team though, but separately. The interesting thing about that is, that we're complementary to one another musically speaking."

Does that account for the unusual arrangements too? In which rock-guitars, double-bass with bow, violin and banjo play a fairly equally important role. "The banjo was David's idea", Jean explains, "and you can't give him enough credit for that. The banjo is a rather undervalued instrument. As far as the other arrangements are concerned: sometimes David and I have the same ideas independent of each other. It's about sound and atmosphere after all. For instance David uses the violin to conjure up a certain feeling. When it's really about technique, we bring in guest-musicians. The violin is a very challenging instrument after all."

And what about the contents? The lyrics are absolutely crammed with rich aphorisms full of biblical grandeur. "The religious aspect is pretty important to us", Jean supposes, "David is very serious about this matter too - it is not a gimmick. We're spiritual people, we are - not as far as the institution of the church is concerned though. David is well-read in the Scripture. That's a terrific source of inspiration with powerful themes and images." Isn't it easier to express florid, poetic thoughts, aphorisms, metaphors - big sentiments - using already seriously established wordings? "That's possible indeed". Jean admits, "the biblical language is very strong and intensive. It is very well suited to express emotions and experiences." ... without being ludicrous. Sometimes 16 Horsepower songs equal passionate prayers in intensity (a matter which also interests Nick Cave for example).

For this you naturally need charismatic characters - like David Eugene Edwards. From him you gratefully accept such epic dramatics. Does it help, that his voice bears a lot of resemblance to that of the late Jeffrey Lee Pierce of the Gun Club? "We're often compared to the Gun Club", Jean admits, "but I certainly don't think that we sound like the Gun Club. But we have no problem with that. We like the Gun Club, we grew up with them, they were a real source of inspiration to us. You must stand by your examples." ... as long as you don't copy them - something 16 Horsepower are far removed from. With their special variant of dark, energetic Southern-spiritual-folk-rock (if there is such a thing) they have carved out their own niche. We can look forward to the upcoming tour.