Basement Saints: "You see the crowd smiling and think, hey, this makes them happy".

There's an impending question hanging in the air at an old square in Burlada, Northern Spain. Where is the bar? Luckily for Basement Saints, there is a supermarket close by. Now the night can truly begin.

Although this is not the first time that they've come to Spain (lead singer and current guitarist Anton has played with another band here before) it will be a first for Basement Saints. As they chat over cans of San Miguel on a very cold Thursday night, there's still a few months left until the new album, "Spark In The Woods", releases.

"December last year, we started out as a trio. We played gigs all the time, and then we started writing songs together, and recording this year, like a month ago," reflects Anton.

"We all work full time, don't do this all the time, so we did it all ourselves, over the weekends."

It's been a long journey for Basement Saints, and not only because they drove for nine hours from Switzerland to Spain. The band took its first steps in 2012. "There was a different drummer and a second guitar player. But, since the beginning, there was no bass player," Anton says. They all laugh. "Who needs bass players?" adds Robby, who plays the organ. Speaking of shifting band members, Anton adds, almost between laughter: "One of them had to quit because he worked at his mum's Italian restaurant." Then, they recall how another ex-member had to leave after COVID. Molly, the drum player, joined in 2018, and Robby was the latest addition.

The new alum will see the light in October, but they have played most of it tonight, just to practice. "Down South" is the last song on the setlist, one that the crowd welcomes with cheers, and it will be the main title of the album. Anton takes a lighter out, the fire flashes and goes. "This is the spark," he says, referencing the name. "Yes," Robby adds. "The original title was Dark In the Woods, but everyone knows it's dark in the woods. Besides, this is an upbeat song".

Molly nods in agreement. Maybe it is that sentiment within the group that fuels these immersive realms. They innovate and explore new territory, transforming the album into something they are proud of, something the crowds want to hear. Their inspiration comes from the classics, "Like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath," says Robby. "Everybody has their idols. For me, it is John Lord from Deep Purple. He still is a big inspiration for me with the organ."

Behind him, perched over the stage, is a Leslie organ speaker. As the music soared, it spun and pulsed, like a hypnotic spell. "It's rare," he says about it, "but I love how it sounds."

Their forthcoming album echoes the timeless allure of those bands, channelling their energy and raw passion into what is perhaps a more modern sonic tapestry. Each track evokes a sense of nostalgia while blazing new trails, carving out a distinct identity of its own.

"Everybody has their idols. For me, it is John Lord from Deep Purple."

ROBBY

"This is our hobby."

ANTON

"Everyone ends up cheering you. That's really cool."

MOLLY

But they also get inspiration from modern bands like Rival Sons or the American's Dirty Honey, whom they have just played a couple of shows with. "They're cool people," Anton reflects. "They're on another level." Molly chimes in: "It's a bit hard at first because everyone is there for them (Dirty Honey), but then, usually by the end, everyone ends up cheering you. That's really cool."

Throughout the touring process, whether it is as supporters or as the main act, they keep that energy. Sometimes, when they play for an audience, their minds wander to other matters, like what are they going to eat after the show; sometimes, the instrument is all they can think of.

"Today, when I was really getting into it, I realized my part of the stage was... wobbling around!" Robby says. "It was bouncing, so my Hammond started bouncing! I thought, okay, keep it quiet, keep it quiet... so sometimes you actually think about the song, sometimes, it's that."

Molly adds: "Sometimes you see the crowd smiling and think, hey, this makes them happy".

With an upcoming whirlwind of events, including the remaining dates of the Spanish tour and the release of the album and its corresponding singles, they're bracing themselves for what could be a turning point. Anton encapsulates it perfectly: "We hope to enjoy it, that's what the only thing we expect. And the public, too."