Welsh rockers Prosperina new single Boot, is the latest to be taken from their forthcoming album Flag. The new album sees Prosperina return with their most expansive vision yet. It examines the helplessness and fragmentation of modern life, whilst delving into the emotions of loss, grief and fear. There is a melancholy throughout but a triumphant resolution to this powerful lamentation.
The narrative underpinning Flag will no doubt leave listeners thinking the band wrote it during the current climate, as it’s an album that focuses on an oppressive dystopian existence. But it was recorded in West Wales in December 2018, though it was no less a difficult period for several members of the band, which leant real depth to the darkness at the album’s heart.
Prosperina were also one of the many casualties of the PledgeMusic collapse, though not entirely without irony considering the album’s overarching themes. But despite the large financial loss, the band finally managed to honour their fans prior commitments to them and find the money to enable them to release the album.
Prosperina guitarist, Chris Dean recently spoke to Andy Howells about the music that has inspired him.
What was the first song that made an impact on you?
Nirvana – In Bloom. I heard my brother playing it in his car and had no idea music could sound like that. It was a huge turning point for me and I was straight on to my parents asking for a guitar! And the rest as they say, was history!
What was the first single (or download) you bought?
I appreciate you asking about my first download but I was shopping in Woolworths for singles – RIP!
But the first single might have been Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz. I never really bought singles at all but I saw it on TOTP and just thought he was cool and that opening guitar riff is so simple yet so catchy!
What was the first album you owned?
I think my parents gave me a Beach Boys cassette and my brother gave me Iron Maiden’s Fear Of The Dark, but it wasn’t long until I started buying the Led Zep discography week by week. I’d first bought Physical Graffiti which remains my favourite and worked through all the albums on a weekly basis absorbing them in all their glory!
What’s your constant go to track?
That is constantly changing but let’s say Gardenia by Kyuss. The whole desert rock scene has had a huge impact on me and the band.
What’s your constant go to album?
Soundgarden’s Superunknown. It’s an absolute masterpiece in every right. Not much further comment needed. If you haven’t listened to it then you should probably do that right now.
Who’s your latest music discovery?
I’m a real soft touch for country music and for all you haters out there, there’s a real new wave of cool Americana / country artists breaking through. And Tyler Childers is the man. He’s got it all. Incredible voice, incredible songs. Three chords and the truth!
What’s your own track that best defines you as an artist?
The title track on the upcoming album Flag. It’s a song that really saw all of the band come out of their shells on this new record and the sound of us all in complete synergy. I can speak on behalf of us all and say that we’re really proud of that one.
- Flag by Prosperina will be released on May 21st 2021
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