WELCOME TO THE CALVA LOUISE UNIVERSE
The sprawling story of Calva Louise, the band whose members found each other from opposite corners of the world and whose combined influences and experiences, have created a myriad of captivating threads entwined into their existence.
Metal, punk, electronica, and art rock weave through grandiose narratives and cinematic storytelling with a mind-blowing visual delivery. Welcome to the Calva Louise Universe and the release of their new studio album, Edge of the Abyss, which was co-produced by Pendulum's Gareth McGrillen and will be released on July 11 via Mascot Records. The band has also revealed the video for the new single "Aimless" to celebrate the announcement.
Watch it below.
"Aimless" is a reflective catharsis of human communication. Sometimes, it feels like we communicate in monologues where it feels impossible for someone to understand our point of view while simultaneously asking oneself: Do we act the same way towards others?
"The song deals with the fragility of our beliefs but at the same time with the importance of knowing our true essence and standing up for it," Calva Louise's Jess Allanic says.
Calva Louise are currently on tour with Bloodywood. Check out the remaining dates here.
You can trace the Calva Louise project —the "origin" story, if you will — back to 10-year-old Allanic, drawing in her home in Guarenas, on the outskirts of Caracas, Venezuela. There, the genesis of the idea for her story about a hidden world intertwined with our world, began.
The Edge of the Abyss sees characters traveling between different dimensions, with people who mysteriously resemble doubles of each of us, like shadows that seem to stalk us but who, in reality, seek to communicate. Who are these beings? What do they want from us? How can we reach them?
The incredible cinematic sci-fi videos for the album singles show different times and worlds where some characters have encounters with their 'doubles.' "W.T.F" is the prequel of the previous singles: "La Corriente" and "Under The Skin" — all VFX and directed by Jess.
Growing up during Venezuela's most disastrous economic and social crisis, the alternative scene was disappearing. She dreamt of living in the UK. Just before her 16th birthday, Allan made the courageous decision to move more than 7,500km from Caracas to Rouen in France — because it was close to the UK. She was to live in a convent, where she would be told off by nuns for playing guitar along to System of a Down in her bedroom.
Next door was a 1600s "Hogwarts" like school, where she met Alizon Taho. "I was focused on being in a band, and that's exactly when Jess arrived in my class," Alizon says.
They would travel to the UK to play shows with limited English and without knowing anyone. They took every experience presented to them — and the consequences that came with them. They took on jobs, stayed in garages, on sofas, and with "friends of friends." Robbed, scammed and taken advantage of, they stayed in £10 motels that were sometimes surrounded by rats. They would often have to move at very short notice. "I had one suitcase and my guitar," Jess says.
"Our album is called Edge of the Abyss because that's how we live. One misstep and everything could fall apart," Jess says. "I emigrated twice, so I've already had a culture shock twice. This hurts a little less because this is where I want to be. I have nowhere to go back to," she continues.
Drummer Ben Parker — who grew up in New Zealand and moved to the UK aged 14 — completed the line-up. They immediately built a captivating relationship. All three had moved to the UK from overseas and found each other.
They built an impressive DIY spirit and formidable reputation on the UK live circuit through performances at Download, 2000Trees, a headline performance on the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds festival, as well as tours with Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Razorlight, Boston Manor, and Bloodywood. The US saw a co-headline tour with Vukovi and festival slots at Welcome to Rockville, So What?, Sonic Temple, Riot Fest, SXSW, and Shiprocked.
2023's independently released mixtape Over The Threshold saw Jess' creativity truly explode. It also caught the attention of Pendulum's Gareth McGrillen who went on to co-produce Edge of the Abyss.
They've picked up support from BBC Radio 1's Rock Show, Introducing Rock, Future Alternative, and Future Artists, Kerrang! Radio, Primordial, Metal Hammer, Rock Sound, Kerrang!, and Revolver, who delved into their multiple-worlds-spanning story.
The 10-year-old girl in Guarenas, drawing the first paintings of her sci-fi story, was linked by destiny with the young French child who was dreaming of forming a band and then, years later, had the chance to meet the New Zealander in London, who had picked up the sticks also aged 10, with the plan to be a great musician — they finally have found their way and their home together. Calva Louise, the British multi-cultural band, started with a vision that they passionately continue to grow, creating a fresh and unique experience with each release.
"Our willpower never dies, that's the thing. It's been hard learning every day, but look at the friendship we have. We say that it's like the path of the warrior," Jess exclaims.
CALVA LOUISE ARE:
Jess Allanic —Vocals+ Guitar+ Keyboard
Alizon Taho — Bass + Backing Vocals
Ben Parker — Drum + Backing Vocals