Henry Gottelier, the vocalist and guitarist of Brighton-based alt-rockers Saltlake, speaks to Makky Hall about what we can expect from the band’s soon-to-be released single Smoke and Mirrors, the guidance he received from BIMM and his appreciation of the Brighton music scene.

When can we expect Smoke and Mirrors to be released and how can we get our hands on it?

Smoke and Mirrors is due out Sunday, October 16, and it will be available to stream on Spotify and our Facebook page. You will also be able to purchase the single on iTunes.

Are there any differences between this new single and your Bandcamp songs such as Breathe and The Catalyst?

There is no denying that both The Catalyst and Breathe, as well as the rest of our first EP, have quite a raw edge. Smoke and Mirrors is the first introduction to a more melodically driven style that a lot of our new material has naturally progressed towards.

Which artists have inspired the sound you create?

As individuals, we are all influenced and inspired by many different bands and artists of all genres. As a collective, bands such as Young Guns, PVRIS, Arcane Roots and Bring Me The Horizon provide a fair bit of influence. Grunge bands such as Alice in Chains were a big influence on our riff-writing as a band.

Do you feel your music fits in with the Brighton music scene?

I think our music does have its place in the Brighton music scene. As a band, one thing we love about the city is how culturally diverse it is, and how it caters for every genre. This is something that not all cities can offer.

How does the Brighton scene compare to other towns and cities you have performed in?

Brighton’s a special place. It has the buzz of London but with a much tighter community. Having toured the country a few times the one thing that stands out to us about Brighton compared to most cities is just how creative it is. It is a place that is very supportive of live music, which is important in today’s society as we keep seeing that more and more venues are being closed down.

Did Saltlake form at BIMM? And why did you choose to study in Brighton?

Saltlake formed when we were still in school before we enrolled at BIMM. We then relocated to Brighton when we came to study. Out of all the BIMMs available, we felt that the Brighton institution was the right one for us purely because it was the original. Plus it was in Brighton, the coolest city in the country.

How has studying at BIMM influenced you as musicians?

BIMM’s guidance was the biggest influence on us as a band.

Someone with experience always being there to advise or constructively criticise your progress as a band has only helped us become a stronger group.

What were the goals for Saltlake when you formed and in your time together have those goals changed?

Our goals and values as a band have largely remained the same. We are three guys that simply love writing music and playing live. Our main goal as a group is just to push our music to as many people as we can. As long as people keep enjoying watching and listening to us we are going to keep pushing on and creating music for everybody.