Dublin alternative band Cloud Castle Lake didn't think much about how it wanted to make a dent in modern indie rock when it started.
The band, which takes its name from a Vladimir Nabokov short story, began as a laugh when the members were still in school. But after "fake manager" Daniel McAuley realized he could sing, the band began to take its music more seriously. Of course it started by making McAuley the frontman.
As Cloud Castle Lake explored influences like Radiohead, Sigur Ros and others, the band began to hear new melodies in its songs and collaborating with more musicians, the band tells Q104.3 New York's "Out of the Box" with Jonathan Clarke.
"We've always liked playing with other musicians," McAuley says. "We've gotten strings, a choir, percussionists. We always like adding a bit of spice to our music."
Spice isn't the only thing at play, however. The band's song's often unfold in an almost visual way, like a great work of cinematography.
McCauley's falsetto urges the songs forward while bandmates Rory O'Connor, Brendan William Jenkinson and Brendan Doherty add texture, color and depth to the arrangement.
The visual aspect Cloud Castle Lake explored further in a ballet film, for which it composed the music in collaboration with a director and a choreographer.
The band's own music video for its song "Twins" is also visually stunning. You can check it out at the bottom of this page.
Cloud Castle Lake's debut EP, Dandelion, was mixed by Rob Kirwan, known for his work with Hozier and PJ Harvey.
The band's coming debut album, Malingerer, will be released April 20.
Follow Cloud Castle Lake on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Get more information and tour dates here here.
Check out the official music video for Cloud Castle Lake's song "Twins":