Scrapbook: Alpines Flip Through their Old Photo Albums

Alpines

are the perfect of example of an act who understand that sonics pack a far more powerful punch when presented with complimentary visuals. Every time they release a video I'm blown away because with each bar of dramatic, R&B-tinged trip-pop, they create a world that's alien, unexpected, and arresting. Their imagery's as sensual and impactful as their songs. Sometimes it's baroque and ritualistically strange like

"Empire,"

sometimes stripped and minimalist like

"Cocoon."

Whatever best befits the song, this London duo nail it.

They're down for musical experimentation too, having worked with Maya Jane Coles and Dark Sky and SubFocus, but the core of Alpines is centered around the pulsing passion and tight-knit partnership between Catherine Pockson and Bob Matthews.

Check out their lately released video for single "Oasis" (above). With a fresh twist on their established sound, the black and white video is a nod to Goddard's Alphaville (more on which below). Meanwhile the palpable tension played out in each frame perfectly echoes Catherine's lyrics which glide over slo-mo dubby synth pops.

Below is a selection of snaps from the pair's old photo albums as they chart their stylistic and musical evolution.

Catherine: This is one of the only photos of me as baby with my little bro. My brother is a total hero and inspiration, last night at our show he was running around the venue with glow sticks and a bum bag selling our merchandise. He is the best band aid there is. Bob: This is me beginning a lifelong fascination with computers. I suppose you could say this is an early encounter with the main instrument I play on the album! Although hopefully the technology has improved slightly since this was taken.

Bob: I don't know why but I decided to go out and jam in a field when I was on holiday with my family. My dad took this shot. That summer I was just getting into recording and I remember having my four-track recorder along for that holiday. Influences ranged from The Offspring to Limp Bizkit. I think I’m 15-16 in this shot, the jeans would have been much baggier if you’d have caught me a year or so earlier! At this point I was thankfully leaving my Limp Bizkit/grunger phase.

Catherine: Here I am singing and playing piano at one of my best friend’s birthdays in the Isle of Wight, above all else I think the very questionable styling needs to be discussed here: granny cardigan, 70s dress, and 80s Atzec ski leggings. Not a solid look… and to think I was at fashion school the year before this was taken.

Catherine at her university prom.

Catherine: What I love about this photo is that I am still in touch will pretty much everyone in this picture. I love that I am wearing my Abbey Road bag and trying to pose like Erin O’Connor and failing miserably. This reminds me of such happy times when you are young and carefree. My friend Dan (the one with the claw hand) is going to kill me for publishing this, sorry Dan.

Catherine: This is the first festival I ever went to with Bob. The festival is called Farm Fest in Somerset. Funnily enough we have been asked to play it this year. Just when I think my styling can’t get any more ridiculous I discover this gem!

Catherine: The picture of us sitting on the stage was taken at a friends very small boutique festival. At that time, right at the start of the band in 2010 I think we were still figuring out our style, Bob has always been very classic in his approach to dressing and always looks great I think. Here he's wearing a black uniqlo shirt and black jeans. His hair is longer here which is actually really nice. I am wearing one of my favorite jumpers [sweaters] which is by Jaeger. It shimmers gold, which is always a must and hangs beautifully. I'm wearing a vintage black silk slip underneath and a bowler hat. I remember being so nervous at that gig because some of the XL Records crew were in the audience. Looking at this pic makes me feel we have come along way which is really nice.

Bob: On the left is where some of the earliest Alpines tracks were put down, in my bedroom at my house in Tooting. And here on the right is me in our current studio, a bit more space, and not in the same room as my bed! This is where most of the album was written and recorded.

Catherine: This booth was in Rough Trade East when we were seeing a friend’s photo exhibition. I think we are trying to be rock 'n' roll or something, but that is kind of endearing so I thought it had to be added to the collection.

Catherine: This is me more recently when we were on a shoot for our latest single "Oasis" which I styled and directed. This is the case for all the press shots and album artwork in this campaign. I wanted all the images that we will be releasing over the coming weeks to feel like an intimate set of film stills. I was very inspired by old Hollywood and 60s Paris. I'm obsessed with iconic characters such as Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg and this really inspired the imagery.

Catherine: This shot of the camel coat with us in sunglasses in particular really mimics high fashion campaigns, in particular Celine and Saint Laurent. I love the split screen, which frames both Bob and I separately and the warmth of the palm trees in the background, with the contrast of us in winter clothes. I always think winter clothing is more chic. I love a turtleneck, so I’m so happy that they have come back into fashion! I bought that coat in my local charity shop the day before the shoot—it's vintage Valentino and so lovely. The pockets are very pronounced and 60s in style which I also love. Bob is wearing his tailored Reiss coat. The shoot took place in the palm house in Kew Gardens, which is near our studio in South West London. It's an incredible haven for plant life from all over the world.

Catherine: Here are some stills from behind the scenes at the shoot for "Oasis." Bob wore the same look throughout the shoot which was a shirt and suit trousers with brogues. Very classic, referencing the lead actor in Alphaville directed by Jean Luc Goddard in the 60s. The black dress that I wore is mine. I bought it in a flea market in Paris, it is a french vintage classic mac-esque dress that you belt around the waist. It was the perfect item to wear to try and emulate Anna Karina in Alphaville. The ostrich feather robe I wear at the end of the video is actually by Agent Provocateur and was lent to me by my friend and model Chloe, who modelled for AP.

Catherine: I suppose there is a real transformation when we go on stage and when we perform in videos. We are very inspired by Hollywood films across the ages and new wave cinema. To be the best performer I believe you need to take on a more heightened version of yourself, just up your game a couple of notches! I love to add glamor on stage and experiment with clothing and style. But I am definitely learning my style and classic 60s/70s styling is what I am most drawn to these days.

Catherin: In the past we've worked with some amazing designers, namely Hannah Marshall, Dominic Jones, KTZ, Georgia Hardinge [Catherine pictured in GH above], Tessa Edwards, and Charlie Casely-Hayford. Nearly all of which we have become friends with which is so nice. There are some super talented designers out there and I'm always keeping my eyes peeled. I collaborated with Instagram for London Fashion Week in February talking about just this, which was a great opportunity. Read all about it here.

Brigitte Bardot and Jean Luc Goddard.

Catherine: What a power couple! I love this shot. Brigitte is such an icon and Goddard is such a visual force. This period of film and fashion has been very influential on Bob and I over the past year, which can be seen most of all in our video for "Oasis" (above), which references Alphaville directed by Goddard.

Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe.

Catherine: We have both read Kids by Patti Smith and fell completely in love with her and Robert—who hasn’t?! Patti is such an incredible person and inspiration for any artist or writer or poet. They way she sees and feels gives me constant inspiration. The love and belief that they had for each other is such a beautiful thing. I suppose above all, that bond of their artistry reminds me of how lucky I am to have met Bob.

Alpines debut album Oasis is out May 26 via Untrue Records.