Formed in 2016, Newcastle outfit The Pale White are set for a busy 2026, with the release of their new album, ‘Inanimate Objects of the 21st Century’, and an upcoming tour across the UK. Kirsty Jackson caught up with frontman Adam Hope to discuss the band’s inspiration, their creative process, and their enduring love of the North East.
You’ve said that the album is about the contrast between humility and technology in our modern age. What perspective do you hope the listener gains?
This album was written pretty quickly – it felt like a whirlwind of ideas. I had the concept of ‘Inanimate Objects’, and like the last album, ‘The Big Sad’, I tend to channel all the songs I write toward a central theme. I pick elements from each song that connect to that idea. Take ‘Absolute Cinema’, for example. It’s a little more tongue in cheek; it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s essentially a love letter to cinema, though you could link it to the fact that cinemas are slowly becoming inanimate objects – emptier than they once were. It’s bittersweet. I see a future where cinemas might not be around for much longer. Going to the cinema was a special treat for us growing up, but kids today don’t have those memories of the smell of popcorn or the wait between screenings.
I agree – audiences can be engrossed in something and then there’s nothing for a long time…
Exactly. Everyone just watches YouTube streams now – everything’s instantaneous. That’s what ‘Absolute Cinema’ is about. The album as a whole is about stepping back and noticing what’s around you. In a sense, we ourselves have become like inanimate objects. Technology has become sentient in its influence; we rely on it so heavily that we don’t attend cinemas or live shows as much. Especially after the pandemic, it’s like we’ve all been temporarily frozen.
On that note, if your new album could soundtrack any film, what would it be?
Ironically, our last album, ‘The Big Sad’, was more cinematic. This one is intentionally stripped back, raw, and immediate. So, I’d say something like a thriller – a tense, atmospheric story rather than a sweeping epic.
What are you most excited about on your upcoming tour?
We’ve released albums back to back, and we’ve been a band for ten years now. At this stage, you don’t want to disappoint anyone. Some fans come to see us as a nostalgia trip, but I think we’ve reached a point where people take us seriously. There’s excitement around the new material too. This tour will be a showcase of who we are today, blending the melancholic tones of ‘The Big Sad’ with the raucous energy of ‘Inanimate Objects’. It’s Yin and Yang – two sides of the band presented together.
What have you learned since ‘The Big Sad’?
The music industry moves so fast. I wanted to dive straight back into writing and recording, and the entire process for this album – from writing to mixing – took just three months. I began in August and it was finished by October. The pace mirrors the theme of the album: audiences expect constant movement. Momentum is key. Despite the stress, it’s incredibly rewarding.
You take inspiration from the North East in your music. What makes the area so special to you?
It’s the honesty of the North. People here are down to earth – salt of the earth. I’m proud to be from a place that doesn’t try to be anything it’s not. When we were younger, we wanted to leave home for adventure, as many do. But the longer I’ve been away, the more I appreciate Newcastle. ‘The Big Sad’ was almost a dedication to the city, tipping our hats to where we come from. It’s a big part of who we are as a band and as people.
To find out more about the new album and upcoming tour, head to thepalewhite.com.
