Silver Gore is turning fantasy into music
Ethan P. Flynn, whose producer credits span the likes of FKA Twigs and David Byrne, and Ava Gore have worked together since 2021 when the latter joined Flynn’s solo band as his drummer. Now, the couple-come- professional duo are issuing an invitation inside their twisted maze of inspirations, provided you say the correct magical phrase. Pulling on director Jim Henson’s work in Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, their techno-pop band Silver Gore recently released its debut single ‘Dogs in Heaven’, combining a whimsical world with haunting electric notes. Watched over by an unnamed (and, if it needed clarifying, imaginary) white “dragon-dog”, the track plays with genres to reflect on a period of time Gore spent at home rewatching All Dogs Go to Heaven, from which the single and accompanying EP get their name.
Daisy Finch: When did you decide to officially collaborate as Silver Gore?
Ethan P. Flynn: In 2021, I was starting a new band for my
live show and I knew Ava was a drummer. One day, we jammed our song ‘All The Good Men’ just for fun. We kind of both forgot about it. But we always spoke about doing a band, with Ava being the main singer. A few months later, we made the song ‘25 Meters’. I knew Ava was an amazing singer. So, we made that in the studio and after that [Silver Gore] just became a thing. When we finished this EP we decided to be a band and take it seriously — try to get a record deal and stuff. We only really named ourselves just before we’d finished the last song on the EP.
DF: It’s such a distinctive band name. Where did Silver Gore come from?
Ava Gore: It’s kind of like Terminator…
EF: Terminator 2.
AG: Terminator 2, where you cut somebody open and there’s wires and metal and silver. And my last name is Gore. We were talking about baby names — I just like thinking about cool names — and I thought Silver was a nice name for a girl; so she would be called Silver Gore. And then we were like, That’s a cool band name.
DF: Your music plays around with genres but it’s also got a very unique look. Where did you find your inspiration?
AG: We take quite a lot from Labyrinth — that’s a visual reference. Also the music [in the film] I really love as well.
EF: Ava was always referencing Labyrinth and I was always referencing The Dark Crystal. It’s two different things within the same kind of world. I like that vibe — the whimsical fantasy stuff.
DF: The fantasy inspiration makes a lot of sense alongside your EP cover. Could you explain the large dog-like figure looming in the background behind you both?
EF: It was Ava’s idea — I really wanted it to look like Black Sheep, the Australian horror movie. It’s just something that really ties the songs together, there’s always a third character you know? So we made a third character — this dog in heaven.
AG: It’s a dragon dog. It’s a mutant creature, a kind of spirit character. We wanted to be less front-facing [because] the project is rooted in fantasy. When we’re in character we’re not meant to be in this world.
DF: This project seems to have provided a lot of space for experimentation, with fictional characters and spirit worlds. How has it been to have control over this project in a way you haven’t before in previous collaborations?
EF: Sorry to answer your question with a kind of rebuttal, [laughs] but I feel like I’ve had too much control for too long. Now that I’m working with Ava, I have a lot less control and it feels more freeing because, when you have complete control, everything is monopolised by your [own] thoughts.
AG: It also makes the writing process really efficient
because we’re in a relationship and we’ve known each other for a really, really long time. We can just say, like, That’s crap, or, Let’s have more of that. We’re not wasting time protecting each other’s feelings.
EF: Working with Ava in that way has given me the confidence in my other collaborations to just say how I feel. These days I’m saying, I don’t really like that line, because I’ve learned that from working with Ava. It makes the whole thing better if everyone says what they feel.
AG: We’ve always had a professional and personal dynamic. Obviously it’s intensified now because I’m not doing my old job anymore. It’s my whole life now, but it’s amazing. It’s such a privilege to be able to work with Ethan — I just think he’s the best producer [and] songwriter. It’s a real honour for me. I don’t feel like it’s changed our personal relationship too much because it’s always been kind of business, as well.
DF: Can you tell me what’s next for Silver Gore?
EF: Our next work will be our debut album. This album is really the first work we’ve made as Silver Gore, knowing what Silver Gore sounds like.
AG: We know ourselves now. I’ve not written many songs before this. Now I’ve got those first songs on the EP, it’s nice to be more directional with the writing on the album.
- PhotographerCharlie Cummings
- StylistJojo Golden
- WriterDaisy Finch
- Make-Up ArtistAyopo Abiri using CHARLOTTE TILBURY and DANESSA MYRICKS
- Hair StylistHannah Godley using R+CO
- Fashion AssistantMellisa Okatan
- RetouchingAlice Constance
