The Spikes – A Noir Vision Carved in Sound and Image

Iago Haussman, known as The Spikes, delivers a work that feels timeless from the very first listen. His music immediately brings to mind the shadowy intensity of Nick Cave and the artistic fluidity of David Bowie, yet it never feels derivative. It carries a distinct identity rooted in a noir, refined, and deeply expressive approach.

Photography Credit: Costanza Lay

The opening track, Sapling Tree, sets the tone with confidence. The vocal timbre is low and evocative, drawing the listener into an intimate emotional space. The arrangement is minimal, led by a steady piano that anchors the composition. Then, as the chorus unfolds, strings emerge and expand the sonic landscape, giving the track a cinematic depth that resonates long after it ends.

Elegance in Motion

Garden Song follows with a subtle shift in rhythm. The bassline carries a clear nod to The Velvet Underground, adding a gentle groove while maintaining the album’s introspective mood. There’s a nostalgic refinement here, a sense of restraint that allows the emotional weight of the lyrics to breathe. The songwriting feels poetic, almost fragile, yet grounded in authenticity.

Another standout moment arrives with Dancing. The track opens with a cinematic atmosphere, where sound design elements resemble an orchestra tuning in a futuristic dimension. When the song fully unfolds, echoes of Lou Reed can be felt in the phrasing and attitude. The melody carries a gothic waltz quality, delicate yet powerful, capable of stirring deep emotional responses.

Photography Credit: Costanza Lay

Aesthetic and Vision

What sets The Spikes apart is not only the music but the clarity of his artistic vision. This becomes evident in the collaboration with L.G.R, which feels completely organic rather than commercial.

The video for The Garden, directed by Michael Haussman, elevates this vision even further. Shot in a striking black-and-white aesthetic, it unfolds like a short film. Set in a Roman social space, the artist enters and begins to perform, gradually creating a shared emotional experience among the people present.

There’s also a visual echo of Bob Dylan in the artist’s look, particularly through the iconic eyewear, adding another layer of timeless character to the project.

Find The Spikes here:

Spotify
Instagram

For fans of:

Nick Cave • David Bowie • Lou Reed • Velvet Underground