Perth Music

Stu Macleod
Eskimo Joe

Q. First of all can you tell us what is happening with the band at the moment? Has recording started on the new album or is the writing process still going on?

The band is tucked away in Big Jesus Burger studios in Surrey Hills, Sydney, as we speak. We’re all really excited, it’s sounding great.

Q. With Girl having such a great response, would you say the writing and recording process has/will change/d for the next album? Has the process changed since the band started and on a similar note has the band changed since starting?

Yeah, I think the first album, and the previous E.Ps, were more of a collaborative effort as far as basic song structures and lyrics are concerned. We were also a lot more prepared this time coming into the studio, as we have been recording demos in our home studio for the last year or so.

Q. What is the songwriting process for the band? As lead singer does Kav write all the songs or is it a collective product? Do you write the lyrics and music together or one first and then the other?

As I said, these days it’s mostly Kav’s inspiration that we draw from. He’s in a really good space at the moment, as far as his lyrics and his voice are maturing really nicely. He draws the lines, Joel and I colour it in, it’s a beautiful thing…

Q. I believe Joel has been producing some albums for some other Perth bands. Has he been producing for long and is there plans for a Joel produced Eskimo Joe album?

We are all very much into the production of our songs, and Joel has a real ear for sound. His new studio, Debaser, was formed with our friends Rodney Aravena and Andy Lawson. They’re creating some amazing stuff. You’ll definately hear it soon. (Little Birdy, The Fergusons, End Of Fashion, Spencer Tracy, The Avenues, Steve Parkin)

Q. Is there plans for another Eastern States tour? Have audiences that go to see you feel different or expect something different than audiences back in Perth?

I’m really looking forward to touring again. It’s a big part of my life now, and I feel like I’m missing something without it, like yearning for summer, or something… I think the expectation is pretty much the same wherever we go, at least that’s what I can judge from the crowd reaction…

Q. When playing live shows, is it important to make every show a spectacle or does it just happen naturally. Do you feed off the crowds reaction or do you try to create a reaction?

It’s a healthy mix. If we can’t give up the energy, the crowd won’t give it back. Butit usually works out. You can be closer to death than life from the night before, flights, driving and the like, but once you step on stage, it disappears… Then you collapse after the show…

Q. There is a lot of interest in Perth bands and Perth music at the moment, do you think there is a particular Perth sound and is it very different from bands from the Eastern States?

I believe Perth bands have an opportunity to grow without feeling a record industry pressure, because, well, it simply isn’t there. There’s no A and R in Perth, and I hope it stays that way.

Q. The Perth music scene seems to have a very tight knit community. Do you think that is why the bands coming from Perth at the moment are all so good?

It definately helps. I know that a lot of the bands we are friends with borrow lots from other bands, be it equipment, couches to crash on, chord progressions, melody… It’s a symbiosis we’re very proud of…

Q. What bands have had the greatest influence on you and who are your favourite bands at the moment both from Perth and from elsewhere?

The Beatles have obviously laid the stones we all walk on, but recently we’ve been inspired a lot by bands like Grandaddy, Thw White Stripes and Coldplay, and we always draw from old favourites like Bowie, Neil Young, Built To Spill, Tom Waits etc… I’d have to say there are quite a few amazing Perth bands at the moment. Look out for Little Birdy, End Of Fashion, and of course, The Sleepy Jackson. A new realease from solo artist Steve Parkin is fricken
amazing, too.

Q. What is your favourite live music venue in Perth? Do you prefer small pub shows with a small audience or bigger festival shows with lots of people cheering you on?

I’d probably say the Globe Theatre, it has a good size room, and doesn’t soung too bad. As far as the whole big crowd versus intimate atmosphere, most of the time I prefer a smaller crowd, up to about 1000, but then sometimes there’s nothing better than looking out over a sea of sweaty, smiling faces and just going… “fuck”… It’s a fucking great job.

Interview by Justin

For more information visit Eskimo Joe’s official site.

Scott O’Donoghue
Little Birdy

Q. Little Birdy are a very new band but has created so much interest and talk in Perth. Do you believe such a quick rise to popularity is a good thing or would you have preferred to be unknown for a while longer?

I believe it is a good thing, if a band are ready for it. We make music that we enjoy, and want other people to enjoy it as well. Most of us in the band have played in other bands around Perth for the last 7 or so years, and enjoy making music together.

Q. With Relapse being the band’s first single, would you say the writing and recording process has been an interesting experience? Have you got an album set for the near future or will there be an EP or two first?

Yes it was an interesting experience for the band. There is so much more that you can bring to a song when you record it than when you play it live. Joel, Andy and Rodney from Debaser studios did a great job with the recording, and were such good fun to work with, and we are all looking forward to recording again as soon as possible.

The EP will be out in early October, however, We are not sure what we are going to do next. The whole idea of doing an Album appeals to us, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the road we take. We have just spent 4 days recording some new demos.

Q. What is the songwriting process for the band? As lead singer does Katy write all the songs or is it a collective product? Do you write the lyrics and music together or one first and then the other?

Katy usually writes the chords and melody, and then brings them into rehearsal. Simon has written a couple of songs as well. We basically play the song and we all figure out different parts, and then spend months arranging to parts. We have often pulled songs apart and pretty much started again if we weren’t happy with all the parts and how the music fitted together. Katy has written all the lyrics for the current songs I think, and I am pretty sure she usually writes them as the start.

Q. Has it been an issue that a lot of people mention the fact that that Katy is Luke Steele’s sister before anything when talking about the band? I believe your music speaks for itself but do you think you can ever get away from that label.

I don’t think it has been an issue. People mention it because they are brother and sister, and I don’t think there is any negative aspect to draw from that. The music and songs are different for each band, and everything that each band does is independent of each other…………so I think we should be able to have our music speak for ourselves.

Q. Is there plans for another Eastern States tour? Have audiences that go to see you feel different or expect something different than audiences back in Perth?

Yes, we are back over there on the 26th of August for shows in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. I don’t think that audiences feel different over there. We have only been there once before and all the shows were well received.

Q. When playing live shows, is it important to make every show a spectacle or does it just happen naturally. Do you feed off the crowds reaction or do you try to create a reaction?

It just happens naturally? I dunno we just play our music, and we all enjoy being on stage and having fun. Some gigs are hard to play for some reason or another, but I think you still need to have fun. It is good if you feel like you are having a shite gig, and you end up winning the crowd over. But, if a crowd is going nuts and loving the music, it makes it a little easier to have fun I guess.

Q. There is a lot of interest in Perth bands and Perth music at the moment, do you think there is a particular Perth sound and is it very different from bands from the Eastern States?

No. I don’t think that there is any one sound of Perth bands. How can there be? There are so many different styles of music. I think there are a lot more good bands per capita in Perth than there is in Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne.

Q. The Perth music scene seems to have a very tight knit community. Do you think that is why the bands coming from Perth at the moment are all so good?

Yes it is very tight knit. It might be, as a lot of people have side projects going on, which means that people play with more people, and better music is made.

Q. What bands have had the greatest influence on you and who are your favourite bands at the moment both from Perth and from elsewhere?

We all have influences from different bands……i suppose the one common ground we find is the beatles. Favourite bands at the moment is Perth would be Fourth Floor Collapse and End of Fashion…….elsewhere in the world, I have been getting into Wilko lately which is awesome.

Q. What is your favourite live music venue in Perth? Do you prefer small pub shows with a small audience or bigger festival shows with lots of people cheering you on?

Probably the Amplifier or the Rosemount Hotel. Ummmm, personally I prefer bigger festival shows with more people, but that’s me.

Interview by Justin

For more information visit Little Birdy’s official site.

Dean Turner
Magic Dirt

Magic Dirt’s fourth album Tough Love is released on the 25th of August. I caught up with the Dirt’s bassist Dean Turner, who wasn’t in the mood to talk, to talk about what’s up.

Q. Magic Dirt have been around for just over 10 years now. Do you think you are the same band that you were when you started or have you evolved with the times?

We are way more disciplined as artists now…we have travelled from honesty to purity…’the times’ never factor into the plan.

Q. With Tough Love being the band’s fourth album, would you say the writing and recording process has changed for the band or is it still the same process, just more experienced?

We do it like this…
live a little…..
..write a little.
we are really slow.

Q. What is the songwriting process for the band? As lead singer does Adalita write all the songs or is it a collective product? Do you write the lyrics and music together or one first and then the other?

They come together in all ways, but mostly Adalita’s ideas.

Q. What do you think of Jebediah’s cover of Pace It on their Gleesides & Sparities album?

When we toured together, Kevin would sing that song every day…at the hotel, at the airport, really pissed in the dressing room…everywhere. Being on the disc is quite a compliment, …cheers guys…ching ching!

Q. Is touring as much fun as it is made up to be? Have you had many shows overseas, and do the audiences that go to see you feel different to audiences back in Australia?

Yes, yes & yes.

Q. When playing live shows, is it important to make every show a spectacle or does it just happen naturally. Do you feed off the crowds reaction or do you try to create a reaction?

Rock’n'roll should be dangerous, touring 4 shows a week makes it pretty hard to be truly on the edge of danger & sustain that nightly, but we try to a least be exciting to experience any night. A reaction is the real goal.

Q. Songs like Dirty Jeans and new single Watch Out Boys are more accessible than older Magic Dirt songs. Do you believe these songs are true Magic Dirt songs or a way to get audiences that wouldn’t necessarily know the band to get to know you?

Of course those songs are true Magic Dirt songs, what a fucked thing to say!(hangs up phone)

Q. What bands have had the greatest influence on you and who are your favourite bands at the moment both from Australia and from elsewhere?

My Bloody Valentine.

Q. I believe Adalita is probably the best “Rock” name around. No question, just thought I’d add that in.

Yep

Q. What is your favourite live music venue? Do you prefer small pub shows with a small audience or bigger festival shows with lots of people cheering you on?

I like the tote, but anywhere we don’t have to turn down is cool…

Drew Goddard
Karnivool

Q. What is the songwriting process for the band? As lead singer does Ian write all the songs or is it a collective product? Do you write the lyrics and music together or one first and then the other?

There’s no set method we use for songwriting. If anyone knows any tried and proven methods please let us know. Lyrics usually always come last, Ian and Jon write the lyrics mainly, Jon more so recently. The only song we’ve completely as a unit is Fade - written in a couple of nights in a rehearsal room.

Q. I’ve seen you guys play in front of a bunch of high school students once (Busselton, 2002), do you enjoy putting on small little sets like that or would you rather the bigger glamour and spectacle of say, a Big Day Out?

Open air festival shows are cool for different reasons, as are smaller venue shows. There’s a totally different atmosphere at both. We haven’t played main stage big day out, as amazing as that would be I think I would always prefer the intensity and intimacy of a smallish club filled with 500 sweaty bodies. There’s nothing quite like it!

Q. Perth is not really known for its production of metal bands. Where do you guys see yourselves in relation to the Perth music scene?

I guess we’re just considered a part of the ‘metal’ scene in Perth, but more of the Heavy Weight Champ, Headshot Subtruck etc. collective. I don’t know if any Australian city in particular is known for it’s metal bands, but there’s a lot of quality metal in this city, so here’s to hoping that ourselves and the others can maybe put Perth on the map?

Q. You guys have had a very long break recently. Do you just want to get back out there on that stage and start doing your thing again or has this time off been good for the band?

The time off for the band has been very beneficial. Mainly for the reason that we can devote our time more on songwriting and recording for the new album. But our craving for the stage is stronger than ever before, we’ll come back refreshed as ever and ready to put on a kick arse show.

Q. You’ve listed Deftones and Tool as influential bands, who are your favourite bands at the moment from Perth and from elsewhere?

Not so much the Deftones these days I don’t think, Tool has always been a big influence on us. At the risk of name dropping, here’s a few Perth bands that are really doing it for me/us at the moment… HWC, Subtruck, Headshot, Head Filled Attraction, End of Fashion, Mr Sandman, Dave Mann Collective, Rollerskates, Josivac, Civilised. (To name a few). As far as elsewhere, Devin Townsend has by far been the most influential figure on me in the last two years, not to mention ever. Other recent influences worth a mention are Meshuggah and Cog.

Q. What is your favourite live music venue in Perth?

The Rosemount!

Q. How was the transition for Jon and Ray into the band? Was it an instant thing where it all just seemed right or did it take a while to settle?

Straight after the first gig with those two I knew we’d done the right thing, it clicked pretty much straight away.

Q. The name ‘Karnivool’ is obviously taken from the event of fun and good times. What is the real reason behind it?

No idea to be honest!

Q. It’s quite obvious that local Perth rock bands such as Sleepy Jackson, End Of Fashion. Jebediah and Eskimo Joe all are very close personally. Is this the same for the metal scene? If so, which other local metal bands do you associate with?

It’s a very close scene in general, the guys in HWC and Headshot are some of our closest friends, but being the gig pigs we are, we’ve become quite close to bands in a variety of genres. It’s a very friendly music scene.

Q. So what is on the agenda for Karnivool for the rest of the year and into 2004?

We’re going to continue writing and recording for the full length (it’s getting there, slowly). Towards the end of the year we’ll play some shows and debut a whole bunch of new songs, and maybe a second guitarist! 2004 will be a big year, lots of shows, touring and fun.
Q. What can we expect from the new album?

Something very different. A big eclectic mix. Everything from disturbing filthy music to lush aqua watery music. But still very Karnivool.

Interview by Kane

For more information visit Karnivool’s official site.

Eddie Bouchard
El Horizonte

The bands debut album “Signatures At The Crossroads” is set to be released on the 25th of August. I talked to guitarist Eddie Bouchard about the history, present and future of the hard rockers from the west.

Q. El Horizonte are a pretty new band and you guys moved down from Geraldton to Perth to make it happen. Was it a big decision to move down and has it changed the band in any way?

It was a big decision at the time to move to Perth, as we were only quite young and we didn’t know what on earth we were going to do when we got there besides play music. So income was going to be a problem, but our belief in ourselves and our music kind of overshadowed that concern. It hasn’t changed the band much but I guess it did make us more focused to make the music work for us and to try and make a living out of it.

Q. You have entered quite a few competitions in the few years you’ve been in Perth. Do you think it is important to enter competitions and is it an experience thing or a way of getting your music out to people?

When we first got to Perth we really didn’t know how to go about getting a gig as we didn’t know anyone and we didn’t have a demo, so the only way to get a gig was to do competitions. And shortly after that, other bands noticed us and gave us support slots. And the rest as they say ‘is history’. So I don’t know if it is important to enter competitions but it sure helps if you can’t get a gig.

Q. What is the songwriting process for the band? As lead singer does Ben write all the songs or is it a collective product? Do you write the lyrics and music together or one first and then the other?

Of course Ben writes everything, all lead singers write the music, it’s common knowledge. Just look at Led Zepplin, the Who, Black Sabbath, Oasis and Kyuss for example….. No that is not true. At the moment Ben and myself write the music, either Ben will come into the jam with a song, lyrics and melody or I’ll come to the jam with a song, some lyrics and a melody and then the band will “El Horizontify” it and finish it off.

Q. I believe the debut album is just about ready to come out. Do you have a release date, venue, name for the album?

Yeh, the album is called ‘Signatures at the Crossroads’ It is finally ready and will be in stores on the 25th of August with the help of Shock Records. We will be launching the album at the Amplifier Bar on the 22nd of August.

Q. I’m guessing the name El Horizonte is spanish for horizon or something similar. Is there a reason behind the name?

El Horizonte is Spanish for ‘the horizon’. We were originally called ‘horizon’ but I found that there were quite a few cabaret bands in Australia called horizon as well so if we had of kept that name we probably would have been at risk of having legal issues in the future. As well as that ‘horizon’ was kind of obvious and we weren’t really down with that so we changed it to ‘El Horizonte’.

A while back Ben and myself, were crayfishermen and lived on the Abrohlos Islands for 4 months on end. During that time we always got the pleasure of looking out at an amazing horizon everyday. It was quite a profoud and powerful image and something we considered a good way to represent our band. You cant get any bigger than the horizon…….it is deep,wide and brooding.

Q. When playing live shows, is it important to make every show a spectacle or does it just happen naturally. Do you feed off the crowds reaction or do you try to create a reaction?

We just want to give it all our energy when we do shows, whether there be 2 people or 2000 people.. it’s something we do because we are giving the audience our hearts and souls through the music and who we are on stage is who we are when we’re off stage. We feel music is a powerful way to express yourself and we don’t take that lightly. Making every show a spectacle is something we don’t think about or talk about, it’s just the way it is.

We have had to work hard to get a crowd to react to us for so long, so now that is all we know. But hey, maybe we will find out one day though.

Q. There is a lot of interest in Perth bands and Perth music at the moment, do you think there is a particular Perth sound and is it very different from bands from the Eastern States?

I don’t think that the music being made here is all that different from music being made over east. Although I do think there is great diversity in musical styles here. There isn’t really any so called ‘perth sound’. Maybe back in the Jebediah days when the indie/pop thing was happening, but not now. There is no perth sound….sorry.

Q. What bands have had the greatest influence on you and who are your favourite bands at the moment both from Perth and from elsewhere?

In our lifetime we have been inspired by many great bands. Speaking for myself bands such as Black Sabbath, Jimi Hendrix, Faith No More, Deftones, Kyuss, The Who, At the Drive In, Rage Against the Machine, Sepultura, Fugazi and The Beatles have been some to name a few. Good bands….ya know. Bands that have spirit, passion and truth. At the moment I’m listening to Queens of the Stoneage and the Mars Volta. There latest offerings have been nothing short of amazing.

Q. What is your favourite live music venue in Perth? Do you prefer small pub shows with a small audience or bigger shows with lots of people cheering you on?

Our favourite live music venue in Perth would have to be the Amplifier Bar, for the sound and lights. It’s consistently good. Oh, and the girls that work there are oh so cute.

The only difference between the smaller venues and the larger venues such as outdoor concerts is that at outdoor concerts with the bigger stages makes it a little more exhausting for our band. The drum riser seems to be about 17 steps away as opposed to turn around and your there at smaller venues. Although we have no preference, we are partial to all venues, big and small.

Bob Evans

With his debut album “Suburban Kid” set to be released soon, Bob Evans decided to give his first interview ever to us.

Q. You have been playing your acoustic shows for a couple years now without any release or even much publicity. Was recording your songs and releasing them always a plan or did it just kind of happen as the songs evolved?

Kinda both. I guess I’ve always dreamed of doing a solo record since I was 13 but I always dreamed of owning a big house and being wildly popular but I’m not really actively pursuing those goals. I guess it got to the stage a couple of years ago where I started to think I could do it and not completely fuck it up. I felt I had the songs to make a nice album.

Q. Where do you find your inspiration for writing your songs? Is writing acoustic songs a different process then rock songs or do they all start acoustic and some form into rock songs?

I think I approach songwriting for Bob from a different head space. I rarely plug in my electric guitar at home any more so invariably when I pick up the acoustic something Bob like will come out, more often than not. Jebediah has become very much a jam band, where all the songs come out of jams, so I kinda rock out with those guys 3 days a week and pick up my acoustic when I first wake up or late at night. I’m most inspired when I first wake up - often I wake up with a tune in my head that closely relates to my mood that morning. Writing late at night is good too cos it’s peaceful and quiet - usually, and you are kinda more reflective and dreamy late at night, which is good for writing sentimental songs.

Q. Is it hard to perform acoustic songs to a crowd? Is crowd involvement and reactions a big factor while performing or are you in a different state of mind while sitting on stage by yourself just with your guitar?

Yeah it is very difficult. It’s lonely and scary and you feel very vulnerable and exposed but it’s like they say, you have to face your fears, or your weakness’s to overcome them. When all you have to rely on is yourself it makes you work harder - you strain a bit harder for that right note cos no loud guitars are going to drown it out. You stretch a bit harder on the guitar cos you are so exposed every little detail is heard. Crowd reactions are always important when you are performing but sometimes you have to shut yourself out of all that cos it can be very distracting otherwise. But nobody wants people to think they suck and I have the tendency to just collapse in a heap if I get the slightest notion that people are thinking that I suck.

Q. Have you done any/many shows over East? Are there different reactions over there and different expectations? Do you plan on doing more shows East?

Yeah, I’ve done a handful. It’s not that different except perhaps people are a little more surprised over East at seeing me do something different to Jebediah as they don’t imagine me outside of that kind of sound and style, whereas I think people in Perth are less shocked and less surprised.

Q. The rumours are that an album in set to be released soon maybe through Redline Records. Can you give us some more info on release dates, whether a single will be released first, album title, number of tracks, tours?

Well the album is coming out in September on Redline Records, yes. There will be a single and a clip to go with it too, but the single won’t be released commercially, I couldn’t see the point and I’m glad to be away from that whole Major label chart obsession thing for the moment. We’ll give some away and all that I think. The album is going to be called Suburban Kid. It will contain 12 tracks. I will tour it, probably just capital cities at this stage as I have no idea what sought of demand there will be for it.

Q. Has the album been recorded simply acoustically or do you have a backing band/special guests?

Half the record is just acoustic, voice and ambient instruments, while the other half has a full band accompaniment. There are heaps of people on the record - all friends. All the Jebs are on it on different songs, Katy from Little Birdy and Justin from End of Fashion do some singing, Matt from Adam Said Galore plays some drums, as does Al Balmont from Ammonia, all friends who were keen to help me out. Originally I had intended to use The Sleepy Jackson a lot but they ended up spending the vast majority of this year overseas and then two of the guys left and I hadn’t spoken to them in ages and it all looked too difficult to make happen, which was a shame for me, but maybe on the next one.

Q. I have heard comparisons with you and Tim Rogers of You Am I. I know you admire Tim and You Am I and has the country feel to some of your songs come from inspiration from Tim’s solo work?

Of course Tim and You Am I influence me greatly and I am a little embarrassed by how much I make it known to everyone but I simply have too much love for them and their work so I can’t help myself. There are certainly moments that are pretty clearly influenced by Tim but I think it is only a small part, and the record is as much influenced by Elliot Smith, Badly Drawn Boy, The Flaming Lips and Beck as it is by Tim.

Q. I believe you also write songs for two other bands. Is anything else planned for the Ha Ha’s and is it hard to have so many different styles to write for and play? Are the Ha Ha’s planning to release anything?

The Ha Ha’s did a 5 track demo but Fergus our bass player is overseas so it kind of ground to a halt. We will probably make a come back and could release an EP in the future but I am too immersed in Bob and the new Jebediah record to really think about The Ha Ha’s, and I was stretching myself waaaay too thin thinking I could write for all three. It’s too much and they were all suffering from it as a result.

Q. What is your favourite live music venue in Perth for acoustic gigs? Will we ever see some big Bob Evans shows or do you prefer the smaller intimate shows? Can you see Bob Evans at the Big Day Out?

Smaller the better I say at this stage. I liked Mojos and I like the Norfolk and I like The Rosemount front bar. I’d prefer to do three shows in a room that held 60 people than one show that held 200. I like the feeling that you are playing to people in your lounge room and it would be cool to one day put together a series of shows where you built a loungeroom, like a set and the stage was a couch and coffee table and stuff and people sat on rugs on the floor and it was like being at my house.

Q. There is alot of interest in Perth bands and Perth music at the moment, do you think there is a particular Perth sound and is it very different from bands from the Eastern States?

I don’t think there is a Perth sound as such, and perhaps this is what differentiates us from other scenes, because we are a little more original, or less influenced by what is going on in the “industry”. But quite simply at the moment there are just a lot of really good bands here and I am really proud of ‘em all.

Interview by Justin

For more information visit Bob Evans’s official site or Redline Records.