This past Tuesday English electropoppers Metronomy showed an unfortunately sparsely-packed Union Transfer the meaning of a “show.” However, it was openers, Cloud Control, who proved to be the evening’s highlight. PHILTHY MAG first met the Aussie indie rockers last summer, when we discussed their sophomore effort, Dream Cave, which blends unrestrained psychedelic rock with delectably catchy indie pop. We later ran into them at Boot & Saddle this January, but I can safely say that their sound and presence easily translates to a mega-room, like UT. Their thirty minute set boasted the highlights of Dream Cave and propelled the audience to the stage-front, before lulling them into a lovely, sugar-coated trance. After the show I caught up with frontman Alister Wright to chat about the band’s nearly past year on the road, their abundance of upcoming dates, and when you might expect some new material.
Izzy Cihak: Your sophomore LP, Dream Cave, has been out for a while now. What have been the highlights of promoting it? You’ve played a ton of shows and made a handful of really cool music videos.
Alister Wright: Yeah, Laneway festival this year was really good. That festival run is like a holiday for bands. Doing our own headline runs in the US, UK, and Australia has also been amazing. We played a festival in Hong Kong. Right now we are back in the states supporting Metronomy on their tour before we play at SASQUATCH festival. I don’t think I can choose one thing out of all that…
For anyone reading this and hasn’t really heard of us, check out the video for “Dojo Rising” that was shot in Bolivia. It’s a pretty amazing video. We also travelled to Iceland to shoot the video for “Scar” – did you know that they serve whale burgers over there? I don’t think that’s any worse than eating a cow or a chicken burger, really. But I digress.
[youtube http://youtu.be/SGSij0-cljI]
Izzy: After all this time, do you currently have a particular favorite album track? I’m currently most partial to “Happy Birthday,” which I just feel is the perfect angsty, synthpop anthem.
Alister: It’s interesting that you mention “Happy Birthday” as a synthpop anthem because there is no synthesizer on that song… HA! But yeah I like that one too. My favorite song changes over time, but at the moment I enjoy playing “Dojo” the most. It always feels right on stage. It’s just such a natural song for me to sing.
Izzy: Have you been working on new music during your time on the road for the past year or so? If so, what can be expected of your future sounds?
Alister: We don’t really write on the road. But as soon as this tour is over we will be writing again. I guess I need time to relax and take stock to feel like I want to write a song. But when I’m off the road and just hanging around with friends, surfing or going to gigs, that’s when songs just start happening. I don’t want to push it, you know what I mean?
Izzy: You’re currently on tour with Metronomy. How did that come about? Is it exciting to get to see the electropop band every night? Were you previously fans?
Alister: Yeah, I was previously a fan. The tour was mainly hooked up through our management, but I’ve known Anna for a while, so I asked her to put in a good word for us. Looks like it worked!
[youtube http://youtu.be/oR9WioRaj7U]
Izzy: And how are the shows? Union Transfer is a much larger stage and larger room than the last time you were in town, at the relatively intimate Boot & Saddle?
Alister: The stages are larger but, unfortunately, due to the nature of support slots, our show is about one third the duration of a regular set. Union Transfer is a beautiful venue though. You guys are lucky to have that in your town.
Izzy: How do you plan to spend the second half of 2014? What are you most excited for?
Alister: After this tour we have nothing planned, so it will be back to writing songs. I’m moving from London back to Australia and am interested in working on some other projects too. Watch this space.
