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| 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. |