Together since 2011, Darwin alt-rock band Green Stone Garden have been wooing Top End audiences with their finely-crafted live shows, lyrical song writing and lush, layered sound. Located somewhere between indie rock and indie folk, land and sea, intimacy and isolation, they take their storytelling and melodic cues from artists such as Arcade Fire, Wilco, Broken Social Scene and Jeff Buckley. Recently the band just took out the award for NT Song of The Year Awards with their song ‘The Island’ winning the rock category!
First up, we’re keen to hear the history behind Green Stone Garden. How did you guys meet each other before forming in 2011?
In 2011 James and myself (Mike) happened to meet in Darwin. We had known each other through music in other places from years before. We started to hang out and strum out the kind of music we each liked on acoustic guitars. This turned into jams nights, support shows then we did our own shows. The music needed another dimension and luckily at a friend’s music listening party we stumbled across ‘The Professor’ Marcel Zimmet who had a great ear, lots of experience and a deep understanding synths and music in general. Then shortly after, at a remote indigenous festival we fortuitously found Paul Dopper who played bass. He had really solid rock chops and somehow fitted right in. All of a sudden we were a harmony driven folk band, who played rock, with synths… we were also great mates. It’s been a slow process since then. Lots of fun jams, plenty of sliced papaya and rice cakes, some very low keys gigs, and more recently some bigger shows.
Last month you launched your debut EP, North. How did it feel to send out your first ever official release?
Mainly elation, maybe some relief. It took a little more time we would have liked to get it over the line but it’s just brilliant to condense a couple of year’s worth of work into 15 minutes and be pretty proud of how it’s all ended up. I feel there is so many conversations, stories, beverages and the odd argument that has been poured into this release, but ultimately it has all been for the benefit of the final unit of our work. We’ve all done releases in different bands before but this one really punctuates our time in Darwin. It represents our relationships in the Top End and who we all are when we’re put together as a band.
The four tracks on North show the different sides of your sound, which is a lush mix of classic indie rock and melodic indie folk. Enough from us, though – how would you describe your own music?
This has been an ongoing debate. We like rock or alt-rock. There was a wryness to the old prerecorded band which has been slowly displaced by a heavier sound that is anthemic at times. Steven Schram helped us define this darker side. The music is definitely emotive and dynamic. It is also deeply rooted in narratives. (please also refer to bio)
We have been described as Grizzly Bear-ish (the band not the animal!)
You’ve cited Arcade Fire and Jeff Buckley as some of your musical inspirations. What else do you guys listen to in the studio?
I’ll list a few artist we actually vibed on during recording of the EP – The Strokes, Duran Duran and Chris Isaak. I wouldn’t be surprised if people didn’t pick this up (actually, maybe I’d prefer they didn’t)
I think the main filter for the music is our instruments. If we played different instruments then we would be an unrecognisably different outfit
You guys recorded the EP with producer Steve Schram, who has worked with the likes of Little Red, San Cisco and The Cat Empire. And if that wasn’t enough, it was mastered by the Grammy-nominated Brian Lucey whose resume includes The Black Keys, The Shins and Sigur Ros. What was it like working with such big names so early on in your career?
It was an honour and totally worth it. Perhaps it would not be worth it if we didn’t work with them… We are a mildly disagreeable band and struggle agreeing on simple tasks like parking configurations. Imparting artistic decisions onto pros like Schramy and Brian was a pleasure. We learnt so much from the process and it made us into a much better band.
And the EP launch, held last month at the Old Town Hall Ruins in your home town of Darwin, looked quite spectacular. How did fans react to the new material?
The setting was perfect for the launch. Darwin comes alive in the dry season and people are energised and ready for new things. The space is beautiful and this sparked energy into the whole night. We we’re really happy with the turnout and had some great feedback from punters.
How’s the music scene up in the North?
They’re calling it a ‘renaissance’. NTune music industry conference and NT Song of the Year awards just highlighted just how vibrant and buoyant the scene is right now. We have a few really good venues that champion our music and we have a great music representation body (Music NT). There have been some very noteworthy national and international successes lately including David Garnham, Sietta, Gurramul and of course Jessica Mauboy. The community is very supportive.
Your first lead single ‘The Island’ has been doing some rounds on Triple J Unearthed, who have famously exposed bands like The Rubens and Ball Park Music. What was it like hearing your music played on the radio for the first time?
It’s pretty exciting. I’ve heard it a few times randomly on the radio which makes you feel pretty good. I think we take the wins like that and use them to fuel our psyches and motivate us to keep recording and playing. Having said that, when you record, then mix, then master, then shoot a clip that whole process does kill your real engagement with the song in some ways. Playing live keeps the songs alive though. It is great to see other people’s reactions too. Goughie saw a random person watching our clip on the street the other day – that’s pretty rad.
Speaking of ‘The Island’, you recently released it’s insane music video. A post-apocalyptic world, zombies buried in the sand, deserted shopping centres – you guys definitely didn’t hold back with your first clip. How was the shooting process, we imagine it must’ve been pretty bizarre.
It was insanely fun. We workshopped the idea with the director for some weeks until we were all happy with the final storyline. Then we spent every minute that we were awake for four days shooting and editing. We wanted to capture the look of Darwin, but it would look like a tourist ad unless there’s something a bit evil in there. We were so lucky to have such skilled people working with us. The Island is a pretty morbid song too so we felt it deserved a darkish theme on the screen. Jonno the director is good at ‘dark’ I think. Check out ‘Van Deimens Land’… people eating people in the rain
How do you plan on topping it? Aliens? Cowboys?
Look out for another bleak one to be released in October…Think more ‘Childs Play’ for that one though
You’re currently in the middle of your national tour, how’s that been treating you so far?
It’s nice to pull out the scarf and my only cardigan. People have been very positive though. Touring from Darwin could be pretty hectic but the ‘guerrilla’ or FIFO method seems to keep it pretty good for your mental health.
What have you got planned for the second half of 2013? Are you heading straight back into the studio, continuing with the touring, or perhaps soaking up some deserved relaxation time?
Yeah, being in the tropical NT you’d think we’d relax more really…Nope, we’re going to go back into the studio later this year, we’re feeling really excited about what we can produce since our debut effort. More live stuff too including a show with some members of the Darwin Symphony Orchestra at Darwin Festival.
Green Stone Garden 2013 Tour Dates
Friday 5th July @ FLY BY NIGHT, HOLDSWORTH ST, FREMANTLE, WA
Saturday 6th July @ HYDE PARK HOTEL, PERTH, WA
Sunday 7th July @ PADDINGTON ALE HOUSE, SCARBOROUGH RD, PERTH, WA
Friday 26th July @ EDINBURGH CASTLE, SYDNEY RD, BRUNSWICK, VIC
Saturday 27th July @ WESLEY ANNE, HIGH STREET, NORTHCOTE, VIC
Watch ‘The Island’ here:
