We’re a six piece band from sunny Ballarat, Victoria. Just over a year ago we released our debut album ‘In Hindsight’ and after a whole bunch of shows we are backing working on our second, and untitled, release. This month we will be playing at the Tone Deaf birthday party at one our favourite venues in Australia, Ding Dong.
Your debut album, In Hindsight, was released last year. Using some hindsight, have the last 12 months been what you expected it would be?
They’ve been pretty amazing to be honest. We did a few tours off the album and of course the Big Day Out tour this year along side some of our favourite bands. All in all it was a great response.
Looking forward to the next album, how much work have you guys completed on new material?
We are about half way through I’d say. We’re writing a lot more for this one, and spending a lot more time on it. Still yet to have a real idea where we want it to go, however it is shaping up to be different, again.
Is the creative process different this time from when you recorded your debut?
Yes and no. I’ve been using different instruments and programs to produce the new stuff from my end. The dynamic of song writing is the same, I think we just have a clearer idea of what we’re doing this time. Debut albums are a strange thing cause you don’t really know what’s coming next.
Can you give us any hints on what the new songs might sound like?
More rhythmic. Think groovy and ambient, hip hop minus raps. The first album on crack.
And what is influencing you guys this time around?
Honestly, I’ve never got money to buy new albums, it all goes into equipment and general life, so my influences have remained pretty much the same. However you can’t go online and not hear a new track someone’s posted, and you tend to hear such a diverse range of music daily that I guess influences are coming from everywhere. The whole band are into really diverse music right now, from Underworld to Black Moth Super Rainbow to Todd Rundgren and I know Daniel is listening to a lot of classical stuff.
You’re playing Ding Dong for Tone Deaf on Friday 16th August. How long has it been since you guys played live?
It’s been a long time, about six months I think. Our last show was Big Day Out in Perth, which we didn’t even play as a full band at. About an hour before we went on stage John ate some kind of nut and ended up in hospital. We sort of passed around the bass for the show and winged it.
You must be itching to play again, what shenanigans can we expect? Maybe some new tracks?
Plenty of shenanigans and yes we’re debuting some new material!
What are your plans for the rest of 2013?
Continue writing the album I guess and re-inventing ourselves and the live show a bit!
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
Ding Dong Lounge on Friday 16th August
YES Fest in Swan Hill Friday 20 September
Melbourne Uni on Tuesday 8 October
Our album ‘In Hindsight’ is out now on iTunes, or you can grab the cd or vinyl at JB Hifi.
Listen to Star Shards here:
