Kooyeh’s brand new album Soul Cleansing is spreading like wild fire and is about to set dance floors up and down the East Coast alight with its mix of hard hitting reggae, soul, hip-hop, roots, pop and motown grooves. The up and coming nine-piece Melbourne band originally formed in the Blue Mountains. Their ‘Mountain Top’ Tour is a nod to their spiritual home in the mountains, also referencing their first single ‘Mountain Top’ – a track written about freeing yourself of the city for some relax time, about “something to get that shuffle in your feet”. Playing a string of dates throughout Victoria.
You “traversed the Blue Mountains to Melbourne to record and release” your debut album Soul Cleansing. Was there anything about these locations that affected the record?
The first rhythm tracks were laid down in our hometown Katoomba, but this was only the beginning of what work was to be done. Moving to Melbourne was probably the best decision we’ve made. The city contains a wealth of venues and people that live for art and music. We met almost half our current members in Melbourne and they became a crucial part in the production of Soul Cleansing.
Give us a short rundown of the record. What does it sound like? What inspired it?
Being a homegrown record, you can expect a raw but satisfying sound from Soul Cleansing. The album has roots in reggae, but includes elements of soul, jazz, hip-hop and electronica. Being such a big band, there were many influences and inspirations that made up the finished product. The reggae side of it came largely from the main writers growing up in houses filled with Toots and the Maytals and Bob Marley, whereas the other components were formed from an array of life experiences – from drum and bass warehouse parties to sitting on the balcony with an acoustic guitar, just after listening to Al Green.
Lyrically what can we expect from Soul Cleansing?
The lyrics reflect our lives and the society we have lived in to this day – from love stories to political worries; from the technology takeover to the roots and freedom of living in the countryside. The lyrics are sometimes direct and full of meaning, at other times they are more conceptual and cryptic.
Is the title as apt as it seems? Was making the album an experience that cleansed your souls? Will it cleanse the listeners souls?
From all the time that we spent together in the Kooyeh mansion recording, as well as rehearsing and gigging around town, we all grew both musically and as people. We’re a happy bunch, and the album certainly projects a positive energy. We can only hope that all this hard work will translate into something that will be both tangible and cleansing for the listeners.
Tell us a little bit about your DIY studio. 20 mattresses and other such features is an interesting way to construct a studio!
As the album was entirely self recorded and produced, a lot of room conditioning went in to getting our ‘not so great’ microphones sounding good. The main ingredient was mattresses, with a bit of reflection and mic’ing techniques thrown in the mix. All in all we did the best with what we had. There were a lot of late nights at the Kooyeh mansion, staying up mixing and playing with effects. A lot of it was trial and error although we did have a good set of ears between us – with drummer Louie Michael and guitarist Papa Richie being former live engineers and some of us other boys knowing at least what we wanted to hear.
With four vocalists and numerous other members is the creative process a challenge? How many ideas do you have to juggle at once?
Sam Morrison (bass/vocals) and Isaac Walker (keyboards/vocals) are the chief writers in Kooyeh. Our songs are generally constructed prior to bringing them to the rest of the band. However, by the time the songs are finished, just about everyone in the band will contribute in some way.
You guys are touring throughout September and October. What can we expect from your live performances?
Kooyeh deliver a high energy show that keeps the dance floor buzzing as the spotlight sweeps between each of the singers, the riffing horn players, funky organ, bluesy guitar, and all the while the driving force of the bass.
What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
Michael Franti & Spearhead – Home – Awesome lyrics, funky arrangements and beautiful vocals.
Led Zeppelin – all of them – for the blending and contrast of sweet acoustic folk and heavy handed rock.
What Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with and why?
The Beautiful Girls because they have always been a favourite Australian band of ours not just for their song-writing and abilities but also for the down to earth way of life that is expressed in their lyrics and music.
What’s on the cards for Kooyeh for the rest of the year and early 2014?
We’re starting on our next album at the moment, having at least half of the songs written. We plan to keep the momentum up by releasing film-clips every few months (one coming out very soon) and of course regular gigs around Melbourne and up the East Coast.
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them? [Feel free to include links, dates, album titles etc.]
We are playing at the Evelyn Hotel on Brunswick Street, Fitzroy on the 10th October; as well as a few more gigs around Melbourne throughout the month. You can find our music and videos on various sites that are linked to our main website www.kooyeh.com. You can buy our debut album on iTunes or at kooyeh.bandcamp.com.
Much love, Kooyeh
Kooyeh Tour Dates:
18th Oct – The Night Cat Melbourne
18th Oct: The Nightcat, Fitzroy VIC (Free)
25th Oct: The Nightcat, Fitzroy VIC (Free)
26th Oct: The Central Club, Richmond VIC (Free)
Watch the music video for ‘Haven’t Found A Lady’ Feat:Jace Excell
