For Benjamin Forbes, aka BANFF, everything begins and ends with the song. The former frontman of Brisbane group Little Casino can talk endlessly about Electro Harmonix Nano Clone chorus pedals and ZVEX Instant Lo-fi Junkys, but if the song’s no good, he’s not interested.
It’s his devoted focus to songcraft that characterises his latest EP release, Future Self. “Future Self comes from a reflective time in my life, thinking about the choices I made and where they would lead me down the track. It was an overwhelming and vulnerable period into adulthood,” Benjamin explains.
To find out more about this talented young songwriter and how he creates his ethereal layers of spacious, soul-drenched indie-pop, whilst always keeping the focus first and foremost on the songwriting, we spoke to Benjamin about the gear he couldn’t live without.
Back To Basics
If I had to tour in a small car or a van and just bring the raw essentials, I would have my Fender Telecaster, Fender Reissue Blues Deluxe amp, and a Boss VE-20 vocal pedal.
I’ve recently found a liking for the whole solo performance with electric guitar thing. The vocal pedal would just be a safety net if the venue’s desk doesn’t pull the best effects. Otherwise, I’d rather keep it clean and simple, something that would suit touring in a small car or van I’d say.
Keeping It Simple
To be honest, my live rig is really simple. I play a Fender Telecaster through my Fender Reissue Blues Deluxe Amp, and have a handful of pedals I use throughout the set, including a Boss DD3 Dlay, Boss TU-3 tuner, ZVEX Instant Lo-fi Junky and, an Electro Harmonix Nano Clone chorus.
My guitarist, Adrian Mauro (aka Machine Age), has a more impressive range of gear he uses live.
Hitting The Studio
It doesn’t really translate into the studio. When I recorded my debut EP, Future Self, I don’t think I played any of my own pedals or guitars on it.
Tom Iansek (my producer) has a great range of gear that we experimented with to pull the right tones for each song at hand.
My personal favourite was the Electro Harmonix / Sovtek – Small Stone. We used that a fair bit when adding guitar colours to ‘The Great Unknown’.
Gear vs Song
Everything I write is either on an acoustic guitar or piano, so the gear really doesn’t determine what happens in the studio. In the studio, it’s more about finding the right tones to suit the song we’re working on.
The gear is really just a treatment thing for me, rather than something that defines how the song is constructed.
Good Songwriting
There is a bit of an overemphasis on flashy gear, but it’s also part of developing a style. There are plenty of young musicians using the most cutting edge gear, exploring new sonic territories, and finding new and unique sounds.
But I’m more interested in good songwriting. The gear adds the colour at the end for me. I think if you can play your song on an acoustic guitar and have people love it, you’ve done the hard part.
Getting Weird
The weirdest piece of gear that has ever been given to me is a kazoo. However, I’ve struggled to find a place for it in my live show unfortunately.
The Right-Hand Man
My right-hand man, Adrian Mauro (aka Machine Age), on the lead guitar probably has more noteworthy gear in his live set-up.
He has a bunch of boutique pedals, like a German glitch pedal by Hexe, an Australian-made sub-octave synth pedal built by some guy near Ballina, and a Mini-Mudd from Tym’s Guitars in Brisbane.
For me, a handy favourite is my Boss TU-3 tuner. He never lets me down.
BANFF National Tour Dates
Saturday, 11th July 2015
Jive, Adelaide
Tickets: Moshtix
Friday, 7th August 2015
The Grace Darling, Melbourne
Tickets: Oztix
Friday, 14th August 2015
Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Tickets: Moshtix
Friday 21st August 2015
Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
Tickets: Oztix
