My name is Josh Delaney – I’m a young music producer from Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs. Melbourne has such an amazing and inspiring local music scene. I get my major inspiration from my surroundings whether it be live gigs, locally released music or even just listening to sounds in all the different locations I’ve been in.
I conceived Rat & Co a few years ago as my own musical outlet, I now have the help of three talented young lads, John Waller, Kaia McCarty-Smith and Nick Park.
Are you happy with how Vision and Seawind has turned out?
Very happy indeed, I never thought these two ideas I had been developing over the last 2 years would actually turn into something people could listen to and seem to be enjoying.
When can we expect to see a full release?
Our debut record is now finished and we should be releasing it in early 2013.
Some of your material has been written in a few cities around the world, including Nozawa Onsen in Japan, were the traditional natural hot springs a particularly creative space for you?
Haha, yeah for sure! Seawind is my idea of a relaxing tune, so the soothing hot springs were definitely an influence on that track, I also think you can really hear the beauty of the Japanese wilderness with its snow capped peaks and the bathing monkeys seeping into Vision.
How do you find the time to write as well as play with other bands?
That’s a question I ask myself everyday…..
I try to work on music (my own and other peoples) every single day. Some of the songs on the album came to be on the both the Chet Faker tours, one song came from when Nick Murphy and I had a competition to see who could make a better track in hotel room in 10 minutes.
Can you tell us a little bit about the recording process for Rat & Co, are live instruments used or is it all digital?
The recording process is very analogue, then it gets onto the computer, where I have a lot of fun messing around with crazy ideas and technology. The majority of the sounds in all the tracks are created from either my voice or a guitar, including a lot of the drum and bass samples. Until recently it was only me on the recordings, but for the album the rest of the boys got involved to help create the filled out sound that it is now.
Is it difficult living in the same house as your band mates?
Ive actually moved now… But at the time, I think Johnny and Nick would have been very sick of me blaring my ideas out of my monitors 24/7. I should probably apologise for that some day!
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
Floating points…………………..
If you could curate your own festival, where would it be, who would be on the bill, how many people would you let in and what features would it have?
Personally, I would love to see some more boutique electronic music festivals in Australia. It seems Europe really understands what’s going on in this niche and are able to cater for the diverse world that is electronic music these days.
My lineup would be revolved around artists like: Floating Points, Nosaj Thing, Shlohmo and Nicolas Jaar.
It would basically be a mix between a dance festival like Rainbow Serpert and the humble Meredith Music Festival. There would be a focus on live electronic groups to complement some incredible DJ’s. I like the idea of only one stage with tremendous amounts of care being put into playing times, it would mean the artists could take you on a physical and mental journey collectively.
What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?
Driving and Sleeping… but I don’t suggest doing them at the same time.
What are the plans over summer for Rat & Co?
Getting stuck into the second and third album. I’ve been writing constantly for two years and I have a lot of content to share. I am aiming to put out another album just after winter next year.
Where we can see you play next?
THIS THURSDAY 20/12/12 at our Vision, Seawind Single Launch @ Ding Dong lounge. With extra special guests: I’lls, Oscar Key Sung, Tonto + Two bright lake dj’s and Edd Fisher ( PBS ).
I am really excited about this gig! I managed to select a few of my favourite Melbourne bands to play with us, plus some truly amazing dj’s… It apparently is the last evening before the end of the Mayan Calendar on the 21/12/12, so hopefully it will be an all night party!
Peace
