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Potato cakes but they don’t exist in Canada. So probably coffee. Best coffee in Vancouver is at this little window on the east side, called Iktsuarpok. Favourite place to hang out is the North Shore Mountains.
What is your name and role within Chutney?
Cal Hughes, lead guitarist of Chutney.
Where are you currently based?
I live in Burleigh Heads in our hometown of the Gold Coast, QLD.
How did you first start playing music and how did Chutney form?
I began playing music from a very young age, playing cello, trumpet and bass guitar within the different classical and jazz bands in primary/ high school – I began teaching myself guitar when I was twelve so I could start making music that better reflected my personal tastes, and formed Chutney with Matt & Pat in mid-2019 after playing in a variety of different bands throughout our early twenties. Matt and I were playing in another local GC band Hot Coffee when Matt began writing a collection of rock songs that didn’t quite fit the electronic/hip-hop sound that Hot Coffee was known for, and I was very keen to form a new group that featured myself on guitar and matched the guitar-driven indie rock that the two of us primarily listened to – we quickly recruited Pat into the mix and began to write Matt’s songs into full band arrangements when we realised we had something special brewing. Andy was added as the final piece of the puzzle on drums and it’s been full speed ahead since then.
What’s been happening recently?
Working hard on new releases! As consumers of music ourselves we understand how hungry the public is for new music and we have been focussing on finding the line between quality over quantity – providing artistically consistent music while still keeping the momentum rolling from release to release. With this in mind, we are planning for two further releases by the end of the year, as well as maintaining our live performance output with a number of significant headline and support slots over the coming months.
Your latest single ‘Talk’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
The sound of this track is what we consider the quintessential “Chutney” sound – riffy, bass-driven verses transitioning into a layered guitar-led breakdown, and culminating with a euphoric and atmospheric chorus with soaring, singalong vocals. In terms of the vocal approach, Matt opted for hip-hop laced verses to match the high energy feel, before kicking into the harmony-laden melodies of the pre-chorus and choruses.
In terms of the lyrical content, Talk is about looking out for your mates when they’re having a hard time – about how everyone has struggles from time to time, and how you are so much more important than you may ever realise. It is a song about mental health and the importance of leaning on those close to you in times of need. We wanted to create an uplifting, euphoric song that tackles sensitive subject matters while providing a positive ending – your mates will always be there for you, and having that talk is the first step to making a positive change.
How did you go about writing Talk?
The song began with Pat writing the bass riff that is featured heavily throughout the song, and Matt writing out the chordal arrangement and vocal melodies on his acoustic guitar with this riff in mind. The track then fell into my lap to build out the song in terms of forming a fully-fledged band arrangement, and I added a number of guitar elements which took the song from the hip-hoppy Gorillaz feel that the original demo takes on into more of that guitar-driven Chutney sound. Andy then provided the rhythmic energy that makes the track so dynamic, adding in a diverse drum part with multiple feel changes that gives the song its motor.
Where and when did you record/produce/master and who with?
The track was recorded at Lovestreet Studios on the Gold Coast and produced by our longtime collaborator Scotty French, whom we view as such a valuable contributor to our sound and output to date. Mastering was handled by Matt Bartlem who did an unbelievable job at making the track sound exactly as we wanted it, giving it a huge and raw sound while still maintaining the polish.
How did you approach the recording process?
The recording process for this track was quite seamless, which was surprising as we had only written the song about a month prior to recording – generally with our previous recordings we’ve had the song in the tank for months and months before getting into the studio and laying it down, but with Talk we knew from the moment we wrote it that it was going to be the next single. I have been guilty in the past of entering the studio with guitar solos and lead lines not yet written and improvising my parts while the recording tape is running, but for Talk we ensured that all of our parts were written prior to entering the studio, and it made a drastic difference in terms of efficiency and ultimately, quality.
What or who inspired the concept for the music video?
The concept for the music video was championed by Andy who took on the role of co-director as well as writer for the clip. The story of Matt waking in an unfamiliar location after a big night out and navigating his way throughout the day is not dissimilar to some of the situations that all four of us in the band have found ourselves in following our many wild nights together, and we wanted to represent our hometown of the Gold Coast with the locations used throughout the clip.
The clip opens with Matt waking up on the beach at sunrise after a big night out, and continues to follow him as he navigates the day without a cent to his name and one goal: get to the gig. Showing that even with a rough start, you can still make a day your own with the right attitude.
Where and when did you film?
The video was filmed over the course of one day in May and featured a number of locally-loved GC locations such as Alfred’s Apartment and Seven & One Studios in Mermaid Beach, and Mo’s Desert Clubhouse in Burleigh Heads.
What did you find most challenging and rewarding during the creation of the video?
The clip was filmed, directed and edited by Nick Stevens of Fastback Studios and he was incredible in terms of his creativity, professionalism and ease to work with. The bulk of the performing within the clip was placed upon Matt, and as he is naturally very comfortable in front of the camera everything moved along smoothly. We also recruited the services of a number of our friends to take part in the video as extras, and they were all so helpful and generous with their time – we are forever grateful to everyone who contributes their time and energy whenever required.
Please tell us about any upcoming live shows.
We just played a headline sold out capacity crowd at Burleigh Bazaar for our single launch last Saturday which was amazing, and have a number of exciting support slots upcoming, including:
We are also booked for two very exciting festivals; firstly, we are headlining the Brisbane Indie Winter Project at The Zoo on 13th August, and later in the year we are very excited to be playing as a part of the Gold Coast’s Springtime Festival alongside heavy hitters such as Ball Park Music, Ruel, Hermitude and Sycco in September.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I personally have been listening at length to Puma Blue’s ‘A Late Night Special’ live album, Arlo Parks and Big Red Machine’s new releases, and local Aussie’s Eliza & The Delusionals and Eluera.
What do you like to do away from music?
I love to watch and play sport with my mates, drink beers and enjoy the Gold Coast sunshine.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2021?
We will be playing a number of exciting support shows as previously mentioned, as well as getting our first taste of big festival slots and putting together a few more big headline shows to compliment our upcoming two releases which we’ve scheduled to drop before the end of the year.
Favourite food and place to hangout?
I’m a sucker for a steak sandwich and schooner at my local Burleigh Hotel or Nobby’s Beach Surf Club, and the yakitori and ramen at Iku in Burleigh is unbeatable.
KeAloha has released her new single “2Lips” an indie folk-pop gem that reaches into the artistic influences of her heritage. Through her gifts as a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and dancer, KeAloha invites us into the moments of liberation that we find when we hold ourselves, eachother, and our complex intersections with tenderness, solidarity, and pride. KeAloha is a mixed race femme with chronic illness disability, whose blood carries legacies of Polynesian navigators and dancers, Lheidli trappers and medicine people, Irish farmer-settlers, and Chinese immigrants. Her music is a vessel for her to build relationships and understanding with the many identities she holds. A usual suspect in Vancouver’s RnB, Latinx, jazz, fusion, Hip Hop, Neo-Soul, Folk, and Pop scenes, KeAloha is committed to shaping her career and community through reciprocity for the people and music-cultures who inspire her.
A touching ode to our favourite four legged friends (special shout out to their beloved cat Moses…may he rest in peace), Pets is a folk-pop confection for the ages, drawing on a myriad of styles flavoured with classic roots vibes and infused with The Oots signature style – an instant jam! “Maybe in the spirit of White Album era Beatles musically, the song has a roving melody and a stripped down arrangement featuring accordion,” says the band. “Glockenspiel, and beautiful violin performances provided by our friends from the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra Sarah Anderson and Ashley Kroecher.”
CFMA and WCMA nominated The Oot n’ Oots make kids music that is, to quote Jerry Garcia, not for kids only. Drawing on diverse influences from the history of rock n’ roll, this is a band with chops, soul, and swagger. Their original songs are wildly imaginative, brimming with humour and inspiration. The band includes 14-year-old Ruth Cipes (voice, ukulele), described as “…a force of nature.” by Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child host Bill Childs, with her dad Ezra (voice, guitar) and uncles Ari (voice, guitar), Gabe (voice, bass), and Matthew (voice, drums). Ruth trades lead vocal duties with Ari and Ezra. In performance the group casts a spell of freedom, lightheartedness, and laughter. This is truly entertainment for the whole family, enlivening community, joy, and understanding through free-spirited musical performance. The first single from the band’s third album, “Thank You Universe”, was released June 3, 2020, and was named “#3 Song of the Year” in a Kid’s Radio Programmers Poll. The band’s previous releases have been nominated for two Western Canadian Music Awards and a Canadian Folk Music Award, and their second album Electric Jellyfish Boogaloo was named on the Fids and Kamily Awards top 20 albums for kids and families in 2018.
Formed in the summer of 2017 in a garage in the heart of the Canadian prairies, Beach Body took their time to marinade in their creative juices. And that same garage is where they would perfect their laid-back brand of landlocked indie rock. With three EP’s already under their belt (“Plain Life” – 2017, “Curb Ciggies” – 2018, and “Beach Body Presents: The Southside Coyote Boys” – 2019) the band is thrilled to be releasing their new tunes to the world.
With a long-standing presence in the industry AEM has begun moving away from her former genre of Country (as well as her namesake Amy Metcalfe) and has focused on new endeavors. Back in the country world she found success with Billboard charting, award noms (and even writing for legend Reba McEntire) – but she found her true calling when she recorded vocals for “Letting Go” with DJ Kav. The song led to her performing an opening slot at a sold out Chainsmokers concert in Calgary Alberta and it cemented the decision to turn her focus to new goals in the music industry as it just felt “right”.
Changing her frequent destination from Nashville to Los Angeles AEM has already made a splash on the west coast writing and gaining the attention of writer and producer Dubkiller. Working with Rock Mafia for many years Dubkiller has had his hand in producing and writing for artists like Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Zedd, Brittany Spears and more.
Krimsonn‘s “River Runs Dry” is a big-room-influenced vocal track that holds a deeper meaning for many emerging artists. Its driving, deep bassline is complemented by jazzy instrumental melodies and baritone vocals, combining dance music with swing elements for a unique and catchy vibe. The lyrics “I won’t stop till the river runs dry” are a testament to the challenges many artists face when trying to take risks with their music, as support for “risky” ideas is often hard to find. Purple Fly itself has been defying the norm by its very existence as the world’s first NFT-fueled record label, so it’s no surprise that Krimsonn has found himself right at home.
“‘River Runs Dry‘ is about something that many artists go through – sometimes we want to feel free to create something unique and true to the artform but it’s hard to find people that believe in unusual and risky ideas. Melodically, it combines elements of dance with swing, with catchy and strong vocals.” – Krimsonn
Purple Fly is an independent imprint utilizing crypocurrency’s hottest frontier as a platform for the spectrum of electronic music. The label’s goal is to support collaborations of all forms of art, connecting music and stunning visuals for an immersive experience that spans the sonic realms of trance to trap. Purple Fly releases NFT directly on its official website with each music drop, enabling artists to have access to direct support from their fan base while expressing their creativity. El Salvador-based Krimsonn joins artists such as BLVD., Fatman Scoop, Shaquille O’Neal with the release of “River Runs Dry” after previous tracks signed to KSHMR‘s Dharma, Hardwell‘s Revealed, Sam Feldt‘s Heartfeldt, Ultra Records, and more. He has collaborated with Thomas Gold, Jeffrey Sutorious, and more. Stay tuned for more boundary-pushing tracks from Krimsonn and Purple Fly.
More info on Krimsonn / Purple Fly:
What’s planned for the remainder of 2021?
For one, trying to take a holiday! Wrapping up and writing my next project, and continuing to show my face more through acoustic videos or livestreams.
Definitely a good simple Pasta Aglio e olio and Cacio e Pepe or just a good sourdough bread with some fine extra virgin greek olive oil… that always hits the spot. Always love hanging out at those brewery / bodega bars in Copenhagen. They’re not super classy but they’re super vibe-y!
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WATCH: ‘The Island’ (Official Music Video)
Lifting the veil on ‘The Island‘s making, the band share: “The Island was written about a place where none of The Lazy Eyes band members have been in real life, and acts as the sequel to The Seaside. An imaginary island that is a sort of utopia but is also filled with mystery. The writing process and a demo recording took place in Harvey’s childhood bedroom as he recalls – ‘All I remember was recording a terrible demo on GarageBand and really struggling to sing it because I had a cold that day. It’s interesting to hear the demo these days because you can hear the parts before they were refined as a result of playing the song over and over live. The demo also doesn’t include the final guitar melody which was added by Itay in a rehearsal and really finished the song off with a bang.”
The Lazy Eyes are Harvey Geraghty (vocals, guitar, keyboard), Itay Shachar (vocals, guitar), Leon Karagic (bass) and Noah Martin (drums). At 15 years old, they met at a performing arts high school which provided fertile ground to pursue their creative endeavours. In the time since, the group have built a cult following with their magnetic live set. Long before their debut single, word of them spread like wildfire. This eventually reached the BBC’s Abbie McCarthy who aired the then unreleased ‘Cheesy Love Song‘ during a takeover on Australia’s national youth broadcaster, triple j. In the year that followed, their debut EP saw The Lazy Eyes sell out headline shows, amass a combined 3 million streams and receive praise from Apple Music’s Matt Wilkinson, Bandcamp, Atwood Magazine, American Songwriter, Monster Children, land at #17 on triple j Unearthed’s Top 50 Most Played Artists of 2020 and many more.
In the time since, the group have worked hard to finesse their craft, with EP2 working to show how much more the music students had to offer following their acclaimed debut that landed The Lazy Eyes on the coveted NME 100 for 2021. Initially written while still in high school, it was only until recently that the songs of EP2 were taken to the recording studio. The band share “These are the first tracks we recorded using Ableton (previously using GarageBand) which opened up a whole lot more possibilities. These new tools inspired us to make our recordings more tapestry-like, inspired by albums like Bon Voyage by Melody’s Echo Chamber.” The response so far? Praise from V Man, Complex, Happy Mag, Gigwise, NME, KCRW, Alt Citizen, FBi Radio, Double J and Unearthed, Spin, Dublab, Northern Transmissions and others for ‘Nobody Taught Me‘ and ‘Where’s My Brain???‘; plus rave reviews for Lazyfest from the Sydney Morning Herald, Life Without Andy and more anticipation for their upcoming appearance at Bris Day Out. If EP2 saw The Lazy Eyes find their feet, there’s no doubt their jackpot will come faster than most anticipate.
EP2 is out now via The Orchard, buy/stream it here.
TRACKLIST
The Island
Nobody Taught Me
Where’s My Brain???
TOUR DATES
Wed 11 Aug – Bris Day Out @ The Brightside – Meanjin / Brisbane
Sat 4 Sep – King St Carnival – Warrang / Sydney
Tickets available at thelazyeyes.com
Stay connected with The Lazy Eyes:
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | triple j Unearthed
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Pip Blom
Welcome Break
1. You Don’t Want This
2. 12
3. It Should Have Been Fun
4. Keep It Together
5. Different Tune
6. Not Easy To Like
7. Faces
8. I Love The City
9. Easy
10. Holiday
11. Trouble In Paradise