What is your name and role within dave the band?
Noah is my name and singing and playing guitar is my role within dave the band.
Where are you currently based?
Newcastle, Australia
How did the band form?
We formed in high school when Gabe and I were in year 7. Max joined us after school and we’ve been happily dave ever since.
What’s been happening recently and how has your COVID experience been?
We’ve been gearing up for our album release. Lots of online stuff thanks to COVID. Our experience in Newcastle hasn’t been too bad. I’ve been surfing a lot and writing lots of songs.
Your debut album will be out August 28, 2020 – what influenced the sound and songwriting?
The sound is influenced by the energy and feeling we’ve cultivated over the years jamming and playing together as much as we can. The songwriting was influenced by nightclubs, coffee, footy, hot summers, cold winters and being an all-round Sadsack.
How did you go about writing the music?
With a guitar. It was easy.
Where and when did you record/produce/master?
We recorded in Chicago with Steve Albini. He’s a sound engineer, not a producer. We aren’t interested in anyone else telling us how to play our songs. Steve was just there to capture what we were playing. It was mastered by Steve’s Shellac bandmate Bob Weston.
What programs/instruments did you use?
Guitar, bass and drums. What’s a program? I also played Steve’s Wurlitzer on Brave and Sadsack.
Please tell us about how you came to work with Steve Albini and the experience you had:
We emailed his studio and booked it. It was as easy as writing the music.
The experience was awesome. I had mentally prepared for there to be some hitches and not have everything turn out as I would have liked, but the whole experience at Steve’s studio was like a dream.
Your new single ‘Where Are You’ is out now, what influenced this track and what does it mean to you?
I’m still working out what this song means to me. I can’t really remember writing it but it was one of the first we started working on for Slob Stories. Steve wouldn’t let me double the vocals on this song for some reason.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Household Item One, Lovedavid, De La Soul, Vex Ruffin, Andy Shauf, Purple Mountains, Frances Quinlan, Wes Montgomery, Jason Molina, Bill Frisell, Yo La Tengo
What do you like to do away from music?
I don’t like to be away from music but I like surfing.
How’s the time been supporting and playing with bands from Newcastle?
It’s been awesome. We’ve got a special scene here with lots of great artists. It’s a big city vibe without the wank.
What’s planned for the remainder of 2020 going into 2021?
Recording another album!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
Coffee and bagels at Frothers Espresso. Beers and pizza at The Ori.
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/davebandnewcastle
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/davetheband_/