What was the first spark that led to writing “i cant believe it” and how quickly did the song come together once the idea landed?
The first spark that kicked this song off was we wanted a song that would punch you in the face straight away but it needed to have the story to go along with it I (Mitch) had some lyrics in my phone about a situation ship I was in and kinda spiraled into that for inspo.
The track explores the confusion of a love triangle. Was it important for you to show both the excitement and the emotional fallout at the same time?
Yes it was important because we wanted the song to be from one persons perspective creating a song for the friend zoned lovers out there, the people that find themself caught between friendship and someone they love.
There is a real balance in your music between polished synth pop and raw indie rock energy. How have you developed that sound as a band?
Honestly by watching some of our influences doing it like The 1975 , The Rions, Holly Humberstone they all have amazing balance of synth pop with indie rock. I guess for us it comes from our love for the British Pop Rock Scene and the blend they have mastered over the years and adding our Aussie taste onto it.
“i cant believe it” feels huge and festival ready while still sounding personal. How do you approach writing songs that connect on both levels?
Sheesh I mean festival ready sounds like music to our ears! I guess it all starts in the writing process for Me I grew up writing and singing country music and I feel like my story telling and what I choose to write about stems a lot from that but then also being aware with what sounds good in modern music today and people just wanna dance and belt there hearts out in the car.
Your live shows have built a strong reputation across the east coast. What do you think people remember most after seeing a Colleen Ave set?
This is actually something we’ve put quite a lot of thought into actually so for one of our songs “Shit Shower” we have a old telephone that we have turned into a mic and that’s a big crowd favorite at the shows bc I do a little skit before I then answer the ringing phone and start singing the opening lines we always value bringing an unforgettable show first and those “pull your phone out” moments.
Looking back at Space For You and your earlier singles, where do you feel the biggest growth has happened creatively?
Definitely how we write music now, before it was more individual for example someone in the band would write a song they would finish the song then all of us learn our parts. Now it’s a lot more sessions together not only writing a song together as a band but also coming up with all of our parts together bouncing ideas off each other. Its been a big difference in the quality of our new tunes.
Queensland has such a strong independent music culture. How has your local scene influenced the way Colleen Ave operates as a band?
I remember coming to Brisbane for the first time and it’s daunting because it’s a big city but everyone has your back in the community here in Brisbane. Big thing for us and how we like to operate is trying to be as local as possible weather that be the music distributor we go through (G.Y.R.O.) and also where we get merch (Slosh Printing) all local.
Launching your own festival with Hair of the Dog is a massive step. What inspired you to create something that supports other Australian artists as well as your own music?
Well the answer is as simple as more opportunity. To think that we have now hosted two hair of the dog festivals and the 1st went from Indooroopilly Hotel to the The Triffid was insane, us as a band and the size that we are would never of thought of playing at the Triffid unless it was for opening for someone yet the first time we played there was for a festival completely independently ran by us is a dream come tru honestly and so amazing for the community and local music scene to have a reason to play on a stage like The Triffid.
When you are putting together new music, do lyrics usually come first or does the atmosphere and production shape the story?
This is a great question and normally id say lyrics but now days ill say the atmosphere and production bc that’s what gets my creative juices going is a vibe and foundation being solid then letting that vibe take the song where it needs to go.
With “i cant believe it” out in the world and momentum building around the band, what feels like the next big goal for Colleen Ave?
The next big goal for Colleen Ave is to sell out a tour having people listen and love the music that we’ve created and have that spread all over Australia and the world is so special and to feel that impact you could have on people will be special.
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