Where are you currently based?
Melbourne, Australia The Last
What’s been happening recently?
We just released our latest single, Freaking Out ahead of EP drop 10th December! We’re also gearing up for a big year of shows next year kicking off with Unify Gathering then Uncaged at Sydney Olympic Park and Halloween Hysteria in sunny Brisbane!.The Last Martyr Freaking Out ahead of EP drop
Your new single ‘Freaking Out’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?
We wanted to really grab the listeners attention and give the track it’s own unique flavour which is how we came up with the blast beat intro. For the chorus we were really influenced by the vibe of Bring Me The Horizon’s ‘Doomed’ as we’d never done a chorus that was slower and more theatrical.
How did you go about writing Freaking Out? What were your processes?
With all of our songs, they start as a demo from Ben (guitar) or Ricky (bass/electronics). I might have some idea of the vocals from the demos but I try not to get too attached as the song can change in structure or I get new ideas once we get into the studio. Freaking Out was Ben’s demo and it didn’t change too much once we started the recording process but it’s such a beast of a song I remember it taking forever to get the arrangement to a point we were all happy with it!
Where and when did you record/produce/master and with who?
The producer was Chris Lalic (who also plays in a band called Windwaker)
How did you approach the recording process?
This song was such a bitch to record as we were mid-lockdown here in Melbourne! One of us was allowed in the studio at a time and the rest would have to Zoom in during pre-production with our producer Chris Lalic. I recall sitting on my floor crafting the lyrics and melody whilst the boys were in the background laying down parts. In some ways it was good as I was in a relaxed environment at home and could mute the guys when I needed to focus. But it definitely wasn’t as fun not being all together in the studio!
Your upcoming EP ‘Purgatory’ will be released on December 10, what does this EP mean to you?
It’s an EP about being stuck in limbo. Like a lot of people during the lockdowns, I had a lot of time to reflect on the past, but I was also hyper-aware of the present. For a lot of 2020 there seemed to be no end in sight to the pandemic or roadmap to when things, especially for those in the music industry, would return to ‘normal,’ or if they ever would.The Last Martyr Freaking Out ahead of EP drop!
There is one song called ‘Out of Time’ on there which was a very raw and vulnerable expression of some of the fears around getting older and wondering if the chances of achieving my dreams were even possible anymore.
It felt like we were caught in the ‘in-between,’ and many of the other tracks on the EP expressed that too. ‘Freaking Out’ is about being caught between life stages, ‘Afterglow’ is very much a reflection on past mistakes and wishing I could turn back time. ‘Like A Ghost,’ is about pulling someone out of a funk and so the name ‘Purgatory’ just felt on point. It’s also one of the lyrics in ‘Afterglow.’
What do you have planned to support the new EP?
We actually aren’t doing an official release show as we are playing Northcote Social Club a couple of week’s prior with To Octavia and our schedule is fully booked early 2022 with the festivals we’re playing! But we might be doing a listening party of some sorts that people can Zoom into!The Last Martyr Freaking Out ahead of EP drop!
Coming out of lockdown you’ve been added to a load of festivals across NYE and into 2022, how do you feel about playing live again?
Oh man, it’s so crazy. From feeling completely stuck in 2020 to these huge opportunities…it’s crazy! But we are so, so ready for them and can’t wait to perform for new people!
Who are you listening to at the moment?
To Octavia of course, Spiritbox, Limp Bizkit, Windwaker, Falling in Reverse and Void of Vision.
What do you like to do away from music?
Not that much, we’re pretty obsessed! I work in the industry as a coach for musicians helping them with marketing, PR and the biz components of the industry and have a music business podcast called ‘Being in a Band,’ so music is pretty much my whole world! But aside from that I’m super into cool magical stuff like tarot. I’m also a big personal development junkie and am always trying to work on myself to be the best I can be. I find that stuff so much fun!The Last Martyr Freaking Out ahead of EP drop
What’s planned for the remainder of 2021 going into 2022?
We just played the show with To Octavia on 27th November, and then we’re planning a big year next year of shows!
Favourite food and place to hangout?
I love Mexican or Japanese food and you’ll probably find me hanging out at a local show or working from a cool Melbourne cafe during the day!
