the AU interview: Gray Taylor of Flying Scribble (Brisbane)



Firstly, how would you describe your sound to listeners unfamiliar with Flying Scribble?

Beats, keys and voice. Like an art opera being performed on a paper boat floating down a river, with all different kinds of parties happening on the banks.

Please explain how you approached the recording of your debut LP We’re A Chameleon and how closely the finished product resemble your initial ideas for it?

With a collection of old and new instruments, a couple of mics, a computer program we’d never used and we bought an identical pair of headphones. The songs are the what we imagined but the sounds and extra layers are a welcome addition resulting from our eccentric recording ideas and space, ie a two story wooden elivator shaft.

Was there a particular vision you had for the album? Or a message you were trying to perpetuate?

We had a collection of songs that needed to be catalogued so we could make room for new ones. Each song has a place and a purpose but there is no one single message. Although our DIY approach hopefully makes one believe that anything is possible.

Over the last four years you have scored some pretty spectacular support-slots, played alongside international and local luminaries such as Camera Obscura, Bachelorette, Pikelet, Qua and Mountains in the Sky – who was your favorite artist to tour with? Why?

We love playing live and it’s great to play with other people that make an original form of music thats colourful and fun, but we don’t play favourites…..!

What would you say are your biggest influences (musical or otherwise)?

The weather! All kinds!

Lastly, what can audiences expect from a Flying Scribble live performance?

The unexpected! Projected visuals, costumes, feats of coordination, and a sound landscape that been mapped by any cartographer.

Larry Heath

Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.