After much anticipation, Methyl Ethel announced their second LP Everything is Forgotten, available on March 3rd. We spoke to Jake Webb to discover the in’s and out’s and what you can expect of the band’s new LP.
First established in 2013, the band began their journey on Triple J Unearthed, sharing their work for music enthusiasts to discover and enjoy. It was on the platform that the band had originally uploaded “Rogues” from their first LP Oh Human Spectacle in 2014. The likes of Dom Alessio, Dave Ruby Howe and Richard Kingsmill from Triple J all flooded in to hear the track. “It’s nice to have so many ways to put music up without, you know, needing a label or anybody to be involved. So I would call it a unnecessary evil if you wanna get your music heard.”
Everything is Forgotten, out via Dot Dash|Remote Control in Austalia (4AD for international fans), is what Webb describes as ‘not really well thought out.’ After working with British producer James Ford, having partnered with Arctic Monkeys and Foals, Webb believes fans should expect a different sound every time the band gets together to work on new music.
“Every song that I make….I don’t wanna repeat myself so much. It’s more interesting for me to do things differently. I mean some people like to do the same thing over and over but sometimes I feel like bashing my head against a brick wall.”
When formerly asked about the single “Ubu”, Webb expressed the track as a self-portrait of ‘self-flagellation and guilt’. Inspired by the absurd theatrical play Ubu Roi by Alfred Jarre, the single ends with the repetition of ‘Why’d you have to go and cut your hair?‘, which Webb believes should be interpreted in more ways than one.
“Nothing’s really that well thought out. But also it can kind of be whatever anyone wants it to be. That’s just some things to describe it that sound nice in context. What you take out of it, if you pay enough attention to it, is just as valid.”
Eager for continuous growth and success, the band will be heading over the globe to perform in the US and Europe throughout March/April. Experiencing an international fan base is interesting, says Webb. “It’s been a good experience.It’s still going. We’re all friends, so it’s interesting to go and visit other places in the world. You never know if there’s going to be anybody at the shows. It doesn’t bother me really, but it’s always nice when there are.”
Joining the likes of Tash Sultana, Violent Soho and Amy Shark at Groovin the Moo at the end of April, Webb says he’s keen to be back in Aus for the all-round festival to parade ‘the rock show to the bush’.
Including 2016 single “No. 28”, tracks titled “Drink Wine”, “Femme Maison/One Man House “ and “Schlager”, Webb explains that Everything is Forgotten shouldn’t be an album that can depict a certain feeling or thought. “I try to write from an honest place, but I don’t assess my songs like how they would be. When in an interview situation and someone says to me, ‘What is this song about?’, I can be as honest as I want in my songs without wanting everyone to know every little detail. It kind of closes it all of that way.”
Australian fans should expect to see more of Methyl Ethel with more tour dates most likely to be released later on in 2017: but for now, the excitement for Everything is Forgotten should be the main buzz.
Photo by Anna Victoria Best.
———-
