This week, iconic New Zealand group The Bats celebrate their more than 30 years together as a band (and with all their original members I might add!) by releasing their 9th full length record, The Deep Set. Out this Friday through Flying Nun Records, the group then travel to Australia for two shows – one in Melbourne and one at Sydney Festival. Ahead of the release – and the tour – we caught up with guitarist and vocalist Robert Scott to talk about it all…
The Deep Set is your 9th record; a remarkable accomplishment by any standard. It was a five year gap between 8 and 9 – at what point do you know it’s time to make new music? What was the catalyst for The Deep Set?
Its always the right time to make a new album, it’s other things that pop up that slow things down. I have had the songs ready for The Deep Set ready for some time, takes a while to get organised.
How did the experience of recording in The Sitting Room compare to your earlier recording experiences – in particular, perhaps, your debut some 30 years ago?
Recording at the Sitting room was not too different from recording earlier albums, setting up in a live situation and getting a good balance of sound in the room. Its about the feel and vibe of the songs, getting a good take makes all the difference.
What gets easier about being in a band when you’re this far down the track?
Knowing what to expect in the music business and the recording process. Being aware of the possible pitfalls and dangers.
What gets harder?
Keeping motivated to keep the process going when there is so much waiting around. Keeping a sense of control over it all. Not getting fazed or worried about all the bad music around.
The NZ music scene – though its artists are continually stolen by Melbourne – seems stronger than ever. I saw you perform at The Others Way in 2015 and rarely have I seen such a strong lineup of local artists, from NZ or otherwise. Who excites you from the NZ scene (who should everyone be listening to), and what do you think it is about the NZ waters that makes the music taste so damn fine (and then stolen by Melbourne)?
Mmmm… I wasn’t aware Melbourne was stealing our bands. NZ is a very creative place it seems, not sure why there is so much good music coming out of these parts, lots of possible reasons, powerful landscape, changeable weather, a wide variety of people and backgrounds, not sure who you should listen too, there is so much although Kane Strang and Nadia Reid are pretty good.
You’re about to return to Australia for two very special shows. How heavy a role can fans expect the new music to play in the set – and how are the new tracks shaping up live?
We will be doing about seven from the new album, its hard to choose the set when we have so much to draw from, we have been playing quite a few of the Deep Set songs for a year or so now so they are quite tested so to speak, its always fun doing new songs and seeing how the crowd respond.
If there’s one thing you hope people take away from The Deep Set (in stores this week), what is it?
That they enjoy the new songs, realise we have something new and strong to offer. I wouldn’t want to release something that isn’t really good. It is hard to be objective about ones work. I feel I am learning all the time as a song writer, that’s the way it should be.
———-
The Bats perform in Melbourne at the Northcote Social Club on 28th January, and then will appear at the Sydney Festival on 29th January. The Deep Set is available this Friday, January 27th, through Flying Nun Records. For tickets and all the details, head HERE.
Photo: Supplied
———-
