Recently we caught up with Norwegian quintet Highasakite over email to find out a little bit more about the band, and their new album Silent Treatment. The band are due to hit our shores next month for a quick-stop tour, with two shows in Sydney and Melbourne; though the band have hinted they may be back for more shows soon. Released earlier this year, Silent Treatment has seen the band garner interest from across the globe, with the single “Since Last Wednesday” getting significant airplay, including on Triple J here in Australia.
What was the inspiration behind your new album Silent Treatment?
The wars at home, it’s a romantic album in a dark way. Silent treatment describes the whole mood, the lyrics and the record.
How did you approach the songwriting on the album? Was it a collaborative effort?
Ingrid made demos of the songs with just her voice and the piano, then we all arranged the songs in the studio together with our producer (Kåre Chr. Vestrheim). It took us a year!
Who or what do you consider to be the influences on your songwriting?
Movies, other good bands and just things we experience in life.
How would say your experiences of recording of Silent Treatment differ to those on your first record All That Floats Will Rain?
More people = more discussion. We also took a lot more time on this record. We tried everything, and compared to All That Floats Will Rain, Silent Treatment is bigger sounding and more orchestral.
You’re currently on tour in Asia, with shows in Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan. How have those shows gone so far?
Fantastic! Brilliant venues, and a lot of people showing up at the shows, and the people are so friendly and gentle with us!
You’ve also been touring extensively through Europe and the US this year, how has the new material been going over with audiences?
Very good, we have worked out a really good live show, and I think many people get surprised by just how big it sounds live. Some think it’s even better live…and that’s really cool!
You played SXSW this year, how was that experience?
This year we were well prepared, we had a good plan. We played a lot of shows, and that resulted in an invitation to NPR Radio to do the Tiny Desk Concert. We also met a lot of other music industry people, SXSW was good for us this year.
This will be your first visit to Australia as a band, what are you most looking forward to?
To see Australia, that’s a long way from home! We’re also looking forward to the shows, we’ve got some really nice fans who’ve been asking us for a long time, when we were coming to Australia. It’s so cool that we could make it now!
You are only going to be here for a short visit with only two shows on this trip, re there plans for you to come back for a longer tour soon?
I can’t really confirm anything yet, but don’t be surprised if we do!
What does the rest of 2014 have in store for the band?
We’re touring in Germany, then we have a few Norwegian festivals, and a big Norwegian tour. We’re also hoping to go back to the US in the fall!
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Highasakite Australian Tour 2014
Thursday 18th September // Oxford Art Factory, Sydney
Saturday 20th September // Howler, Melbourne
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