Sam Wilkinson from Ray Davies gives the AU an insight into recent times with the band, as they tour their debut album Tussle around the place, including an appearance at The Farmer and The Owl in Wollongong this weekend!
You’ve played a few shows to celebrate your new record “Tussle” already – how have they gone so far?
All the shows have been good for many reasons. We’ve played with a heap of great bands already… Summer Flake, Pageants, Velcro, Unity Floors, Bruff Superior to name a few.
You’ve got a show in Sydney this Friday and then Farmer and the Owl on Saturday, ahead of Brisbane next week. What can we expect from these shows and do you have any special planned for F&Owl?
Yeah we have been really looking forward to these two shows; in Sydney, Luke from The Laurels is going to play some extra moog with us, maybe we can lure him into doing the same in tha ‘Gong.
How have you found the reception of Tussle to be so far?
Reception has been far better than we expected and new doors seem to be opening to us all the time.
How did you find translating your live sound onto the record?
To be honest, we don’t really know what our live sound is… Always sounds way different on stage. But we did try to record as much of the record live as we could, to maintain some ‘live’ vibe/energy.
Let’s talk about recording it… where did you record the album?
A friend of ours teaches audio at a college here in Sydney, we were lucky enough to use the facilities there after hours.
Who did you work with on it and tell us a little bit about the production behind it.
It was recorded and mixed with two good friends of ours, Wade Gilmour and Peter Beringer. As I mentioned, it was tracked mostly live. All the tracking was done digitally into ProTools, but the mixing was channelled through an analog desk and tape delays etc to warm it up a little. Pete’s catch phrase has become ‘dial in the warmth’ haha.
Are there any albums or artists that inspired you guys in writing and making this record?
Totally, but probably too many to name. We try not to sound directly too much like anyone but people often say we wear our influences on our sleevessss.
What’s next for you guys in 2014?
In 2014 we hope to release a follow up to Tussle, whether it is to be a second album, ep or 7″, we aren’t really sure yet. But we have begun recording in Peter’s new studio. We’re hoping to try to do some overseas shows too.
Who are you looking forward to seeing at Farmer and the Owl?
I’ve never seen The Drones before, and The Laurels have always blown my face off in a good way.
Do you have a favourite Australian album for 2013 so far?
Hands down The Stevens’ A History of Hygiene, these dudes are insanely a good at crafting short, sharp, melodic guitar pop.
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Day Ravies continue their Tussle album tour around Australia with shows in Sydney this Friday night, November 22nd, at the Red Rattler, followed by an appearance at the Farmer and the Owl festival in Wollongong and then Trainspotters in Brisbane on November 30th!
Tussle is available now!
