Tomorrow will see Melbourne band Trial Kennedy release their sophomore record Living Undesigned and set off on a massive national tour. In advance of this, we had a chat with drummer Shaun Gionis.
First up, congratulations on the new album! Much has been said about this almost being Trial Kennedy 2.0… does it feel like a new beginning for you guys?
Yeah it kinda does, it’s been a while since our last record and we have a new bass player and our music seems to have evolved a fair bit. Listening to the old stuff feels like an age ago and we’re extremely excited to get this new record out for those people that have been supporting us for so long.
Your most recent single, “Best of Tomorrow”, was accompanied by a beautifully shot music video – can you talk a bit about how that came together?
Luckily we’ve got talented friends, because everyone who was involved in that clip donated themselves to do it in their own time. The director is a friend with one of the guys, she offered and we went with it from there. We really lucky and thankful for all the hard work that everyone put into that clip.
You tracked the albums in 10 days in Sing Sing – but how long were you guys working on the material before then?
We worked pretty hard to get everything pretty much sorted so we didn’t waste time when we went in to track for those ten days, not sure exactly how long though. We also did a fair bit in post production with the super talented Hadyn Buxton. He wasn’t involved to start with because he was booked up, but there was still more to do when we had finished with those 10 days at Sing Sing and lucky for us he was free. He poored absolutely everything into this record and we’re a very lucky band to have him on our side!
How did the process of writing of the album compare to the writing of your earlier material?
It’s very similar actually, maybe this time around we let ourselves create a bit more in the studio when recording the album. There was more loose ends this time around which made it more exciting I’d say!
On your tour, which starts TOMORROW!, you are touring with a number of talented bands, Numbers Radio, Wolves… have you had the opportunity to perform with any of them before?
Yeah Numbers Radio played with us in Brisbane on our single tour earlier in the year, we really liked what we saw and got them on board for this tour, unfortunately they couldn’t do the whole tour but we still have a few shows with them. Haven’t seen Wolves but excited to catch them.
Who do you feel are some of the most exciting up and comers in Australian music at the moment?
There’s heaps. Alpine, Super Wild Horses, Husky, The Twerps, could go on for days. All very different from each other but I love all of them!
Time for that all so overused question: where do you look for inspiration in your music?
Me being a drummer I just need to hear that chord or something that gives me a vibe, could even be a mood. I just love playing drums and want to enjoy playing drums every time I hop behind the kit, music is such an awesome thing to be a part of and I just want keep being inspired by the people I choose to play with!
What can we expect from the tour?
More songs we have ever played before, more depth and a good time!
What do YOU expect from the tour?
To see those familiar face in those cities we always go to, hopefully they all dig the new album!
Favourite song to play live off the new album?
Sally or Exology, both have a lot of energy which makes for good playing.
It must be great, too, on that note, to be able to add new life into your sets with the new material… and starting to have people know them!
Exactly, it’s really exciting. Can’t wait to really get to know these songs live, I’m pumped!
Any further plans for 2011, beyond this epic jaunt around the country?
More tours, more writing and more enjoying music. Hopefully it’s not so long next time around. ha ha!
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This epic jaunt kicks off tomorrow in Melbourne and travels around the country. Their long awaited sophomore record Living Undesigned is also out tomorrow.
Friday, 13th May. Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne
Tickets on sale from tickets.newworldartists.net, Oztix phonecharge 1300 762 545, www.oztix.com.au & Oztix outlets.
Saturday, 14th May. Pelly Bar, Frankston
Tickets on sale from tickets.newworldartists.net , Oztix phonecharge 1300 762 545, www.oztix.com.au, Oztix outlets and from the bar at Pier Hotel, phonecharge 03 9783 7311 or www.pierlive.com.au
Thursday, 19th May. Wollongong City Diggers, Wollongong
with Numbers Radio
Tickets on sale from tickets.newworldartists.net, Oztix phonecharge 1300 762 545, www.oztix.com.au, Oztix outlets and from the Venue Ph (02) 4228 8522.
Friday, 20th May. The Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle
with Numbers Radio
Tickets on sale from tickets.newworldartists.net, Oztix phonecharge 1300 762 545, www.oztix.com.au, Oztix outlets, Moshtix phonecharge 1300 438 849, www.moshtix.com.au, Moshtix outlets.
Saturday, 21st May. The Annandale, Sydney
with Numbers Radio
Tickets on sale from tickets.newworldartists.net, Oztix phonecharge 1300 762 545, www.oztix.com.au, Oztix outlets and from the Venue phonecharge 02 9550 1078 or www.annandalehotel.com
Friday, 27th May. The Zoo, Brisbane
with Numbers Radio
Tickets on sale from tickets.newworldartists.net, Oztix phonecharge 1300 762 545, www.oztix.com.au & Oztix outlets.
Saturday, 28th May. Miami Tavern, Gold Coast
with Numbers Radio
Tickets on sale from tickets.newworldartists.net, Oztix phonecharge 1300 762 545, www.oztix.com.au & Oztix outlets, www.Ticketek.com.au, phonecharge 132 849 & all Ticketek outlets.
Thursday, 2nd June. Prince of Wales, Bunbury
with Wolves
Tickets on sale from tickets.newworldartists.net, Oztix phonecharge 1300 762 545, www.oztix.com.au, Oztix outlets and from Heatseeker phonecharge 08 6210 2850 or www.heatseeker.com.au and all Heatseeker outlets.
Friday, 3rd June. Amplifier, Perth
with Wolves
Tickets on sale from Moshtix phonecharge 1300 438 849, www.moshtix.com.au, Moshtix outlets. tickets.newworldartists.net, Oztix phonecharge 1300 762 545, www.oztix.com.au & Oztix outlets. Heatseeker phonecharge 08 6210 2850, www.heatseeker.com.au & all Heatseeker outlets.
Saturday, 4th June. Jive Bar, Adelaide
Tickets on sale from Moshtix phonecharge 1300 438 849, www.moshtix.com.au, Moshtix outlets. tickets.newworldartists.net, Oztix phonecharge 1300 762 545, www.oztix.com.au, Oztix outlets.
Sunday. 12th June. Ferntree Gully Hotel, Ferntree Gully
Tickets on sale from the Venue Box Office: Ferntree Gully Hotel, phonecharge 03 9758 6544 or www.ferntreegullyhotel.com.au
Friday, 17th June. Granada Tavern, Hobart
Tickets on sale from tickets.newworldartists.net, Oztix phonecharge 1300 762 545, www.oztix.com.au, Oztix outlets and from the Venue Ph (03) 6249 1100
Saturday, 18th June. Hotel New York, Launceston
Tickets on sale from tickets.newworldartists.net , Oztix phonecharge 1300 762 545, www.oztix.com.au & Oztix outlets
