As they tour around Australia supporting Slash and playing their own shows, celebrating the launch of their new album, we chatted to the lead singer of Australia’s own Juke Kartel. Now based in Los Angeles, Toby Rand talks about Slash, living in the USA and their new album!
Hi Toby! Thanks for taking the time to chat to us today. As we speak, you’re celebrating the launch of your new album with a tour around Australia, and a few shows supporting Slash! I guess firstly, it must be a pretty big honour to be supporting the man himself?
Hey Larry, thanks for the interview. It is a great honour for us to be selected by Slash to tour.
Fortunately over the past year we have struck up a friendship and he has played a major role in supporting our campaign in the states. The shows have been great so far, and we are learning a lot from Slash and the lads.
But it’s not your first time performing with him – he’s been a big supporter of the band I understand?
It came about through our manager Jenna Barnes who has worked closely with Slash and his wife. After a few introductions and BBQ’s at his house, he came to a couple of our LA shows then invited us to Norway to open up the Quart festival when he played with Ozzy, Fergie, Ronnie Wood etc. It was such an amazing experience and really elevated us as a band. Since then we’ve played in LA with him and now the OZ tour.
And how’s the tour going in general? Is the new material being well received?
So far, it has been a great. Melbourne was tough at the start but really warmed during the set. Our genre isnt G’N’R based at all, but we stand tall with our sound and the new material is really sinking in. We’ve played it a lot in LA and responses have been awesome. The Brisbane show on the 12th was killer, the crowd were up for anything that night. And just being able to hang with Slash and co and chew the fat has been really rewarding.
I understand you’ve relocated to LA – how’s life treating you over there?
LA is our new home, it has all the tools we need to break Juke Kartel (and i don’t mean the people are tools hehe). I’ve definitely learnt how to run at a pace that suits me, as the lifestyle is a lot quicker and so much more action. I love LA because it has allowed me to open my creativity and broaden my writing and musical skills. There’s so much on offer and always new things to dig my teeth into.
If I was to go over to LA, where would we find Juke Kartel hanging out?
You would find us in the dive bars of Hollywood or checking out bands along the strip. We don’t really party all that much, surfing and hiking have been priorities this summer.
Where would we find you performing?
The most spot we play is Viper Room. They have been amazing to us. Whenever we need to showcase or do a last minute jam for new songs, they always cater. Other than that we play Roxy for the Sunset Strip Music Festival on the 28th, which will be insane and we local the House Of Blues and Key Club. For our acoustic shows, we play the Hotel Cafe.
Where would we find you eating? I can guarantee you’d find me at In n Out Burger on Santa Monica Blvd!
Haha, we love our pub food. The steaks at Saddle Ranch are good. Big Wangs for some chicken wings and there’s sooo many sushi places, so i’m wrapt. In n Out Burger is good after a few frothies!!
You’ve always been known for your energetic live shows – be it at a festival, in an arena or in the dingy pub around the corner – who were some of the great live acts you saw when you were young?
Energy is definitely a way to describe JK. The acts i have admired live are Red Hot Chili Peppers (not necessarily the singing, but energy), Stone Temple Pilots, U2, Soundgarden, Faith No More, Muse, AC DC. All those bands are killer live. But i get inspired by watching my mates bands also or just any act that’s willing to get up and smash a set.
How has your live show evolved over the years?
Our live show has more depth…more emotion. We know each other so well onstage that we can feel where to increase the energy or bring it down. I really enjoy feeding of the crowd, so there’s always room for their voices to share the stage. Our set has everything in it. Heavy rock, melody, ballad, emotion and soul.
Let’s talk now about Levolution. It contains 6 songs new and 6 songs old, remixed. For the new, you worked with the great Brian Virtue.
Levolution is a home made word that came to me during the last 6 months in LA. With our new management and label, they have put forward so many opportunities that have asked us to rise and commit. Evolve to a greater level, hence Levolution. This album is a culmination of JK’s life as a band of brothers. The content is our journey spoken through the eyes that have moved us along the way. Each song is story, a moment in life that has affected us and now, with the 6 new tracks, this chapter is complete. Brian allowed us full creativity and he massaged the magic and produced something that we are all very proud of.How did he come on board and what was it like working with him?One of our managers, Jenn Littleton, had worked with Brian previously and sent him our material. We had other producers being auditioned, but there was something about Brian that magnetised us. His previous records are great, and after some in depth chats, we flew him to to produce. Sonically, Brian delivered a powerful record, capturing my vocals like I’ve never experienced and really honing the emotion of the lyric. I sat in the singing booth with a candle burning, surrounded by motivating,inspirational photos and let Brian guide my core to my voice. His attention to detail is impressive and would always know when my best take was just around the corner.
Did writing the new tracks for this album differ from writing songs in the past?
It did…because we were in a totally different environment away from Melbourne. So i would have my spots in LA that would inspire me. The local park and Aroma Cafe in North Hollywood (my fave cafe!) and my balcony overlooking the Californian mountains. So all these factors had us in a different headspace. We have our own studio locked out, so we could visit there most days and jam.
Was there any added pressure this time around?
The pressure was just surviving on minimal dollars and maintaining our unity when we face adversity. We truely have earned our reward and thank our friends and family for supporting us, cos there were times when we all felt lost. Ultimately we evolved and are so excited with the upcoming journey.
What sort of changes can we expect of the old tracks?
The old tracks have been remixed and sound tight. Dan Korneff mixed them, he really brought out the live feel of JK.
And finally, you’ve won plenty of accolades over the years – winning the 2008 People’s Choice award in Australia etc. – but what do you hope the future has in store for Juke Kartel?
I hope for a lot of things, but what i do know is that we will be touring endlessly with “Levolution” and spread our music as far as possible. Whatever accolades come with that is a bonus, just as long as we can play music and share our story.
REMAINING AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES:
AUG 18 Sandringham Hotel, Sydney
AUG 19 Performance Bull N Bush, Baulkham Hills
AUG 20 Prince Of Wales, Melbourne
AUG 22 The Sand Belt, Moorabin
