After seeing Sydney experimental rock band Solkyri in Melbourne at the start of their album tour, Gilbert Potts followed up his live review by talking with Andrew Pearsall from the band to find out a bit more about what makes them tick. In doing so he discovered Andrew that can tell the difference between AC/DC songs, the best place to record drums for killer reverb, and what a Jug is. Alas he is still not entirely sure what a Gunyaeda is - perhaps you will have more luck.
(((o))): Could you tell us a bit about yourself to start with– where you are from, when you formed, who’s in the band, what instruments you play and what other roles you have in the band? Anything else we should know?
Andrew: My name is Andrew Pearsall and I play bass guitar in Solkyri. I am also responsible for other noises such as glockenspiel, keyboards, metallaphone, melodica and synthesizers. The band consists of my best mates Adam Mostek (guitars, keys) and Nick Hall (drums, percussion, piano and guitars) and we are from Sydney, Australia.
We formed in 2006 and we didn't really do anything worthwhile until 2011, when we released our Debut EP titled No House. Earlier this month, we released our debut album Are You My Brother?.
(((o))): What’s the most beautiful sound you’ve ever heard?
Andrew: 'Everyone Should Be Killed' by Anal Cunt. Or 'Eleanor Rigby' by the Beatles.
(((o))): What’s you first musical memory?
Andrew: My first musical memory would be singing along to AC/DC when I was a young boy on a long drive to one of our many family holiday destinations. I absolutely adored AC/DC at a really young age without realising their legacy or the massive influence they have on rock music. 'TNT' is still one of my favourite songs to this day.
(((o))): Those moments where you hear a band or song and your life changes – what’s the earliest you remember, and what’s the most recent?
Andrew: One of my lifelong friends would regularly overdub cassette tapes for me during my early teens in a way to introduce myself to new music. I remember instantly getting hooked on the German metal band Rammstein who just wrote these huge down-tuned guitar riffs. I became obsessed with the band and I am pretty sure they were the only band I would listen to during the 8th grade - even if I didn't understand a single word they were saying.
This is quite ironic when you think about it, as I was initially drawn to the musical component of the band rather than the lyrics or the delivery of the vocals. So there's no surprise that I would eventually venture into experimental and instrumental music later on in my life.
(((o))): What do you buy or steal most - vinyl, CD or download?
Andrew: I would say it is an equal spread between purchases in vinyl, CD and digital downloads. I collect vinyl and I try to buy new releases on wax whenever my bank account permits. I have recently purchased Nostalchic by Lapalux, Yours Sincerely, Dr. Hardcore by Gallops and Nothing of Cities by Years of Rice and Salt on vinyl within the past month.
(((o))): What should the penalty be for turning off a good song before it has completely finished?
Andrew: If it is a Radiohead song, you will be severely punished with a Gunyaeda to the face that has been struck at an ultimate force. (Be our guest to Google what this means. It's complicated - ed)
(((o))): Is post-rock self-indulgent wankery?
Andrew: Are Dream Theater post-rock? If so, then yes.
(((o))): How and where was your latest record, Are You My Brother, recorded? Why did you go for that approach?
Andrew: We teamed up with Dax Liniere at the Puzzle Factory Sound Studios to produce and record our debut album. Dax produced our debut EP No House and he is an absolute pleasure to work with as he is always striving for the best possible outcome for your project. Tracks like 'Home', 'Threads of an Old Life' and 'His Ghosts Will Invade Puerto Rico' would have not have reached the level that they have without Dax behind the desk. His attention to detail is second to none and he has a good understanding of our sound and what we are trying to achieve.
Majority of the record was recorded 'in the box' which involves recording instruments digitally with the aid of online plug ins and amp simulators. I enjoyed recording this way as you can alter a guitar tone from track to track in a matter seconds and it helps in achieving the unique feel for each song.
We also experimented with field recordings and tracked the drums to 'No, You Are My Better' in a carpark to achieve this insanely huge reverb sound. I would love to do more of this spontaneous recording on our next record as not only is it interesting, but it proved to be a lot of fun. Recording albums and making music should be fun, right?
(((o))): Can you tell us about the way you wrote the songs on the record given the range of instruments, minimal use of vocals, and the rather differing styles found on the record? Did you write them with a record in mind?
Andrew: We wanted to steer clear of our traditional post rock roots with this album and challenge ourselves by incorporating new instruments and song writing techniques to deliver a set of songs that will work well together. We never really discussed what direction we wanted to take with this album, as we thought it would be best to keep every idea fresh and not limit ourselves to a certain sound or genre. We experimented with strings and horns on the No House EP and those songs were received well by the community and our fans. We all agreed to incorporate these elements on our album again, but like the rest of the new material, it had to be delivered to another level.
The band enlisted a six piece ensemble for Are You My Brother? which featured trumpet, trombone, french horn, violin, viola and cello. By incorporating all these instruments we were able to achieve the warm textural sound that we were after. There are indeed a number of styles found on the record and that is purely due to the fact that each member of this band listens to a broad range of music. Plus, it also showcases what Solkyri is all about and we like to keep people guessing on what our next move will be. I would be surprised if people were expecting to hear what they did upon their first listen of Are You My Brother?. If they did, then we failed to deliver.
(((o))): What does your music offer that we don’t already have?
Andrew: Diversity. Our music travels through many genres such as experimental, folk, ambient, shoegaze, indie rock and even heavy metal. It is our intention to experiment musically outside of the world of post-rock, whilst still paying homage to all that is beautiful about the genre.
(((o))): How did you come to release it through Bird’s Robe Records? Why was that the best move, and from an artist’s perspective, what do you think the future holds for the label?
Andrew: We have had the privilege to work with Mike Solo and Bird's Robe Records over the past few years and it just made sense for us to join his incredible roster for this album release. We strongly feel that Mike is the best person to represent this album and our band as he has the ability to provide us with opportunities that we would not normally be exposed to. For instance, we supported Laura in late 2011 on their album tour and this not would have been possible without the efforts of Mike. Same goes for the booking of our current tour. Also, Mike packs a warm and indulging hug.
With the recent signing of prog rockers The Nerve (featuring ex-members of Mammal, Cog and Floating Me) to the Bird's Robe Records label, I feel that is quite obvious that Mike is striving towards worldwide domination.
(((o))): From an outside perspective, there seems to be a good level of camaraderie between bands playing progressive/experimental music. Do you get the impression there is a genuine underground scene in Australia or in the major cities? Or is it a global thing? If there is a scene, where do you feel you fit into that picture?
Andrew: The Australian scene has been thriving in recent years and there is a healthy intake of experimental acts from around the country jumping aboard to display their own unique brand of experimental music. Last year I was able to discover indie-post-pop darlings Antelope from Perth, Sydney mathsynth-rock maestros SEIMS and the beautiful and lush magic of Setec. It is amazing and the scene is quite grateful that we have labels such as Bird's Robe Records, Art As Catharsis and Hobbledehoy who work endlessly to distribute their music to the right people.
How does Solkyri fit into the picture? We would most likely be the cousin that you have an awkward crush on and wished that we weren't cousins.
(((o))): You are touring your new record – what dates do you have coming up?
Andrew: We are traveling to Newcastle, Port Macquarie and Brisbane in May and then we conclude the album tour on home soil in June. Check out the dates at https://solkyri.com/
(((o))): If you were an animal, what would you like to be? What would you actually be?
Andrew: I would like to be a lion as they're pretty boss. But I mostly resemble my pet dog who is a Jug (cross between a Pug and Jack Russel). He just sleeps around all day and walks around with no clothes on.
