Melbourne’s Halcyon Drive are set to release their brand new EP Untethered this Friday – a great step forward for the indie-pop act who have already garnered a solid reputation for themselves as a live band and recording trio. We’ve already heard some quality singles from the EP in “Books For the Holidays” and “Reset”, and with the band getting set for their most extensive tour to date off the back of Untethered, we’re expecting big things from Halcyon Drive over the next few months.
For now though, we learn a bit more about the recording of the band’s new EP from Michael Oechsle (which saw them link up with producer Steve Schram), how they’ve found themselves to have developed as a writing unit and more.
What do you think is the biggest musical development or change you’ve noticed as a band from your last EP, to this one?
For this EP, we set out to write a much broader selection of tunes and experiment sonically along the way. For our last EP, Cruel Kids, it was a fairly fragmented process whereby the tunes were recorded months apart over the course of our first year playing together. For the Untethered EP, this was a much more deliberate, methodical process, one in which we didn’t try and limit ourselves to a particular sound or genre too greatly.
Can you talk us through the recording process of this EP – how long did it take all up and what was a highlight of the experience for you?
Max and myself worked and then demoed these tunes over the course of around six months, developing them quite deeply in terms of production. We had 10-12 tracks all up to choose from at the time of recording.
Our ‘studio’ for this EP was a makeshift setup in an epic old Mudbrick house in the Otways forest of wintery country Victoria – definitely the highlight!
This was the brainchild of our producer, Steven Schram, who suggested we do something unique, converting the living quarters into a recording setup, as opposed to a more standard studio space. It really allowed us to immerse in it for a couple of weeks; to live and breathe it every day and night. I like to think the sound of that place is hidden through the whole record. I still remember tracking handclaps in the kitchen for the end of the track “Untethered” – the three of us – Max, Schram and I all with headphones on clapping away like idiots. It was a fun time. We really powered through the recording too – although I got very sick towards the end!
What was it like working with Steve Schram on the EP?
Schram has been a great mentor to work with on our first two EPs and has really taught us about how to write and arrange songs for recording. He’s never afraid to challenge us on the direction we’re headed in. He’s worked with so many amazing artists recently; it’s been mega having him in our corner for our records so far.
In terms of the songwriting behind this EP, how would you describe the way the band wrote this new material; would you say the writing dynamic between band members has changed any?
Yeah, definitely. This is the most Max has contributed to that side of things – I’d say much more than our first EP, which was a lot of me bringing nearly finished stuff to the table. It was also the first time the demoing of the tracks was 100% collaborative. We flicked tracks back and forth for weeks, each tweaking parts and arrangements until we were happy. I’m pretty proud of how much of a combined effort this EP is.
Thinking back to when you first started making music as a band, through til now, how different is the Halcyon Drive you initially envisaged to the reality of the band now?
For us, it’s all about experimentation, innovation and just not getting stuck in the same sounds we’ve been making or what has been heard on the radio. Especially on this EP, you can really feel us tugging in some different directions – something that I think we’ll be continuing to do for a while to come.
Now that we are starting to tour the country and play these songs that people are digging; that’s way beyond what I ever dreamed of doing in this project!
“Books for the Holidays”, “Untethered” and “Reset” have been enjoying some great praise from publications and fans outside Australia as well as on home turf – what does it feel like to know your music is having this reach?
Yeah, it’s pretty special to think that our music is being played on Spotify all over the globe right now.
For me especially, I think it’s very meaningful, because I write with the audience in mind a lot. So although sometimes a lot of the lyrical content is pretty introverted, reflective stuff that relates to my own personal life, it is also really nice to have a social commentary outlet as well. To start getting some reach with that is just super cool.
What’s 2016 shaping up for Halcyon Drive like, at the moment? Any exciting events you’re particularly keen for?
Yep! We’ve got our biggest tour to date in June/July for this EP with a huge run of dates up the East Coast – absolutely can’t wait. That last tour was really special, again such a buzz having people come out to see us all over the country. After that, we’re knuckling down to perfect a bunch more tunes we’ve been working on already for a new record… plenty of exciting times ahead for HD!
HALCYON DRIVE TOUR DATES
June 9th | Rad Bar, WOLLONGONG | Tickets
June 10th | The Stag & Hunter, NEWCASTLE | Free Entry
June 11th | Transit Bar, CANBERRA | Tickets
June 12th | Botany View Hotel, SYDNEY | Free Entry
June 16th | Workers Club, GEELONG |Tickets
June 17th | Saloon Bar, TRARALGON |Tickets
June 18th | Shadow Electric, MELBOURNE | Tickets
July 1st | Cats @ Rocket Bar, ADELAIDE | Tickets
July 8th | Solbar, SUNSHINE COAST | Tickets
July 9th | Trainspotters, BRISBANE | Tickets
July 10th | Sounds of Sunday, GOLD COAST | Free Entry
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