Q & A with TOWN
Mixing together ragtime, folk, alternative, and a dash of punk, Coast three-piece outfit, TOWN have begun turning heads locally. With their bent take on alt/folk, these guys have created a sound quite unique to our area.
They've been popping up frequently on the scene, and have announced that they will be playing the popular A Set Adrift on February 11th, so we thought we'd get a little more insight into the group before they set sail...
Hey guys. I’ve been following the journey of TOWN since Ant (pianist/vocalist) contacted me some time back, and have to say, what the three of you have put together is something quite unlike other acts on the Coast. Even though you’re a three-piece, the song structures are quite intricate, so how does the songwriting process begin with TOWN?
First of all thanks. I’m really glad it comes off as original and intricate. It’s not the case though. Our songs have simple chord structures with a few key changes here and there. I think we have a wide range of genres influencing our sound which seems to somehow disguise our simplicity.
The process almost always begins with the Piano and a few beers, a bottle of wine or a strong coffee. A doodling piano wandering whilst random words with no meaning and pure emotion are vomited outward. Lyrics are then added. I have a rough idea then of what I want from the bass and drums. However recently I’ve learned that Rich and Mark deserve complete creative freedom. The songs are then brought into our rehearsal room and basically jammed out until they sound like a TOWN song. (whatever that is).
When I first heard the track, ‘Rife’, it reminded me a little of this band called ‘White Rabbits’ from NYC. It blends an almost vaudeville style with alt/punk touches, wrapped up in a waltz. It sounds like you guys would love to get almost thrashy on stage (a difficult task given that you all don’t play the most moveable of instruments). Would you go heavier in sound, particularly with effects etc, with future songs?
I’ve always had a little thing for old ragtime piano so I guess that’s where the vaudeville thing comes from. As for the punk rock, I grew up obsessed with bands like Rancid, Bad Religion, Descendents, NOFX etc. and played bass and sang in various unsuccessful punk bands. It’s impossible to lose that influence. We do get quite aggressive with our style.. I mean I think I hit my keys harder than any pianist I’ve ever seen, Marks bow looks like a horses tail at the end of every gig and Rich goes without saying. I don’t think we’ll ever throw our instruments around though, we don’t want to kill anyone.
We’re really enjoying being a trio at the moment. I think that’s how it will stay. If anything I’d thicken our sound up with a Hammond organ or a piano accordion. The general rule is no guitars. Hate those guys ;)
You’ve managed to grow a fanbase pretty quickly, locally, but in your eyes, what would be the next big step in live performances (venue/line-up etc)?
Definitely escape the dinner crowd!
We’ll record an EP around march and a tour of the east coast ending in Melbourne is on the cards for later in the year. Just want to keep the ball rolling for now.
This one’s for Mark (Double Bass)… I’m a pretty big fan of The Living End, but also 90s group, The Sharp (both of whom used Double Bass). Both bassists are known for swinging their Double Bass around, jumping up onto them etc. Reckon you’ll implement some bass acrobatics into your repertoire as well?
Maybe when I can afford to destroy some instruments along the way, I can work on my technique!
You’re playing A Set Adrift in February (February 11th), which will be interesting for you. Are you all sea-faring types? And how will you go fitting your backline onto the Cat?
Some of our songs have a nautical theme, so I think it’s a good fit. Not sure about being mariners ourselves, but at least we can float away on Mark’s bass if anything goes wrong.
Thanks guys. Have a ball at A Set Adrift!
TOWN will be playing A Set Adrift on February 11th. Tickets available now, and are extremely limited - click here.