It’s been a couple of weeks now since we first laid ears on Byron St. John’s new album The Lost Boys, and for that entire time, we haven’t stopped listening.
The album is dark, cinematic, and completely captivating. So, caught up with the artist himself to chat all about it, his time playing in various bands, and what the future holds.
“The album has a lot of sadness to it but there is also hope“: Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Byron St. John chats his incredible debut album.
HAPPY: Hey, how’s it going? What are you up to at the moment?
BYRON: Hey, it’s the Easter weekend, I am at home drinking coffee and I’ve just put my new video up (Last Days).
HAPPY: We’ve been loving The Lost Boys! How does it feel having the album out there in the world?
BYRON: It feels nice. It’s making me want to do more. I’m excited about playing it live and having more people hear it.
HAPPY: Were there any general ideas/themes you noticed popping up throughout the album?
BYRON: The album has a lot of sadness to it but there is also hope. Like in the song Get High which will be my third video, it’s about finding euphoria in destruction… This is a theme throughout. There are supernatural moments, crossing dimensions with death—like in Last Days… the video is about two friends who died together from a heroin overdose and suicide following. The video is my imagining of their transition to some kind of afterlife, the car is the vessel taking them there.
HAPPY: When you embarked on writing/recording this album, did you have a general mission statement in mind?
BYRON: Yes. I had a collection of songs that I wanted to record and some new ones. I was in a musical rut for years as a writer/producer. I felt like I couldn’t find balance. Working with Adam at Toyland helped me get my shit together in terms of finishing songs. When you’re in the studio your on the clock, you can’t fuck around. I set out to make of work that flowed and I wanted it to be a journey for whoever may listen to it.
HAPPY: What made you decide to jump straight in into a full-length album for your debut?
BYRON: I was initially going to do an EP, but I felt like I wanted to tell a story and four or five songs wasn’t going to do that. I also wanted enough material for a live show that if a song resonated with someone they could refer back to it with the recording. I wanted to have something strong and final, that if it was the only thing I ever did, it would be there forever.
HAPPY: You’ve spent the past number of years playing in a variety of different bands… do you think your time playing in those bands influences the music you make currently?
BYRON: Not sonically. I think all my bands have had a different sound. There have been punk rock, rock n’ roll, disco, electroclash and synth pop. However, as a writer and performer working with different people you soak in so much and learn new things always. I have been playing music for over 15 years and everyone I have worked with has taught me something.
HAPPY: Are there any particular artists you’re currently loving?
BYRON: My favourite current band is the Bambi Kills who I am playing with through June at the Tote as part of their front bar residency. Vanessa V, who sings on my album on ‘last days’ and her sister Elena are a sister duo with the most ridiculously amazing voices and cool production. They are dark and electronic and their sound is filmic, minimal beauty. Their harmonies slay me.
HAPPY: What’s next for Byron St. John? Any other exciting plans in the works?
BYRON: I have my first show coming up at Laser Highway which is at loop space and have a month of Wednesdays in June at The Tote Hotel in Collingwood. I’m about to do a video for my song Get High and have already started writing my next project…
HAPPY: Cheers for the chat!
The Lost Boys is available now. Listen above.
