Last month, when Melbourne-based trio SLOMO dropped their latest single Then I Said, we were immediately immersed in their sprawling instrumental grunge sounds.
So before they launch the single this Friday at Bar 303, we caught up with the band to chat all about it, the freedom of playing instrumental music, and what the future holds.
Before they launch their new single Then I Said this Friday, we caught up with Melbourne-based three-piece SLOMO for a chat.
HAPPY: Hey, how’s it going? What are you up to at the moment?
SLOMO: In order of appearance, the band is writing, recording, buying more gear, studying, working, making posters, pressing cassette tapes and getting ready for our launch this Friday 26th April. All good things!
HAPPY: We’re loving Then I Said! How does it feel having the track out there in the world?
SLOMO: Thanks! Yes, it feels good, we were really excited to release the track as I think it’s a good teaser for our live shows. We recorded it last August, so it’s nice to finally have other ears onto it.
HAPPY: Could you tell us a bit about the song?
SLOMO: Then I Said has evolved over the past year the more we have played it live. It is a song left open to the interpretation of the listener, but for us, it’s about something becoming more and more outside of your control. A mantra midway into the track of “complain makes it louder” is a reminder of how we can choose how to react to situations.
HAPPY: I feel like we don’t come across too many new instrumental rock bands these days… what made you want to take your band in that direction?
SLOMO: Honestly, it’s just the music we’ve always loved and wanted to play, the best thing about being a three-piece is there’s heaps of room for each of us to express ourselves in the music.
HAPPY: You released a pair of songs before this latest single… how do you see Then I Said as being different from past material? If at all…
SLOMO: The other two songs, Radical Plastic and Elephant we released earlier this year and were recorded on the same day as Then I Said. They are more demos than singles for people to listen to. We have released Then I Said as our first single as it’s a good introduction to our type of music, plus we were all really happy with how the recording captured our live sound.
HAPPY: Are there any particular acts you cite as big influences?
SLOMO: Sonic Youth, Fuck Buttons, Battles and Radiohead are some of our biggest influences however, we have plenty of others.
HAPPY: What’s next for Slomo? Any other exciting plans in the works?
SLOMO: We’re really excited for our launch this Friday at Bar 303, after that we are playing a few gigs and house parties. Following that, we will be releasing a new single with a regional tour. We’ll be sure to let you know when it happens!
Then I Said is available now. Listen above.
Catch SLOMO live this Friday, April 26th at Bar 303 in Northcote. More info here.
