Eagle and the Worm (22/10/2012)
The 59th Sound had the chance to catch up with Jarrad Brown of Eagle & The Worm while they jetset around the country with Gomez, supporting them on a national tour. Jarrad bravely battled a nasty cough (and a case of old-fashioned flu) throughout our chat, and shared his reflections on metaphors, friendship and musicianship. The Melbourne band of eight are currently in Adelaide, SA.
What has touring with Gomez been like so far?
They're top blokes, they sound really good, and they write good songs. They pull a pretty passionate crowd. Having toured here for 10 years, they certainly pull a big crowd.
How has the reaction been to Eagle & The Worm from the Gomez crowd?
The audience are kind of into it, which is pretty encouraging – they are diverse and they're digging it, so we're pretty stoked with that.
You're supporting Gomez at Melbourne's iconic Corner Hotel later this month. Have you played the Corner before?
We did our album launch there last year and a few support slots, including Cat Empire shows.
Do you have any favourite Melbourne venues or live experiences?
We've had the opportunity to play at a lot of festivals – Falls Festival, Meredith, Big Day Out, Port Fairy. They're always great – there's a pretty hyped up crowd, and the people are ready to have a good time.
The small club shows are also great too – we played at the Old Bar in Fitzroy, which is a really tiny venue. The band fills up half the venue before the audience gets in.
Where does the name come from?
We made it up, it's a metaphor for the highs and lows of being a musician – often there's not that much in between. You're either [soaring] like an eagle, or you can be under the surface, under the dirt.
There are also a couple of references – there's a poem called Eagle and the Worm, and John Lennon lyrics [that reference an eagle and a worm].
There are 8 of you in the band – who is responsible for songwriting?
There is definitely democratic creative input. I am responsible for most of the songwriting, but this isn't the Jarrad Brown Show.
Do you all have fun touring together, in such a big band?
We have a huge amount of fun. They're my best friends. You've gotta support each other – to make sure everyone is getting what they need. [Touring] is different for every one – people want different things from being on the road. Most of us have been in a touring band at some point in time before [The Eagle & The Worm].
How did you all meet and come to join the band?
We're all mates of mates, and I put the band together – around 2009. We had all played in bands together, or friends of friends bands. It's pretty great playing with 7 of your best mates who are also really great musicians.
Do you consider The Cat Empire, who you have supported and with whom you share similarities in sound and size, a musical influence?
Some of those guys have been my friends – [one of the band] even played bass on some of Good Times. They're incredible musicians – and for me the people that influence me most are my friends.
Is there one musical moment on the Strangelove EP that you're most proud of?
'Darling Let Me In' – I wrote it for the band. Essentially the song's about music, and trying to get closer to it, and how it can make you feel. I feel like that one, just the whole arrangement as it was written, is a song written for an 8 piece band. I'm really proud of the music, and melodically, too.
You can catch Eagle & The Worm live while they tour with Gomez on their Australian run of shows. They embark on a national headline tour in support of their EP, starting in Hobart on November 3.
Strangelove is out now, through Warner Music Australia.
Rebecca McCann
What has touring with Gomez been like so far?
They're top blokes, they sound really good, and they write good songs. They pull a pretty passionate crowd. Having toured here for 10 years, they certainly pull a big crowd.
How has the reaction been to Eagle & The Worm from the Gomez crowd?
The audience are kind of into it, which is pretty encouraging – they are diverse and they're digging it, so we're pretty stoked with that.
You're supporting Gomez at Melbourne's iconic Corner Hotel later this month. Have you played the Corner before?
We did our album launch there last year and a few support slots, including Cat Empire shows.
Do you have any favourite Melbourne venues or live experiences?
We've had the opportunity to play at a lot of festivals – Falls Festival, Meredith, Big Day Out, Port Fairy. They're always great – there's a pretty hyped up crowd, and the people are ready to have a good time.
The small club shows are also great too – we played at the Old Bar in Fitzroy, which is a really tiny venue. The band fills up half the venue before the audience gets in.
Where does the name come from?
We made it up, it's a metaphor for the highs and lows of being a musician – often there's not that much in between. You're either [soaring] like an eagle, or you can be under the surface, under the dirt.
There are also a couple of references – there's a poem called Eagle and the Worm, and John Lennon lyrics [that reference an eagle and a worm].
There are 8 of you in the band – who is responsible for songwriting?
There is definitely democratic creative input. I am responsible for most of the songwriting, but this isn't the Jarrad Brown Show.
Do you all have fun touring together, in such a big band?
We have a huge amount of fun. They're my best friends. You've gotta support each other – to make sure everyone is getting what they need. [Touring] is different for every one – people want different things from being on the road. Most of us have been in a touring band at some point in time before [The Eagle & The Worm].
How did you all meet and come to join the band?
We're all mates of mates, and I put the band together – around 2009. We had all played in bands together, or friends of friends bands. It's pretty great playing with 7 of your best mates who are also really great musicians.
Do you consider The Cat Empire, who you have supported and with whom you share similarities in sound and size, a musical influence?
Some of those guys have been my friends – [one of the band] even played bass on some of Good Times. They're incredible musicians – and for me the people that influence me most are my friends.
Is there one musical moment on the Strangelove EP that you're most proud of?
'Darling Let Me In' – I wrote it for the band. Essentially the song's about music, and trying to get closer to it, and how it can make you feel. I feel like that one, just the whole arrangement as it was written, is a song written for an 8 piece band. I'm really proud of the music, and melodically, too.
You can catch Eagle & The Worm live while they tour with Gomez on their Australian run of shows. They embark on a national headline tour in support of their EP, starting in Hobart on November 3.
Strangelove is out now, through Warner Music Australia.
Rebecca McCann