Gus Gardener - Papa Vs Pretty (05/01/2013)
So, I’m fresh off the phone from your hotline where fans can hear your new track Smother and even leave a message for the band. What sprouted this kind of project?
Well actually on the first demo of Smother we had this introduction which was voicemail messages which were sampled from a Louis Theroux documentary. We worked out we couldn’t use them on the album so we came up with the idea of our fans calling into the studio and leaving us messages. We’ve kind of kept it going now that the single is out just as a bit of fun.
Have you had a chance to listen to any of the messages that have been left?
Well Myers and I listened through to all of the couple of hundred messages that got left in the studio. That was interesting. Some really sweet ones, some really sad ones, some really scary ones, one or two death threats. But you get that!
You’ve been known to sample snippets of people’s voices on tracks in the past -- is the message service part of a bigger plan for your upcoming LP White Deer Park?
Yeah we did actually use some advertising/old radio samples on United in Isolation (our first album). On the new record, there are a handful of inter/intrasong sections where we’ve sampled and manipulated the messages. You’ll hear.
What has the band been up to since the release and heavy touring of United in Isolation in 2011?
Touring UII and then writing this new album. Lots of practise. Lots of honing. Lots of fun.
Papa VS Pretty’s sound has evolved over the years from synth based tracks to full Prince-style guitar riffs. How does the musical history of the band reflect on this new record?
I think it’s a culmination of all of it. It’s funny because I remember saying that about the last record. But this time I feel like we’ve matured in a slightly different way. Luke Liang has joined the band and he’s really challenged us and broadened the band.
White Deer Park is produced by Dave Trumfio who has worked with the likes of Wilco, My Morning Jacket and Grandaddy. How did this collaboration come about and why is he right for the band’s sound right now?
Tom met Dave while he was over in LA on holiday after the last record wound up. Dave was really amazing. He has an amazing set of ears and he really puts you at ease. It felt like he had a very open mind and was very passionate about the record.
It’s been noted that over 80 songs were recorded for the new record. What’s the process for deciding which of the many tracks make the cut?
Well we wanted to make it cohesive because some of the tracks splayed out in all different directions. There was riff-rock, grunge, indie-pop, alt-country, piano ballads. The challenge was pulling it all together. This took a few executive decisions and a lot of rehearsals!
Although PVP have a loyal fan base, what kind of new audience do you hope White Deer Park will attract?
Not sure. It’s difficult to be picky! If they love the music and want to connect with the record and come to shows, they’re welcome!
PVP started out playing gigs at the humble Hopetoun Hotel but you’ve since played headline shows in OZ and travelled overseas. What has been the best gig to date?
There’s been a few, but our show at Homebake was difficult to top. Our recent gig at Oxford Arts was the happiest I’ve ever been with our performance though!
With so much travel included in the gig, what are the bands top five songs for the road?
We usually listen to a bunch of stuff. Not sure I could definitively pick five songs since they tend to change so much but we tend to listen to stuff like Queens of the Stone Age, Bjork, Wilco, The Drones, Elliot Smith.
What does the summer hold for the band?
We have a few one off all ages and club shows around the surroundings of Sydney through December & January, one or two festivals, and the record is out in Febuary!
Samantha Dickson
Well actually on the first demo of Smother we had this introduction which was voicemail messages which were sampled from a Louis Theroux documentary. We worked out we couldn’t use them on the album so we came up with the idea of our fans calling into the studio and leaving us messages. We’ve kind of kept it going now that the single is out just as a bit of fun.
Have you had a chance to listen to any of the messages that have been left?
Well Myers and I listened through to all of the couple of hundred messages that got left in the studio. That was interesting. Some really sweet ones, some really sad ones, some really scary ones, one or two death threats. But you get that!
You’ve been known to sample snippets of people’s voices on tracks in the past -- is the message service part of a bigger plan for your upcoming LP White Deer Park?
Yeah we did actually use some advertising/old radio samples on United in Isolation (our first album). On the new record, there are a handful of inter/intrasong sections where we’ve sampled and manipulated the messages. You’ll hear.
What has the band been up to since the release and heavy touring of United in Isolation in 2011?
Touring UII and then writing this new album. Lots of practise. Lots of honing. Lots of fun.
Papa VS Pretty’s sound has evolved over the years from synth based tracks to full Prince-style guitar riffs. How does the musical history of the band reflect on this new record?
I think it’s a culmination of all of it. It’s funny because I remember saying that about the last record. But this time I feel like we’ve matured in a slightly different way. Luke Liang has joined the band and he’s really challenged us and broadened the band.
White Deer Park is produced by Dave Trumfio who has worked with the likes of Wilco, My Morning Jacket and Grandaddy. How did this collaboration come about and why is he right for the band’s sound right now?
Tom met Dave while he was over in LA on holiday after the last record wound up. Dave was really amazing. He has an amazing set of ears and he really puts you at ease. It felt like he had a very open mind and was very passionate about the record.
It’s been noted that over 80 songs were recorded for the new record. What’s the process for deciding which of the many tracks make the cut?
Well we wanted to make it cohesive because some of the tracks splayed out in all different directions. There was riff-rock, grunge, indie-pop, alt-country, piano ballads. The challenge was pulling it all together. This took a few executive decisions and a lot of rehearsals!
Although PVP have a loyal fan base, what kind of new audience do you hope White Deer Park will attract?
Not sure. It’s difficult to be picky! If they love the music and want to connect with the record and come to shows, they’re welcome!
PVP started out playing gigs at the humble Hopetoun Hotel but you’ve since played headline shows in OZ and travelled overseas. What has been the best gig to date?
There’s been a few, but our show at Homebake was difficult to top. Our recent gig at Oxford Arts was the happiest I’ve ever been with our performance though!
With so much travel included in the gig, what are the bands top five songs for the road?
We usually listen to a bunch of stuff. Not sure I could definitively pick five songs since they tend to change so much but we tend to listen to stuff like Queens of the Stone Age, Bjork, Wilco, The Drones, Elliot Smith.
What does the summer hold for the band?
We have a few one off all ages and club shows around the surroundings of Sydney through December & January, one or two festivals, and the record is out in Febuary!
Samantha Dickson