Haydn Ing - Calling All Cars (01/09/2011)
Having just played their first ever sold out gig at The Corner Hotel, The 59th Sound once again caught up with Calling All Cars front man Haydn Ing to discuss their sophomore album, Dancing With A Dead Man.
Your second album Dancing With A Dead Man was released earlier this month. How do you think your sophomore differs from Hold, Hold, Fire?
Like every band, we wanted to make this album bigger and better than the last. We also wanted to add more space and dynamics. It also has a different title.
Dancing With A Dead Man was only released roughly a year after your debut Hold, Hold, Fire. Was that an intentional decision or something that just happened naturally for the band?
We always had the plan to write as many songs as possible once the first album had been completed. I think it's important to be quick with album turn around these days, as attention spans are shortening by the second with everything being so accessible through the internet and statistics show that on average, 67% of the ummm... What was I saying?
I read that 80% of the vocal recordings for this new album were done in a room with temperatures floating between 38-46 degrees Celsius. Is this true, and if so what was the method behind your madness there?
Some would call it madness; some would call it something else. I have been given strict instructions not to give out too much information on this topic. Let's just say that this experiment was interesting, and the bruises are almost gone. Please contact our management for further information…
You’ve worked with producer Tom Larkin (of Shihad) on both records now. How has that working relationship developed across the two albums?
As far as I know, we are still friends. I don't know, he's been baring my calls. Tom knows when it's appropriate to bring the fist of fury to get the best out of us, and counteracts nicely with his soft palm of sensuality. It's hard to enter a recording studio with Tom and not be seduced and 'touched' in some way or another.
You’re currently in the middle of a national tour for the album. How have fans responded to the new material?
So far so good. I have noticed more people singing along, which is a good sign.
With this being your first tour since the album release, how have the new songs been fitting in with the old songs? Are you finding them running smoothly together when you play?
They're almost fitting in too nicely... It makes me wonder what we were doing before we had these new songs.
Calling All Cars have a very distinct Aussie rock sound. What sort of bands did you guys listen to growing up and did any of these influence your style/songwriting/sound?
Oh dear... Is my accent that bad? I did grow up on a farm. Maybe that had something to do with it. I guess I was listening to all the "festival" bands at the time. Australian bands included Silverchair, The Living End, Grinspoon, Spiderbait, Jebediah, etc... I had a thing for three pieces though. Two’s company, three’s even better.
How is it working with your brother? Do you ever find yourselves getting into petty arguments as musical siblings (see Jet, Oasis, Kings of Leon) are prone to do?
Always! But it's great. Wouldn't have it any other way. Instead of those little 'differences' festering within, we just come out with what we're thinking, no hesitation. Adam is also a great mediator... I feel sorry for him.
Have you got a favourite city/town/place where you like to play? Melbourne must be a favourite, calling it home!
Yes definitely. We just played to a sold out corner hotel. Probably my favourite show to date... Disregarding the obvious.
You’re on the road an awful lot, what are some of your tour must-haves that you take along with you?
Our sound guy always has to bring his blow up doll. Man that thing stinks!!
Also... Laptops, iPods, movies, magazines... And just remembering to give each other space. Especially our sound guy.
Your first stadium show was supporting American punk legends Green Day in Auckland, New Zealand before you had even released your debut album. How was that experience?
It was awesome! The guys were really friendly. And during our song Hold, Hold, Fire Tré Cool was up on stage setting off pyro-explosives. It scared the shit out of us!
You’ve also supported the likes of AC/DC, Biffy Clyro and Queens Of The Stone Age. Who has been the most fun to tour with?
It's all been awesome. Each tour tour has had its highlights, and it's hard to compare.
On this tour you have Boy In A Box and Redcoats supporting you. Do you guys pick your support acts yourself? If so, what sort of selection process do you go through when deciding?
Yes, we always choose our supports. We just talk about what we're listening to, what we like, and what we think would work with us. Also, both Boy In A Box and Redcoats are very handsome (but slightly less handsome than us). That is a large contributing factor. Note: Never book a support band more handsome than you!
Are there any plans of trying to conquer the tough overseas market anytime soon?
Always... But we're taking it one day (and town) at a time at this stage.
After you’ve wrapped up this tour, what’s in store for Calling All Cars?
DVDs, food, sleep, food, PlayStation, sleep, etc... Closely followed by demoing, more shows and in James' case, auditioning for The Hobbit.
Dancing With A Dead Man is out now. Click here for all the tour details!
Keisha Hanbury
Your second album Dancing With A Dead Man was released earlier this month. How do you think your sophomore differs from Hold, Hold, Fire?
Like every band, we wanted to make this album bigger and better than the last. We also wanted to add more space and dynamics. It also has a different title.
Dancing With A Dead Man was only released roughly a year after your debut Hold, Hold, Fire. Was that an intentional decision or something that just happened naturally for the band?
We always had the plan to write as many songs as possible once the first album had been completed. I think it's important to be quick with album turn around these days, as attention spans are shortening by the second with everything being so accessible through the internet and statistics show that on average, 67% of the ummm... What was I saying?
I read that 80% of the vocal recordings for this new album were done in a room with temperatures floating between 38-46 degrees Celsius. Is this true, and if so what was the method behind your madness there?
Some would call it madness; some would call it something else. I have been given strict instructions not to give out too much information on this topic. Let's just say that this experiment was interesting, and the bruises are almost gone. Please contact our management for further information…
You’ve worked with producer Tom Larkin (of Shihad) on both records now. How has that working relationship developed across the two albums?
As far as I know, we are still friends. I don't know, he's been baring my calls. Tom knows when it's appropriate to bring the fist of fury to get the best out of us, and counteracts nicely with his soft palm of sensuality. It's hard to enter a recording studio with Tom and not be seduced and 'touched' in some way or another.
You’re currently in the middle of a national tour for the album. How have fans responded to the new material?
So far so good. I have noticed more people singing along, which is a good sign.
With this being your first tour since the album release, how have the new songs been fitting in with the old songs? Are you finding them running smoothly together when you play?
They're almost fitting in too nicely... It makes me wonder what we were doing before we had these new songs.
Calling All Cars have a very distinct Aussie rock sound. What sort of bands did you guys listen to growing up and did any of these influence your style/songwriting/sound?
Oh dear... Is my accent that bad? I did grow up on a farm. Maybe that had something to do with it. I guess I was listening to all the "festival" bands at the time. Australian bands included Silverchair, The Living End, Grinspoon, Spiderbait, Jebediah, etc... I had a thing for three pieces though. Two’s company, three’s even better.
How is it working with your brother? Do you ever find yourselves getting into petty arguments as musical siblings (see Jet, Oasis, Kings of Leon) are prone to do?
Always! But it's great. Wouldn't have it any other way. Instead of those little 'differences' festering within, we just come out with what we're thinking, no hesitation. Adam is also a great mediator... I feel sorry for him.
Have you got a favourite city/town/place where you like to play? Melbourne must be a favourite, calling it home!
Yes definitely. We just played to a sold out corner hotel. Probably my favourite show to date... Disregarding the obvious.
You’re on the road an awful lot, what are some of your tour must-haves that you take along with you?
Our sound guy always has to bring his blow up doll. Man that thing stinks!!
Also... Laptops, iPods, movies, magazines... And just remembering to give each other space. Especially our sound guy.
Your first stadium show was supporting American punk legends Green Day in Auckland, New Zealand before you had even released your debut album. How was that experience?
It was awesome! The guys were really friendly. And during our song Hold, Hold, Fire Tré Cool was up on stage setting off pyro-explosives. It scared the shit out of us!
You’ve also supported the likes of AC/DC, Biffy Clyro and Queens Of The Stone Age. Who has been the most fun to tour with?
It's all been awesome. Each tour tour has had its highlights, and it's hard to compare.
On this tour you have Boy In A Box and Redcoats supporting you. Do you guys pick your support acts yourself? If so, what sort of selection process do you go through when deciding?
Yes, we always choose our supports. We just talk about what we're listening to, what we like, and what we think would work with us. Also, both Boy In A Box and Redcoats are very handsome (but slightly less handsome than us). That is a large contributing factor. Note: Never book a support band more handsome than you!
Are there any plans of trying to conquer the tough overseas market anytime soon?
Always... But we're taking it one day (and town) at a time at this stage.
After you’ve wrapped up this tour, what’s in store for Calling All Cars?
DVDs, food, sleep, food, PlayStation, sleep, etc... Closely followed by demoing, more shows and in James' case, auditioning for The Hobbit.
Dancing With A Dead Man is out now. Click here for all the tour details!
Keisha Hanbury