IOWA - (20/04/2012)
The 59th Sound chat to Iowa, who have just released their debut record 'Never Saw It Coming.'
It’s not easy to find you on Google! How did your name come about?
I was coming home from an overseas flight and was reading Mojo or Q which feature the Indie music stores of America. For some strange reason Iowa stood out! It’s especially hard to find on Google this year since its the 10th Anniversary of Slipknots biggest album Iowa and the Iowa Caucus dominating the search results! There’s also a Russian pop star who has hijacked our Last.Fm page!!
What’s the story behind how the band formed?
Dylan and I have been friends for years and always shared the same musical influences and talked about starting a band. He rang me whilst living overseas inspired after being blown away at a My Bloody Valentine reunion show, wanting me to keep an eye and ear out for a drummer so we could start a loud rock band when he got back. I did and we wrote a bunch of tracks and recorded them before we played a show which were released on s red and green 7 inch.
Your debut album ‘Never Saw It Coming’ is due for release this month, it was recorded over two days which is pretty full on, what was the recording process like and what kind of challenges did you come across?
It was highly productive, and rewarding. We went in to the studio well rehearsed and wanted to capture the live raw energy of a band playing together in a room. All songs were recorded in a couple of takes straight to tape. The only real challenge we had was time. Obviously trying to record 12 tracks in 2 days is a big ask and we had to ensure that we kept an eye on the clock and got the performances right within about 3 takes
How are you feeling about the regular nationwide airplay the first two singles ‘Panic Attack’ and ‘Complete Control’ are receiving?
Its great, FBi Radio in Sydney have been a massive support for the band. The have play listed Panic Attack and a track off the album Love Song. Its a great feeling to know that interstate radio are supporting us which has resulted in a number of downloads and new fans interstate,
How would you describe the style of music you play and what are your influences?
Big chunky guitars, melodies burried in fuzz! All the classic 90s bands, Swerverdriver, Sebadoh, The Pixes, Dinosaur Jr and their influences, Iggy & The Stooges, The Wipers, The Who, Black Sabbath, Neil Young. The list can go on and on.
‘Never Saw It Coming’ is coming out on awesome yellow 12” pressed vinyl, why did you decide to release the album in this limited edition format?
We are all vinyl junkies and from the outset of the band have always said that we wanted to release our music on coloured vinyl. It’s much more of an listening experience, a collectors item and sounds so much better than cd or a download!
You have two new video clips that were put together by Mike Jeffrey and Kat Harley, what was it like working with them and how did the concepts come about?
Very easy! Mike has been a friend for years and I had seen a couple of short surf videos that he had edited which looked great. We basically sent them the tracks and about a month later they sent us the incredible filmclips! Both times we were blown away with what they had done! They came up concept which was based around the lyrics, filmed and edited the whole thing! We think its a pretty amazing effort for their first attempt at film clips!
The album launch is coming up at the Phoenix Public House in Melbourne, how are you feeling in the lead up to it?
We are hanging to play! Its been a long time coming and cant wait to play at the venue! They have been great to work with and really promote their shows well. Its a great sounding room we look forward to playing some new tracks and selling some vinyls hopefully
What kind of experience would you like your fans to take away from the launch? Your site says you’re providing the earplugs…
It will be a loud rock show but we do supply free ear plugs as at the door for complete customer satisfaction! It can get a bit loud for some people by the 3rd song! This way the punters can enjoy the whole show and stand up the front! We have two incredible support bands Baptism of Uzi and my favourite band Tape / Off who are coming down from Brisbane
Where to from here? Will there be a tour or some more single releases? Last I heard the band was pushing for ‘Should of Known’ to be the next single off the album?
Either Should Of Known or Love Song might be the 3rd and final single of the record to coincide with launch shows in Brisbane and Sydney. We’re hoping to get stuck into writing some new songs and get recording again.
Iowa will play the Phoenix Public House on Saturday 21st April with Baptizm of Uzi and Tape/Off (QLD)
Nazia Hafiz
It’s not easy to find you on Google! How did your name come about?
I was coming home from an overseas flight and was reading Mojo or Q which feature the Indie music stores of America. For some strange reason Iowa stood out! It’s especially hard to find on Google this year since its the 10th Anniversary of Slipknots biggest album Iowa and the Iowa Caucus dominating the search results! There’s also a Russian pop star who has hijacked our Last.Fm page!!
What’s the story behind how the band formed?
Dylan and I have been friends for years and always shared the same musical influences and talked about starting a band. He rang me whilst living overseas inspired after being blown away at a My Bloody Valentine reunion show, wanting me to keep an eye and ear out for a drummer so we could start a loud rock band when he got back. I did and we wrote a bunch of tracks and recorded them before we played a show which were released on s red and green 7 inch.
Your debut album ‘Never Saw It Coming’ is due for release this month, it was recorded over two days which is pretty full on, what was the recording process like and what kind of challenges did you come across?
It was highly productive, and rewarding. We went in to the studio well rehearsed and wanted to capture the live raw energy of a band playing together in a room. All songs were recorded in a couple of takes straight to tape. The only real challenge we had was time. Obviously trying to record 12 tracks in 2 days is a big ask and we had to ensure that we kept an eye on the clock and got the performances right within about 3 takes
How are you feeling about the regular nationwide airplay the first two singles ‘Panic Attack’ and ‘Complete Control’ are receiving?
Its great, FBi Radio in Sydney have been a massive support for the band. The have play listed Panic Attack and a track off the album Love Song. Its a great feeling to know that interstate radio are supporting us which has resulted in a number of downloads and new fans interstate,
How would you describe the style of music you play and what are your influences?
Big chunky guitars, melodies burried in fuzz! All the classic 90s bands, Swerverdriver, Sebadoh, The Pixes, Dinosaur Jr and their influences, Iggy & The Stooges, The Wipers, The Who, Black Sabbath, Neil Young. The list can go on and on.
‘Never Saw It Coming’ is coming out on awesome yellow 12” pressed vinyl, why did you decide to release the album in this limited edition format?
We are all vinyl junkies and from the outset of the band have always said that we wanted to release our music on coloured vinyl. It’s much more of an listening experience, a collectors item and sounds so much better than cd or a download!
You have two new video clips that were put together by Mike Jeffrey and Kat Harley, what was it like working with them and how did the concepts come about?
Very easy! Mike has been a friend for years and I had seen a couple of short surf videos that he had edited which looked great. We basically sent them the tracks and about a month later they sent us the incredible filmclips! Both times we were blown away with what they had done! They came up concept which was based around the lyrics, filmed and edited the whole thing! We think its a pretty amazing effort for their first attempt at film clips!
The album launch is coming up at the Phoenix Public House in Melbourne, how are you feeling in the lead up to it?
We are hanging to play! Its been a long time coming and cant wait to play at the venue! They have been great to work with and really promote their shows well. Its a great sounding room we look forward to playing some new tracks and selling some vinyls hopefully
What kind of experience would you like your fans to take away from the launch? Your site says you’re providing the earplugs…
It will be a loud rock show but we do supply free ear plugs as at the door for complete customer satisfaction! It can get a bit loud for some people by the 3rd song! This way the punters can enjoy the whole show and stand up the front! We have two incredible support bands Baptism of Uzi and my favourite band Tape / Off who are coming down from Brisbane
Where to from here? Will there be a tour or some more single releases? Last I heard the band was pushing for ‘Should of Known’ to be the next single off the album?
Either Should Of Known or Love Song might be the 3rd and final single of the record to coincide with launch shows in Brisbane and Sydney. We’re hoping to get stuck into writing some new songs and get recording again.
Iowa will play the Phoenix Public House on Saturday 21st April with Baptizm of Uzi and Tape/Off (QLD)
Nazia Hafiz