Kim Benzie - Dead Letter Circus (08/08/2013)
One day. That’s all the time that Dead Letter Circus fans have left until two of their biggest secrets revealed. What form will their new album take? And just what is the meaning behind the band’s elusive name? To find out, The 59th Sound had a chat with DLC's vocalist, Kim Benzie.
Dead Letter Circus burst onto the music scene in 2007 to listeners who were unsure of what to make of the hybrid of sounds they were hearing. The sound was so fresh and unique that their debut album reached number two on the ARIA charts, spawned six radio singles and was certified Gold. But despite its success, singer Kim Benzie said the band was conscious that they didn’t want to make the same album twice.
“Finding the direction was the hardest part,” he said. “Our offering is a more textured, layered listening. Mystifying people is what we like to do.”
During their four national sold-out tours, Kim said band members became citizens of the world and were made aware of the mechanics of what’s wrong society.
The Catalyst Fire will be released on August 9 via UNFD and Kim describes it as a call to arms. The world and its problems is typical conversation among a band that spends as much time together at Dead Letter Circus does.
“Change is not an option, it’s an ultimatum,” he said. “No one trusts the government. It’s become barbecue conversation for bricklayers on the weekend. They can see it but ask ‘what difference can I make’?”
Dead Letter Circus make a conscious effort to be as raw with fans as possible but are guilty of keeping one big secret – the meaning behind the band’s name. Members made a pact they would not reveal the meaning of Dead Letter Circus until an agreed upon time. Kim said that time has come.
“When the album comes out, we are going to talk about it,” he said. “We can’t put it off anymore. It’s a very silly name but very serious music.”
But for now the focus is on getting the album out and devising a set list for their upcoming Australian tour.
“We are looking forward to seeing what the favourite songs of the crowd are,” Kim said. “It really is up to the people and how it resonates with them. We are trying to choose a set list to play of old and new. Every song could be someone’s favourite. At the moment it (the album) belongs to us but come August 9, it belongs to everyone.”
Dead Letter Circus will play 12 shows across Australia before touring in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Europe. Writing has also commenced for their third album.
“We are not just writing for drunk community men and women now … we didn’t want to wait three years for the next album,” Kim said.
Nicole Barlow
DEAD LETTER CIRCUS
THE CATALYST FIRE TOUR
w/ Closure In Moscow & Sleep Parade
Tickets on sale Monday 8th July
http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.
Thursday 29th August - HQ Adelaide, SA
Friday 30th August - The Wool Exchange Geelong, VIC.
Saturday 31st August - The HiFi Melbourne, Vic
Wednesday 4th September - Zierholz @ UC Canberra, ACT
Thursday 5th September - The Metro Sydney, NSW
Friday 6th September - Waves Wollongong, NSW
Saturday 7th September - The Cambridge Hotel Newcastle, NSW
Thursday 12th September - Kings Beach Tavern Caloundra, QLD
Friday 13th September - The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba, QLD
Saturday 14th September - The Hifi, Brisbane, QLD
Thursday 19th September - Prince of Wales, Bunbury, WA
Friday 20th September - Metropolis, Fremantle, WA
Dead Letter Circus burst onto the music scene in 2007 to listeners who were unsure of what to make of the hybrid of sounds they were hearing. The sound was so fresh and unique that their debut album reached number two on the ARIA charts, spawned six radio singles and was certified Gold. But despite its success, singer Kim Benzie said the band was conscious that they didn’t want to make the same album twice.
“Finding the direction was the hardest part,” he said. “Our offering is a more textured, layered listening. Mystifying people is what we like to do.”
During their four national sold-out tours, Kim said band members became citizens of the world and were made aware of the mechanics of what’s wrong society.
The Catalyst Fire will be released on August 9 via UNFD and Kim describes it as a call to arms. The world and its problems is typical conversation among a band that spends as much time together at Dead Letter Circus does.
“Change is not an option, it’s an ultimatum,” he said. “No one trusts the government. It’s become barbecue conversation for bricklayers on the weekend. They can see it but ask ‘what difference can I make’?”
Dead Letter Circus make a conscious effort to be as raw with fans as possible but are guilty of keeping one big secret – the meaning behind the band’s name. Members made a pact they would not reveal the meaning of Dead Letter Circus until an agreed upon time. Kim said that time has come.
“When the album comes out, we are going to talk about it,” he said. “We can’t put it off anymore. It’s a very silly name but very serious music.”
But for now the focus is on getting the album out and devising a set list for their upcoming Australian tour.
“We are looking forward to seeing what the favourite songs of the crowd are,” Kim said. “It really is up to the people and how it resonates with them. We are trying to choose a set list to play of old and new. Every song could be someone’s favourite. At the moment it (the album) belongs to us but come August 9, it belongs to everyone.”
Dead Letter Circus will play 12 shows across Australia before touring in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Europe. Writing has also commenced for their third album.
“We are not just writing for drunk community men and women now … we didn’t want to wait three years for the next album,” Kim said.
Nicole Barlow
DEAD LETTER CIRCUS
THE CATALYST FIRE TOUR
w/ Closure In Moscow & Sleep Parade
Tickets on sale Monday 8th July
http://deadlettercircus.oztix.com.au
Phonecharge: 1300 762 545. All usual outlets.
Thursday 29th August - HQ Adelaide, SA
Friday 30th August - The Wool Exchange Geelong, VIC.
Saturday 31st August - The HiFi Melbourne, Vic
Wednesday 4th September - Zierholz @ UC Canberra, ACT
Thursday 5th September - The Metro Sydney, NSW
Friday 6th September - Waves Wollongong, NSW
Saturday 7th September - The Cambridge Hotel Newcastle, NSW
Thursday 12th September - Kings Beach Tavern Caloundra, QLD
Friday 13th September - The Spotted Cow, Toowoomba, QLD
Saturday 14th September - The Hifi, Brisbane, QLD
Thursday 19th September - Prince of Wales, Bunbury, WA
Friday 20th September - Metropolis, Fremantle, WA