Brisbane artist Sahara Beck is on the precipice of releasing her latest album, Panacea. No stranger to the studio, this record is shaping up to be her best yet. Fresh from wowing audiences at Bluesfest, as well as picking up a Queensland Music Award for Folk Singer/Songwriter and a nomination for Song Of The Year for her song, Mother Mother.
Having released another taste of Panacea just this week with her new single, Spinning Time, it’s safe to say anticipation is at a critical level for her April 22 release date. If all this wasn’t enough still, we have now been gifted with a photo diary of Sahara Beck’s time in the studio creating what is sure to be an absolutely stunning release. Take a look for yourself below and be sure to wrap your ears and mind around Panacea come April 22.
We recorded the song Mother Mother live to tape on this amazing machine. Doing it live though meant we had to nail it. I was struggling with bronchitis all through the recording process so it was a bit nerve wracking for me to record the vocals live to tape along with all the other instruments in case I would ruin it. So at the end of the day we’d jam on on the song and then decide if the mood was right and ready to be recorded – it wasn’t until the second last night that it was ready. I remember that night we jammed on it and got it right, at which point (co-producer) Jeff (Lovejoy) said: “Alright great let’s go straight into it. Tape is rolling.” Right then my heart dropped and I felt like I’d been slapped back into reality. It took a couple attempts, but we got there. It’s funny in some parts if you listen super closely you can hear me coughing away from the mic in between lines. Far out I was SICK!
Our bass player Enzo might be a genius. I was obsessed with having a double bass sound on the track Don’t Hold Your Breath. We, of course, didn’t have a double bass so Enzo tried a bunch of different ways to play the part. In the end he just took his bandana off, stuffed it under the strings and there was the exact sound I was hearing in my head. I would never have through of doing that.
This was the desk we used to record all the first layer parts for Panacea. I thought it was so cool that you could see one of the recording rooms through a giant window in front of you and the other on a big screen TV above the desk. It was like something you would see in a movie. I remember the first time I ever came into this studio was years ago with a band called Rev Sunday, they wanted me to feature on one of their tracks. While we were recording there, Angus Stone was hanging around the studio because he was also recording one of his tracks with Jordan. I think I must have been about 15. Recording this time was bitter sweet as ours was the last album recorded at 301 through this incredible Neve. So much history in that desk you could smell it. It kind of reminded me of the advice I was given all those years ago – “Smoke a joint before you listen to the studio mix. That’s when you will tell if it’s a hit or not.”
This was while we were putting down the guitars for the songs I’m in Love and Oh La La. Jeff is the biggest guitar nerd so he was so much help on these tracks with getting the right sounds. I’d like mimic the sound with “waaaaaahwaaaah” mouth movements and he’d stop and think for a moment and then a light bulb would appear above his head and he would fly across the room on his rolling chair and pick up a pedal and say, “Give this one a go”. When it comes to Jeff, you can never have too many guitars.
This was the chart we used to keep track of what we still needed to get done. We had gone a little studio mad and started referring to everything as Doggy or Dog. So of course DJ had to add in a column at the end of all the songs of a dog. This picture makes me laugh, all of us standing there at the end of the session with our red wine stained teeth. It was starting get all a little weird by that point.
The amazing woman with the red hair and the denim jacket to my right is named Ali. I went to kindergarden with her, we grew up on the same street and we used to bring records over to each other and listen to them together. She’s been there at almost every single gig I’ve done, and she’s always been the first person I will show a new song to – which makes her the first person to tell me if it’s good or crap. Here she is sitting with us outside our studio accommodation celebrating the beginning of Panacea. Wine became something of a theme.
Here we are on the first day of recording at 301. The two kids are Jude and Susie, my manager’s children; they are the most inspiring little balls of energy. We were all so excited here as we had been talking about this day for such a long time. It made such a difference to know that no matter what happened, I have this beautiful extended family that will support and love me no matter how this record turned out. I remember they stayed all day as we were loading in all of our gear and then, by the end of the day when it was time for me to start recording vocals and piano for Everyone Wants Noise, my hands just weren’t doing what I wanted them to do. It was so weird, I guess all the hype and excitement just threw me off.
DJ was worried that we wouldn’t have enough drums. Obviously. We actually ended up bringing everything that we used in the demos including a whole lot of percussion which was basically things we found around the kitchen that we could hit. You can hear it all in the background to the song Crack Bang Bang. There was one invention I’m particularly proud – DJ poured a little bit of water into a mixing bowl and I would swirl the water by moving the bowl in around in a circular movement while he played a rhythm on the bottom of the bowl. This makes a really strange sound which was so perfect for this song. It reminded me of all those old radio broadcasts where they’d have a whole set up of weird little tools and nick nacks that would make sound effects in the background while the presenter spoke.
Here we are going through Enzo’s parts. He has to be one of the most laid back and talented people I know. Just someone who can pick up whatever you need as quickly as you need him to and he doesn’t get hung up on the wrong ideas. It was insanely fun – and time efficient. Double win.
Even though I’m all squinty eyed in this photo I love it because it reminds me of the excitement of arriving at Studio 301 and loading in all our gear and getting settled in. I couldn’t be more proud of Panacea and all the people that helped me make it what it is. What a memorable week. See DJ, I do help lug all your stuff. Sometimes.
It’s video roundup time! Once again, Howl And Echoes are coming in hot with the freshest, most eyeball-stimulating music videos to be dropped by the artists you love and some of the artists you don’t know you love yet this week. We do all the dirty work and herd them all into one convenient web-based location for you to enjoy every Friday so that you don’t have to. Have yourself a good old gander at the latest offerings from:
Hedge Fund – Summer’s Getting Shorter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5-I4gFdNB4&feature=youtu.be
Starting off with Sydney’s Hedge Fund this week and the video for their latest single Summer’s Getting Shorter. Featuring an absolutely stomping bass line amidst a swirling dream pop soundscape, the track has been met with instant acclaim since its release.
The video features frontman William Colvin giving a carpark everything he’s got, cutting shapes all over it with joyous abandon. Seriously, nobody has had more fun than he has dancing around on this rooftop at sunrise, watch and see for yourself.
Catch Hedge Fund on their Summer’s Getting Shorter tour around the country, they’ll be playing their own headline shows as well as supporting British India.
Pacific Heights – Buried By The Burden (ft. Louis Baker)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBUdCBxrhZo
This next one is a trip. Pacific Heights is the solo project from Shapeshifter member Devin Abrams. Soulful and ambient, his latest single Buried By The Burden is utterly heartrending, gorgeously minimalistic production surrounding his goosebump-inducing voice, the noise pressing in on you and building to a cacophony.
The film clip is 10/10 for creativity and ingenuity too, made using 3D laser printing and an XBox Kinect, it looks like the trailer for a survival horror video game. The stark monochrome melds perfectly with the sound to create a truly compelling experience.
Look out for Pacific Heights’ debut album The Stillness coming later this year.
Marcus Whale – My Captain
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULdUCS3pRdE
This next one from Sydney artist Marcus Whale (who you may know as half of Collarbones) delves back into a dark part of history. My Captain is his latest single, a jarring, violent and almost industrial track with an unforgiving wall of sound behind it.
The track and its accompanying video tell the story of James Nesbitt and Captain Moonlite, purported to be lovers in 19th century Victoria until Nesbitt’s death at the hands of the police. The story goes that Captain Moonlite cradled Nesbitt’s body, heartbroken. The video moves this scene to the roiling ocean waves and it’s even more powerful for it.
My Captain is from Marcus Whale’s Inland Sea, out now on Good Manners Records.
Defron – Montblanc (ft. Niamh)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyahQZfzTZ4&feature=youtu.be
Next up is Melbourne MC Defron and his sophomore single Montblanc. If you weren’t sure from the title, it’s a track with a running theme of pens and how to steal them (and also the bittersweet fading of a friendship). At six minutes long it’s a sprawling journey of a track but Defron’s precision delivery ensures there’s no lull here.
The video is a gritty snapshot of urban Melbourne, Defron rhyming from a dimly lit apartment and the grimy sidewalk before the conclusion of the song splices in animated lashings of colour.
Montblanc is from Defron’s debut EP Invalid, out now.
Kiiara – Gold
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sO9cBXRcBvo
If you like your pop to be both clever and catchy then the latest single from songstress Kiiara is right up your alley. Gold is a nifty three and a half minute slice of smoky goodness, Kiiara crooning over the top of some perfectly layered off-kilter noise evoking dripping taps.
The video, directed by Kiiara herself because some people have all the talent, matches the high end production of the song itself, the singer assuming her throne in the middle of what looks like a fun and terrifying house party.
Gold is from the EP Low Kii Savage, out now via Atlantic.
Sahara Beck – Here It Comes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDEz8ScVdYU
Having just won big at the Queensland Music Awards, currently playing this year’s Bluesfest and with a forthcoming album in Panacea on the way, Sahara Beck is very much on the up in 2016. Her latest single in the lead-up to her album is Here It Comes, a positively stomping number full of twangy guitars and big percussion, Beck’s vocals are effortlessly cool over the top of it all. And that crescendo, by God it is mammoth.
The sepia-tinged video sees Sahara Beck take the jam to a domestic setting, her band swapping out instruments for everyday household items. The whole thing rocks so hard.
Panacea is out April 22nd via Create/Control.
Nicholas Allbrook – Advance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_NEcdhrl_U
Advance is the newest single from Pond frontman and total legend Nick Allbrook, a taste of his upcoming album Pure Gardiya that we’re positively fiending for. Turning the David Bowie vibes right up, Advance crests and falls and howls and whispers, a song that seems made for a huge stageshow.
The accompanying video sees Allbrook covered in liberal lashings of gold and glitter, an all-white guitar in hand and blood smeared across his face, the whole thing is a production in itself.
Pure Gardiya is out May 27th via Spinning Top. Check out our latest interview with Nick in the meantime here!
Rae Sremmurd – Over Here
Rounding out the video roundup this week is Over Here, the newest single from hip-hop brothers Rae Sremmurd. You haven’t embedded the video, you say? That’s because this one is entirely interactive, something more than a few artists have been utilising in this day and age.
Head to https://overhere.tv/ on your mobile deviceand see for yourself. It’s definitely one of the better interactive videos we’ve ever gotten to play with.
See you next week! Happy Easter!
In the lead up to Born To Run – A Tribute to Bruce Springsteen being held this weekend at Brisbane’s The Triffid, we asked Moses Gunn Collective, Sahara Beck, Good Oak, Halfway and Love Hate Rebellion what their favourite songs were by The Boss! Ranging from big hits, to the overlooked phases of Springsteen’s back catalogue, their choices are diverse as ever and have us extremely excited to see what they’ll be performing this weekend!
Remember, we are giving away a double pass to one lucky person!
1. Like Howl & Echoes on Facebook
2. Email giveaways@howlandechoes.com with “BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN” in the title and your name in the email.
That’s it! We’ll be notifying the winners this Thursday, April 9.
MOSES GUNN COLLECTIVE
State Trooper
Bruce in all his double denim, bad boy, generally not giving a f**k glory. A smouldering salute to insane outlaws everywhere.
Streets of Philadelphia
A beautiful ramble that feels like it’s just wafted out of a heavenly gutter somewhere in deep America. You’re down ‘n out but it’s all good, Brucey is there with you.
SAHARA BECK
Radio Nowhere
I love this track. It’s passionate and driving and like he is searching for some soul in the crap that gets played on the radio.
Hungry Heart
I love the sing along in this – the cheesy key change the oooohhhhhs and ahhhhhhs – it’s perfect.
GOOD OAK
Atlantic City
This has to be one of the all time great songs, it’s my favourite Bruce song. I love the way they recorded the Nebraska album and it suits this song perfectly.
Ain’t Got You
This is such a fantastic performance from Bruce. It sounds like it’s out of the 50’s with limited instrumentation and a vocal that only Bruce could deliver.
HALFWAY
Tougher Than The Rest
From the often overlooked late 80’s record tunnel of love, his first officially without the e street band. Just a beautifully tempoed love song with a hint of desperation, and a typically great Springsteen bridge.
Hungry Heart
The first single from The River. A Phil Spectorish pop song with the e-street band in full, spectacular flight. He actually wrote this for The Ramones but decided in the end to hang onto it himself.
LOVE HATE REBELLION
I’m On Fire
From the moment the picking and rimshot fade in, you know you’re onto something a little sweet and sad. Yet at the same time it’s a surprisingly sexy song. More than hinting at many edges of human desire, the song also represents the keyboard sound that so defined the era. Hearing this song, you know you’re not only hearing The Boss, you’re hearing the Eighties.
Dancing In The Dark
It’s a Springsteen classic! Put this on at a party and people get moving even in 2015. You can’t start a fire without a spark and you can’t listen to Springsteen without Dancing in the Dark. Like many of his songs, it captures that get up and go working spirit that’s so often underpinned by longing. And again, there’s a tangible romance to it, which always makes music better.
In our last instalment of Flashback Friday, we paid tribute to Bruce Springsteen‘s Born to Run, and it seems we aren’t the only ones with what I like to call “Boss Fever”. That’s right, Brisbane venue The Triffid’s temperature has reached a critical level, so they’re putting on a special night to pay tribute to the living legend that is The Boss.
The 20 time Grammy winner will be honoured on April 11 at one of Brisbane’s newest and most exciting venues, with the likes of Moses Gunn Collective, Good Oak, Love Hate Rebellion, Halfway and Sahara Beck stepping up to perform hits from Springsteen’s extensive back catalogue. Each act has been successful in their own right, from Moses Gunn Collective nabbing the opening slot for the Byron Bay Fall Festival to Sahara Beck‘s final round nomination for Most Popular Female in the Queensland Music Awards.
Pull out your finest double denim outfit and jump on tickets now, this one is sure to be a night to remember!
We’re so excited that we’re giving away a double pass, so that you can be there to celebrate The Boss with us. It’s super easy to enter:
1. Like Howl & Echoes on Facebook
2. Email giveaways@howlandechoes.com with “BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN” in the title and your name in the email.
That’s it! We’ll be notifying the winners next Friday, April 3.