Clashing Colours - You'll Always Know
From the Album, Summer Air.
You'll Always Know is the first Single from Clashing Colours' late 2012 release Summer Air. The track opens with a rhytmic fingerpicking that carries the beat of the song, accompanied by soft lead throughout that compliments the rhythm without overpowering it.
The song flows very well, keeping the rhythm consistent till the latter of the song, and instead using changes in chord progression to mix it up. Its only downfall is in the outro chorus where the piano becomes more prominent and makes it feel cluttered compared to the open ended melodies earlier in the track.
For fans of The Script, Coldplay & John Mayer.
Free download available at www.mediafire.com/?6ga5ou25bprl3zb
Album review at bottom.
Interview
How are we going guys? Congrats on being our first Featured Band in 2013! How does it feel?
Lane: Thank you! It feels great to have more people listening to us and hopefully gain some new fans!
Lorcan: This will be our first feature in any form of publication. So I'm excited and delighted.
Tommy: Awesome! It's something new for us and it's definitely a great opportunity for more people to hear about our music.
Luke: It is an amazing feeling, its good to know that people out there are interested in our music and this is a chance for even more to be able to hear us.
Congratulations on the new album. Tell us a bit about "Summer Air", where was it recorded?
Lane: We recorded majority of the albums at our homes. The instrumentals were made at Tommy’s house and the vocals were done at mine. Three of the tracks on the album were done at Griffith University’s studios though.
Lorcan: As 17 year olds, we struggle to get the recording gear but always manage to pull it off with Tommy's gear or Lane's or my own. But we are very fortunate to record in the studio with our manager and some of our friends.
Tommy: Majority of 'Summer Air' was recorded with a very limited home-setup. Being seventeen years old it's hard enough just to afford maccas let alone some decent recording gear. But it was a great experience using the Griffith University Studios on a few tracks.
Luke: I came in a bit late into this album, I started out just being a live drummer for the band, next thing I knew I was a full blown member recording at the Griffith university studios.
What do you love most about music?
Lane: I love how there is so much of it and there is something for everyone
Lorcan: Music, is pretty much what keeps my life going. If something good happens, I write a song. If something bad happens, I write a song. Its my way of letting myself go and listening to music is how I keep myself intact.
Tommy: It's hard to put into words but I love the fact that it's everywhere and the outlet from life it seems to create.
Luke: I love how music can change emotions, I love when we play our music live and I can see people deep in thought, dancing around or getting chills.
What inspires you as a band?
Lorcan: I can't really say who inspires us as a band because we have so many idols.
But we all love Kings Of Leon or Coldplay. Two different bands but that's just what we like.
Who are your main influences?
Lane: Kanye West and The Beatles, both musically and fashion-wise.
Lorcan: My main influences in music are Sir Paul McCartney, Freddie Mercury, Stevie Wonder and Michael Bublè. No I don't look or sound anything like them. But they are my biggest influences towards music just because of how they live their life through music and are all masters of the art.
Tommy: John Mayer, Ed Sheeran and Coldplay
Luke: It's hard to say, I love the loud rough roudy sound of kings of leon but then I find myself sitting down playing along to the bluesy John Mayer.
How long have you guys been playing together?
Lane: Since we were 14
Lorcan: I was in a band with Luke from 2007-2009 called the Naked Youth. Then I joined Dear Lucy with Lane in 2009-late 2010. Then was with Tommy in a band called White Shadows and in early 2011 Lane, Tommy & I created Clashing Colours. Luke joined us in 2012 and then we just went from there.
Tommy: We have played music together all throughout high school but only more recently over the past two years have we been really focused as Clashing Colours.
Luke: I have been in multiple bands with all the guys since the seventh grade but only over the last year or so have I been playing with clashing colours as a band.
What's your favourite thing about performing live?
Lane: The crowds. Each crowd is so different and I love it.
Lorcan: My favourite moment about performing live would have to be in the middle of a song when there are no vocals just instruments. The crowd love the music and we all turn to each other and laugh because we're just so happy and excited.
Tommy: There is nothing better than that flying sensation of being up on stage, it's just my favourite place in the world. I also love the idea that every crowd is unpredictable and it's a new and exciting challenge every time.
Luke: This is an easy question. My favourite thing is watching how the crowd reacts to our music and how their emotions can go from one extreme to another in only a matter of minutes.
What is your favourite venue you have played at and why?
Lane: The Elephant & The Wheelbarrow in Brisbane. The crowd sang along and we had a really great time
Lorcan: My favorite I've played at would have to be Elephant Arms in Brisbane. Due to the fact its the farthest we've played from home even though its only an hour drive. The crowd were great and our first time we played our new album live.
Tommy: The Loft, Chevron Island. I just love the local indie vibe of the venue and the positive and engaging response from the audience.
Luke: The loft in chevron, the people that are there are actually there to hear new music and the other bands are always helpful if you ever need anything, its nice and cozy. Creates the greatest atmosphere.
What is your most memorable gig?
Lane: Either that Elephant & Wheelbarrow one or performing at an End of The World party. We played songs we wouldn’t usually play like “Thrift Shop” and had a really good time.
Lorcan: Lane and I played a gig as Dear Lucy in 2010. We were told about half an hour before hand that we had the gig. I was very sick and we didn't have a working guitar. So we rocked up, and luckily we were given an acoustic guitar. Though we forgot lyrics, I couldn't sing or talk. Though in the end we had great feed back and that night was when we met our first producer.
Tommy: Definitely our Elephant & Wheelbarrow show in Brisbane. The crowd was so fun and it was great traveling outside of our local area for a change
Luke: I would have to say my favourite would be when we set up our own private concert at our high school and invited only a select few. Somehow we managed to pack out the entire theatre and our performance went off! We finished our set and the crowd were cheering for more.
What is the funniest muck up thats happened on stage?
Lane: We were doing a cover of Taper Jean Girl by Kings of Leon at The Loft in Chevron Island and Luke & Tommy started playing a completely different part of the song that Lorcan & I were playing
Lorcan: In 2008, Luke and I played a talent competition as our band the Naked Youth. Luke dropped his drum stick, our guitarist broke a string and his guitar pick. And I forgot the words. The adjudicator complained about our street clothes not being suitable for the show.
Tommy: We were playing our song 'Love Never Dies' at The Loft and I was soloing during the intro and my guitar just went completely out of tune; like every string somehow and I was trying to tune it while playing and it was probably the most unpleasant sound I have ever experienced in my life.
Luke: Wow... This takes me back to my first live performance ever. We somehow wound up with a trio performance at an eisteddfod... (one of those things with the girls who dress up in tights and sing along to show tunes) We rocked up in what the adjudicator called street clothes. Our guitarist had an out of tune guitar, broke his guitar pick and a string, Lorcan forgot the words to our song, and I dropped a drumstick. One of the best and worst days of my life.
What artists/bands would you like to play alongside in the future?
Lane: Right now I’m loving Ball Park Music, Seven & Allday. So hopefully we play with them soon & I don’t think there’s anyone better in music than Frank Ocean right now.
Lorcan: I would love to play by side John Mayer or Michael Bublè some time in the future. Though a definite would have to be Coldplay. I'd love to write a song with Chris Martin and Will Champion.
Tommy: Matt Corby would be pretty awesome. I'm obsessed with his stuff. I really want to play alongside The Temper Trap too. Can't get enough of their music right now.
Luke: Ball Park Music, Jack White, John Mayer and last but far from least Kings Of Leon.
What's your favourite song to play off the new album?
Lane: I Can’t Sleep or Love Never Dies
Lorcan: My favorite song to play off of the new album would have to be Nicola. It shows us as a whole band and all our skills. Either its Tommy's two eyes roll to the back of his head playing his licks, or Lane ripping up the carpet with his funky foot work or Luke tearing out of his shirt almost breaking his rainbow coloured sticks during the change from the harmonies to a very long rendition of Hey Jude.
Tommy: You'll Always Know or I Can't Sleep
Luke: My favourite song to play live from Summer Air has got to be Love Never Dies or Nicola with our crazy little mashup at the end that turns into Hey Jude that leaves the crowd singing along at the top of their lungs.
If you could sum up your music in one sentence what would it be?
Lane: Mellow
Lorcan: We play what we feel.
Tommy: Mellow, easy listening, Sunday morning kind of tunes that put you in a good mood for the rest of the day.
Luke: I couldn't.
What can we expect from you in the future?
Lane: Cats, lots of cats
Lorcan: A whole lot of good music. And some more colours.
Tommy: Definitely a lot of awesome live shows and some great new music on our next EP. I can also personally expect some psychiatric assistance for being so smart at life and for the general colour of my hair.
Luke: I assume a whole lot of birthdays from all of us...
Album Review
Hailing from the Gold Coast, Clashing Colours embody much of the sunny state's feel good vibes and surf culture. Combining lush acoustic guitar melodies and hushed vocal harmonies, the young lads demonstrate their strong songwriting and polished chops on their debut album Summer Air.
Beginning with the sounds of the ocean; gulls squawking in the distance, the waves lapping on the shore and people sitting back and relaxing James Street sets the scene, electric guitar softly noodling in the background. If, for whatever reason, these sounds would not be listed under “turn ons” for you, then this album probably isn't going to be either. Reminiscent of John Mayer at his AOR peak, album opener Three Leaf Clover introduces the band with smooth blues licks and shuffling percussion, gentling rocking along to love lorn vocals. The arrangements are essentially down to the guitar 'n vocal combo to drive the album along emphasising the lyrical content of the perfect summer. The textured sounds of summer are accompanied by the odd rolling piano chord and percussionist Luke Poidevin who shows well balanced restraint in the timing of his arrangements, alternating between kit and shakers.
Thankfully, Clashing Colours are seemingly oblivious to the textural monotony of some of their contemporaries, and are far from shy when it comes to orchestrating harmonies. Lead vocalist Lorcan Waugh, who can be favourably compared to Fleet Foxes front-man Robin Pecknold, grounds the groups compositions with his crisp clear voice, and guitarist Tommy Sheehan illuminate what can all too often turn into a dull sound-scape of acoustic guitar and quiet vocals, with shimmering yet intricate melodies. There aren't really any surprises here, except perhaps for Lover Never Dies, a brief diversion into a more up-beat avenue. Almost breaking into hip-hop, soulful vocals are blended with angst-driven guitar and laid-back rhymes to create a folk/hip-hop hybrid unique to this group.
The rest of the album continues in much the same vein up until closing track Summer Time's Over which takes Summer Air on an oddly dark turn. Alluding to the cold and merciless, the song transforms what was a seemingly pretty chilled out album of summer grooves, into sociopathic murder territory, it would remind me of Ween's Object, except I don't think Ween ever rapped about killing anyone. Deceivingly ambient Summer Air is very much an album to listen to while lying in the sun and hanging out. These guys do the whole summer time memories thing quite well mind you, each track leaves a fairly distinct impression and while its no genre bending masterpiece, Clashing Colours execute the staples of modern surf-folk with taste and skill.
