Loose Content - 'Costumes' EP Focus
From Bryon to Naarm, honing their sound, and the personal dynamic they share
Tell us about the process and making of your debut EP, Costumes. Where did you record, with who, and how long did it take?
We recorded ‘Costumes’ back in our home territory of the Byron Shire at a beautiful studio out in the hills at Brooklet co-owned by Nick DiDia who produced and engineered the record. The bulk of the recording took place within a 2 week window in which we had full access to the studio. The real finessing then took place in little stints over the 6 months following.
You are originally from Byron Bay and now call Melbourne/Naarm home. Tell us how you are finding it so far and how hard was it hard to leave the beautiful Byron hinterlands?
We all definitely miss the nature and slow paced lifestyle that living in the Northern Rivers facilitates but have really flourished as a band in moving to a city as active and as music obsessed as Naarm is - the music scene here has a lot more than just drumming circles and barefoot busking going on! We all still try our best to make occasional trips back home in order to reset ourselves and have a break from the urban hustle and bustle which is easy to get swept up in.
You all met in high school and formed the band, which I’m sure was a handy situation. Tell us about your past music history and how you developed your sound?
Growing up in a small town you’re never too many connections away from someone. Sam and MiLLa were actually neighbours and knew each other growing up previous to the band forming all the way back in 2018 when Aquila started drumming lessons with Sam‘s dad and began performing with MiLLa’s sister in the local circus. We knew that Aquila could play the drums so after seeing him live both playing and flipping around we knew he was very special. That was about four years before we all ended up in the same high school. Our sound has definitely changed a lot of over the years, when we started we were definitely writing a lot more towards an indie pop rock sound but as we all evolved as individuals and as a collective we have been influenced by a much wider and much more obscure array of material.
Can you tell us how you write your songs musically and who brings the lyrics to the table? you delve into some pretty tough issues around the dark side of the human psyche, environmental collapse, consumerism and the erosion of cultural identity to name a few…
Our songs generally begin their lives within a riff, a chord progression, a hook, or a broader musical idea and are then fleshed in a group setting at rehearsals until we have more of an idea of who the song is becoming. MiLLa will either write lyrics suited to the pre-existing musical personality of the song or otherwise adapt a poem she’s crafted in the case it matches the track’s sonic energy.
You have already supported some big names like Boa, Magic Dirt, and The Cruel Sea. Can you tell us your favourite gig you have played so far and why?
One of our more recent favourite shows was at the Northcote Theatre for a sold-out show supporting Boa. The venue itself is stunning and we felt we really connected with the audience and received a completely overwhelming reaction from the crowd…which isn’t always the case playing support slots.
Can you tell us your plans to launch the EP?
‘Costumes’ is out on March 28 along with the announce of our upcoming ‘Costumes’ Aus tour dates which will take place in May. Tickets for all tour dates will be available via our socials/website. We also have a limited edition 12” vinyl pressing of the EP which we will be celebrating with a handful of intimate live performances at record stores throughout Sydney on April 12 - keep an eye out!
Finally, who are your favourite local Melbourne bands at the moment or who would you like to see interviewed for Tempo?
There’s a tonne to choose from but here’s our Top 4:
Shock Corridor
It Thing
Gnome
Bollard
Listen to ‘Costumes’ on your preferred service here
Loose Content Costumes EP Launch Dates
Friday, 16 May – Brisbane, AU @ Black Bear Lodge – tickets here
Saturday, 24 May – Sydney, AU @ Bootleggers Newtown – tickets here
Saturday, 31 May – Melbourne, AU @ The Tote (Upstairs) – tickets here
