Blackchords have achieved the rare feat of creating a debut record that sounds two albums ahead of its time. The Australian quartet’s self-titled 12-track album does not suffer from filler-track syndrome or songs that sound like part two of the track played ten minutes prior. From the 1970s easy-rock sound of ‘December’ to the more jagged rhythms of ‘At World’s End,’ Blackchords exude a certain confidence and infectious enjoyment of their music. They’re definitely a band to watch out for.
Koko caught up with lead singer Nick Milwright to find out more their music, touring and film soundtrack.
Can you tell us a bit about your band? Where are you from and how did you get together?
Blackchords formed in the basement of a bluestone pub in Collingwood, Victoria, (Australia) where the band was allowed to set up and rehearse in exchange for cleaning the Pub. We are based in Melbourne though I am the only member actually from Victoria. Guitarist and Drummer, Damian Cazaly and Nick Cheek migrated from the Island Nation of Tasmania and Bassist, Tristan Courtney is from South Australia.
How do you write your songs together?
In the past it has been a case of me bringing a pretty much fully formed song to the band and each member paints over the top with the melodies and parts of their own instruments. Now that we have been touring together and really getting to know each other’s style of playing we are working on creating songs from scratch.
What is your favourite song you’ve recorded and why?
My favorite song recorded so far would be “As Night Falls”. It was written specifically for an Australian feature film, and so the way that I worked and wrote this song was very different from how I have worked in the past. It was working from an external source and then relating it back to my own experiences and feelings. It was quite a refreshing way to work. I also feel that it has the best chorus I’ve written thus far, and I’m a big fan of it!
Who are your musical influences?
There are so many and they are always changing with each brand new album that is brought to my ears. The honesty and simplicity of Musicians like, Bon Iver, Damian Rice, Feist, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Nick Drake etc. is one side that moves me then the big sounds and craftsmanship of U2, Interpol, The Beatles, Arcade Fire, Nick Cave etc. Excites me and Motivates me to work hard and be loud! Then the records made by Doves, Elbow, Radiohead etc. really inspires me to push boundaries to find more complex ways of composing and recording…..There is such an array of incredible music out there in the world that you can never really sit still and get stuck on one style or sound.
How do your UK fans compare to the fans at home?
We’ve had some great shows in the U.K and in Australia where we have felt completely at home.
We’ve been shown some exceptional support from both sides of the world too. So all in all I don’t feel like there is much difference between them.
Where else would you like to tour and why?
My aim in this life is to play music and tour the world until I’m old can’t sing anymore. I hope that it will take me far and wide and to whatever part of the world people want to hear my music.
How did the ‘Blame’ soundtrack come about? What is like having your music in a film?
The producer of Blame approached me last year saying he’d like to use a Blackchords track in the Film and would I be interested in writing one specifically for it. Six months later they had shot the film and and showed me the rough edit for me to get an idea of the feel and tempo of the track and I wrote and recorded the song with Tamil Rogeon and producer Nick Batterham a few weeks later. Firstly I was chuffed to just have been thought of, then I was really excited when I saw Blame at the Melbourne International Film Festival and realized that it’s a s**t hot film!
What is next for Blackchords?
For the last 18 months we have been playing shows around Australia the U.K and France. Getting to know what it is like to tour, becoming tight as a band and building our fan base. Now we feel it is time for us to take some time out from that side of it and begin working hard on the new songs and piecing together our second album.
You can download the first three singles and an exclusive live track for free at www.facebook.com/blackchords
