Nov 10 2013
HARD ROCK INTERVIEWS 2013 - THE SIREN TOWER'S GRANT MCCULLOCH 2013
THE SIREN TOWER'S GRANT MCCULLOCH TALKS TO THE ROCKPIT ABOUT THE NEW ALBUM AND THE NATIONAL TOUR |
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The Siren Tower is another Perth band destined for bigger things. With their new album hot off the presses it's hard to exactly define their 'sound' and that's a large part of the appeal of this distinctly Australian band. We caught up with Grant McCulloch to get to the bottom of things... |
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Mark: Thank you for taking the time to talk to the Rockpit. For those who aren’t familiar with the band can you recap how it all started and how you got to where you are today?
Mark: How would you describe your sound? People are throwing around things like ‘roots rock’ and ‘distinctly Australian Rock’ – how do you view yourselves?
Mark: Is there a story behind the band name, or is it just a very cool name?
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Mark: Coming from a place like Perth which has such a rich and varied scene and yet is so isolated do you think it’s any easier of harder for bands to break out?
Mark: You’re another three piece band that produces a huge sound. Do you ever feel constrained by the formation or liberated by the players with you?
Mark: You started off the tour in Tassie in October and round it out this weekend back home at the Amplifier. How has it been and what stories can you bring us from the road?
Mark:What songs are being best received live and what’s the vibe like out there in different states? Is it easier to get people out in say Brisbane than Perth?
Mark:What is the best thing about playing live?
Mark: Your new album ‘A History of Houses’ sounds like something every aspiring architect would read – what’s it all about?
Mark: How quickly did the album come together and what was the recording process like?
Grant: It took a long time to be honest; we tracked for about a month with our co-producer, Forrester Savell and we continued to work on it for another six months or so after that, then the packaging was another few months back and forthing with the manufacturers. So from tracking to the receiving the final thing it was probably 12 – 18 months.
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Mark: You explore some interesting themes lyrically on the record, were you specifically setting out to write with particular themes in mind or something less solid?
Mark: Did you get what you wanted from the album, or do you feel even from this distance there are things you would change?
Mark: The single and video for “King River” is amazing do you feel that is the song that was the best representation of the band on the album?
Mark: Tell us a little about the making of the video?
Mark: It’s a very strong debut talk us through a couple of our favourites – “The Banishing Of William McGuiness” and “Floods”.
Grant: Growing up. And Floods, well that’s a little more personal and style wise it’s just a flat out rock song. It always has a huge impact live so it’s definitely a highlight.
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Mark: What are your plans for 2014 and beyond?
Mark: What have been your greatest challenges to date, and your favourite moments musically?
Mark: With technology changing so much over the last few years and seemingly not slowing, and TV force-feeding us the lowest common denominator, what hope is there for rock music?
Mark: Thinking back to your early memories of music, what was it that first made you decide you needed to be in a Rock and Roll band?
Mark: From what you’ve learned so far what is the most valuable advice you’ve been given so far as a musician?
Mark: Can music change the world?
Mark: If you could have been a ‘Fly on the wall’ for the creation of any great album from any period, just to see how the magic happened and it all came together, what would it have been for you any why?
Grant: Sgt. Pepper's or Pet Sounds probably… because how the fuck do you make those albums. I mean really. Just how the fuck?
Mark: What is the meaning of life?
Grant: Be excellent to each other.
Grant spoke to Mark Diggins November 2013 |
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