Keep an eye for exciting prospect Silver Night Drive who will be playing a venue near you real soon to promote their self-funded debut album. Fronted by Andre Warhurst (Lead Guitar/Vocals) and backed by the formidable combination of Ben Timmis (Rhythm guitar/ Keyboards/ Vocals), Simon Smith (Bass) and Ian Kitney (Drums). Ben talks about the creation of their debut album and life within the band.
Congratulations on the album, is it a feeling of satisfaction or relief that the album is done? “Cheers, there’s definitely a feeling of both satisfaction and relief,” Ben admitted. “Musically, the album was complete some time ago, so it’s great to finally have a release date. It’s certainly been the product of many years of work. There’s a quote I always remember from Brian Eno that an album is “released” in several ways; in that once it’s in the public sphere, the music takes on a life of its own in a sense, no matter what the level of exposure it may get. I think I feel a little like that right now.”
Did you feel that this album challenged the band? “I think so in many ways,” Ben thought. “It certainly wasn’t always an easy process, and there were elements we reworked and rerecorded many times until we were happy (although much of it was also very spontaneous). The album was made in many locations, often intermittently, and sometimes it was hard to maintain focus in that sense. I think the intense rehearsal regime that we had stuck to early on put us in good stead to record together. Musically I think we’re all much attuned when we’re at our best. Much of the album was recorded live.”
Did everything go to plan? “I think so, apart from the almost inevitable fact it took a lot longer to complete than we hoped!”
How did Silver Night Drive get together? “We’d all known each other for many years as musicians and friends playing in different bands,” Ben said. “Andre and Simon had known each other from growing up in Mildura and had similar tastes in music, and I had met Andre and Kit years ago on tours of Melbourne from Adelaide in bands I had been playing with at the time. I was a big fan of their earlier band Manic Suede.”
Is there anything significant about the band name? “The kind of significance that can only arrive from a late night conversation and downing quite a few drinks!”
Creatively, was there anything significant in terms of influences? “I think there’s a very broad influence from the late 60s British blues scene. Bands and artists like The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Rod Stewart, The Small Faces, early Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Winwood, Jeff Beck and David Bowie are probably the most obvious, along with a great love of earlier blues and soul records. That said, I think all of these influences are probably greater in the sense of instrument tones and recording techniques than a particular sense of melody or songwriting influence.”
How does the creative process work for the band? “Andre is the key songwriter,” Ben made clear. “Most of the songs started out on guitar, with the rest of us adding inputs to arrangements, particular lines, harmonies etc. There’s also still a lot of spontaneity in the live show.”
Is it harder with everyone being in other bands to agree on songs? “I don’t think there’s ever been a problem in terms of our being in other bands, but I think there was definitely some hard decisions in deciding what Silver Night Drive songs should make the album when we started planning, as we’d demoed a huge amount of songs. Most of the songs virtually chose themselves in the end, and after a little time for some perspective to sink in, I’m very happy with way it works as an album.”
Are you looking forward to heading out on your own tour? “Definitely,” Ben agreed. “I think the band’s main strength is its live show, and hopefully this album will afford us the chance to play more often and continue to improve as musicians and as a band.
What can punters expect? “This Saturday? A great party at the Tote with Mosaik and Jackson Firebird, and a few surprises from us with any luck!”
