What inclusion for the Coopers Alive SA Live Music Showcase – Mr Wednesday. After regrouping to work on some new material the band is back and ready to show off their new wares according to the front man Moon.
What’s the latest goings on for Mr Wednesday? “Juggling a couple balls at once to catch up with the rest of Adelaide after a short break from music,” Moon answered. “The break was a complete absence from creativity (except for Ryan who fills spare time with new bands and new jeans) and allowed everyone a little clarity around what they would like to achieve through Mr Wednesday.”
How’s the recording going? “We are in the process of completing our second recording So Happy Yet So Out Of Breath (Our temperamental singer is holding things up with fickle forays into creativity – mood swings – and is determined to sing poorly but make it look like he means it). Its a far departure from anything we have done, and probably ever likely to do, so its something we have been patient with to make sure regardless of the outcome it is a product we feel good about.”
Moon also added, “In the mean time we have looked beyond So Happy to start composing the follow up concept _Scientists Will Cheat The En_while laying the foundation for the concept to follow that Godsends. Scientists is expected to be accompanied by a short story/picture book being developed by local artists, while we hope Godsends becomes a genuine soundtrack to a novel the band developed some four years ago. In other news we have a new bass player. The hair has returned, but there is a new guy underneath it. And last rehearsal Eamon opened his eyes for the first time in the Band’s history. So all in all things are progressing well.”
What does it mean for your band to be playing the SA Live Music Showcase? “In short it means a lot to us,” Moon stated. “One thing we have experienced since returning from our time away is the new level of activity going on around Adelaide. Many more bands, many varied styles and top notch delivery in live circles to strong audiences. Depending on your view this is either scary or exciting, there is a real substance to the City’s live music claims and this is supported by events like the SA Live Music Showcase, so to be a part of this event indicates we are still a relevant contributor to what the local scene offers.”
Do you approach this special event any differently to a normal gig? Generally we take every opportunity to learn off of other bands,” Moon admitted. “We also hope that we offer ideas in return, our live sets try to reflect the venue, the other bands and the progression of music in our catalogue. This wont be approached entirely differently in that we will still look to achieve all of the same things, however we do realise we have a small window to deliver a notion of who we are creatively; a set selection not based on what entertains an audience waiting for the headlining act, but on what makes sense to the message we would like to get across. We’ll use the rehearsal as a chance to take a step back and construct a set that has a logical progression.”
Is there any extra pressure knowing that industry types might be sussing you out? “I don’t think there’s any extra capacity for stress in our diet,” Moon thought. “Some of the guys in our line up are perfectionists, while we all have the utmost respect for every band we play with and every venue we play in, subsequently stress is our equilibrium. Except Eamon. He’s Laramy smooth. You can tell when we’re tense because Duncan turns pale under pressure. That said, we have come to an agreement with ourselves that what we do is benefited by mistakes as they generally result in a sound you can not deliberately conjure through commitment to rehearsal, and I think what we do is colourful enough to not rely on perfection, and is not subject to misinterpretation.”
What can punters expect from your set on the night? “Calm introversion,” Moon said. “Its sounds like an Interior paint colour. I’ve seen photos of us on stage, we don’t look that exciting, we approach people from the inside out, generally when we make an impact on someone its a physical (or other) response or relationship to the sound we are putting out. They can expect a solid set of continuous tracks and ideas accompanied by visuals. They can expect to have a layered sound that decorates the room – so I hope they like our taste in audio furnishings.”
Any surprises? “Sure will be, even to us, we can’t help it.”
What are the plans for the band for the remainder of the year?
For further info on Mr Wednesday visit:
www.mrwednesday.com.au
www.myspace.com/mrwednesday
Mr Wednesday plays the Jade Monkey on Friday 25 July from 9pm as part of the Coopers Alive SA Live Music Showcase.
