Bliss N Eso interview Phrase

Mon 11th May, 2009 in Features

Almost four years after the release of his debut album Talk With Force, Melbourne wordsmith Phrase has delivered a follow-up. Despite a somewhat tumultuous path to completion, Clockwork is worth the wait.

The new record sees the man collaborating with some stalwarts of the Australian music scene, including Kram, Wendy Matthews, The Cat Empire’s Harry Angus and Bliss N Eso. In the spirit of artistic exchanges, FasterLouder asked the boys from Bliss N Eso to interview Phrase for us.

We’ve been listening to bits and pieces of your album in the tour van for over two years now! Plus you where walking out with a finished record as we where walking in to the same studio to start Flying Colours! What’s been the hold up?
You are right – it has been a long time since then! Basically I had a finished record that was supposed to be released in October 2007, but the A&R at my record label got the sack and then all my plans that we had made for release went out the window. The next year was the hardest year for me I can remember in a long time. I had no music out; I had no shows coming in, and therefore no money, so I ended up in a pretty bad place mentally. I really felt like I was about to give up on music full stop.

One day I woke up and went for a walk and thought long and hard about what I was going to do. I decided to make one last attempt to get things to work for me, so I went home and emailed Richard Kingsmill at Triple J and explained my situation. I went up and saw him in Sydney, played him some songs, and the next week Clockwork went in to high rotation. All of a sudden the label was back on board and the ball started rolling with a release date. To be fair to the label, they have been great since then and it really taught me that I can’t wait around waiting for someone to make something happen for me. I have to be proactive with my music and give the label something to work with.

What’s your favourite track on Clockwork? And you better say Persistence, haha!
Yeah true, I love the song we did together, but my favourite song would have to be Burn It Down. I really think this one is a killer song and so strong lyrically. It really sets the tone for the whole album and represents what I am on about as a person. The production on it is rad as well and it features one of my favourite blues singers, Max White. That’s why I chose this song to open the album with.

Which song from Clockwork goes off the most when you perform it live?
I think Spaceship is probably the strongest song for my live performance. It has that really up-tempo feel to it but also this tension that builds through the verses and then explodes in the chorus. Even people that don’t know the song well are singing along by the second chorus and clapping along and shit. At some shows I pull out the guitar myself and shred at the end of the song, which is fun for me always…

When we were on the road together it was just you and a DJ, now you’re using a band. Why did you decide to start using a band?
I decided to start using a band because there is so much live instrumentation on the record. It really lends itself to being translated that way at a show. It has been a lot more fun for me because I’m playing with some friends now on stage instead of just standing there by myself (I’m sure you guys can appreciate that!). Plus, it has allowed me to be way more creative with the show. I played in bands all through high school, so it feels right to be doing it again.

You of all people know how hard it is to grind it out on tour, what’s been the lowest point of your touring career?
The lowest point is not any one time. I think it is the on going struggle of trying to keep your head above water financially and then when you get back you have bills to pay and all this shit to worry about. Also trying to maintain your health is really difficult and the late nights put together with the drinking and partying starts to take a toll – especially when you’re out on the road with you animals.

What’s been the highest point?
The highest point was playing my launch show in Melbourne the other night. I really didn’t think that many people were going to be there and then when I walked out on stage the venue was jam packed front to back. To have that feeling for the first time ever really – when I was the only person playing at the show and it was full – was amazing. It really confirmed for me that my hard work is starting to pay off. Check out the photos from Phrase’s Melbourne launch show here.

What’s the plan for your album launch tour?
Well I am about to hit the road with Funkoars for three months and after that I will come out and do my solo album launch tour. I can’t talk about what I am going to do because I want to keep it under wraps for now but it is going to be a big experience…

What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you on tour?
I got dragged off a plane by the Feds in Tasmania for wearing a leather jacket that says – œFuck Yourself’ on the back. They finally let me on the plane and put an armed air marshal next to me the whole way back.

A lot of people love your verse on Happy in my Hoody. Are you excited about rocking it live in front of your home town of Melbourne at Festival Hall in June?
Can’t fucking wait. Be there everyone – we are going to tear the place down.

Phrase’s new album Clockwork is out now through Universal. The man kicks off his co-headline tour with The Funkoars in June.

Friday 5 June – Newcastle Uni, Bar on the Hill
Saturday 6 June – Waves, Wollongong
Sunday 7 June – Come Together Festival , Luna Park Sydney
Thursday 11 June – National Hotel, Geelong
Friday 12 June – National Hotel, Geelong
Saturday 13 June – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
Thursday 18 June – Launceston, New York Hotel
Friday 19 June – Republic Bar, Hobart
Thursday 25 June – ANU Bar, Canberra
Friday 26 June – The Roi Bar, Albury
Saturday 27 June – The Capital /Saloon Bar, Wagga
Thursday 9 July – The Pub, Bendigo
Friday 10 July – The Corner Hotel, Richmond
Saturday 11 July – Rubys Lounge, Belgrave
Thursday 16 July – The Great Northern, Byron Bay
Friday 17 July – Sands Tavern, Maroochydore
Saturday 18 July – The Zoo, Brisbane
Friday 28 August – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide
Saturday 29 August – The Governor Hindmarsh, Adelaide