The Basics head to Big Sound

Tue 1st Sep, 2009 in Features

Answering the phone with only a “Hello?” I initially wondered if I’d called the right number, and if I had, how awkward was this going to be? But after a quick introduction it was soon apparent I was talking to one incredibly down to earth bloke – Wally de Backer, the quirky genius and one-third of Aussie folk-indie-rock trio, The Basics.

Plain-as-day Wally informed me he was in the process of applying for a New Business Tax File Number on his mum’s computer, and joked about how rock – œn’ roll he was. “Yeah we’re restructuring the business, moving up in the world!” Feeling compelled to speak plainly, I admitted how hung over I was after seeing a Bluejuice gig the previous night.
“Oh yeah right…” he said, with underlying thought stealing any expression from his words, and after a thoughtful pause (and my asking if he was a fan of theirs) he continued. “We actually have a little bit of history with those guys… One of them gave The Basics an absolute shit-panning review in _Rolling Stone_… Then we found out later who it was and he was working with our guitarist at a pub. When we got to know him personally he was really apologetic… Funny how different things are in music when people are at arms length.” Then he jokingly suggests that one day he’ll return the favour with some freelance reviews of his own.

It’s already been a busy year for the three Melbournites. Their national tour – Nice Harmonies. Nice Looks. Nice Lunch. took them all over, including some of the more remote parts of the country. Their latest single With This Ship is on pretty high rotation on Triple J. And now they’re about to hustle Big Sound Music Industry Summit & Showcase 2009.

“Yeah, you do what you gotta do, I think you’d be stupid not to make the most of such a huge conference. There’s obviously going to be loads of international industry folk. The Basics would love to get awesome management for territories around the world and licensing contacts for our new album.”

I lose Wally’s attention for a second and I wonder if my query as to whether The Basics were looking forward to seeing any particular bands at Big Sound was met with this indiscernible, muffled drawl for a particular reason. “And maybe someone that can apply for this Tax File Number for me!” He comes back into clarity and explains that his mum was wanting to use the computer and asking when he’d be done. “Wally! Are you done with that computer yet!?” he says, in his best nagging-mum impersonation. “Yeah um, we’re actually really keen to see The Boat People again, they were great on our tour but didn’t play a lot of their newer stuff they’re working on. So we’re interested to see that. Also this Melbourne band called [Me]. They’re I guess closest to a cross between The Darkness and Queen – just this really bombastic cool sound. I don’t know if it’s the best band name I’ve ever heard but they’re great!”

The mention of glam-rock bands seemed to open up a real can of worms with de Backer. “Have you heard of this band Steel Panther!? You’ve got to check them out, they’re brilliant. I can’t say as to whether it’s a piss take or they’re serious, but that’s the genius of it I think.” Wally and The Basics clearly don’t worry about being taken too seriously, as a quick glance at some of their press shoots will quickly confirm. “We’ve talked about dressing up to play. Swash-buckling pirates would suit With This Ship but our new album is a little darker, a little more inward [than our previous release] and I think it’s the first time we’ve really nailed the production. Like really nailed it,” he repeats, as if just realising they deserve a pat on the back.

Australia is arguably more familiar with Wally de Backer for his other project Gotye, than The Basics. But the fact that he himself is as impressed with the trio’s forthcoming and latest effort, Keep Your Friends Close as he is, speaks volumes for the quality of musicianship we can expect to see from the boys in the future.

The Basics play their part in Big Sound Live – the event’s showcase element – at The Zoo Nightclub on Wednesday 9 September with I Heart Hiroshima, Oh Mercy, Lions At Your Door and Big Sound JJJ Unearthed winners Parades.

Big Sound Music Industry Summit takes place September 9-11 at Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Art with showcases at surrounding venues in Fortitude Valley Entertainment Precinct.

Head to www.bigsound.org.au for more information.