Philadelphia Grand Jury

Sun 13th Sep, 2009 in Features

It has been harder to avoid Sydney outfit Philadelphia Grand Jury (that’s The Philly Jays, if you prefer) in 2009 than hearing or appreciating them. If you’ve somehow achieved this feat to date, there is no doubt that it cannot go on much longer. Kickstarting the year with summer appearances at the Big Day Out and Laneway festivals, their debut EP Going To The Casino was released to the welcome ears of indie-rockers across the nation in July. Multitudes of Triple J airplay later, a spot on the same networks’ Unearthed tour and many months spent on the road in support of names like Manchester Orchestra, Yves Klein Blue and Bluejuice; it is clear there is no rest for the Philly Jays. So, it is no surprise that when we get hold of lead singer Berkfinger as he collects baggage from the carousel at Perth Airport, it is with a tired sigh (and a long pause), that he states that the band are “just hanging in there”.

It’s the second last show for the band as support act for Dappled Cities, on a tour which Berkfinger describes as “the craziest so far”. One highway car accident (thankfully, minus any injuries), three different drummers and a hospitalized sound guy later, it would seem these words are severely understated. The latter, occurring less than 24 hours ago, it seems is still unresolved; he explains, “Jordin fell off the stage, he went to hospital and I don’t know anything about it, we haven’t heard anything but, he was in a stretcher… we’re just kinda like, surely he’s ok, they’re just being cautious, right? Right?”

Despite the accidents, personnel rotations and injuries, the tour has been far from a disaster for the band, who have been enjoying the increased popularity of their tour mates. Berkfinger lights up as he explains, “Its been fantastic. Dappled have been getting really great crowds, it’s finally their big album…it’s been great to tag along.” Yet with continuous spreading of their own brand of fast-paced, groove-friendly, indie-pop melodies and a growing reputation as one of the most exciting and energetic live acts in the country, the idea of the Philly Jays simply – œtagging along’ again seems a bit of an understatement. Audiences dazzled by their show are left wanting more, and Berkfinger states the growing support has not gone unnoticed. “Everyone keeps saying, when are you going to play a headline tour? Why are you playing before a band, that’s a bit weird!” he says. “But I guess it’s always better to go slowly.”

Slowly they may have gone, but the packs can rejoice with the imminent release of their debut album Hope Is For Hopers on September 25. Fully embracing a DIY ethic and releasing the album from their own label, Normal People Making Hits, the band also self-produced the album, and with a budget of just $3000. Berkfinger laughs; “I think it was less than that really. I’m sure we haven’t payed a few people”. Whilst having full control of the process, it was not all smooth sailing, and he admits the pressure was often too much. “It’s not hard to get the access to the resources and skills that you need so you can keep revisiting it [the record] till you’re happy, but that’s what makes it hard. You get really weird…at one point we were like, maybe we should pay someone to finish the album, because we were going insane. I got through that and ended up finishing it myself, but there appeared a couple of months where I thought I couldn’t finish it because I couldn’t think straight.”

However, completed it is, and the band head out on a mammoth national tour in October to celebrate the release. Berkfinger is enthusiastic. “We’re extremely excited. Its going to be our first big BIG national headline tour, but we’re a little bit nervous about that because you always worry that people wont come and stuff, but if you do the math it seems like we’re going to fill up the room.”

Before it all begins, the Philly Jays showcase at the Big Sound Live conference in Brisbane, alongside 60 artists in front of the industry’s best. While Berkfinger admits the whole music industry “thing” is not their forte, the band have considered the different atmosphere the showcase will hold. “I was talking to MC Bad Genius [bassist] today in the plane, just saying how are we going to approach this, like are we going to play this like it’s a normal gig?” The answer? “I think we’re just going to play like it’s a normal gig. I might get down and lick some record execs or something… hopefully. I’ll find out who the most important person in the room is and I’ll just go for it”.

There to witness the fateful licking will be a number of former tour-mates, with the likes of Washington and Bluejuice also landing slots at the showcase. With the abundance of industry VIPs present, we can’t help but wonder if such environments encourage competition between artists. In reference to musician friends, Berkfinger tells it straight: “Screw them! [laughs]. Nah, what all bands do is be extremely competitive while being extremely nice, but at the end of the day they are your friends even if they get jealous for some reason.”

So there will be more partying than fighting? “I think we’re going to have a million beers, and hopefully go back to my Aunty Judy’s house and make chicken sandwiches”. There you have it, Berkfinger, living the dream.

Philadelphia Grand Jury play Big Sound Live – the event’s showcase element – at Artisan Gallery on Wednesday 9 September.

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.