Karnivool

Tue 17th Nov, 2009 in Features

Karnivool is in a good place at the moment. Riding high on the success of their highly anticipated sophomore effort Sound Awake, guitarist Drew Goddard spills the beans to FL on the eve of their craziest US/UK tour yet.

“The US dates are groundwork for the album release which is happening next year,” Drew begins. “We’re playing in small venues, and only a few shows, but the support from the US is huge! Apparently people are travelling interstate to see us.” The pride in the success of the band is evident in his voice. “We’ve been getting lots of messages from the fans in anticipation of the tour. New Zealand first, then the States, then the UK then back home.”

The UK dates are exhausting to even think of, let alone carry out with Karnivool’s signature gusto. “19 shows in 21 days,” Drew chuckles. “We’re really excited though. I’ve got a really good gut feeling about the tour, and the band is feeling confident too.”

Confidence is a good thing, seeing as a lot of the material performed will be new to their audiences. “That’s the beauty of the internet though – the word is already out, and having expats [in the US and the UK] makes it even more special. Then we’re back in Australia again for a decent round of shows.”

The – œSine Waves and Mirrors’ tour takes in twelve dates around Australia, recalling the magic of the – œSound Awake’ tour earlier this year. “In all honesty,” Drew muses. “Any tour is ambitious. We’re constantly trying to make each show bigger and better. We’re not one to keep to the same formula. That said, however, the – œSound Awake’ tour was amazing. Sublime. Mind-blowing.”

The Karnivool lads plan to play plenty of shows in 2010, starting with a triumphant return to the Big Day Out mainstage in summer. “Next year, it’s all about touring,” Drew enthuses. “We’re definitely touring Australia, hoping for a bigger international tour. Basically pushing Sound Awake out to as many people and places that we can. We’ll definitely be back in the US, provided that all goes well – we loved writing the album, but it’s been too long since we’ve really hit the road with a vengeance.”

Whilst the international assault is the main priority, there’s already talk of a third album. It would certainly herald a new approach for the band, after taking four years to craft a successor to Themata. “It is our aim to cut the time down between albums,” Drew laughs in response to my subtle jibes. “We’re capturing ideas at the moment. Getting a feel for where we want to take the next album. But no. There’s no date in mind – I’m one step ahead of you!”

The mere mention of a new album (with less of a waiting period) will no doubt cause fits of joy in their loyal legion of fans. “There’s internal and external pressure – we don’t want to sound ungrateful or blasé, but we tend to not notice the external pressure,” Drew states. “The internal pressure is immense, but in a good way – it pushes us and inspires us to be the best that we can be as musicians and as a band.”

“We’re not setting out to make Sound Awake version 2.0. Just like how Sound Awake wasn’t the second generation of Themata. You’ll see what we come up with when we do.” One can almost picture the grin spread across Drew’s face as he drops his friendly taunts. “Right now, we’ve got the tour to look forward to.”

Karnivool plays the following venues in November, proudly presented by FasterLouder, before taking on the Big Day Out circuit in January 2010.

Wednesday 18 November – THE ENMORE THEATRE, Sydney
Friday 20 November – WAVES NIGHTCLUB, Wollongong
Saturday 21 November -TRACKSIDE FESTIVAL, Canberra
Sunday 22 November – BAR ON THE HILL, University of Newcastle
Tuesday 24 November – THE TIVOLI, Brisbane
Wednesday 25 November – THE TIVOLI, Brisbane
Friday 27 November – THE COOLANGATTA HOTEL
Saturday 28 November – OPEN ARMS FESTIVAL, Coffs Harbour
Sunday 29 November – THE NORTHERN, Byron Bay
Wednesday 2 December – THE PALACE THEATRE, Melbourne
Thursday 3 December – THE PALACE THEATRE, Melbourne
Friday 4 December – THE FERNTREE GULLY HOTEL
Saturday 5 December – PIER LIVE, Frankston
Tuesday 8 December – THE THEBARTON THEATRE, Adelaide
Friday 11 December – METRO CITY, Perth
Saturday 12 December – MAXX YOUTH FESTIVAL, Bunbury