Artist info
Genre
Indie, Pop
band members
Shêm Allen - Guitars, Keys, Vocals: Andrew Sydes - Guitars, Blues Harp, Vocals :Sam Schlencker - Drums, Vocals, Vocals, Synth, Percussion, Guitar :Graham Ritchie - Bass, Percussion, Vocals, Mints
Influences
Sigur Ros, the Birthday Party, Bob Dylan
Website
Bio
In twelve months of deepening obscurity, Skinny Jean begot three children: a boy, a girl, and an album. In all the resplendent wankery the band admits to represent, they have chosen a title as elongated as it is indicative. The Diving Saucer Returns from a World Where the Sun Never Shines heralds the captivating return of the four-piece. Contrasting analogue production with shiny new electronic appendages, they have slowly crafted a work that is both warm and slick. In typical Skinny Jean fashion, the album showcases songs that deeply contrast each other. After the nation-wide critical acclaim that their first album Dolce Doggerel generated, the band has sought to eclipse that full-length attempt from 2009. They spent twelve long months in exotic Moorooka at Stephen Bartlett’s Docking Station studios. Amid the bleak metropolitan setting a diverse array of songs gestated. The songs were recorded directly to tape through analogue gear and mastered to vinyl. Using this production aesthetic, the band quickly discovered the positive effect recording to tape had on their sound and performances. Showcasing here are the first 3 cuts from the Diving Saucer Returns from a World Where the Sun Never Shines which is due for release late November 2012.
Skinny Jean seem to be made up of a bunch of talented individuals all with their own influences - from experimental Icelandic music to U2 which makes for a mash of styles. Well-crafted tunes that stick in your head with unique and soaring vocals across them all.
Describe your music.
We find it hard describe our music (it’s easier to describe single songs). Therefore, we got a person with a mullet to do it. He said it was blues-rock mixed with electro. We do not really know what that means but he has a mullet so he has influence. It’s a fair mash up of combined influences and music ideals. We’re sure someone else would be better at summing that up for us…
Who’s been a big musical influence for you? What inspires you?
Funnily enough, our parents have been big musical influences. Samuel likes experimental Icelandic music, Daniel likes the blues, Shêm likes jazz and raga, and Andrew likes U2 and Bob Dylan.
Tell us about the local music community you are part of.
We have only played one show so far, so as a band we haven’t really had much of a chance to establish a presence. As individuals, we’ve all been involved in some way, whether it’s playing solo shows, shows with other bands, or even just going to shows. Collectively, our friendships stretch into lots of different groups of musicians – and we find that the community we are a part of is supportive.
What’s the best thing about being in Skinny Jean?
We get to not wear clothes at band practices sometimes.
…And the worst?
Trying to agree on answers to interviews (or anything for that matter).
What's your dream gig? Where would you perform and who's in the audience?
Anywhere with a high ceiling and ample room for our throng of adoring fans. Also with a two-storey cake that everybody can eat. Freddy Mercury is there, Jeff Buckley, Iggy Pop, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Kamahl, Billy Zane… and Toto (no not the band; the dog).
What have you got planned for the future?
Death is the only thing we can be sure of… Things have a way of working themselves out; it’s often best not to speculate. Honestly, we would just like to write, play, record and release the music that is Skinny Jean and take everything else as it comes.
Australian music is…
Music made by Australians! Australia is blessed with plentiful wonderful artists of all different genres and cultures; making for a very colourful sonic tapestry. There are loads of brilliant artists out there emerging and dwelling underground and it seems as though the standard of Australian music is skyrocketing.
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There's a song here, somewhat buried in the production. Cool sounds going on, but I feel like the vocals are kept just a little too much at arms length. Still, lotta heart.
There's a song here, somewhat buried in the production. Cool sounds going on, but I feel like the vocals are kept just a little too much at arms length. Still, lotta heart.
Review
intricate, intelligent indie, which at the same time is easy and accessible to listen to, as well as being challenging and ear-opening. Look forward to more
intricate, intelligent indie, which at the same time is easy and accessible to listen to, as well as being challenging and ear-opening. Look forward to more
Review
A pretty intriguing tune from these guys. It pushes the listener back with a formless structure and a hiss. But still, I like it. You probably will too.
A pretty intriguing tune from these guys. It pushes the listener back with a formless structure and a hiss. But still, I like it. You probably will too.
