Emerging out of the bustling Brisbane alternative scene at the beginning of the decade, The Creases have crafted a remarkable debut record that exhibits the quartet’s knack for ever so catchy indie-rock anthems. You only have one debut album, and “Tremolow” is the stellar product of four patient years. I was psyched to chat to vocalist/guitarist Joe Agius about his influences and general feelings post-album.
Hey Joe, thanks for chatting. First of all, I wanted to congratulate you on the fantastic debut album. How has this past month been for you guys post-album release?
Thanks heaps! Honestly, this past month is the least I've thought about it in 2 years, it's just been nice enjoying people enjoying it and not having to stress anymore about it anymore.
I really admire the patience you guys had in making ‘Tremolow.’ How do you think the three years between your first EP and now has benefitted the final product?
I started the band not ever really being in a studio before and honestly hardly even knowing most of the guys so I think the years in between were really beneficial for us all to grow as musicians and a band before feeling comfortable and capable enough to record something as big as a debut album together. I did get really aggravated at some stages with how long it was taking because there was always enough songs to do one but I think waiting and continuously writing was one of the best decisions we made with it. Every month a new song would replace an old one on the shortlist and we just kept doing that til it felt really right. I think we needed time to find what felt right for us sonically too.
Your album pulls from a strong and diverse array of influences. Were there any particular sounds and artists that served as key inspirations for the record?
Most of what I listen to came out of the UK or Europe in the 80s & 90s, I'm just super drawn to that era of music and can't help but let it rub off on what I'm doing. Bands in particular like Blur, Pulp, Echo & The Bunnymen, Stone Roses & Primal Scream we were listening to a lot while writing and recording the album.
In terms of the recording process, was most of the album recorded in the same space or did you find yourselves back and forth between studios over an extended period of time?
We did most of it over a month staying in Melbourne about this time last year. We jumped between a few studios but were mainly in a pretty small space in Collingwood where no more than 2 or 3 of us could be in the same room at once. That's something I would never do again recording an album but it worked for us at the time because it was cheap. I did a lot of synth recording back home too because I have a serious problem with letting go.
Read about Joe's thoughts on the Brisbane alternative scene and upcoming tour dates here.