Stephen Bailey - The Bures Band Interview
Tell me about growing up in Perth, AUS. What was your childhood like growing up? When did you first begin to fall in love with music? Was this something that was relevant growing up in your household?
We actually all grew up in different parts of West Australia a few of the guys from Albany, down south. I moved around quite often and spent some time in England too. One thing we have in common is we all grew up in Rural areas. Love the ocean, surfing and skateboarding. I can’t answer for everyone, but I remember watching rage (music show) and standing in front of the tv and singing along when I was really young 4-5 yrs old. It only occurred to me in recent years that no one else in my family did that so I think I have always loved music, but didn’t realise what it meant to me until I started writing songs. My mother was a singer in London and use to play the clubs so that’s definitely where I get it from. I know Cal had music around him growing up, his dad played guitar and his pop played in a band called The Fyrbyrds and they all played Maton Fyrbyrd guitars. Tom’s Parents are both music lovers and his mother is a pianist. Danny also had music in the house, but no one played any instruments. Noah’s dad bought a drum kit, but never played it so he just took over it. Haha!
What would you and your friends do for fun growing up? Who were some of your earliest influences in your more formative years? When and where did you see your very first concert? When did you realize you wanted to spend your time pursuing music?
I think it’s safe to say skateboarding and surfing took up most of our time growing up. I guess musically our influences would have been from whatever was being used in skate/surf videos which was quite a range of genres. It was a show at school, some students had formed a cover band and played in the cafeteria. They did an energetic cover of “Johnny Be Good” and that was definitely a moment for me. I think when we all started going to shows starting bands and playing in Perth. That first bit of encouragement from someone watching and telling you that they loved it is infectious.
Did you participate in any groups, or projects prior to TBB? How did you guys initially meet each other and what was everyone's first impressions of one another? When and where did you guys make your live performance debut and what was that experience like for you?
Yeah we all played in a few different bands prior to TBB, mostly psych bands so we had some cross over and played shows together that’s how we first met. I remember the first time I saw Danny & Cal play before meeting them I thought if I ever get the chance to collaborate with these guys I would be very interested. Only a handful of people in Perth I had that thought about so it’s cool to see that intuition come to life. The Bures Band haven’t played live yet, but our debut show will be next month (September 22nd) at the famous Wave Rock where they have a festival every year. It’s a pretty ambitious first show, but we’ve all had lots of live experience so I’m sure it will be fine.
You released two singles this summer. Tell me about writing and recording those two tracks and what the overall vision and approach was? Would you mind giving some background to tracks such as “Drifting”, “Mrs. Rain”, “Apex Park” and “Bird’s Nest”?
The first two singles were songs that Cal had been sitting on and it was just a matter of doing a little work on vocals, writing harmonies and producing on my end. The band is planning to release its full length debut entitled “Bird’s Nest” this October. Mrs. Rain is about two characters Mr. lightning & Mrs. Rain trying to sell you a way of living which you don’t care to buy into. Drifting is a song about childhood memories of trips to Yallingup a famous surf town south of west Australia. 'Birds Nest' is about the feeling of helplessness to evoke change and the sometimes guilty feeling of not doing all we can do to help. Out of sight out of mind. "Your ship sails north and you read your poems loud, but you're scared to check the bird's nest” Apex Park is the last track on the record and is an instrumental, it gives you the feeling of walking through a park on perfect day.
As summer draws to an end, what is the band’s trajectory looking like as fall/winter close in on us aside from the album? Is there anything else you would like to further share with the readers?
Thanks to the supporters its been an exciting few months. We’ve been working on new songs for record number two other than that we will be playing some shows. Heres some dates for those who will be around. Thanks for having us, take care!
SEP :: 22 — Wave Rock Weekender
OCT :: 12 – BRUNSWICK BALLROOM, MELBOURNE, VIC
13 – THE BARWON CLUB, GEELONG, VIC
14 – OUT ON THE WEEKEND, MELBOURNE, VIC
15 – THE STAR, YACKANDANDAH, VIC T
17 – THE GREAT CLUB, SYDNEY, NSW
NOV :: Album Launch TBA
Cheers
