Melbourne indie musician, Acoustic Foxx's current release 'Glimmer' continues his pursuit of grungy-rock tones, though this time he has switched from acoustic to electric guitar to achieve the end product.
It was a song that took extra time to coalesce, as Acoustic Foxx aka Craig Williams 'shelved' 'Glimmer' for 12 months, which allowed him the space to rearrange certain elements of the track when he finally returned to it.
"This was a song I recorded but shelved for about year, I just didn't feel like I nailed it," he says.
"Went back and re-recorded most of the track and now I'm really proud of this track."
What's been happening since we chatted early 2021?
Time really flies! I've been keeping myself busy writing and releasing more songs, working my way through the past couple of years like everyone else.
Best way I know how is by escaping into my music room writing music and releasing it out into the world. I'm very excited to release my new single 'Glimmer' and the music video.
Speaking of 'Glimmer', it's a single you've had in the background for a year or so that you re-recorded parts of for the finished product; how has the song changed/ evolved since you first began working on it?
The track definitely evolved from its beginning with just an acoustic guitar part, followed by a vocal and so on. The meat of the song came together quickly but took a lot of fine tuning.
Back in 2021, Luciano Alvaro (drummer), Hugh Heller (bassist) and I recorded 'The Fire Is Alive' and 'Glimmer' in the big live room down at Crosstown Sound Studio in the same session. I originally wanted to release the two tracks pretty close together.
I wrapped up 'The Fire Is Alive' and released it in August 2021, but I never felt like 'Glimmer' was quite right, particularly on my part with the vocal and guitar parts.
I shelved it for a while because I felt like I had to step away from it in order to come back to it and feel fresh to feel what it needed. I ended up shifting the vocal melody around in the verses and changing a few lyrics, and also added some electric guitar layers.
It was just one of those songs that needed a little more work and attention than others.
What was it about the song (and other tracks in general) that made you put it away for a while and what sparked it back into life?
I don't like to force anything, but I knew it wasn't quite where I wanted it to be. Some songs you just know when they aren't quite at their potential. And there was no hurry for me to get it done and release it.
I definitely tried, but I knew I wasn't going to get the song to where I needed it to be at that time. I got a bit frustrated with it so I stepped away, knowing I'd go back when the time was right.
There wasn't anything in particular that sparked it back to life, I just woke up one day more clear-headed and started playing it again, played around with some ideas and it felt good again. So I rang Josh and said 'I'm ready, let's finish it!'"
Lyrically, what subject matter/ themes does the track explore; what did you want the song to express to the listener?
This is always the hardest question for me to answer about my own songs, but I'm glad you asked because it forces me to answer it!
I guess in short, it's building up your own confidence to be the best you can be, even if you are never good enough in someone else's eyes. As long as you know you tried your best what else can you do? You might be a glimmer in someone's eyes for a short time until you're not. Hold your head up high and go for it.
I like when the listener makes their own interpretation of the lyrics, I've always done that as a listener of music. We all hear things differently and interpret them in our own ways.
You also have music video for 'Glimmer' where you worked once again with Joel Thomas from Electric Circus Studios; what was the idea behind the creative direction/ story angle of the clip?
I had been brainstorming ideas for a while trying to think of ideas for the video, and it wasn't until one day I was in the shower (I usually spring ideas in the toilet or the shower when I don't have a pen and pad) and I just thought of lots of colours, glowing/ neon lights, smokey sort of deal.
I think with some of the electric guitar parts I recorded on the song I got a sense of an '80s vibe, and the lights and smoke gave me that idea. I got a few ideas and images together and sent it to Joel to see what he thought, and he got it straight away and I thought nailed it with the end result.
I wanted to get Luciano and Hugh in the video too, as they played a big part in this song and we had fun doing the shoot.
Creating a music video compared to writing the song – do you hand over complete creative control to Joel/ another director or do you have a hands-on role as well?
This time around I guess I had the initial idea or vision, but that doesn't mean much unless the producer (Joel in this case) understands it and can translate it onto film. This time around lucky for me he could, he totally understood what I was talking about.
Last time we spoke, you mentioned you were focussed on singles, but are you working towards an album or EP?
I've done two albums so far and I'm always going to be an albums type of guy, and even though I've been playing music a while now I feel like I'm still finding my feet and learning a lot every time I record.
Singles have been good in the last couple of years to figure out what I'm trying to do and learn in the process. Saying that, I feel like I'm ready to do an EP next time around and record some new songs.
You bought your first Telecaster guitar during the writing of 'Glimmer'; what triggered that move?
Yeah, I was never much of a Tele type of player; I always preferred heavier Les Paul type guitars, but once I decided to start adding some electric guitar layers to this song with the guitars I already had, I couldn't quite get the right sound I thought was best for the song.
I hadn't played much electric in the last few years since bands I was in broke up etc. so I thought it was a good excuse to go out and buy a new guitar and feel that inspiration to play again. It worked! After adding those guitar layers to the song it felt revitalised and I felt really happy with the song, and here we are.
Speaking of guitars, how many do you have in your arsenal and do you have a couple of preferred favourites?
Yeah I do have a bit of an arsenal, some may say too many! I have lost or sold a few over the years too.
So I've got two main acoustic guitars both Maton's: a Blackwood EBW808, which I recently put a big dent in the side by accident (I can be a bit clumsy) and I've also got a EBG808C Sunburst cutaway.
I rang the Maton factory here in Melbourne to get the Blackwood repaired and they're like "yeah bring it down and we'll take a look". I took both guitars down because the Sunburst had taken a few knocks over the years at gigs and I thought I'd take it while I'm going there and see what I could do.
I couldn't believe how cool they were down there and the great service they gave, really unbelievable. I had a bit of a look around while I was there and they gave me some picks and stickers. I picked up both guitars a week later and they were like new again. I was stoked. I knew they were in good hands.
I've recently got back into playing and learning Pantera and Metallica songs to really work on my skills. I've really fallen in love with the electric guitar again so I've got my old ESP and Epiphone guitars, the new Tele and recently picked up a Schecter Omen elite – absolutely love it.
I'd pretty much put the electric guitar down for a few years, so I'm really happy to be playing again and pushing myself.
You run a music-based podcast called 'Foxx On The Wire' where you chat to other musos; how has that adventure gone, has it inspired any creative collabs and has it also given you a different outlook on a musician's life?
It's been really cool to do this podcast and it's been a lifesaver especially during all the lockdowns when there were no gigs; it's been a great outlet to focus on and keep in contact with my fellow musos.
It's inspired new friendships all around the world. I've spoken to people in Canada, USA, Wales and more. No creative collabs at this stage, but I'm always open to that.
One of the original ideas of starting the podcast was to really allow the stories of musicians to flow in a long form conversation format; there's so much to what we do it deserves that time to get more into depth about things. I always enjoy hearing different stories about whoever it is I'm talking too and I definitely relate to some of those things.
You don't have any live shows on the horizon; are you waiting for an ideal opportunity to return to the stage?
Yes, I have been a bit hesitant – it got past a certain point during the lockdowns and I lost some confidence I think. Confidence that took me years to build up by playing regular gigs. It helped me keep up a rhythm and didn't let me fall back into my insecurities.
I have played a few shows of late, but I'm also writing a lot of new material at the moment so I'd like to hit the circuit with a whole bunch of new songs in the near future.
Thanks for your time; anything else you'd like to add?
Thank you for the chat, I hope you enjoy the new song 'Glimmer' and please check out the music video over at my YouTube channel. Many thanks.
