Australian music mainstays Augie March have released their sixth studio album, 'Bootikins', titled after the nickname given to ancient Roman emperor Gaius Caesar, better known as Caligula.
Coming four years after their previous record 'Havens Dumb' (2014), 'Bootikins' is an album tinctured with both triumph and sadness.
The band worked with famed Australian producer Tony Cohen who passed away last year. “Tony's health wasn't great at the time, but he would always come along and be assistant engineer to John Olson,” drummer Dave Williams says.
“We're looking forward to getting out and taking these songs from 2D to 3D.”
“It was great but just really sad, what a legend and it's sad that he's gone too soon; he had more magic left in him that's for sure. He cast quite a big shadow in the musical landscape of this country and probably around the world as well.”
In spite of the loss of Tony, Augie March have produced yet another stellar addition to what is already a vast and varied back catalogue.
Dave explains that 'Bootikins' was the most logistically challenging album the band have made given that frontman Glenn Richards now resides in Tasmania. “Generally the album was made across almost a year, maybe a bit longer,” Dave says.
“So definitely, we spoke to one another often via email. Really it was a 21st century record in that way, shooting ideas and things across to one another all around the place when we couldn't be in the same room.”
With Glenn returning to his role of primary lyricist and songwriter, Dave says he can't speak with confidence on the album's key themes and subtle nuances. “All I can talk about is me,” he says. "I'd never purport to know what's going on in the heads of everyone else in the band.
"It's just making the songs that have been written the best they can be, realising them as fully as we can, making a cohesive record, learning new things, trying new things, pushing each other to really get some new ideas and get the best out of yourself and the band. That's always the goal.
“Glenn's written some wonderful songs for this record. You never know what's coming down the Glenn-song-highway, I'm sure he wouldn't know either.
"There are definitely some songs on this record, one in particular called 'I Hurtle Back To A Conservative Locker', that is in a style of music we've never really done before and that was super exciting to explore that part of the sonic palette in the band.”
Just as Caligula accompanied his father during his campaigns in Germania, Augie March prepare to take their 'Bootikins' on a national tour throughout May. “We're looking forward to taking these songs out to audiences as well as playing songs off the past five albums,” Dave says.
“We're definitely looking forward to getting out and taking these songs from 2D to 3D. That's a fun thing to do, to really have it be like the technicolour version of these songs as well as other ones. Everyone is on top of their game at the moment.”
'Bootikins' is available now. Augie March play Good Saturday Festival (Sydney) 31 March.
Augie March Tour Dates
Fri 4 May - Theatre Royal (Castlemaine)Sat 5 May - The Workers Club (Geelong)
11-12 May - The Night Cat (Melbourne)
18-19 May - Mojos (Fremantle)
Thu 24 May - The Imperial Hotel (Sunshine Coast)
Fri 25 May - The Zoo (Brisbane)
