When it comes to Australia's indie music chops, Dave McCormack and Custard are a big part of the conversation.
The veterans of Brisbane's music set since 1990, the group (featuring the classic line-up of McCormack, Glenn Thompson, Paul Medew and Matthew Strong) are set to release their eighth studio album, 'Respect All Lifeforms', in May."In March 2019 we arrived in Perth to play at a festival," begins McCormack. "As we were not due on stage until early evening, Glenn booked us into Poons Head Studios in Fremantle.
"Matthew and I drove off to Officeworks to buy a hard drive while Glenn and Paul got some sounds happening in the studio.
"I had some rough chord progressions for a few songs, but that was about all. I knew one song would be called 'Couple's Fight' and another would be called 'Funky Again'. Apart from that I was happy to let the universe guide us.
"We ended up bashing out eight tracks that day, six of which ended up on the album. Upon returning Sydney, Glenn and I retreated to our respective studios to tinker with the tracks, we also came up with some new ones.
"Thanks to the magic in the air at Poons Head Studios that crisp March morning, we now have a new album. Ladies and gentlemen, 'Respect All Lifeforms'."
Lead single from the new record is the hip-sounding and dance friendly 'Funky Again' that features a stylish and sexy music video, directed by long-time Custard collaborator, ARIA Award-winning Andrew Lancaster. "The 'Funky Again' video is something like my 167th Custard video directed for the band over 20 years," Lancaster says.
"Inspired by 1961 film 'Last Year At Marienbad' by Alan Resnais, we filmed at the gorgeous Aynhoe Estate in the Cotswolds, England.
"On the morning of the shoot there was a gloomy mist that filled the grounds, which really enhanced our choice to film with anamorphic lenses and in black and white.
"I really wanted to do something '60s as it's my favourite era and the song has a certain nostalgia in the lyrics.
"Our German cast Oliver and Rabia have been friends since school, so we had a lot of fun playing them for and against each other.
"I love breaking the song with sound or dialogue in music videos, so if you make it to the end you hear this. The band thought it was too sexy, so we toned it down a little for the families!"
