Mission Beach buccaneers Boatkeeper hoist the sails in preparation for the upcoming release of their sophomore EP, 'Vessels'.
The record will be the follow-up to Boatkeeper's 2017 debut EP 'Windward', which cast them on a rollicking adventure around the country to build their reputation as a live act.
Originally a solo project for frontman Boyd Fuller, Boatkeeper is a now a five-piece outfit and Boyd says the next EP will show a marked progression in the group since 'Windward'. “This is an evolution in the songwriting,” Boyd says.
“Where before it was me writing the songs and performing them, now it's been an all-inclusive process, which has been really interesting because we've all got different tastes, styles and influences, and that's all come together now.
“In terms of the musical style, it's probably a lot more upbeat now; there's elements of more rock and alternative; our drummer is a massive Karnivool fan and our guitarist is a massive Parkway [Drive] fan, so it's a lot more upbeat in that sense.”
For the new EP, Boyd and Boatkeeper worked closely with Angus & Julia Stone producer Govinda Doyle. “Govinda's unreal, I love working with him,” Boyd says.
“I've worked with a few different people over time and he's just really understanding and gets where you're going. Also if he really believes something shouldn’t go in he'll let you know as well.
Click here to read our review of Boatkeeper's Brisbane show March, 2018.
“There's a song on the EP which is coming out next, a single called 'Refugee'; we came to Govinda with a structure that didn't sound right so he took it all apart and put it back together as the song it is now.”
Determined to keep evolving as a musician and a band as a whole, Boyd says his goal with 'Vessels' was to elevate to a higher standard than the first EP.
“We need to take it up a notch from the previous one; that was done in a mate's basement, which was great and fine. But in terms of sound quality, we really wanted to bring this EP to the next level.”
In March, Boatkeeper unveiled the lead single 'Shadows' written about the methods of surveillance available to government with the advance of technology.
“I watched a documentary about a guy called Edward Snowden many moons ago and I thought it was a really interesting concept,” Boyd explains.
“The thing he brought up was that you could be watched so easily and that the government has control of CCTV, phones and laptops, and how much they could access. The song almost takes on a bit of a haunting vibe that you're always being watched.”
'Vessels' is available from 8 June.
Boatkeeper Tour Dates
Fri 8 Jun - Heart Space Warehouse (Byron Bay)Sat 9 Jun - Oxford Art Factory (Sydney)
Fri 22 Jun - Black Bear Lodge (Brisbane)
