A slow build that has seen a few member changes as they've built a back catalogue of solid originals the last couple of years, Brisbane's East Of Zurich have released their self-titled, debut EP.
The four-piece indie rockers, comprising Martin Brabec (guitar and lead vocals), David Simpfendorfer (bass), Nick Ng (keyboards) and Anthony Timbrell (drums), worked with producer Konstantin Kersting (Tones & I, The Jungle Giants, Mallrat) at Airlock Studios.The result is an intriguing collection of six tracks highlighted by 'Glorious Victorious' and 'Into The Sky'; each song featuring indie rock, often reminiscent of the '90s, melded to pop sensibilities and lyrics that explore life decisions and outcomes.
Ahead of the band's local launch show this Sunday (23 August), David sits down for a chat; go boil the kettle and settle in.
Tell us a bit about your debut, self-titled EP; how do these batch of six songs introduce East Of Zurich?
We're a bunch of guys who did puberty during the '80s and '90s when Beck was ruminating about being a 'Loser', and despite our self-indulgent misery we came out the other side in reasonable shape.
The EP is ultimately an upbeat collection of songs that takes a look back at the angst and self-loathing that seemed to define our generation and comes to the conclusion that things have a strange way of working out in the end.
You've definitely channelled the indie rock sounds of the '90s, but it's not nostalgic music; it's fresh and sounds modern (particularly 'Glorious Victorious'). Was that the feel, vibe you were looking to capture?
Absolutely. There's no point simply re-hashing what's been done before. If you're not looking to add something new or a little different you might as well join a covers band.
While the crunchy guitars hark back to the indie-rock vibe of the '90s there's no denying the addition of the keys provides a fresh, vibrant pop sensibility to a number of the tracks.
It's always great to hear keys/ organ in a rock song; was that a particularly emphasis of the group to add that funky, lush flavour?
For sure. Nick, our keyboard player, is by far the most musically gifted in the group and he was also the last to join.
The three of us (Martin, David and Anthony) had this collection of half-finished songs we were working on when Nick arrived on the scene and we just gave him free rein to do whatever he felt was right to help lift them up a bit if that makes sense.
It was an absolute treat for all of us to be able to record the EP at Airlock Studios, but particularly for Nick given the enormous range of organs and keys he had at his disposal to play with.
Is there a primary songwriter within the group, or do all four members actively contribute to the song writing (and does each song come together differently)?
Typically it starts with Anthony, our drummer, writing the lyrics and providing them to Martin (singer and guitarist). Martin then takes the lyrics and puts the foundations of a tune to them before bringing it back to the group to be further developed.
I'm sure every group has the same experience but sometimes the songs come together quickly and are done in one rehearsal, other times it takes months before we get to a point where we're happy with them. And some songs we've been changing for the last couple of years and we'll probably never finish.
If we're being honest, we would probably say that those tunes that come together quickly are the best – they just seem to have a more natural flow to them rather than feeling like something that has had bits bolted to it here and there.
Are there particularly influences, issues that focus the lyrical component of the band’s song writing?
This first EP very much looks at the relationships that have guided our collective experience.
There's a nostalgic feel to the lyrics driven in some part by the fact that Martin left Switzerland after university to start a new life in Australia. And while it's natural to wonder what life might have become if we'd made different decisions at key moments, the songs are a reflection of the fact that we are all quite content with where we are in life right now and the feel of the music reflects that.
You worked with producer Konstantin Kersting, whose resume is top-shelf. How much did you lean on his expertise and experience with these recordings?
Konstantin is definitely a gun. The biggest thing he brought to the project was his calm reassurance that we were on the right track.
We were well rehearsed before we went into the studio and knew exactly what we wanted to do, and he gave us the confidence to produce the EP that we had in our heads.
What did he bring, add to the project that was maybe an unexpected (good) surprise?
The German language!
With Martin being from Switzerland and Konstantin from Germany, they made most of the major decisions about the recording in German and the rest of us had no idea what they were talking about!
The recording session for this EP was April 2019; has it been frustrating having to wait so long to bring these songs into the world?
Not really. Music is a global, digital business these days and we were able to release a couple of songs and play a few shows last year before COVID hit.
Ideally we'd have preferred to be out playing live supporting the releases, but it's just given us more time to work on additional material for the next EP.
The genesis of the band; it's been a slow build piecing the group together and building a back catalogue of originals, right?
We had a few false starts early on, but that's not a bad thing. We're a tight group now with more than enough material for a second EP, but before we go back to the studio we want to spend some time working on refining the live show.
You're launching the EP at Blutes (in Brisbane) this Sunday; you must be stoked to get to play to a live audience given 2020?
Definitely. Like everyone else, we had to cancel all our plans earlier in the year but we all have other jobs so we're in a much better position than a lot of artists out there and we're grateful for that.
Also want to give a shout-out to Spillage, Smallest Horse and Sir Glenn Brady who'll be joining us for the gig. Should be an awesome afternoon.
Anything extra special planned for the performance?
We'll be busting out a couple of new songs that we've been working on during the break that we're quite excited to premiere, so keep an ear out for those.
So, what’s east of Zurich? Yeah, I did it!
Hahaha. . . technically everything! That's all I can tell you for now.
