Fremantle four-piece Spacey Jane have been honing their music chops the past year at house parties and local venues alike.
When they're not photographing dogs eating eggs out of bins, they can be found working on the next chapter of the band. Ahead of their WAMFest appearance, we cornered the band for a chat about dogs and hearting the WA music scene.
The band's only been around for a little over a year first playing at a house party… how did that first show come about?
[Caleb] We’d been playing together for a couple months or so at that stage, but had no idea how to put together a show. So we just threw a party at my dad’s place as an excuse to play in front of people. It was a bit of a mess, but we made a lot of great friends that night.
Twelve months on; how has the band progressed?
[Caleb] I think we sound less shit.
[Kieran] We know how to invoice people now.
'Feeding The Family' is a sensational ear-worm with an infectious riff; really good stuff. Where did the song originate?
[Caleb] Kieran and I had been sitting on the progression for a while and when we played it for Ashton his riff sorta materialised on the spot. Meils filled out the bottom end from home and by the time we were together next we had a whole song.
Where is the Spacey Jane artist album at?
(We didn’t completely understand this one but assumed it was about artwork locations)
[Kieran] The photo for 'Still Running' was taken at Caleb’s Dad’s place on Darling St.
[Ashton] The big house, the place where it all began.
[Meils] That first house party.
[Kieran] Yeah and 'Feeding The Family’s photo is our artist Alice Ford’s dog eating eggs out of a bin.
2017 has seen the band share the stage with: Abbe May, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets and POW! Negro. Impressive list guys. What have you learnt the most from these supports?
[Ashton] Brushing shoulders with successful artists makes it all seem that much more real. Like it’s actually an achievable goal.
[Kieran] It definitely makes us take a look at our own work ethic and pushes us to put more effort in I think.
[Meils] We always learn heaps from being around experienced performers.
You're playing WAMFest next month; planning anything extra special for your performance?
[Ashton] Kieran’s going to wear a hat.
[Kieran] Yeah. That sounds good.
[Ashton] Sounds bloody good.
What do you heart most about the WA music scene?
[Ashton] Cal Kramer. (Cal Kramer is the lead singer of the Southern River Band, a Perth music staple)
[Caleb] A great man. I think given the ‘Perth scale’ of things, the energy and talent that’s a part of everyone involved is always pretty surprising.
[Kieran] Yeah, it’s a really welcoming community and it’s super easy to get to know everyone.
[Meils] Mojo's is always a blast.
Hailing from Freo, do you guys bleed Docker purple? If so, will 2018 be the year Ross leads the lads to the holy grail?
[All] We’re originally all from different parts of WA and as such support the one true Western Australian footy team. Carn the Eagles.
[Meils] Nooooooo. Dockers are the only way! It hasn’t been easy being a Dockers supporter recently, but we’ll get there eventually.
[Kieran] Yeah, I’m not a big footy guy but the West Coast v Port game made me clench pretty hard this year, so I’ll hop on that bandwagon.
If you're not playing a show, what does a normal weekend look like for you guys?
[Kieran] I spend 100 per cent of my time either playing in or managing this stupid band.
[Caleb] Hitting the nets with dad.
[Meils] Study and work keeps us all pretty busy, but it’s nice to get down to friends’ shows once in awhile.
[Ashton] It’s great to sometimes just go to gigs and not play; it can be easy to forget that dynamic.
What's the most important item that must be included at all times in the band's rider?
[Caleb] Is that a thing we can do? We usually just hope for enough beers.
Dogs seem to be a central theme with a lot of the band's artwork for 'Feeding The Family'… how good are dogs?
[Meils] So good, but mine are the best.
[Caleb] They’re a bit of fun, wish I had one. On a serious note though, that track is a bit about not wanting life to be reduced to working just so you can eat and pay rent. I think a lot of people lose sight of their passions and get caught up with trying to be successful and you can end up a bit like an animal.
[Kieran] Yeah, like a dog eating eggs out of a bin really.
Finish this sentence, 2018 for Spacey Jane will include....
More writing, more recording. 365 gigs and 365 pizzas while becoming the house band for 'The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon'.
