Already turning heads in their hometown, Ipswich-based indie folk outfit Ball Of String gear up for the launch of their self-titled EP.
Lead guitarist and vocalist Sean Gagen, a Q Song award winner, says their debut EP was inspired by many different sounds. “We have a rocky folk pop sound, but you can definitely hear the dynamic in our songs. There are some influences from Bernard Fanning’s stripped back acoustic stuff, influences from Boy & Bear, and we reference a bit of Jack White in there. My favourite song on the EP is called 'Decision Making Blues' because it’s raw and sluggish; there's lots of singing and unison in our voices and I really enjoy the sound and roughness of it.”
Sean says some of his creative processes for songwriting are a little weird, but they work for him. “Often I’ll get a beat going on my computer, just program a really basic drum beat and loop it and then I’ll just jam on my guitar to it. Or I’ll record the riff on an iPhone or something, then play it in my car and start coming up with ideas.”
Formerly a solo act, Sean decided to expand the band after being inspired by other musicians at the Woodford Folk Festival in 2012. “Woodford is where my heart and soul is, I’ve been there the last five years and I played there last year in the Fret Fest tent. To get to the level of the bands I’ve seen there, like John Butler Trio and Cat Empire, has really been my goal.”
There's little doubt that the band's hometown loves them — Sean says their EP was created with support and funding from local and state Government. “We applied for the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF) through the Ipswich City Council, where we submitted an application and proposed a project to put our CD out and do a launch in the local area. We had to demonstrate how it would benefit the community as well. The RADF is for encouraging music outside the capital cities and helping to support other emerging artists.”
Sean says there are future plans for another EP, but first, it's time to take these songs out on the road. “More recording and touring are on the cards. But for the personal growth of the band, first we’ll work out what sounds work for us; which songs the audience respond to, and take what we like as well, so we can target that sound on the next EP.”
Fri Oct 25 — Studio 188, Ipswich (w/ Fire & Whistle Theory, Keelan McCoy) (All-Ages)
Sat Oct 26 — The Loft, Chevron Island (w/ Easy Cool, Bart Thrupp, Creature Kind (18+)
