An indie rock band from Melbourne, the stylings of Anam Stone Jet could easily leave you thinking they're a group lifted direct from the 1960s-'70s.
With reverberating guitar, heavy basslines and eccentric drum patterns that evoke the energy of Led Zeppelin, The Who, Cream, and Black Sabbath, Anam Stone Jet aren't a novelty act either.Rather, the trio of Keyo Rhodes (singer, guitarist, songwriter), Paige Stanley (bass guitar) and Ismar Tuzlukovic (drummer, songwriter) are intent on exploring the psych-rock landscape to leave their own imprint.
They've already released their debut single 'My Back Is Killing Me' last October (a nine-minute sonic marathon), which they followed up with last month with 'Rainbow Cemetery'.
"Why should the end be symbolised by dismal weather and shades of shadows when life is so full of the spectrum of light which you see, make and live in," shares Keyo, discussing 'Rainbow Cemetery'.
"To what end is the end, truly? 'Rainbow Cemetery' is the imaginary party that we hope to find at the end of our conscience and a homage to rock & roll idols who have opened the world to feelings, questions, fashions and imaginations, which without our perspectives might be much narrower and less curious.
"These revelations in entertainment shaped many aspects of the modern world. As time goes on and the pace of our world quickens with every day drawing nearer to the end of rock & roll's pioneers, poets and musicians.
"Imagine a rainbow cemetery with all your favourite dead artists and a party to the end of time. And live again, every day the sun comes up, after the end of the day, while the colour is there for you to see, live again."
Who is Anam Stone Jet... Ismar was going to Richmond Train Station after a night at the pub, when he bumped into a stranger waiting for the same train, that stranger being Keyo, who had just moved to Melbourne.
They got talking and expressed their interests in starting a band. They started jamming, had a few guys come 'round to jam but no one stuck until Paige rocked up one day after seeing an advert on a Facebook page.
Paige was 17 when she joined and we are grateful that Paige used her courage to come to play with us and call us her friends.
We sound like... Keyo: People who express themselves through their instruments, with genuine connection to how we feel. Paige: Our sound can't be defined. I believe, due to the large mix of different influences and ideals individually, the work is an amalgamation which results in a unique sound. Ismar: We sound like Anam Stone Jet.
Our first gig was... At The Workers Club supporting our friend Jowzi who rhymes. Our very first gig was just Keyo and Ismar where we supported a local rapper, Jowzi.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... Ismar: Keyo had the name in mind for a couple years before meeting Paige and I. Keyo: I thought it was a name that could mean anything – a bit of freedom mixed with some grounding layers and a lot of soul.
In the studio we usually... We record the three of us live and then do guitar, keys, vocals and then percussion over-dubs. We work hard and record at night. It's simple, we just play the song until we get a good take. A good take makes you want to move and makes you feel things. So that's what we do, play the songs over and over again until we get a good take.
If we could tour with anyone... Keyo: The Rolling Stones would be mad, bummer about Charlie, he was tight. Parquet Courts would be killer. Paige: A group like the Rolling Stones would be fun due to their years of experience; personally, I would love to tour with a group like the Cocteau Twins as I think there would be a lot to discover and learn from their distinct ethereal sound. Ismar: Someone who's friendly and makes good music.
Social media is... Keyo: Good for business apparently – if you can afford to pay for promo. I've got a pretty substantial disposition towards social media because it seems to be more of a marketing tool than anything.
Environmentally, ethically and socially un-conscious individuals and corporations have a very successful relationship with social media. A reliable or genuine way of communication?
Ironically, I think and feel that social media actually disconnects from reality and an individual's imagination is replaced with a fantasy or a product of someone else's imagination, that's what I experience anyway which is truly subjective.
My favourite app at the moment is... Keyo: Google docs and Gmail because there is so much work involved with single launches and press releases. Paige: I think Spotify might always be my favourite app, I am constantly listening to music. Ismar: Chess.com is my favourite.
To date, our most embarrassing moment was the time... Keyo: I snapped two strings in one set on two different guitars a couple weeks ago. Or maybe the show where we had to pay $60 to the venue because the room was empty. I don't think embarrassing is the right word, more like disheartening or comically cursed.
Life on the road can be... Keyo: Fun and full of song. I miss having a car. I can't wait to tour and play to new people in new places and hear about other people's lives and stories.
Paige: Life on the road has its struggles however it always feels nostalgic. Being on the road and constantly being faced with changing environments unlocks my innate curiosity about the world around me, as long as you are with the right people. I am always reminded of my family and the joy which is brought from being in situations which are quite frankly terrible at the time but a joy to reminisce on.
Ismar: Life on the road is fun, I feel as though it's good to be present and in the moment, and make the most of travelling. Yes homesickness may occur, but that's just the way it is, no point dwelling about it.
If you'll have us on your bill, all we ask is that our rider contains... Keyo: A nice big pot of lemon and ginger tea with some honey, coffee and maybe some wine. Tea would be nice, I don't enjoy performing as much when I'm drinking. Paige: Anything vodka based. I am always grateful for the generosity of venues in even providing a rider, so I'm not too picky. Ismar: A nice chicken parmigiana.
The most scary scenario we've found ourselves in, was... Keyo: Nearly getting the band t-boned by a truck on our way up to Sydney. Paige: I've had some pretty scary experiences at gigs with people who don't understand boundaries. I always find myself making sure that those people do not ruin my night as I will never allow someone else's actions determine whether or not I have fun.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be spokesperson of the band... Keyo: I don't know, isn't everybody cancelled these days?
If you had to live in a city abroad, where would you choose and why? Keyo: No idea at all because I've never been to a city outside of Australia apart from Singapore and that was more like a different planet. So anywhere!
Paige: I'd live in the south of France somewhere, the easy travel to different places and the culture which is there. However, I think my heart will always be with Melbourne. I love the multiculturalism, the architecture, the rawness and humanity that is here.
Ismar: I'd live in Dubai, the people are so friendly and inviting, crime rates are low, and multiculturalism is amazing.
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party... Keyo: Keanu Reeves seems like a chill dude, Shaun White I've always looked up to and Milly Alcock because it would be nice to see my cousin, who opened me up to the city, to catch up on life.
Paige: I would have a pretty fun dinner party with Robin Williams, Jimi Hendrix and Amy Winehouse. I think these people would be fun to have around because of the broad life experiences which they could share and I would want to know about how it felt to impact people the way they did. Ismar: Jack Black, Johnny Cash (rip), Matthew McConaughey.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Keyo: Some bloody good pasta and I'd pour some of my grandpa's wine. Paige: I would start off with some of my fresh baked bread and a bit of dukka. Some pasta (I can make some pretty killer gnocchi from scratch if I put my mind to it) and I might pair it all with a little red. I have a thing for making food from scratch, I find it always tastes better that way. Ismar: A bosnian staple, cheese burek.
When it comes to pets are you a lover or hater of our furry friends? Keyo: Lover, not a biter, of all creatures that are living. Except Mosquitos. Paige: I adore animals, I have three dogs and a cat. I think that if a higher power existed they are one of the greatest gifts given to us. Ismar: Lover, I'm preferably a cat guy.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Keyo: Cuban cigars and Fortaleza tequila. Paige: Miyazaki Mangos and some strawberries from California which haven't been irradiated. Ismar: Zooper doopers.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Keyo: When I was 17 and my friend was trying to pick up a chick. Paige: A couple of years ago, I boxed so I went to the gym a fair amount. Now I find exercise best when I'm with my friends. Ismar: Yesterday, staying healthy is important.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Keyo: Paying subscriptions for Spotify. Paige: Making my bed definitely. Ismar: VACUUMING, whenever I think I'm finished, I always find some random spec on the ground that I swore I vacuumed like seven times already.
Do you have any phobias... Keyo: Nail files, it makes my ears hear a sound like a ferret dying on a hot highway. Paige: I am terrified of heights. I'm not sure why but I can't function when I'm high up. Ismar: As generic as it sounds, spiders. It's just the fact that they're hairy, fast, have eight legs and eight eyeballs, and just so unpredictable.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? Keyo: Yes a national geographic or a reality TV show about the canned soup industry – if I got free soup; didn't Andy Warhol get that deal? Paige: I'm not sure I would be a good candidate for reality TV shows. However, I low-key think I would have fun with something like 'Love Island' simply 'cause I'd take the piss out of it. Ismar: I would go out with Bear Grylls and try survive a couple nights.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? Keyo: Soap on their surfboard. Ismar: One prank I pull on the general population is whenever I'm done using a public toilet, I turn the knob to occupied before closing the door.
Best local takeaway joint for a midnight feed that will leave you with a food coma? Ismar: A nice Kebab or a HSP does the trick, a local spot called Noble Park Kebabs always hits the spot. Keyo: The best one shutdown because they were selling pot to pay the rent. They made the best soup around.
Which fictional character best describes your personality? Keyo: Chicken Joe, you might see one day. Ismar: Frozone from 'The Incredibles', because I always lose my supersuit.
Last show you binge-watched? Keyo: 'Hill Street Blues'. It's comedic, dramatic and raises some good points about disadvantaged minorities with its social commentary and is still relevant even though it's at least three decades old. It's funny too; there's a guy that growls at everyone like a dog. Paige: 'Conversation With A Killer: The John Wayne Gacy Tapes'. The discussion of nature vs nurture is interesting. Ismar: 'Vikings'. The storyline and the drama kept me.
