Little Earthquake are releasing their debut EP, ‘Brightside’, this month and brothers Matthew and Justin Hyland are keen to hit the road for the second time in 2014.
“[We’re] really looking forward to going back to Brisbane ... we were received really well there, I don't know how that happened. Maybe just a few more blogs got us out there. But when we were in Brisbane we had a really good time and were really well received,” Justin says.
“We've already noticed a lot of online hype for us to come back to Brisbane more than any other area, so we're really pumped to get back up there. We were at Ric's last time. It's a cool venue, promoter is a legend and he's really passionate about music, so I think he was responsible for spreading the word as well, which was awesome.”
The pair have played together for a long time, including in their old band Elliot The Bull, but have never had any trouble with each other. “We're on the same page. We live together and we both work together for our family business, so we actually see a lot more of each other than what any sibling should.
“But when it comes to music we're both on the same page and we both work really well together. We just get home from work, have a shower and get straight into the studio and work on music. It's good. It's funny, we sort of drink and hang out together like a group of friends. If someone starts to get a bit shitty at the other then the other knows to just leave the room and just back out.”
They also have a rich relationship with US band Lydia, having toured with them. “When they came out to do their farewell tour when they were breaking up, my old band came out and supported them. Me and my brother were in that band and we clicked with them really quickly and we got along with them well.
“When I went back to America the drummer came back out to live with us for a year because we got on so well. And then Lydia got back together and asked if we would do the Australian tour with them so they wouldn't have to fly anyone out so we were like 'hell yeah'. They came out and we did the Australian tour and became close with them again and they asked if we wanted to come out to America, and we were like 'fuck yeah we do!’”
The track title track on 'Brightside' is a light and fresh indie-pop vibe, and even features a cameo from a third Hyland at the end. “That's my daughter. We originally got her to sing the chorus with us because we wanted to have her in the group vocals so that we could fiddle around, make it a little more kid choir sounding. Played with it in editing and heard it on its own and thought 'it's a little bit pitchy but it works on its own'. Kind of quirky. We threw it on the end to see if it worked, and it worked, so we were like 'sick'.”
Their music is a product of their own interests, with no clear goals laid out when they start they let the music sort itself out. The brothers are hoping to keep running with their methods after their tour wraps up in July. “In August we have plans to get back in the studio and get the album done. We haven't got as far as booking the album tour yet, but we definitely would pencil in the September/ October area. It depends how it goes with the album, you can never really lock it in this far away. But we're hoping to do the album in August and get it out by September, but the closer that gets the more details we can give out.”
Written by Daniel Conaghan
Little Earthquake Tour Dates
Fri Jun 13 - Corrimal Beach Hotel (Wollongong)Sun Jun 15 - Terrigal Surf Club
Tue Jun 17 - Armidale Club
Thu Jun 19 - Ric’s (Brisbane)
Sat Jun 21 - Ric’s (Brisbane)
Wed Jun 25 - Lass O’Gowrie Hotel (Newcastle)
Fri Jun 27 - Armidale Club
Fri Jul 4 Beresford Hotel (Sydney)
Thu Jul 31 - FBI Social (Sydney)
