Four years since their second album, Ron S. Peno & the Superstitions have an east-coast tour to promote their latest LP 'Guiding Light'.
The new record is described as the ‘the purest expression of the band’s sweeping, propulsive chamber rock to date. An album that’s urgent and unabashedly emotional, yet exquisitely refined.’ Frontman Ron S. Peno discusses the making of the album.
“We recorded it in Melbourne in a friend’s studio called Soundpark. It’s taken a while but I think it’s been worth the wait. It’s a great album and I can’t stop playing it,” he says.
Ron is proud of his work and how the band has grown over their three albums. “For me, I don’t think the second album ['Anywhere And Everything Is Bright'] was consistent as a whole. On the other hand, this new one has a few more up-tempo tracks and it’s nicely balanced with a couple of slower songs.
“I think we did well with the track-listing. It’s an album that you put on and it flows really well, then it’s finished. I don’t think it outstays its welcome.”
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The eight tracks on the album run for a total of 36 minutes. Among these is a cover of Bobby Darin’s ‘Not For Me’. “The original is fantastic obviously, and when I heard it I thought it suited The Superstitions’ sound. The guys heard it and we decided to give it a shot. We covered it, and everyone that came to see us loved it so it’s all been very good,” Ron says.
Ron is a very active musician, recently reforming with Died Pretty to play alongside Radio Birdman this July. He is also a member of The Darling Downs with Kim Salmon and has worked with Hunters & Collectors trumpet-player Jack Howard.
“He has a combo called Epic Brass. I do ‘Eternally Yours’ by Laughing Clowns and a version of the Died Pretty song ‘D.C.’. The brass isn’t in the original of course, but we thought we would try it and that was fun.”
The second track on 'Guiding Light' is ‘Hurt’n’run’, which as it turns out isn’t just a personal standout track. “That’s actually a favourite of my friend Dave Faulkner [of Hoodoo Gurus]. He thinks the lyrics are catchy.”
A few of the new tracks have been played live previously, albeit some in a different format than they have developed into for the new record. “'Dreams Of Leaving', the last track on the album, hasn’t been played live but I’m sure it will be fine!” Ron laughs.
The album launches will see the entire record played live, in addition to some back-catalogue material. “There’ll also be some tunes from the second album and probably some from the first ['Future Universe'].”
There will be a launch in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney. “We’re very proud of it. It’s a strong album. I think there’s some great performances; the band and myself are fantastic. We’re looking forward to playing it!”
Ron S. Peno & The Superstitions Album Launch Dates
17 November - The Spotted Mallard (Melbourne)1 December - The Bearded Lady (Brisbane)
2 December - Leadbelly (Sydney)
