A Quick Chat With Aaron Thomas

With an extensive career to date having released three albums and performed at international festivals like SXSW (Austin), CMJ (New York), Popkomm (Berlin) and London’s Concrete and Glass, Aaron Thomas is unveiling his first taste of next full-length album. Infusing luring indie folk and rock elements, Aaron Thomas has released ‘Mouth Of The City’ alongside the announcement of his upcoming album ‘Human Patterns’ (Out May 17). The new track is a well-refined and emotive sonic haven. It’s ominous and intricately layered, culminating into a stark and brooding atmosphere that is both novel and accessible. We caught up with Aaron to find out more about the track, his creative process and more.

Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?

This song was born out of a moment where I was acutely aware of the impact where I was living was having on me. I had just hosted a gig in my backyard for American singer songwriter Elvis Perkins, who is such a trippy, artistic guy. 

He comes from a family of artists, his father was Anthony Perkins, the actor from Psycho. He just seemed so immersed in his belief of the importance of art and I thought how easy that must have been coming from where he came from and living where he did. 

I felt like I lived in a conservative town which had its values firmly placed in financial security, or footy, of property values, or beers with mates, and I could feel it changing me and making me safe. 

This song is a push back against that feeling. An attempt to escape the human patterns of society. I decided to go for a little bit of a 90's Radiohead sound cause that was the time I felt really free and creative,

Who are some of your influences and why?

Elvis Perkins is a big influence. We are quite different. But that guy commits to his art and his poetry and is the best and weirdest lyricist I know of. 

I love the production of Father John Misty's first two albums, they really inspired my production ambitions and choices. 

I grew up with Elvis and Roy Orbison, Ray Charles, Dylan and The Beatles so they would definitely be finding their way into my melodies and style. 

I've been listening a lot to Lomelda, Angel Osen, Andy Shauf and Big Thief in recent years. I think a lot of great acoustic music comes out of the US and Canada and it's where I keep my ears tuned to, 

What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?

It always starts on guitar or piano and a desire to get a feeling out and find a melody worth chasing. Then I tend to focus on structure and making something I find interesting ot musically intelligent. But I always put emotion first.

Then the song kind of tells you what it needs. 

But I will write a song quickly but take a long time to finish it. I love to sit in the garden, or when I'm driving and just playing the song in my head over and over thinking of arrangements. 

It's an interesting puzzle I am obsessed with solving. 

What do you think makes a great song?

For me lots of songs have great moments or a great elements. But it's the combination of melody, arrangement, lyrics and emotion that make it great for me. 

It's the combo of cleverness and sincerity that make a song great I think. 

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?

I think Elvis Perkins is someone I would die to work with, honestly. Locally I'd love to write with Liz Stringer. She is a monster and I think it would be fun to be pushed by such a great lyricist and composer. 

I'd also love to work with Jorge Drexler.

When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?

I have always illustrated. I think my parents will always be confused as to why I left that and pursued music. But music excites me more. But yeah, I am always sketching. 

I also waste time doing impressions and dreaming of writing my own sketch show, but it might be better if I don't do that. 

Who are some local bands we should check out?

I think Wake in Fright are great. The songs are effortlessly wonderful and the vibe of the band is really joyful. I also always love checking out St Morris Sinners for pure musical insanity and brilliance and I am a big fan of Alana Jagt cause of that raw, beautiful voice of hers. 

Winter or summer and why?

Always Summer because winter is the death of joy. Divisive, I know

What else do you have planned for 2024?

Currently working on a tour of Spain, where I used to live. it's something I like to do every couple of years, specifically to escape the winter. But also, a big part of me was born in that country. I know it well and I relate to it deeply. 

People say I fit in better there than here, but I am not sure how accurate that is. They know me there and the audiences are great, so it's a really fun time. 

Then I'll be working toward an album launch and some interstate shows here. 

I also have plans in motion to work with Kevin Morby's producer, if I can bring myself to relinquish control of the arrangements. But I have an album's worth of new material which I love, so.....we will see

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