A quick chat with Creature Fear
Congratulations on your new single 'Big Summer Eyes'. What's the story behind the track?
Cam: Thank you! It's a song we've had a long time, but I'm so happy we've found the perfect time to release it. It's one of the first songs Jacqui and I played together. I remember playing it on the very first day we met. When I heard her sing it, I got chills and was absolutely blown away by how beautiful she made it sound, and we've played it at nearly every gig since. No matter how the set has changed and evolved, we've always wanted to keep this in because of the connection to the audience it seems to have.
The singles you have put out so far have been high energy. Why was this the right moment to tone it down a notch?
Jacqui: Now is as good a time as any to release the song. People are turning to music more than ever now for comfort and joy. Though Big Summer at first may seem like a soft and I suppose "toned down" song by Creature Fear standards, it builds and packs in so much emotion by the end! When we play this live, I hope people will let go and thrash along with me. It's a song you can really lose yourself in.
Jack: The singles we've put out so far have been great at really showing off our more energetic side of our live performances. But one of the bands greatest strengths is how our songs can glide between different genres while still having that distinct 'Creature Fear Sound'. After the multiple upbeat singles we've released we thought now was a good time to release a more sombre and nostalgic song to show off our more introspective side. Especially near the end of 2020, we thought it was fitting to have a more wistful sounding song that still maintains hope for the future.
Jason: In my opinion, one of our greatest assets as a band is our musical diversity. I don't see it as much as a 'timing' thing but rather an opportunity to show the world we have more to offer than our typical high energy singles. Though it must be said, releasing a song with "Summer" in the title during the first week of summer wasn't an accident.
Each band member has their own interpretation of 'Big Summer Eyes', why do you think it resonates with each member differently?
Jack: The great thing about being in a band is everyone is listening out for different parts of the music, everyone trying to hear where they can fit in and what they can bring to the table sonically. The same thing happens when it comes to listening to the lyrics of a song that's more open to interpretation like Big Summer. Everyone brings different life experiences, and everyone can be in different mindsets when listening to the song, so they pick up on different parts of the lyrics that resonate with them. So each person's interpretation of the lyrics ends up being like little time capsules of how they felt when the first heard it.
Larni: I guess everyone has different lived experiences, so people will find certain lyrics resonate with them in their own way. When Cam told me what it was about, I was surprised! Haha to me it was so obvious that it was a song about unrequited love, but it was so much more emotional than that!
Cameron: I don't even think I had anything specific in mind when I wrote it, I just felt like it made sense and meant something. It definitely has evolved over time as to what it means to me.
When you create music, where do you find inspiration?
Cameron: It comes in bursts. I can have nothing for 6 months then all of a sudden 10 songs come in a week. It's frustrating, but I find the healthier and happier frame of mine I can be in, the more songs are likely to come.
Jason: As cliché as it may sound amongst us creatives, I don't like to look for inspiration. I'd rather have it find me spontaneously. It could be while I'm driving or shopping or while I'm sitting at a desk with my guitar. While not the most efficient method for inspiration, it is definitely the most authentic.
Larni: Hmm most of the times it'll just be what bands I've been listening to and delving into lately. Sometimes I'll just be like oh this would sound so good with a Talking Heads or Breeders vibe.
Jack: Pretty much try to listen to as much music from as many genres as I can to pick up on little tricks or ideas I can then bring back to the band
If someone passed you the AUX cord, what are the first 3 songs you would play?
Jacqui: Running up That Hill (Kate Bush), The Steps (Haim), Motion Sickness (Phoebe Bridgers)
Jack: Please Please Me (The Beatles), Please Me (Bruno Mars & Cardi B) and Please Me (Creature Fear)
Cameron: Generals and Majors (XTC), Rave On (Buddy Holly) and I Feel Just Like a Child (Devendra Banhart)
Larni: That's tough. Hm, I'd say these days I'd chuck on Amyl and the Sniffers - GFA, Gee Tee - Mutant World, and Dr. Sures - Blood Munny.
Jason: Aeons (Karnivool), Judith (A Perfect Circle), Ohms (Deftones)
Now that the world is opening back up, what's on the horizon for Creature Fear?
Cameron: 2020 has been very difficult for us as it has every other band in Melbourne and the world as a whole. We've had to learn to be patient after having an incredible 2019, but if Covid numbers can remain low we are very excited about what 2021 can bring. We have a whole new set of songs up our sleeve for live shows and have more recording to do. But at this stage I think we want to get back on stage, it's what we do best and I'm having dreams about it.
Jack: We can't reveal too much at the moment but suffice to say we've got plans to get back to performing again in more than just Melbourne.
Larni: Gigssss
