A Quick Chat with Dizzy Planet

Tell us about Dizzy Planet? 

Dizzy Planet’s sound is influenced by the grunge bands of the 90s and all the music that has come in between. The sound is in contrast to the look of the band. Our female dominated, neat and tidy image is challenged by fuzzed out guitars, a driving rhythm section, and an intense, thrashy, loud, emotional and unsettled sonic. This challenges the stereotypes and expectations that audiences may have by first impressions.

Dizzy Planet formed as a two-piece in 2018 with vocalist and guitarist Bradley Campbell and drummer Carlota Rivera (Last Quokka). The band played shows around Perth and Fremantle before realising the need to add a third musician. Bass player, Hayley Wellington joined us and the band evolved, now as a three piece with a new direction in the sound we released our debut EP Back Brake Pedal in 2021 and have followed that up with the release of Shellshock.

How did you first get into making music?

We have all always enjoyed playing original music, the creative process is what initially drew us together as a group. We all have similar backgrounds in regards to the music we grew up listening to and why we decided to learn our instruments in the first place. We have all played in different original bands at different points and this experience and shared influences has brought us together and enforced our collaborative process. We all like to use music for self-expression, creativity, human connection and to tell stories, explore ideas and celebrate the human condition. 

Dizzy Planet actually started out as a country act playing BJs songs. When Carlota joined the band she brought her nu-metal influences and the band transformed into a frenetic two piece. Hayley joined the band and reinforced the new sound and the music has evolved to what it is today.

Tell us about the Dizzy Planet creative process?

In most of the songs we write BJ generally comes up with a guitar riff and the song forms from this idea. Bass and drums are written together to complement in a way that diverges from the sound of the guitar. Lyrics come later from a stream of consciousness approach and the songs go through different versions until the final iteration. For the song ‘Headlights,’ Hayley wrote a basic guitar line and lyrics and recorded in a voice memo. BJ re-interpreted and the bass and drums were written around the original guitar line, the final guitar part evolved sitting in contrast to the rhythm section in the song.

All parts sit rhythmically together but are melodically contrasting. We try to write parts that oppose each other, clash and sit uncomfortably but still seem to relate. Songs are worked and re-worked until they feel right and have the sound and intention that we are aiming for.

Tell us about your new EP ‘Shellshock’ ? 

For this recording we were certain that we wanted to record the tracks live. We really like the sound of bands and albums that have that ‘less touched’ sound in their recordings so we decided to use this as our inspiration for the approach to the recording. In order to record live we had to make sure we were well prepared for the studio sessions and had the songs rehearsed well in advance. When we entered the studio we felt ready and the process went very smoothly. We went for a harder sound in ‘Shellshock’ than previously and used influences from grunge, metal, alternative rock to shape the recording.

What is on the cards for Dizzy Planet for the rest of the year? 

This year we hope to mix up our style and write new tracks with a renewed focus and variations in our writing. We hope to increase production by broadening our direction and exploring new ideas. We also hope to head back into the studio and record our debut LP.

How can fans best support your music? 

Buy the single, EP or merch from Bandcamp, come to one of our shows and buy some merch or just have a listen, and also sharing our music on social media because sharing is caring!

What have you been listening to lately?

Mainly we like to go back to our roots and revisit the music that formed us as musicians. Some of the artists that we have been listening to lately and taking inspiration from are The Police, Faith No More, John Martyn, Hootie and the Blowfish, The Arctic Monkeys, Incubus, Elbow, Queens of the Stone Age, At the Drive-In, The Smashing Pumpkins.