A Quick Chat with Eagle Eye Jones
CAN YOU TELL ME A BIT ABOUT YOUR INSPIRATION FOR THE ALBUM ‘NEW GROWTH’?
Luke: Being our debut album it is really a kaleidoscope that brought it all together. From the Jeff Buckley balladry of ‘Broke The Spell’ to the dark Radiohead soundscapes of ‘Spiderland’ and ‘Paperskin’.
We were deeply inspired by shoegaze bands like Slowdive as well as jazz from Yussef Days and the entire London scene to be honest.
We even had a psilocybin induced breakthrough revolution while listening to ‘Star Stuff’ by Chaz Bundick and the Mattson 2. We couldn’t have structured ‘Wardrobe Of Masks’ without it. Thanks mushrooms!
WHAT ARE YOUR INFLUENCES AND HOW DO THEY AFFECT YOUR SONGWRITING?
Jase: Being a 5 piece band, we’re all constantly drawing inspiration from many different artists and facets of life and bringing them together in both our conversations and creative processes in our song writing. For me, I find myself drawing inspiration heavily from other artists involved in varying disciplines from music to other fine arts like painting, ceramics and photography. I spend a lot of time hunting for underground/newly released music where artists may be just stepping out into the world and I can experience their music in the rawest stage of their journey. I’ve been on a real tear with instrumental jazz and groove music lately, kind of all I’ve been listening to ha! But I’m also blessed to be surrounded by so many dear friends who are all creatives in their own right, expressing their creativity in their own art form, and working so hard at their craft. For me, having conversations around creativity and seeing the drive in the people you already love and look up to inspires me to hone my own craft.
WHATS THE CREATIVE PROCESS LIKE FOR YOU?
Jase: I’ve never really had the ability to sit down and write a song out in full. For me it takes a lot of momentary workshopping where I’ll feel a sudden spur of creativity in the week and pick up the guitar or sit down on the kit and work out the idea — so basically a stupid amount of voice memos on my phone haha. But I’ve spent the last year or so building a little home studio to demo ideas. So now it involves a lot more time getting mics out and recording things properly and sending them into logic. I find it really useful to have an idea to listen back to, take notes and reflect on, and sit back with it when the next moment comes.
IF YOU COULD CHANGE SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Luke: I guess it’s just hard living on a desert nation at the end of the world. Our entire music industry is controlled by one radio station with a super scattered audience so anything that’s somewhat niche has a tough time popping off here. So I guess the championing of more alternative music in Australia would be an amazing start.
Every single artist is also running their own business now. Album’s have become less relevant in the wake of streaming and the single cycle. So it’s a constantly evolving landscape and I find that deeply fascinating to be a part of.
WHAT DO YOU THINK LIFE WOULD BE LIKE FOR YOU IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE MUSIC AS AN OUTLET?
Jase: I don’t really know to be honest. Playing music for the last 10 years means its become a large part of my life. I like to think I’d still be heavily investing in music and the scene and still going to gigs as much as possible! But probably more travel.. that’s always been a big passion of mine.
IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO COLLABORATE WITH? WHY?
Jase: Yussef Dayes. One of, if not my biggest inspiration coming out of the London jazz scene. He plays with so much intention. He’s got a unique ability to make a rhythmic instrument feel so melodic and musical and tapping into that and learning his process would be pretty cool.
Also, this incredible band called Nu Genea out of Napoli, Italy. They’re incredible Italo disco/world music composers and all of their music is so thoughtful and heavily marinated in groove. I would love to write something fun with them!
Luke: Thom Yorke or Lana Del Rey, if you’re out there call me.
WHATS YOUR ADVICE TO YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAKE A CARER FOR THEMSELVES IN THE INDUSTRY?
Jase: I think just staying true to your craft and expressing yourself exactly the way you want to. With patience, the right people will get around it want to invest their time and energy for the right reasons. Also getting involved in the community as much as possible and not just relying on your own gigs as a means of connecting. There’s so many incredible people and artists who have so much to knowledge and experience, who are putting on incredible events and performances, and are just generally lovely people. Its a beautiful community and I’ve met some of the most beautiful people through it.
WHOS THE MOST INTERESTING PERSON YOU’VE WORK WITH/MET?
Jase: Probably our producer Jack Garzonio. One of the hardest working individuals I’ve met who’s incredibly dedicated to his passions in music. He’s one of the most unique personalities and is so authentically himself. If you spend time with Jack Garzonio, you’re spending time with Jack Garzonio and no one else. So funny and so Italian, we all adore that man. He’s a producer, engineer and a musician himself — a big inspiration to us all.
FAVOURITE HANGOVER CURE?
Jase: Coconut water and the ocean. Try it and let me know your thoughts.
Luke: One word. Mimosa.
ANY UPCOMING SHOWS?
Jase & Luke: Yeah, we’ve got our debut album tour for New Growth coming up through June/July this year! We’re so excited to share this body of work we’ve been quietly sitting on for a few years now. Playing all up and down the east coast of Aus so if you’re free, come and experience the body of work live and in full!