A Quick Chat with Emu Glitter
Photo Credit: Ryan O'Keefe
For those unfamiliar, how would you describe Emu Glitter in 3 words?
Jack: Let’s go with janky, theatrical and sparkly?
Simon: Anxious dirtbag glam?
What inspired you to start making music, and how has that inspiration changed over time?
Jack: It was typically Blink-182 first for me, then I was a big Hip-Hop head as a teenager and early 20’s and started with rap. I resonated so strongly with the power that the pen on those beats could give an individual to tell the truth and make people feel something. Later I became more obsessed with the songwriting process on a musical level when I opened up again to other genres, particularly the emphasis on melody in a lot of older music to convey emotion instead of just thoughts. I try to follow what makes my heart skip beats.
Simon: We all have a pretty diverse set of influences we draw from, and I think that comes out in our music. I listened to and saw loads of local punk, hardcore and metal when I was younger; I've always been inspired by the energy and DIY ethos you see in those bands, and I try to bring that spirit to all music I work on regardless of genre/sound!
What is your, and the band's, creative process like?
Jack: So far it’s consisted of me bringing random song ideas on keys, vocals and harmonica into rehearsals where the band helps me flesh them out.
It started with myself and our old drummer Jacob who would bring all the groove and movement. He’s a super creative drummer. Our mutual mate Nate came in on bass and became fundamental to the songwriting, getting into the nitty gritty technical stuff helping with the arrangements to make my disjointed parts flow together. Vanessa joined and helped with this process too and brought so much heart and feeling with her melodies and guitar tones. Simmo joined on drums after Jacob moved away and has since been fundamental to the creative process as well, tightening up loose ends and crafting driving, locked in rhythm sections with Nate. Vanessa and Nate write and sing the harmonies together.
Simon: Once Jack comes to us with a song and we start fleshing it out, I try to act as a sounding board for ideas and other people's parts. I’ve played in bands with Nate for years, so I really focus on locking in with him on bass, otherwise I just try to keep things simple, lay a solid foundation and emphasise the cool stuff that my friends are doing - sort of like the glue that pulls everyone together!
Congratulations on your new double single release, ‘Resurrect Me’ and ‘Tamarind and Lime’. Can you tell us a bit about the release?
Jack: Cheers! I guess both the songs were born at different times of my life with different outlooks on life, but we all felt they work well together as a compare/contrast. They’re in relative major/minor keys to each other and naturally contain juxtaposing perspectives in that vein, while still containing similar themes.
Resurrect Me is full of hope and a striving for higher experience, while still acknowledging the existence of a negative mind state. It was written more recently. Tamarind & Lime was written a while back (2019 ish) and leans into a bit more of a cynical take on life, being something of a critique of excess production/consumption in society with pointed barbs at certain types of people, while still acknowledging my all too willing position in this process. To me they feel like a bit of a Yin-Yang situation as a double single with something of the other in each. Further to this, Resurrect Me is presented as more of a brighter A-side with Tamarind as the B-side of the double single.
Simon: I think ‘Tamarind…’ has evolved the most out of any of our songs during our time playing and eventually recording it. It's become this real monster of a track that lurches along with a really solid groove. 'Resurrect Me' is like a massive ray of sunshine in comparison, and I love the harmonies on the track! Together they're two of my favourite songs to play live and a great introduction to what this band sounds like.
If you could resurrect anyone to listen to this release, who would it be?
Jack: What a question! On a personal level it would probably be my grandfathers on either side. One of them passed before I was born and one when I was very little, both in their early 60’s, and have both been remembered in my family as extremely charismatic and outspoken men that shaped the culture of my family, which went a long way to shaping me. I feel them deeply in spirit. I’d also have liked to see how their old school views would have interpreted the band’s work. Then again, maybe some things are better left as they are haha.
What messages/ feelings do you hope listeners take away from ‘Resurrect Me’ and ‘Tamarind and Lime’?
Jack: I’m not sure how to answer that one. I’m not sure if the writing of them or the mind states I was in really reflect my outlook today, and I’m definitely not sure any of it should be taken in any specific way.. But I like to read the lyrics by who I was then, almost like a diary entry. It makes me think I should write more in general because it helps with my self understanding. I think that writing is quite important, especially for people with busy minds and idle bodies. So maybe it can be that? Just a document of moments in life, and a document that might encourage documentation itself?
Who are your 5 favourite Australian artists at the moment?
Jack: This is sticking to musical artists only and there are heaps more AND styles are all over the place but the first that come to mind that have moved me in recent times (in no order) are:
Ra Ra Viper, Veruca Moon, Royel Otis, Diabetic/Beers Meeres and your best friend jippy.
I’m not sure if ‘at the moment’ can include Paul Kelly, but let’s give him hall of fame status :’)
Simon: Been listening to a lot of The Chain, Hiatus Kaiyote, Gut Health, Ceres, and Uboa lately. Would also feel wrong not to shout out the local legends in Miles Away!
Have you got any upcoming shows?
Our only upcoming show is the Resurrect Me/Tamarind & Lime Double Single LAUNCH @ the Fremantle Buffalo Club on Saturday the 7th of December! Our lineup is absolutely diabolically sick with Shadow Planet, Oakabella & The Maeflies and The Bush Rangers as supports. It’s gonna be an absolute shindig :)
After the launch we’ll probably rest for a bit before next year’s foray, but are definitely open to enticing prospects that may come our way.
Listen to ‘Resurrect Me / Tamarind & Lime’
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