A Quick Chat with Remit
What are the origins of Remit? Where did it start?
We three band members have known each other for some time and performed in different projects. Sim (guitar) and Jordan (bass/vox) performed together in Infinite Ox and Lovely Beast, where you can hear some of the Remit sound starting to develop. Rob (drums) and Jordan played in the band Primitive Language. At some stage Sim joined this project but after some changes Remit was born in early 2023. We were rehearsing in this strange location, underground in a type of concrete room that used to house metal barrels (by the look of the circular spray paint on the ground). It was rich in reverb and had a dystopian vibe. It helped us develop our sound.
Tell us a bit about the new single. What does it mean to you?
Posthuman grew out of a sprawling jam between the three of us. Jordan loves his krautrock basslines and Rob’s drums are all over it. Sim’s guitar style has developed into something synthy through this project. Posthuman is our first single because it’s our first song and really captures the Remit vibe. Posthuman comes from a philosophy called posthumanism that asks questions about the future of humanity – that we should no longer define humanity according to some outdated European traditions on what makes the perfect ‘man’. Instead, look to all of humanity in its quirks and diversity as we try together to find a way through the crumbling façade of modern civilisation. The relentless rhythm and emergency guitar is a kind of wake-up call and never-give-in type persistence all at once.
Are there any inspirations you look to beyond music when writing or performing?
Feeling the tension of the moment is important for the lyrics. The things we face. Horrors of the political situation. Managing broken hearts. Celebrating wildness. Trying to find your way when you’re feeling lost. Celebrating weirdness and diversity. Straight from the heart and the head and onto the page. And then into rehearsals where we all nut out together which way the songs should progress. When performing, for us, it’s important to lock in together real tight and push that energy forward into the audience. Putting on the best show we can, every performance, is important for us.
Name the five songs that have informed your song writing more than any others.
‘Hallogallo’ from Neu! is of course the classic krautrock song that’s shaped so many band’s approaches.
‘Waiting For The Man’ by Velvet Underground is another classic and was so ahead of its time.
So many songs by Bowie are important but ‘The Width of a Circle’ is a big influence.
Sigur Rós is a big influence for our guitarist, especially ‘Untitled #6 – E-bow’.
Talking Heads’ ‘Burning Down the House’ has a funk touch that we like.
What Australian bands are you listening to at the moment?
We reckon The Chats have got a good vibe going (look out for upcoming Rartels). Young and ferocious. RVG. Cable Ties. Gut Health. Cash Savage. All awesome. We’re fans of Cruel Sea and Tex Perkins. Pond has a cool psyche groove. And of course, Nick Cave and The Dirty Three.
How do you hope your music might impact listeners?
Thinking of any best song that we hold dear, a good song makes you feel something. It’s something you go to, to feel that thing at the time you need to feel it. We would hope that is what people will get from the music. That’s the dream, anyway.