Adelaide’s psychedelic outfit, SOMNIUM, have just wowed us with their sophomore album ‘To Be Is To Be Perceived’. This album is a trance-inducing journey entwining sounds from psych-rock, prog rock and jazz as they explore themes of love, the mind, the ego and nature. It’s not another psych rock album from start to finish, instead, it spirals, turns and keeps you on the edge of the seat with latin-american influences, hip hop jams, a triple-time jazz shuffle and huge fuzz driven guitar work. We caught up with the band to find out more!

Can you tell us what the album is about and what you want people to take away from it?

We hope it opens up trains of thought your mind has never pondered before. We hope it’s euphoric and groovy but with enough sensitivity and realness that isn’t just a frenzied dream that knocks you off your swaying feet.

Who are some of the band's influences and why?

It goes back to the early blues Robert Johnson to jimi hendrix and cream. Then the melodic side of the spectrum with the Beatles, the kinks, king crimson and pink Floyd to name a few. Elliott smith is one of James’ (frontman) all time favourite musicians and he’s as melodic as you can get with textures of classical music and folk. This goes into tame impala and Mac demarco territory too.

All the way to heavier 90s punk funk grunge and metal of Tool, Rage against the machine, red hot chilli peppers and Kyuss/queens of the Stone Age.

And we love 90s hip hop too and acts like the gorillaz who blend electronica with melody. It’s Too hard to name every band though. Missed so many.

What's the band's creative process for you, from writing through to recording?

Each song is unique.

Some start off with a chord progression and humming of a vocal melody and then the lyrics fit into the syllables much like a puzzle.

Then other tunes is band based. we love to jam and create grooves and riffs. Other times it’s the lyrics are there and we try to encapture what that messsge is.

What do you think makes a great song?

Strong lyrical themes number one.

Strong melodic content.

Grooves also play a part but if the bare bones of a song can be played on acoustic guitar and still sound good it’s a good song.

When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you each have?

We love making sketch comedy jokes and drawing cartoons

Who are some local bands we should check out?

Heinous crimes, kitchen witch

Winter or summer and why?

Spring because all the flowers are in bloom and we’re scorpios baby!

Do you have anything planned for 2023?

We want to tour up the east coast and keep playing shows and record more music don’t want to stop

Follow SOMNIUM

Spotify | Bandcamp | Soundcloud | Triple J Unearthed

Facebook | Insta: @somnium.aus | Youtube

A Quick Chat With SOMNIUM