A Quick Chat With SPACE&AGES
Overflowing with vitality and elation, Meanjin’s alt/indie-rock powerhouse SPACE&AGES have released ‘Trial & Error’ - a track that captures the highs and lows of relationships, exuding a youthful exuberance that demands attention. Having only just debuted in June with their single ‘High For Free’, SPACE&AGES have been keeping busy, stirring a buzzing presence in Brisbane. This new track is produced by Brisbanes Brock Weston (BUGS), and has the band infusing their bursting indie-rock energy with pop-punk guitar riffs. We caught up with the band to find out more.
Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?
Phin: Trial & Error is obviously a pretty upbeat, happy bop, but also the topic is a bit sad. I didn’t purposely make it that way but I’d been so sick of writing sad songs with sad lyrics that felt fresh and new to me. I’d like people to be able to enjoy and dance along to it, but also listen, connect and just fuck with my lyrics.
Who are some of your influences and why?
Sam: I’m a big classic rock fan. ACDC, Guns and Roses, Pink Floyd, bit of metalica as well but also mixed with some more melodic modern metal like from avenged sevenfold. The energy from classic rock bands has always been an inspiration to me, just watching concerts on YouTube made me pick my guitar up again.
Who are some local bands we should check out?
Sam: Happy Valley, Dizzy Days, Loose Ends, Seeing Violet, The Dandys. The Filthy Foes SLAP. There’s just so many out there it's so hard to choose.
What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?
Baxter: Usually Phin will come in with a song that's a bit of a skeleton and we’ll all give it a listen, make mental notes and do some playthroughs and kinda rip the song apart and put it back together.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Baxter: Paramore, they’re sound and poppy groove is unparalleled, just like no other band does that at the moment for me.
What do you think makes a great song?
Hayden: I like it when every part/instrument to a song compliments each other in a new and exciting way, that makes a song good.
When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?
Hayden: Outside of music, my main hobby consists of woodworking and building projects
Winter or summer and why?
Phin: I can never decide. Winter you can wear jackets and juice the fashion but in summer you can have crazy hot beach days but then raining for the next week straight, which I love.
What else do you have planned for 2023?
Phin: After the single which came out on the 13th, we've got a single launch coming up, really keen for that. Honestly just super keen to get back on the stage. We've been on a bit of a hiatus with gigs at the moment so that'll be fun. Keen to sink some beers, get on stage, have some fun again. Just really excited for the single launch cus those are the ones that tend to pop off for us and it's always good to be able to feed off the energy of the crowd. Hoping to also get back into the studio and record a few more tracks. Won't disclose which tracks just yet but yeah, it's gonna be good.
Follow SPACE&AGES