A Quick Chat with Vanderlay

What are the origins of Vanderlay? How did it start?

Vanderlay started as an excuse for me to write, and it’s been a part of my life ever since. There’s never been a compelling enough reason not to do it.  

Tell us a bit about the new EP. What does it mean to you?

This record has been in the works for just over five years now, and the songs on it have kept me company throughout many changes in my life, and indeed the world. From the beginning I wanted to write a record that picked up where our last EP ‘Spiteful Geyser’ left off. A record that was big and ambitious in its scope, but also one that felt personal and intimate. I wanted to write songs that eschewed the structures that came naturally or easily to me, and focus more on the instrumentation of each track, applying the same rigor and fastidiousness to the music as I do the lyric. 

Are there any inspirations you look to beyond music when writing or performing?

Outside of music, I spend a lot of my time taking and developing photos. I feel this seeps into my song writing in strange ways. There’s certainly a cross over of skills, patience being a key one. A good photo can capture a mood or feeling in a similar way to a song, so I keep coming back to photography as source of inspiration.

Name the five songs that have informed your song writing more than any others.

Something On Your Mind – Karen Dalton

Soon It Will Be Fire – Richard Youngs

Tangled Up In Blue – Bob Dylan

Revelator – Gillian Welch

Jelly Vs Blomonj – Melin Melyn

What Australian artists are you listening to at the moment?

I’ve been listening to the new album by Riley Catherall a lot since it came out last week. Also Lewis Coleman, Skyscraper Stan, and Babitha. 

How do you hope your music might impact listeners?

I hope people can listen to the record and imprint themselves onto it. As the days get shorter here in the southern hemisphere, I hope it can serve as a companion of sorts.