Project Description

Q & A with COLOUR DAZED

With the recent release of their EP Conduit and celebratory gig at Bar 303, Melbourne punk rock band Colour Dazed took some time out to talk to us about working with a producer for the first time, songwriting inspiration and more. Check it out below.

 

Colour Dazed

Click here for your copy of Conduit

 

Congratulations on the recent release of your EP Conduit. It sounds great, how has the reception been so far?

It’s been great. All the hard work and time we put into feels like it has paid off … It’s been awesome receiving a lot of positive feedback especially from people we respect so much!

 

The EP definitely made me nostalgic for the early 00s punk I grew up with. I’d love to know what other musicians and artists have influenced your work?

That’s a massive compliment cause we are all big fans of that era of punk, so many great bands influence us from that era. But if we had to pick one band it would have to be At The Drive In … They had a huge impact not only on us but the whole punk scene at the time.

 

I’ve seen your music described as a mash up of genres; indie, punk, post punk, alternative rock, shoegaze, 90s emo. Do you agree? How would you classify yourselves?

Genres are one of those things made up to pigeonhole bands so they are more marketable etc. We’re all influenced by so many different artists with all different styles it’s really hard just to pick one! I guess at the heart of it we’re pretty punk rock in the way we operate.

 

How does this EP differ from your last release ‘Synesthesia Blues’ (2015)?

This time we spent a lot more time working as a collective and making sure the songs were exactly the way we wanted them. Once we hit the studio with our producer Aaron Dobos he really took the tracks to another level.

 

Although it ain’t your first rodeo, can you tell us what the recording process for the EP was like this time around?

The process was great, working with a producer for the first time not only challenged us heaps but made us look at the songs from a different perspective than we were used to. It was tracked over 3 days and then mixed over the next couple of weeks. Aaron has a great set-up at Sing Sing, which allows him to make amazing recordings at a affordable price for bands.

 

Where do you usually gather songwriting inspiration? Can you let us in on what inspired some of the songs on Conduit?

Um … heartache? [Laughs] Nah, all different experiences can inspire a song to initially rear its head. At the time I was reading a lot of psychology books about neuroplasticity and identity etc. So there is a theme of that idea that makes its way through the EP lyrically at least.

 

I’d love to hear about your song writing process, do you collaborate or write separately?

I will initially come up with the skeleton of an idea and then take it to the boys and we will flesh it out all together until there is a song that we are all happy with.

 

You celebrated the release of the EP with a gig at Bar 303. Are there any more performances on the horizon?  

We will be playing another show after the release of the film clip for our single in a few weeks’ time. Like our Facebook page to keep an eye out for it!

 

What can people expect from your live performances?

If you come to one of our shows you can expect an erratic/energetic super fun show. With plenty of beers!

 

How did you all get started in music?

Myself and Shaun have been playing in different bands/roles for many years around town and our drummer Court has also been doing the same … We basically moved to Melbourne when we were 18 and have been playing ever since!

How was Colour Dazed formed? Where did you meet?

This band was formed about two years ago. It started as a little home recording project between Shaun and myself. Until we recruited our friend Gus on drums so we could play live shows. We all met growing up together in a place called Hamilton in Western Victoria. Court is another guy from back home which we recruited last year and have known for years as well.

What songs or albums are you listening to right now?

I’m personally still smashing Waco by Violent Soho … Such a great record and also another awesome Melbourne band called Gold Class.

 

Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?  

Stick at it. Don’t listen to the doubters and practice [laughs]

 

What’s comes next for Colour Dazed? Is there an album in the works?

Currently about to release our film clip for Dana Salt and focusing on playing shows around town. Hopefully more releases towards the end of the year!

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