Project Description
Interview with
JENNA RUSSO
from
STONEFOX
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“Dreamstate lives up to its namesake, with gentle, luscious production, underpinning the trio’s ever- soothing vocal work” – Pilerats
“Chorus sealed the deal with me. Amazing” – Bridget Hustwaite, Triple J
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For any new fans, how did the band come together?
Tim and I met at a Snakadaktal show in 2013, when getting a lift home we found out that we lived on the same road and stared jamming not long after that. When we had some songs together and needed a drummer, we posted a photo of a giraffe on gumtree and Monica, who was moving down to Melbourne from Sydney, happened to click on it. Stonefox began.
In 25 words or less, describe each of you and your value to the band. Simple, hey?
‘one-take-Tim’ has sensitive ears and always brings the toothpaste, Monica is our travel agent and Jenna specs her days taking pictures and photo-shopping foxes in.
Which music did you grow up listening to? How has it influenced your current style?
My dad listened to Bowie, my mum; ABBA. Waterloo and Ziggy Stardust feel like the two bookends of the music I write now. I like to think Stonefox sits somewhere in the middle.
How would you describe your sound?
I usually say heartfelt indie, mellow-pop and chill tunes. Perfect for cry-dancing at 2am…
Why do you think people resonate with your music?
We’ve always tried to keep things super minimal, and I think theres something about giving space in a song and allowing intimacy with the vocal or instrumentation that lets people be drawn in. As a result we have a lot of sad songs that are great for looking out the window on a train when its raining.
Your new single “Lightning” has just been released! Describe its origin and evolution.
It feels so good to finally have it out! Lightning doesn’t stray far from its original demo – a piano ballad I wrote after being really hurt at the end of a relationship a few years ago now. The demo, although very simple, had a lot of harmonies and created some moments which we all kept coming back to and wanting to enhance. We went through so many versions to build up this song over the years until this final one stuck. I remember when we were in pre-production of the EP and Monica started to play the rolling snares in the build we knew we were on the right track.
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You must have been happy with your debut EP that had millions of streams. Is there pressure on you for the upcoming EP? Did you use a different process this time?
We never imagined having so many people stream our first EP! I don’t think we’ve ever felt a pressure, but rather so much excitement to get the next collection of songs out there. Our first EP felt quite rushed, we were still learning how to work to our strengths as a band and also figure out our sound and how to go about achieving that. In the years since ‘Surface’ we found a sound that we loved in singles like ‘Dreamstate’. We decided to really take some time to work on new songs and fit them together into a collection. We didn’t give ourselves a deadline or a tour and just worked on them until we felt they were done. We had sessions all over Vic and in Syd with our producer Jean-Paul Fung, never settling, even having Skype calls late at night to tweak the tone of an ambient background layer that no one might ever notice.
Do you have any shows/tours coming up? What are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
We will definitely be doing live shows! We are so excited to get back on the road. Like most bands, playing live is our favourite thing to do – we have a whole new live show set up and cant wait to bring it everywhere we can. Keep your eyes peeled for some dates!
If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
All I want to do is sing next to Brandon Flowers on stage one day.
What’s next for you in the near future?
We’re busy rehearsing for upcoming shows and planning the next single releases.
What are your longer-term aspirations?
We’re really looking forward to getting overseas for some shows and hopefully soon have the chance to record our first album.
What is the best thing about performing to a live audience?
Nothing beats the feeling of an audience singing the lyrics back to you.
Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – ‘i like it when you sleep…’ – The 1975
Artist – The Killers
Movie – Aladdin
Place to visit – Wilsons Prom, Vic
Venue to play – Northcote Social Club
Food – Hot Chips
Drink – Whisky + Coke
Person in History – David Attenborough
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) I don’t have any… but i’d get my wedding ring tattooed. Also, as a band we did promise to all get fox tattoos if we ever sold out the Corner Hotel in Melbourne. Maybe one day if we’re lucky enough!
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Stonefox
‘Lightning’ (single)
OUT NOW
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Follow STONEFOX
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STONEFOX
releases melancholic new single
‘LIGHTNING’
After 12 months in the studio Stonefox make a bold return in 2020 signed to Canadian electronic record label Seeking Blue (MrSuicideSheep) with a lush and melancholic new track ‘Lightning’.
Staying true to their musical roots, ‘Lightning’ is a continuation of Stonefox’s moody and emotionally honest work and the first taste from their forthcoming EP with Sydney-based producer Jean-Paul Fung (Last Dinosaurs, Client Liaison).
The project marks a huge progression for the three-piece Melbourne band (Jenna Russo, Tim Carroll and Monica Spasaro) and explores the intricacies of poisonous relationships. ‘Lightning’ itself is illustrative of confrontation and betrayal as lead singer Jenna Russo explains:
“This is the first time we have really evoked feelings of anger and betrayal through a song. It’s very hostile – born out of a feeling of toxic jealousy. It is a powerful, demanding song, insistent on knowing how the person you once loved could lay next to someone else.”
Reminiscent of The XX and Daughter, Stonefox have shaped their own definitive indie electro-pop sound consisting of reverb-drenched vocals, clean guitars and heartfelt lyrics. The trio have accumulated over 50 million streams across Spotify alone and have supported the likes of Timberwolf, Mosquito Coast and City Calm Down.
Their unique brand of ‘left-of-centre pop’ has also earned airplay on triple j (Good Nights, Home and Hosed and Unearthed) and FBi Radio, alongside praise from Pilerats, Forbes and Pedestrian.TV.
‘Lightning’ is only the start for Stonefox – with more in store this year the trio is sharing their most evocative sound yet.
Stonefox’s single ‘Lightning’ is out NOW
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