Project Description
Interview with
JOSHUA ECKERSLEY
from
THE ROCKEFELLER FREQUENCY
Interviewer – Mirrin Gray
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For any new fans, how did it all begin? Where did you develop your interest in performing music to an audience?
It all started as a teenager. We grew up in Lismore; a small NSW town, and there isn’t a lot to do there, other than sport or music. I had no interest in sport, so music became everything to me.
What kind of music did you grow up on? Which artists inspired you?
I was a fan of the Seattle Grunge scene, so Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden; all of those big 90’s bands. To counter that I also really enjoyed 1960’s music, stuff like The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, and Bob Dylan.
What is unique about what you do? Why would fans be attracted to your sound?
We have a good mix of sounds and intensity. We really like poppy stuff, catchy melodies and guitar hooks, but we also like that big rock sound, big drums and that type of stuff. I like to sing and I like to scream, and it all works really well together.
You’re super keen on doing everything yourselves. Why is this important to you and how does it affect the music you create?
If you want something done right, and you don’t have tonnes of cash to pay someone to do it, best to do it yourself. It’s just the way we’ve always done things, and it works well. We know what we like and we get in and get the job done. We used to live in this little apartment together and we’d build these rickety makeshift vocal booths in our living room, and it sounded great. Luckily we’ve progressed from that and have a more professional set up, but it’s essentially the same process. We write the songs, we record them. We release them, and then repeat.
Tell us about your new single The Rift. What’s it about to you?
The new single, THE RIFT, is a rocking song about reckoning with your inner demons in the face of your own mortality. It is about the struggle to accept who we are in the context of a close relationship, when we humans are often very flawed or self-absorbed individuals. It’s about having the realisation that, at our worst, we are mostly just little tyrants fighting to put ourselves first, in one way or another, and taking action to fix it. There are positive changes we can all make to better our situation and to make society a more bearable place to spend our time.
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What was it like to bring this song to life over the span of years? How has it changed since it’s first inception?
It’s been great to finally release it and get such positive feedback from our fans. We first wrote it a few years ago, but we’ve since built it up, added numerous layers, counter melodies and new ideas. It’s grown into a beast of a song and we’re all really happy with how it’s turned out.
You’ve got a new album due to release next year. How is it coming along? Do you enjoy recording?
We will be following up this first single with another in the later half of 2019. We have almost finished recording the full album, and it’s all sounding great. We can’t wait to get more new music out into the world.
What are the most important factors to getting the 90s Alt Rock sound right?
You just need a really good guitarist, a solid rhythm section, and the ability to scream your lungs out for a solid hour. Easy.
If you could pick absolutely anyone to bring on tour with you, whom would you pick and why? (Dead or Alive)
This answer will change every day, but for today I’d say At The Drive In. That band are intense, they rock out hard, and it would be great to see them play live night after night.
What are your major goals or milestones for the future?
Get the album finished and released, play some good gigs, record another album, play some more good gigs. Simple.
Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVORITE:
Album – Transformer by Lou Reed.
Artist – Bob Dylan
Movie – Full Metal Jacket
Place to visit – Fiji
Venue to play – I’ve lost track at this point. I enjoyed the Enmore Theatre in Sydney. I also love playing at The Zoo in Brisbane.
Food – 100 eggs.
Drink – Whatever you’ve got is fine.
Person in History – Bill Hicks
Tattoo – I have the ‘Laugh now’ monkey by Banksy. I also have my wedding anniversary on my wrist. Never forget.
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Follow THE ROCKEFELLER FREQUENCY
Facebook | Twitter | Spotify
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BIO (2019)
The Rockefeller Frequency
The Rockefeller Frequency is an alternative rock band from Brisbane, Australia, creating energetic indie-rock music, mixed with tousled pop hooks and socio-political lyrics. Born from an unhealthy fascination with conspiracy theories, and inspired by artists like Refused, At The Drive In and The Strokes, The Rockefeller Frequency create fast paced, compelling music that embodies the idea that human beings, as a species, can be so much more than just walking haircuts.
For the last few years The Rockefeller Frequency has been performing in various states of functionality and utter dysfunction, playing live shows with artists such as Birds of Tokyo and Calling all Cars. The band has recently been hard at work, recording their latest single ‘The Rift’, as well as working on their debut album, due for release early next year (2020).
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