Project Description

Interview with

RAAVE TAPES

Interviewer – Connor Gutteridge

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Photo: Liv Jansons

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Newcastle’s RAAVE TAPES have swiftly been winning over listeners across the country with their impeccably vibrant brand of dance-rock. Today, the now-duo return with ‘Red Flag’ – an offering that showcases a side of the act that is alot more RAAVE, and a little less tape.

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How did you get your start in music? How did this lead into starting RAAVE TAPES?
The beginning of my career in music was humble, playing in cover acts in local pubs around my hometown of Kurri Kurri, NSW (Shoutout 2327). When we eventually began writing our own music we were SO stoked that we could even get a gig in Newcastle. Honestly just happy to be there. There was an element of ‘right place, right time’ to our arrival in the Newcastle scene, as we were embraced by the burgeoning No-Fi Collective crowd. We cut our teeth playing some pretty wild house parties with bands like VACATIONS and PALS, as the groups’ artists & photographers provided a visual commentary of the town’s heaving creative underbelly. We owe a lot to that group of people <3

Where did the name RAAVE TAPES come from?
Well we’re a little bit dancey (RAVE), a little bit garage-punky (TAPE). And we added the extra A because we thought it was edgy af at the time \m/

Are any of the influences that influenced you in the beginning still influencing your writing today?
Oh yeah 100%. I don’t think your early influences ever truly leave you. They always manage to subconsciously seep into the songwriting process in unexpected ways. In the beginning, we were always a garage punk band making dancey music. Now that that scales are beginning to tip the other way, some of those earlier dance influences are beginning to come to the forefront.

The new track ‘Red Flag’ is due very soon, How does this track differ to the music you have released in the past?
Well it’s a little less TAPE, a whole lot more RAAVE.

What was the writing process for this track?
This is the first track we’re releasing with our new producer Fletcher Matthews. He’s been a good friend of ours for ages & working with him has completely changed our whole creative process. Normally we would come into the studio with a fully fleshed out track. With Fletch, before we even touched an instrument, we sat down for hours listening to music – pointing out our influences & talking about our direction as a band. It was all very organic & lead to us feeling a lot more free in the studio to try new things & explore the electronic side of our sound. Our one rule was that we had to be having fun. At all times. At all costs. If something wasn’t fun we’d move on & I think that really comes through in the tracks.

Can we expect to see any new music past ‘Red Flag’ being released?
Oh yeeeeah you can. We’ve been working for the better part of last year with Fletch on a stack of new tunes… and we have a sneaky collab on the way too…

In your words, how do you describe the sound of RAAVE TAPES?
Dark, sparkling effervescent punk xoxo (the xoxo is important)

When you look at the outlook of the music industry/scene in the future, what do you see?
Live-streams… live-streams as far as the eye can see… in all seriousness though, it’s an abhorrently bleak time for our industry right now. With all gigs cancelled indefinitely I’m really feeling for the artists, but also the hardworking crew, managers, agents & anyone involved. Very grateful to have organisations like Support Act right now. Please don’t be afraid to reach out if you need help.

If you have any advice to give to a young person wanting to start a career in music, what would it be?
DON’T BE A DICKHEAD. Honestly just being a genuine, nice person will get you a long way. Support the scene and it will support you. And ask questions, listen to advice, but trust your instincts.

If you could be put in quarantine with any person dead or alive, who would it be?
Honestly the guys from The Grade Cricketer Podcast, I’m obsessed with it at the moment. I’d love crack a nice bottle of red and watch the entire ‘05 Ashes front to back with those two commentating. Big cover drive energy.

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Check out RAAVE TAPES below
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RAAVE TAPES
Bring out their inner
RAAVE
on new single
‘RED FLAG’

Newcastle’s RAAVE TAPES have swiftly been winning over listeners across the country with their impeccably vibrant brand of dance-rock. Today, the now-duo return with ‘Red Flag’ – an offering that showcases a side of the act that is a lot more RAAVE, and a little less tape.

‘Red Flag’ was born out of the duo’s shared and all-too-common experiences of needing to use self-preservation tactics to avoid, yet appease, unwanted advances or encounters.

“One person’s lack of awareness, or deliberate disregard for boundaries can ruin your night, or have lasting impacts,” says guitarist Joab Eastley. “These experiences can range from frustrating and irritating, to completely terrifying.”

“As we wrote the song, the themes naturally led to Lindsay taking on more lead vocal duties than she had in the past.”

STREAM ‘RED FLAG’ HERE

The change in sonic direction was the result of a newfound harmonic collaboration between the band and producer Fletcher Matthews, who encouraged the duo to delve into the dark and effervescent soundscapes on ‘Red Flag’.

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About RAAVE TAPES

RAAVE TAPES bubble with a shimmering darkness, fusing genres to create a niche yet nostalgic sonic landscape. With an undeniably captivating catalogue of tunes, dance-rock architects Lindsay O’Connell and Joab Eastley return to carve out a refreshing place for fans of the likes of The Presets, Northeast Party House, Bloc Party, and Charli XCX to enjoy.

The now-duo boast a bright list of live achievements, including a sold out 800 capacity hometown show, showcasing to packed rooms at BIGSOUND, festival appearances at Groovin’ The Moo, Yours & Owls, Mountain Sounds, The HIlls Are Alive, Best Night Ever, Festival Of The Sun, a co-headline spot at Mountain Goat Valley Crawl and tours with Psychedelic Porn Crumpets and These New South Whales.

With their first release of 2020 showing more RAAVE, less tape, this year is set to deliver surprise after surprise from the duo.

‘RED FLAG’ 
OUT NOW

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AMNPLIFY – DB

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