Project Description
Interview with
THE FLOWERS
Interviewer – Vicky Hebbs
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“Preparing to release your debut single? New artists take note right here, this is a lesson on how to arrive in style. Meet The Flowers, our new fave Sydney trio.” – Ticketmaster Blog
“The Flowers have debuted into the world with a bonafide hit” – Nick Findlay, triple j
“The band have dropped a great slice of indie rock, that has some delightful pop embellishments. It’s a lush arrangement, beautiful vocals and an absolute banger of a first release for this exciting new band.” – The AU Review
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Have you always wanted to be a musician? When did you start writing music?
Agnes: You betcha, it’s been the dream since I can remember. Started writing songs as a 12 year old angsty tween (cringe) and not much has changed.
Dylan: My dad’s always played in bands so he brought my brothers and I up on everything from Sex Pistols to Gilbert & Sullivan, Zeppelin to Beatles, Zappa to The Twelfth Man. Since I could remember I’ve sat in on my dad’s and my brothers bands rehearsing in our rumpus room. I had a natural urge to teach myself how to play piano and guitar and have been writing music ever since.
Leighton: I originally wanted to be a WWE wrestler. But when I saw that I may have to wrestle ‘The Rock’ I thought, drums may be a little easier on the back.
How would you describe your sound?
A wave of turbulent dreams washing over you as you stay afloat on a blow up pool toy with the sun shining down nicely.
Why do you think people resonate with your music?
We hope our music’s cheery tonality and major melodies get people’s feet tapping. We also hope our sometimes less-than-cheery lyrics ring true and relatable to some people.
Which music did you grow up listening to? How has it inspired you?
Agnes: I was obsessed with Green Day as a kid. American Idiot was the first CD I ever owned. I think listening to them sparked my dreams of being in a band that blurred the lines between pop and rock. My parents also played a lot of Loudon Wainwright III on long car trips, which prompted my obsession with lyrics and using songwriting to get something off my chest. Jeff Buckley came along a little later, when I was about 15. I fell in love with his ethereal voice and heartbreaking lyricism, placing him at the top of my musical influences (and #1 celeb crush).
Dylan: Being a 90s kid, bands like Silverchair, Stone Temple Pilots and Oasis hold a dear spot in my soul. As a child Dad would often play ‘Houses Of The Holy’ or ‘The Foundations’ on vinyl as we fell asleep. Needless to say I didn’t sleep much.
Leighton: KISS, Nirvana, The Police and Jimi Hendrix were always getting blared through the house as a kid! Thank you Dad.
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How did you meet and decide to become The Flowers?
We (Leighton and Dylan) have played in several bands together over the years. It was only on the off chance that Leigh stumbled upon Agnes’s page on triple j Unearthed that we knew we had our third member, and more importantly the singer to front our new project. We met up at Dylan’s house for a jam and as corny as it sounds, we just knew straight away that this was the right fit. Each idea we brought to the table seemed to compliment the one before it and elevate the song to a place that it never would’ve reached without one of us. We began writing Truly, Madly, Sleepy that first time meeting in fact!
What is the story behind your single, Origami?
One jam Agnes brought in a demo of a track she’d been working on previously called ‘Bad Neighbourhood’. Originally the pre was in fact the chorus and it wasn’t until we jammed it out that we realised it was missing that big ass chorus. The lyrics to Origami is somewhat of an ode to anxiety – social anxiety, insecurity within relationships and a little existential panic to top it all off.
What inspired the new music video?
We took inspiration from films like Mills’s 20th Century Woman & Bergman’s Persona to evoke the themes of an exploration of identity and contemplation. The grainy video with black borders were shot on a roll of super 8 by Dylan’s brother on his Minolta, which took a few weeks to get developed.
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Did you enjoy the process of making a music video? Will you be keen to make more in the future?
It was such a hoot. Sure it had its stressful moments in the lead up to the shoot, but on the day we honestly had the best time. Because we try to write quite visual songs, it was surreal to see our lyrics brought to life in a different medium. We’re itching to film more music videos in the future for sure.
Who are your major music influences?
We’re heavily influenced by the 80’s & 90’s rock icons like The Smiths, The Cranberries and The Sundays. We also really dig Catfish and The Bottlemen’s sound. Lyrically, we’re inspired by Phoebe Bridgers – her brutal honesty is something to aspire towards.
What is the best thing about touring? Are there many downsides?
N/A….yet!
What is next for you in 2019? Do you have any new music in the works?
Sure do! Heaps of tracks waiting to be set free. We’re aiming to release more music by the end of the year, and hopefully another music video! We’ve also got a bunch of shows coming up where we’ll play a heap of unreleased stuff. Hope to see y’all there!
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Where do you see yourselves in a years time as a band?
Hopefully playing heaps of shows, venturing overseas, releasing a full length album and writing, writing, writing!
If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why?
Agnes: Blondie. Seems like it would be a hoot and a half! Such energy, both from the band and the crowd.
Dylan: Chet Baker would be nice.
Leighton: Get us on a tour with Aerosmith. Now that would be something!
What’s been the career highlight so far?
Richard Kingsmill playing our song on Triple J and reviewing it on Unearthed. That was huge for us.
Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – ‘Grace’ – Jeff Buckley
Artist – Leonard Cohen
Movie – ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ – Stanley Kubrick
Place to visit – New York City
Venue to play – At this point, The Golden Age Cinema (it’s the only venue we’ve played so far!)
Food – Bagels
Drink – Tequila
Person in History – Hatshepsut
Tattoo – I (Agnes) have a tattoo of a little bird in a tree – it’s from the cover of Leonard Cohen’s Book Of Longing.
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Check out THE FLOWERS below
Triple J Unearthed | Facebook | Instagram
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ABOUT THE FLOWERS
Comprised of vocalist Agnes O’Dwyer, Dylan Clark on guitar, and Leighton Cauchi on drums, The Flowers are a Sydney-based trio producing fun indie rock with a pinch of pop influence. Prior to the formation of The Flowers, Leighton and Dylan were in several bands together touring nationally. After couch surfing their way through Los Angeles and searching for a lead vocalist in 2017, they returned home crestfallen. Mid 2018, the pair stumbled upon Agnes via triple j Unearthed. After connecting, jamming and finding their sound, The Flowers came to be.
After the release of their debut single ‘Truly Madly Sleepy’ in May, The Flowers gained spot rotation on triple J and amassed fans across the country. Now, their latest single ‘Origami’ will see the band perform their debut live show and continue writing and performing their sad-happy songs for the people who enjoy sad-happy things.
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