How To Avoid Inter Band Fleetwood Mac-Style Sexual Tensions

By Ash London on August 14, 2013 in Arts

Photo: Ash London

Their throwback five-part harmonies and big percussive, melodic explosions sound like Jinja Safari got into a time machine and went back to 1960s Africa, drank a lot of red cordial, fell in love, and wrote a couple songs about it -glorious stuff!

After a recent trip to India (where they filmed a clip for their latest track ‘Forrest’ – look it up on YouTube), the boys are back and ready to spruik their sophomore EP, Lone Survivor, with an east coast tour that kicks off at the Oxford Art Factory on August 1.

I caught up with rhythm guitarist and vocalist Bede in the lead up to their tour…

Our hometown is… Sydney, Australia. The Inner West to be precise.

The band name comes from… It’s the name of a town in Ireland where our grandfather is from. It was a lot better than the alternatives, believe me!

A highlight of shooting our latest video in India was… The actual travelling bit was awesome, but just being able to connect with Indian people on our journey was hectic because they showed us some amazing views and places that we may not have been able to see had we not got to know them.

The first time we sang together was… It was probably our guitarist Tom’s first birthday. None of us remember it (too drunk), but I’m sure we would have given ‘Happy Birthday’ a fair crack as three year-olds!

Being in a band with family members means that… It’s very easy to avoid inter band Fleetwood Mac-style sexual tensions/break ups. And we all have to love each other, otherwise our parents would be really pissed off.

The most exciting thing about the local music scene is… What we find most exciting is the fact that the local music scene makes a band have to learn fast how to play a tight live show, otherwise people won’t come out to watch you. And the result is that Sydney has some of the best live acts in the country.

I’d like to think that our music is… Going to affect a few people in the coming years.

My earliest music memory is… Hearing Dad sing.

Growing up, my parents listened to… Dad loves The Beatles, Billy Joel, Paul Simon and Elton John. Mum used to love her death metal but she’s over that now.

One song that makes me really nostalgic is … Reptilia by The Strokes. The 13 year-old me used to rock out in the house to that one.

There was this one time when we were starting out that… We decided we couldn’t stop.

If I could have written any song, it would be… ‘God Only Knows’ – The Beach Boys. Classic.

If you come and see us play, you can expect… A lot of energy, a lot of harmonies and a lot of sweat (but the good kind).

My dream gig… Red Rocks Amphitheatre looks like an unbelievable concert experience. Glastonbury would be nice too.

I never want to get to the point where… We have to start sharing undies because we’re too poor.

I’ll know we’ve really made it when… Our mums’ friends stop asking us what we’re doing with ourselves.

You can catch Castlecomer on August 1 at the Oxford Art Factory. Tickets are available at www.moshtix.com.au . For more info visit www.facebook.com/castlecomer .