Buchanan have easily become one of our favourite emerging music acts over the past couple of months. Their current single 'Human Spring' has been a 2013 highlight and you can hear it these days being featured on the triple J hit list. The debut LP, also going by the name of Human Spring is set for release in Australia and New Zealand this Friday and we can tell you it's one of the finest indie pop debuts in quite some time (read our review). Today, we "sit down" to chat with Buchanan's leading man, Josh Simons about all things Buchanan. And some other stuff. Enjoy!
BUCHANAN
Interview by Matt Bond
Welcome! Introduce yourself; who is Buchanan, what type of music do you make and why do you make it?
Josh: Buchanan is myself, Josh, and my increasingly large rolodex of musical friends. Between us all we write and record that 'Buchanan' sound and then work out how to recreate that on stage. I do it because I couldn't imagine doing anything else.
Your LP, Human Spring, is out May 10 and is a ridiculously impressive debut album. How do you feel to finally get it out into the world? Can you talk us through the creative process behind the album?
Josh: Thank you! It isn't quite out there yet, but I feel like a massive weight will finally lift off my shoulders once it is. This part of the process hasn't been the most fun, I have to say! Waiting for it to drop but knowing it's done and there's nothing you can do to change it is quite frankly torture! The creative process on this album was one of patience. It took over 18 months to write and record the album and having the team available all at the same time to record when I was ready with new songs was always a bit like a game of Tetris, trying to make sure it worked for everyone. But we got to the finish line on our original deadline, so it kind of feels like we made good time! Working with a production team and having a mixer also made a big difference to the creative process versus our DIY approach with the previous EPs.
What's the Buchanan 'live in concert' experience? With the album out, what are your touring plans to support it?
Your LP, Human Spring, is out May 10 and is a ridiculously impressive debut album. How do you feel to finally get it out into the world? Can you talk us through the creative process behind the album?
Josh: Thank you! It isn't quite out there yet, but I feel like a massive weight will finally lift off my shoulders once it is. This part of the process hasn't been the most fun, I have to say! Waiting for it to drop but knowing it's done and there's nothing you can do to change it is quite frankly torture! The creative process on this album was one of patience. It took over 18 months to write and record the album and having the team available all at the same time to record when I was ready with new songs was always a bit like a game of Tetris, trying to make sure it worked for everyone. But we got to the finish line on our original deadline, so it kind of feels like we made good time! Working with a production team and having a mixer also made a big difference to the creative process versus our DIY approach with the previous EPs.
What's the Buchanan 'live in concert' experience? With the album out, what are your touring plans to support it?
Josh: We absolutely plan to support the album with a kick-ass live show! We are doing a launch show on June 6 at The Curtin Hotel in Melbourne and we'll announce one or two more east coast shows around that date. The plan is to then let the album breathe for a few months and come back with a headline tour and maybe a festival or two later in the year.
The video for the album's title-track, Human Spring is based on a talent show. Other than your gift for creating ear pleasing pop tunes, what special talents do you have up your sleeve?
The video for the album's title-track, Human Spring is based on a talent show. Other than your gift for creating ear pleasing pop tunes, what special talents do you have up your sleeve?
Josh: Someone asked me this the other day and I seriously didn't know how to answer! Perhaps I'm just incredibly boring, but I really don't think outside of music I'm much good for anything! I can drink a pint extraordinarily fast!
Think of these questions as prep for the year/s ahead;
1. What song are you going to cover when Triple J's Like A Version comes a-knocking?
Josh: Mashup of Karma Police by Radiohead and Get Lucky by Daft Punk
2. When rage gets you in as guest programmer, what are five music videos you're definitely going to feature?
2. When rage gets you in as guest programmer, what are five music videos you're definitely going to feature?
Josh: Around The World - Daft Punk, Here It Goes Again - Ok Go, The Scientist - Coldplay, Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen, Welcome To Heartbreak - Kanye West.
3. When you win an ARIA Award, who's the first person you're going to thank?
3. When you win an ARIA Award, who's the first person you're going to thank?
Josh: Mum, without a doubt. Which leads nicely into your next question!
Since it's Mother's Day this weekend, what's a song you'd dedicate to all the mum's out there and why?
Since it's Mother's Day this weekend, what's a song you'd dedicate to all the mum's out there and why?
Josh: Maybe our song Sit It Out from the new album?! Basically saying, "just chill, take a breath, I know he's an asshole, but in a few years he'll be out of home"! See what I mean?!
There's been a lot of quality Australian music released already in 2013. Which of your contemporaries would you name to be 'must-listen' material?
There's been a lot of quality Australian music released already in 2013. Which of your contemporaries would you name to be 'must-listen' material?
Josh: Tame Impala is the best thing to come out of Australia since Carlton Draught.
What makes a good songwriter?
What makes a good songwriter?
Josh: Someone who's open and willing to try any approach to writing, and not limit themselves because of a narrow mind or 'their own' singular approach to songwriting. The best songs just arrive and if you've limited your inspiration to a specific set of tools you're probably limiting your chances of receiving a hit song from the gods!
When the Buchanan 'Behind The Music' airs in fifty-six years time, what are they likely to say about you?
When the Buchanan 'Behind The Music' airs in fifty-six years time, what are they likely to say about you?
Josh: Great hair, shit shoes!
Massive thanks to Josh for taking the time to answer our questions! Human Spring is out on Friday, but you can pre-order it right now over on the iTunes.
Massive thanks to Josh for taking the time to answer our questions! Human Spring is out on Friday, but you can pre-order it right now over on the iTunes.
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