theaussieword.com catches up with Yard Arms.
How and where did it all begin for you? What drew your interest to the music industry?
“I think we both grew up with a lot of music around us in our childhoods, looking back it makes sense that we fell into it. I think the biggest draw we had as kids was the idea of the escapism we could achieve through it, running away from the mundanity of certain aspects of our lives and feeling a sense of community and acceptance somewhere.”
What motivates or influences you in your quest to make great music?
“Safe to say I touched on it in the last question and those themes still run deep. There’s a constant creative quest to write the next best song or play the next best show; if you’re a real creative and you think you’ve achieved that at any point then it’s probably time to call it quits.”
What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish?
“To keep going, to stay creative, to expand our audience and deliver emotional impact to others.”
What can we expect from you in the coming months? Any plans to tour?
“I wish we could say yes but unfortunately the Covid-19 pandemic has meant that our UK tour has been postponed significantly. All we can offer in the coming months is new music, some online shows and a very poignant and special 2021.”
Tell us a bit about your latest release and how would you best describe your music?
“Our new record is an exploration of combating nostalgia in the modern age. There’s themes of reflection, existentialism, self acceptance, questions of mortality, humans flaws and the future. I don’t think we try and make out that our music is something especially unique, it’s a product of our inspirations across many years and something that we would want to hear, housing us in a genre is for journalists, people call us melancholic rock, people call us uplifting pop, clearly there’s a wide continuum that our sound lies within.”
Give us an insight into your creative process. What gets you writing songs?
“Writing and inspiration follows a different pattern for us all the time and we like to keep it that way. We don’t want to get stagnant with talking about the same things, using the same rhythms, the same formulas, that’s not how artists move forward. What gets us writing songs is the pursuit to better the last.”
Is there a hidden meaning in any of your music?
“Nope. We try our best to wear our heart on our sleeve. We find people don’t relate or respond anywhere near as well if you’re not being transparent or honest with them.”
Success, what is the secret to it?
“You’re asking the wrong guys.”
What has been your biggest career highlight so far?
“Things are small. It’s a highlight if there’s ten people at a show, it’s a highlight if we make it to a city without our car breaking down, it’s a highlight if someone buys a t-shirt.”
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?
“I think the most inspiring people in our industry are the people who don’t get enough credit, the people behind the scenes, the people who do the work to get artists in the spotlight in the first place, the people who are selfless enough to tirelessly work on the behalf of acts to get them to play in front of crowds and receive the praise that we receive.”
Are there any new projects in the pipeline?
“Always, and no.”
The music industry is constantly changing, where do you see yourself in a few years?
“Greatest Hits Hologram Tour 2025.”
What is your favourite and least favourite part about this line of work and why?
“I think our favourite part is touring and recording and our least favourite part is touring and recording.”
Name a few of your favourite Australian artists.
“INXS, Nick Cave, Tame Impala, Crowded House, The Avalanches, Pete Murray.”
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
“It’s probably one of the toughest times to really stand out in the industry because the online music business is so cluttered. But we’re still believers that the cream will always rise to the top.”
How will you continue appealing to the international market?
“By not pandering to current trends or what the market thinks it needs.”
Do you collaborate with others? Who is on your wish-list?
“We’ve learnt over a long period of time that we work best starting the writing process in a room with just the two of us. But collaborations are welcome, Donald Glover or Dave Grohl, if you’re listening…?”
What advice do you give for other artists wanting to follow in your footsteps?
“If you’re going to do it, be authentic.”
A message for your fans. How do you best interact and respond with your followers and fans?
“We are consistently humbled by all of your support and appreciation, we certainly wouldn’t still be doing as much as we do if it weren’t for you. Get in touch through any social media, we’re always keen to speak to new fans and followers!”
Any last words?
“Good morning, and in case I don’t see ya, good afternoon, good evening and goodnight.”
Facebook: www.facebook.com/yardarmsmusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/yardarmsmusic
Instagram: www.instagram.com/yardarmsmusic