Melbourne’s Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever are paying the UK a visit this May, and with a debut album ‘on the way’ – ‘Hope Downs’ has just been announced for 15th June via Sub Pop, ‘FYI’ – it’s set to be a tip-top year, says vocalist Fran Keaney.
Hey Fran, how are you all at the mo? Having a good 2018 so far?
Having a good time thanks. We just finished an album, which should see the light of day soon. We also just finished up Laneway, a really great festival that tours through Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. It was hot and relentless and fun. We saw bands like POND and Anderson Paak and Cable Ties blow our heads off, a few different times. Back home again and eating vegetables.
So tell us about your band. How did you all meet, and how did you hit upon your sound?
We all met ages ago. Tom Russo and I went to school together. Joe Russo is Tom’s brother. Joe White is my cousin. Marcel and Joe White lived together in a sharehouse. Then I moved into that sharehouse. Then Joe moved out. Then Marcel moved out.
Initially, we got together just to play the country/pop songs Tom, Joe and I had written. We mainly just played in my bedroom. There was a lot of sitting down at that stage.
Then when we started playing the songs live, they changed a bit, the drums and bass became more prominent. Also, I think after the initial batch of songs you write as a band you start to write what comes naturally to that particular combination of people.
You’re based in Melbourne, right? What’s it like over there for up-and-coming bands?
Melbourne is a perfect little incubator for bands and gig-goers. We have heaps of dedicated venues putting bands on most nights of the week, a community of punters who support the bands, independent labels and independent record stores working to put the music out, and a few really strong community radio stations run by volunteers and funded by listeners that keep the whole thing pumping along.
[sc name=”pull” text=”Our friend Grant tried to put us onto the Scotch Egg…”]
What do you most enjoy writing songs about?
Absurd little melodramas. Stories that are big deals for the tiny characters.
You’re touring the UK soon, have you spent much time here before? Is there anywhere you’re especially looking forward to visiting?
We went over to the UK in September last year and had a ball. Our friend Grant tried to put us onto the Scotch Egg. It was very dry. I couldn’t get beyond the outer layer to the egg. Is there a sauce you’re supposed to use with it? Do you dunk it in milk or something? But everything other than that was great. We had a really great time in London, especially at Moth Club and at Rough Trade. We also really enjoyed Manchester but were in and out in a few hours. Heaps of our favourite bands are from there. I’d like to have a proper look around next time.
What else have you got coming up this year?
We’ve got some headline shows in Sydney and in Melbourne on 6th-7th April before we head overseas for Coachella and a bunch of shows around the US in April and May. Then we’re heading to the UK, then Europe in May and June. More shows to come too. Just teeing all that up now. We’re wanting to get back in the studio as well, hope to fit that in in the middle of the year… P
Taken from the April issue of Dork – order a copy or subscribe below. Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever tour the UK from 18th May.