Seekae Interview
We were all high on Coca-Cola and salt-and-vinegar chips.
I'm a staunch advocate for nice people, particularly if they're talented. This is the case with George Nicholas from Sydney electronic trio Seekae, who breezed me through my first-interview-ever nerves by being nothing but friendly, despite being locked out of his own home. George took up a perch in the sunshine to chat to me about the new album, that scandalous leak and all things Starcraft.
Oyster: Hi! How's your day going?
George: It was going really well until I got locked out on the balcony. I'm going to be out here all day!
Congratulations on the release of the new album! Is that exciting? Have you got any big parties planned to celebrate?
Nah, not really. Its weird, the album got leaked on the internet about a month ago, so we haven't put as much emphasis on the actual release itself, its kind of taken away from the launch date.
How did the leak happen?
I've got my suspicions that this journalist in Brisbane did it. I'm not going to name any names. I don't think I could really get upset about it. I've downloaded a lot of music before release dates, and I was happy I could. I felt like it was an exclusive club or something, like I was part of this thing where you get access to things early.
You don't see it as a hindrance to your progress at all?
I kind of see it as we might be losing some money, if we were going to make any money from this record anyway, but it's not that much of an issue for me really.
+Dome is very different to your last album, you sound a lot more self-assured. What's made you grow as musicians?
I think the main thing was just being conscious of who are as musicians. The sounds on the new album are a lot more stripped back. We might have matured since the last record. Everything's kind of 'duller' in a way, but I don't want to say that because it has negative connotations. But everything was a lot brighter and happier on the last record, this one's a lot darker.
It didn't take me long to discover that you guys are actually massive nerds...
[Laughs] I wouldn't write that on my resume, but we like computers and stuff yeah.
I read somewhere that you versed Cloud Control in Starcraft on your tour with them. Who won?
I think I said in other interviews that we did, so I'm going to keep it as that. [Laughs] I can't actually remember. We were all high on Coca-Cola and salt-and-vinegar chips.
Do you think this love for computer games influences your music?
I guess so, yeah. I think in the first album, older video games kind of showed through.
Like your 8-bit type stuff? Snax for example?
Yeah that really showed through. Square waves and what-not, and also newer video games as well. My favourite album is just a soundtrack for a game.
Did you play any Starcraft with Mount Kimbie?
No, we didn't get to play; it was a completely different vibe. They were all party; we kind of went on a 3-day bender. Those guys love to party. It was really fun, it was a good tour.
To me it sounds like your music is designed for a fairly niche audience. Do you have any weirdos turning up at your gigs?
Lots of weirdos yeah! But, at the same time, I don't look at ourselves as being particularly experimental and making albums that are totally inaccessible.
In one sentence, tell us why we should go and see you at Manning Bar.
'Cause there'll be lots of quality bands playing!
+Dome is out now through Rice is Nice and builds on Seekae's mastery for creating intricate, beat driven tunes, as seen on their debut album. Checking them out on their tour will make you want to dance, press some buttons and make some noise.
Tour dates:
Brisbane – Friday 15 April, Woodland (moshtix.com.au)
Sydney – Saturday 16 April, Manning Bar (oztix.com.au // moshtix.com.au)
Melbourne – Monday 25 April, The Toff (moshtix.com.au)
