Not only is she looking forward to returning to play at Pyramid this year, but also checking out fellow artists, Cat Power, Architecture In Helsinki, The Drones and Kram, who “is always fun”. When discussing these artists she joked “the line-up’s pretty good. I’ll be going!”
Bowditch’s ideal Summer day would be “waking up early and seeing that it’s hot outside but being in the cool… near a beach, eating good food, seeing music, definitely being somewhere in the shade.”
Bowditch will be busy this Summer, not only is she playing Pyramid, but has been chosen to be a judge of the next AMP (Australian Music Prize) awards, so who which fellow-Aussie bands is Bowditch listening to right now? Kid Sam, Bertie Blackman, Sarah Blasko’s new album, Whitley, Roland.S.Howard and her back-up singer Aluka’s new E.P, which Bowditch describes as “gorgeous”.
Something gorgeous Bowditch has created is the impressive new single ‘Start Of War’, it is perhaps a bit more poppy sounding compared to some of her previous more folk-sounding hits. Bowditch agrees there is a new sound and that the ‘Start of War’ sound “is indicative of the new album…it was written more on the Casio instead of on guitar.” This brilliant new single is stripped back with just Casio keyboard, bass guitar and drums so is a different, more electro sound. She said she found it hard to decide on format for the song, as it has such “heavy content”. She explained that this new sound comes after “a lot of water under the bridge (since the last album)”. For this new album she was given a year and a half to work on it, which is the longest she’s ever had to create an album. Another factor attributing to the new sound is the new producers involved. Previous albums were self-produced, by Bowditch and the members of the Feeding Set. This time they had famous Canadian producer, Mocky onboard, known for his work with Feist. As well as Mick
Another hero of Bowditch’s is Australian singer, Paul Kelly whom she describes as a “legend”. Bowditch recently performed at a tribute show for him ‘Before Too Long’ in
A major influence for Bowditch is also the gigs she has attended. She recalled seeing Jeff Buckley, one of the first gigs she ever went to when she was a teenager. She feels Buckley “transformed (her) idea of music and what a live show can do…that is a benchmark.” This was definitely her most memorable gig she has attended, and saw him another 3 times after that! (I'm pretty jealous of this fact!) The most memorable gig she has performed was “supporting Cat Power a couple of years ago, playing with someone I really admired. I was fascinated. (That was) definitely one to remember.”
As a Melbourne girl, Bowditch loves and knows all the best place for memorable live gigs, she suggests “Northcote Social Club, Retreat Hotel, The Corner, the gorgeous little Toff in Town and 303 High Street which is very diverse, you never know what’s going on there.”
Get more info on Clare Bowditch at http://www.myspace.com/clarebowditch
This inerview took place for X and Y magazine... www.xandymagazine.com.au
