“It’s always very cool to watch how bigger bands cover the space onstage at these festivals,” says bassist Charles Thomas, reached on the phone from his home while he relaxed with a cup of tea.
“It can be very inspirational. Playing Big Day Out and Laneway Festival was very cool because we got to see a bunch of bands that we’d only heard about, but were finally able to check out live. We were all digging a band called Washed Out and Toro Y Moi as well. It really helped our writing as well, believe it or not.”
It’s indeed believable that bands with a certain growing aesthetic like those mentioned could influence The Medics. Their bare-bones take on rock is able to stretch and grow with ease, heard in no small part on Griffin, one of the cuts they’ve released from their upcoming debut full-length.
“With a song like that, Kahl, our rhythm guitarist, he brought in the original pieces to the song and we spent much longer than usual jamming that one out. But someone always bring in the lead parts and we all just piece it together from there. I find we’ve got pretty good chemistry when it comes to song writing. It can be tough to smooth these ideas we have for songs down to four minute numbers, but we always manage to find ways to do it.”
In speaking to Thomas, it’s evident that he’s chomping at the bit to get the record released, as any pause in our conversation finds him coming back to the subject of the record.
“It’s sounding really good,” he says of the record. “I’m very excited to get into it, release it and tour it. It’s been around for awhile, but we just got the masters back. We spent the day driving around and listening to it in the car, and it sounds so good. I’m really happy with the recording process, looking back on it.”
It’s then put to Thomas the fact that the car is where Bruce Springsteen listens to the different takes on new recordings in his car before making the final call. He is, of course, happy to hear that, all things considered.
“After the first mix, I’ve got to admit, I wasn’t really on board,” he continues. “Things weren’t in the right positions, but we were able to go back and listen to it and make better decisions. And I’m happy we did that.”
Taking their time has worked well for The Medics. After a summer spent honing their craft on festival stages, the band is now ready to get personal and expansive at the same time. And as Thomas concludes, things could only be just beginning for The Medics.
“We’ve had the songs on the album recorded for almost a year. I reckon we’ve got the potential to put out another record, very soon. But still, with this record, I feel like it’s the first step. It’s the very foundation of what’s to come with this band. I’m really excited about it.”
BY JOSHUA KLOKE
