Naarm's groove-jammers Squid Nebula have taken their time with their debut album, From Here to You, but with a little help from Northside Records, it's finally here for everyone to enjoy.
We caught up with the band’s vocalist Bumpy, an established solo artist and Triple R presenter, and guitarist Mick Power to learn why this record took so damn long and what it’s all about.
“We’ve been predominately live and do have two EPs, but after the big Covid hit, we just wanted to bunker down, get our debut album ready and really come out with a bang,” explains Bumpy. Power adds, “Being in the room together with each other, or an audience, that’s what it’s all about for us, and we strive to capture that (on the record).”
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From Here to You is a very good time. The record is funky, groovy and beautifully driven by Bumpy’s strong, smooth vocals. “We set out to write music about enjoying time together,” explains Power. The record is a concept album about the emotional response to a world ending and how people react to one another and maintain relationships through it all. Bumpy adds, “It’s about connection, hope, and the power of being together. We planned out the entire album and wrote themes for each track down to every detail.”
So we have a record about a (not the) world ending set to a vibe that will make you want to party. As Bumpy explains, Squid Nebua’s guitarist Francis Tait, who is also a member of Quality Used Cars, kicked the idea off with the track Sunday Afternoon. “That was the central song that made us think we should explore this theme and expand the album into that world; it was a starting theme that helped us look at the idea of connection and togetherness and what it looks like when that’s separated.”
The record’s creation, including its amazing artwork by Rowena Lloyd, was a truly collaborative process between the band’s five members and extended community. The album even begins with a recording of the group’s first party with their crew post-lockdown, signalling the celebration or reconnection that would influence the following tracks.
The band’s community also happens to include local icons Northside Records, who have released the album through their independent label. “It’s a really big deal for us; we’ve known Chris (from Northside Records) for years, in fact, I did work experience in his store when I was in high school,” laughs Power. “We’ve always kept our relationship close with Chris,” adds Bumpy, “everybody admires all of the work he does through the label and radio. I was also lucky to press my solo seven-inch through him as well; there was no one else we really wanted to give out debut album to.”
Since the live component has been such a big part of Squid Nebula’s album process, it makes sense that a stack of gigs are happening soon to celebrate the release. While the big album launch won’t take place until February 2nd, 2024, at the Northcote Social Club, you can catch the group much sooner with a bunch of shows through November, which includes spots at Inward Goods and Strawberry Fields.
“We’ll also be hitting up The Eighty-Six with the Northside Records crew for Super Saturday and an appearance at Shotkickers, with more to announce as well,” adds Bumpy.
To close, Bumpy and Power sum up From Here to You as a chunk of time listeners can dedicate to some groovy escapism; “We’re presenting a hyper-real, vibrant party that takes you on a real journey. It’s a bit of a rollercoaster with this album, but we hope it will excite you, make you dance and capture you in a whole other world.”
Squid Nebula’s debut album, From Here to You, is out now via Northside Records.
