The 2013 winners of the Carlton Dry Global Music Grant, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, bailed on Melbourne and took off overseas for a while with their winnings. What is the first thing Saskwatch would if you won the $50,000 award?
We’d be doing the same. We’re already heading over to the States for our first time straight after the awards so obviously the grant would be making a huge difference. We’ve got a few shows at CMJ [Conference and Festival: similar to SXSW but in New York] and a handful of other US shows too. It was great to see Gizz really make the most of the grant, inspiring.
If there is one reason why you think you guys deserve to win the Music Grant, what would it be?
I wouldn’t say we deserve to win anything to be honest, there are a lot of deserving bands out there. But touring in Australia and overseas as a nine-piece band with sound engineer is definitely an expensive exercise at the best of times. It would certainly make a huge difference to us.
How did you manage your time so well between constant touring, as well as the recording of your new LP, Nose Dive?
It’s just worked out really well, we’ve been really lucky. We were touring our single Hands and in between shows in QLD we were driving out to Fernvale to record with Magoo. We love to keep busy and work hard.
For new listeners, describe the sound of your newest album, Nose Dive, in a few short words.
It’s ‘soul-influenced’ still. I think we just tried to write some better songs and made a conscious effort to try and make more an ‘album’ as opposed to a group of songs.
Has a lot changed between the recording of your debut album in 2012, Leave It All Behind, and the release of Nose Dive, musically and professionally?
Totally. I think we’ve all really galvanised even more as friends and as a band. We’ve kind of relaxed a little bit and are comfortable being who we are, since playing at Uni etc. We’re just very happy with what we’re doing and want to push ourselves, and enjoy what we’re doing as well.
SASKWATCH are nominated for the Carlton Dry Global Music Grant; $50,000 for the purpose of helping a band launch overseas. The AIR Awards take place at the North Melbourne Meat Market, Wednesday October 8.
