“It took about two years,” says the guitarist and vocalist. “Initially we were just going to do an EP. Then we were looking at different people to mix it and be a part of it. We happened to email Adam Kasper and he was really keen.” For those not in the know, Kasper has previously produced records for industry giants such as Pearl Jam, Queens of the Stone Age and Soundgarden.
“After that we thought well, we can’t just do an EP. So we just started writing. The first year was sorting that out and making sure we had good, strong songs. Then last year was recording and fitting that in between working and getting other people involved. So in the long run it was two years, but it was worth it. It’s the first time I’ve ever done an album. It was good, but it was different.”
Kasper wasn’t the only big name responsible for transforming By Design from a pipe dream into a realised work. The album was recorded by Bodyjar’s Tom Read, with fellow bandmates Shane Wakker and Grant Relf laying down the drums and bass respectively. Though this isn’t the first time Cerni has worked with the boys.
“We have a side project called Burn The City. That’s a story in itself. Pretty much I got fired from my job and I knew this guy who did design stuff. So I texted him and he said to give this other guy a call, he’ll sort you out. So I called this number, thinking it was an interview for a job and it turned out it was Tom from Bodyjar, replacing someone in the band. So that’s how it started. When the demos for the album were all done, I sent them to Tom for some feedback and he was immediately like ‘I wanna do it. I wanna record it.’ So that was awesome. He’s my mate, but he doesn’t understand I grew up listening to Bodyjar, so it was cool. It meant a lot that they got involved. Tom was really good to work with, it was really fun. And Wakker’s a top bloke and really professional.”
For live shows and touring, Cerni is joined onstage by bassist Kylie Groth and drummer Nathan Wheatley. “We started recording but I knew I was going to need a live lineup. I knew Kylie from some other bands and her old project fell through, so she put her hand up straight away. And then she knew Nathan. The lineup as it is has been around since June 2015, but you wouldn’t even know. They’ve come on board and smashed it. We’ve actually got a new guitarist for the tour too. It’s early days but he’s been a part of it for three weeks now. He’s a bit younger and really fresh and keen.
“It’s the first tour for us together with the new lineup. It’ll be a big moment to play the show at Cherry Bar and hit that hard. I’m excited to play other places. After this tour wraps up we’d love to tour again and maybe bring out something on vinyl, and do a second single or something. I’d love to play overseas, Japan would be awesome. That’s a bucket list thing. I don’t even care if I play to no one.”
BY BEL RYAN
