“When we started it, it was a lot more typical shoegaze,” says guitarist and key songwriter Liam Ethan. “You had this wall of sound, these instruments that merged together in a way that you almost can’t tell the difference [between them]. Now I guess it’s evolved in a way where we take those shoegaze elements, those heavy guitars and those dreamlike sounds, and make them more…”
“Commercially viable,” says frontwoman Ella Jackson.”
“Yeah, a bit more poppy, a bit more accessible,” says Ethan. “Without sacrificing any musical integrity.”
Crimsonettes have fairly simple hopes and aspirations for the EPs release. “We just want people to hear it, really,” says Ethan. “I guess we just want to take that next step as a band, play those bigger gigs and maybe jump on the festival circuit. Just making everything bigger and better, drawing some more attention to ourselves.”
The band are launching the EP this week at The Workers Club, and excitement for the show visibly flows out of all five members. “It’s going to be good, we’re really looking forward to it,” says Ethan.
“Let’s hope everyone else is as well,” laughs rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist Ziggy Henriss-Anderssen.
The launch event won’t be just another bunch of bands playing at a pub on a Saturday night. Crimsonettes have some special enhancements planned, including giving the venue a Halloween revamp, offering themed drink specials, filming their next video clip, and support sets from Luna Ghost and Vhs Dream.
“We’re going to have custom sickly sweet cocktails,” Ethan says. “We’ve ordered a bunch of custom sickly sweet rock candies. It’s basically just going to be a really good night.”
“And if you come, you can be in the video,” Henriss-Anderssen adds.
“And it’s a big dress-up event as well,” adds Ethan. “Yeah, Halloween dress-ups,” says Jackson. “It’ll be a really good Halloween at Workers Club.”
At this stage, there are no formal plans to pack up the van and take their live show across the nation, with funding being a major obstacle. However, the band hope this changes soon and they’ll remain regulars of the Melbourne live scene for the time being.
“The first phase is to get the money, and then we’ll do the tour,” says Ziggy’s brother, drummer Jake Henriss-Anderssen.
“We’re completely self-funded,” says Ethan. “We’re going to try to get some grants for touring,” continues Henriss-Anderssen. “The main aim for this EP is to get the fucking songs out there.”
“So the short answer is no, we’re not doing a national tour,” Ethan says. “But we’ll be playing around Melbourne a lot more. As soon as the EP comes out, we’ll be on the gig scene, just trying to get as many good gigs as we can and promote the EP that way.”
Any parting words for Beat readers? “Yep, just come to the EP launch,” says Ethan. “And get the EP. That’s not a question, that’s a statement.”
“Just remember,” says bassist Andre Bonsack. “There’s only music that you like, music that you love, and music that you appreciate.”
BY ROD WHITFIELD
