A Chat with Sam Cooper from Swazi Gold (11.03.18)
Making a name for themselves in the Aussie underground scene, the lo-fi synth-pop Swazi Gold are beginning to spread their wings and reach behind the Great Barrier Reef. Releasing their debut album in March, the trio are naturally busy with post-release business. Sam Cooper took some time out of their hectic schedule to answer some of our questions.
OSR: Let’s be cheesy – G’day, mate! Thanks for chatting with me. So, technically, Swazi Gold is a strain of cannabis from Swaziland, but did you name your band after this? Maybe there’s a different tale to the name?
SC: Yes, we named the band after the strand of the devil’s lettuce. Tim encountered the infamous strand of herb on his journeys around Africa as a young rouseabout.
OSR: How did Swazi Gold come about – I mean you guys, not the weed.
SC: We’ve all played in other bands together for years, such as Dreamin’ Wild, Crepes and Sagamore to name a few. We thought we should combine songwriting forces in the manner of Crosby, Stills and Nash, except with a drum machine instead of 12-string acoustic guitars.
OSR: You released the debut album Jehovah’s Witness on the 8th of March. What was the recording process like for the LP?
SC: Very cosy and relaxing. We were down at my parent’s place on the coast for the weekend. We set up shop in the living room, lit the fire, drank some of dad’s shiraz and captured the vibe.
OSR: As a debut experience, are there any feelings of anxiety regarding the recording and release of Jehovah’s Whispers?
SC: Not really, the crew at Research Records have been amazingly supportive and have planned the released out perfectly. It’s been a really painless process.
OSR: What is the meaning behind the album?
SC: Chris had a knock at his door one day a couple of years back. He invited the well-meaning folk inside for a cup of tea, and he’s never been the same since. He was adamant we had to call the album Jehovah’s Whispers.
OSR: I hear you have musical backgrounds?
SC: That’s just a rumour.
OSR: I see that the album is going to be available on vinyl as well as digital. What are your thoughts on the re-emergence of vinyl when there are music streaming options?
SC: It’s nice to have a tangible, physical object like a vinyl to complement the convenience of streaming. Personally, I prefer CDs.
OSR: You released two tracks from the album and ‘Shapeshifting’ has a video accompanying the song on your Bandcamp. It’s mainly animation, but who came up with the concept and, more importantly, who drew the images?
SC: Ben Jones and Ashley Goodall made the clip. I think Ben Jones might have done the animation. They also tied in some footage Chris took on his iPhone while clubbing in Eastern Europe. Both Ben and Ashley are amazing artists and we’re grateful they made such a great clip for us.
OSR: You’re signed with Research Records, an independent record label in Melbourne. How important do you think indie record labels are for bands in today’s music industry?
SC: They’re of vital importance. Everyone knows how the music industry is set up so that the musicians are always the last ones to get paid if they get any money at all. Independent record labels allow musicians to circumvent the industry crap and still get their music out and about.
OSR: Stereotypically, all Australians can surf. Which of you is the best at surfing?
SC: Funnily, the only of us not originally from the coast is the best surfer. Chris and I grew up by the beach, but we’re pretty average surfers. Tim is from the country, however, he can hang ten with the best of them.
OSR: What part of your body could use a little lotion?
SC: Elbows.
OSR: If you could perform at any venue with any artist, who and where would it be?
SC: The Piping Hot Chicken Shop in Ocean Grove with Randy Newman
OSR: Try and describe your music in a single word.
SC: Pretty good.
OSR: What are your plans for the rest of the year?
SC: We’re going on tour, and we’re going record the dreaded second album.
Thanks to Sam for chatting with us. Check out their Facebook and Spotify for more Swazi Gold awesomeness!
