The Eighth Note is 8 quick Questions with Wellington Musicians. A chance for us to catch up with people & see what they’re up to, or introduce you to a new musician/band and their music. Recitals are a local 7 piece ‘supergroup’, consisting of members from the bands Fruit Juice Parade, Yukon Era, Soda Boyz, & Courtney Hate. Formerly known as Prison Choir, they released their debut single, ‘Tongue’, in 2020 but are back with a new name and a debut album ‘Orbit I’, which drops on the 26th of August.
Who are you? Tell us a bit about your music:
I’m Tharushi and I play trumpet in Recitals. We are a 7 piece band, all from different musical backgrounds. With so many instruments we are able to write huge and sometimes chaotic songs. But we also love to pare back the arrangement and provide contrast to the big sounds. I think this kind of dynamic play is our strong suit.
What have you been working on lately? Any new tracks or albums on the way?
We have been writing consistently since recording the album and are hopeful we can record another one with the songs we’ve got!
Where is the best place people can follow you & find your music?
You can follow us on Instagram and on Facebook. Our music is available on all streaming services [Spotify, Apple, Bandcamp] and vinyl can be pre-ordered on Bandcamp or via the Flying Nun website.
What were the 3 most influential albums to you growing up?
1) No Harm Done- Prizegiving. This album opened me up to a new way of writing lyrics. Personal and funny, there’s a universalism to the specificity. Also showed me that singing in an NZ accent gives a conversational feel which makes it engaging and honest.
2) Sin Cristales- So Laid Back Country China. A really evocative and visceral album, sparing at times and huge at others. I really loved the way the drums sound and the simple lyrics. The instrumentals are really moving.
3) American Football- American Football. As well as being an emo classic, I’ve recently been wondering how I can utilise the trumpet to add a sympathetic and/or plaintive quality to the music. “The Summer Ends” is, I think, a perfect example of how the trumpet is an EXTREMELY emo instrument.
Which other Wellington musician (s) would you most like to work with?
I think it would be amazing if we worked with an orchestra.
What’s your favourite Wellington venue to play in?
Mine is San Fran!
In your songwriting or composing (or the band’s songwriting) how do the compositions and songs take shape?
Lately our songwriting has evolved to be more collaborative. We’ve been switching instruments around and leaving space in songs for the members who can’t make practice. With members split between Poneke and Tamaki, we’re intentionally leaving songs unfinished so that they can be finalised when everyone’s together.
Where/when is your next gig?
Next gig in Poneke is August 25th at Meow!
When/where was the new album recorded?
The album was recorded in a range of locations, from recording studios to bedrooms:
• Arrow, The Pip, Tongue and Rockdove were recorded at The Stomach by Harry Lilley.
• Gradient and Slowfast were recorded by Dave Carter at Massey University, with thanks to Ben Howe.
• Tongue (reprise) was recorded at Roundhead Studios by Alexandra Corbett, with help from Alexa Casino. Violin by Anita Clark. Co-produced by Xanthe Rook and Indira Force. Recorded with the help of NZ on Air’s New Music Development Grant.
• Sweat was recorded by James Goldsmith.
• Additional recording by James Goldsmith, Olivia Wilding, Josh Finegan and Carla Camilleri.
• Mixed by James Goldsmith.
• Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege.
Who produced/engineered the album? How did the tracks come together in the studio, or at home?
James Goldsmith mixed the album and managed to really tie together the recordings from such disparate places. It would not be the same without his vision and commitment to producing a really beautiful and dynamic record.
How did the songwriting happen? Are there any overall themes within the songs/album?
The project started with Xanthe, Josh, and Christian who did a lot of the songwriting. They’d bring the songs to the rest of us and we’d add our respective parts to build on the songs. There’s a real variety in the songs, ranging from spending lockdown in your bedroom to feminist theology to climate change anxiety. Some of the songs, like Arrow, have meanings that we’ve forgotten. For me personally as the trumpet player, this album is a portal. We are inviting you into our orbit and encouraging you to get swept up in a mythology that eludes even us. Olga Tokarczuk calls authorless but collectively reproduced narratives “eternal stories”. As everyone gets in on telling the story its origin may be lost. But in its relentless adaptation and retelling it remains immortal. I feel like Orbit I is filled with these “eternal stories”. Of course our songs have composers and storytellers, but their meanings are open for collective interpretation.
Were you going for a different sound/approach on this album?
‘Orbit I’ is a collection of the first songs we wrote as we navigated a project with so many members from different musical backgrounds. The sound is specific to 2019-2021 and we have definitely changed the way we arrange and compose.
Is there a particular single/track that you feel captures the essence of the album?
All of the songs are really different! Some are dreamy and others are grandiose or chaotic. I suppose ‘Slow Fast’ captures this juxtaposition well.
Is there a physical copy available? If not which digital platforms is it available on?
Yes! You can buy the vinyl in-store at Flying Nun Records or online via the Flying Nun website or our Bandcamp. It will also be available on all streaming platforms.
Are you working on a video/videos for any of the songs? Are you doing any gigs or promotion for its release?
The album release is August 25th in Poneke at Meow! August 26th in Tamaki-Makaurau at Wine Cellar! We have a music video out for “Arrow” and one for “Gradient”, you can find these on Youtube.
