Dappled Cities are overjoyed to announce a return to the stage, with a special one-off hometown show at Newtown Social Club on February 5th.
Having kept a low profile since 2012's Lake Air, the five piece have been hard at work writing and recording their 5th studio album. Steering towards a rawer, live feel, they've been combining 70s jams with wild rides of electronic glory.
Tomatrax caught up with Dave Rennick from the band to ask a few questions.
You have a new album coming out later this year, how has that being going?
It has been slow going, but every part has been highly highly pleasurable. The whole writing and recording process has been atypically free & and easy - everyone gets to do whatever they want these days, ad we're not afraid to just express ourselves and also not afraid to show some restraint. I think we realised that all our favorite music lacks urgency, so that's what we've adopted this time round.
How will the album compare with your previous work?
It will be smoother, warmer, maybe even groovier. We've rediscovered and embraced the fact that we're a live band - live bands seem to be getting rarer and rarer so since that's what we are we've decided to use it to our advantage! So there's very little in the way of programming, editing and track stacking and more live playing as musicians tend to do.
Do you know what the album will be titled?
Al Fresco. No not Al Fresco. That's a bad joke I keep saying. We're not sure yet. Mouth Fambly.
It's been 5 years since your last studio album, what have you been up to over this time?
We've been keeping ourselves busy. Side-projects eg Swimwear and Light Plessure. Co-writes. Babies. Coupes. We made an album of b-sides called Many Roads. We played our first show in Katoomba. Just... life. But now we're ready to get busy again, Dappled has a whole new decade of work to do.
You have a one off show coming up, what can fans expect from your show?
New songs. It sucks for the fans, but I really love moving on from old songs. It's a very selfish of me. But I think our new stuff will become new favourites - the songs are big and wild and quintessentially Dappled Cities - and so that's we're going to unveil it this weekend. Oh and also some old stuff, just so we don't get abused.
Are there any other shows planned?
Yes, but nothing announced.
Do you ever listen to your own music?
When I was younger, yes. Then midway through when you're treading the line of jadedness, no way. And then nowadays, yes! I take a lot of pride in our catalogue, and I even enjoy listening to things we made 10 years ago that are just smothered in naivety. Even uhh 3 years ago. Maybe a sign of being content.
What other music do you listen to?
A lot of Joni Mitchell. Weird huh. I've been saddened by the news that she's unwell. And her music already made me feel a bit emotional. Her songs are very genuine and I think that's what I love about them.
What do you have planned one your forthcoming album is out?
Just good good times. Releasing albums is the funnest part of being in a band. We planning on OS release, so hopefully that will mean an OS trip. There'll be no 48 hour drives this time though.
Where did the name Dappled Cities come from?
We used to be called Dappled Cities Fly. I don't know why. Something about Bjork and the industrial revolution.
