ROCK REVERIE
Creative Synergy: This Way North release ‘Punching Underwater’
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Traversing the sonic landscapes from timeless 70's classics to the gritty realms of Grunge, Punk, Emo, Metal, and the trailblazing Women of Rock. Feel the power of distorted guitars, embrace the raw energy of rebellious anthems, and delve into the emotional depths of rock music. Discover legendary tracks that defined genres and uncover hidden gems that showcase the true essence of rock. Rock Reverie curates a collection that captures the spirit of revolution, passion, and artistic expression. Get ready to rock out, embrace the intensity, and surrender to the unforgettable journey of Rock Reverie.
With accolades from luminaries like Tim Rogers and Abbe May, we sit down to pick the minds of the incomparable ‘This Way North’. The duo delves into the intricate process behind their latest album, 'Punching Underwater,' a project that saw them collaborating with the esteemed Ainslie Wills and Jono Steer. Additionally, the serene ambiance and vibrant artistic community of Yackandandah, where the duo is based, played a pivotal role, infusing the album with themes of introspection and creative resurgence. Beyond their musical endeavors, Cat's foray into bespoke hat-making adds a unique fashion dimension to their artistic expression, epitomising their belief in the boundless possibilities of creativity
What was the collaborative process like in the production of 'Punching Underwater,' working with Ainslie Wills and Jono Steer, and how did it influence the overall sound of the album?
It was a wonderful experience of collaboration, Jono and Ainslie have worked together for a long time with different projects and a bunch of Ainslie's stuff as well, so they really new each other and how to work best with each other. Ainslie worked with us in lot of the pre-production stages, helping us craft the songs and bring them up to the best they could be. She was incredibly empowering in the way she wanted us to use our own ideas for sounds, tones and structure making sure that we were all bringing our own skills and experience into the songs. Jono was fantastic in working with us on tones and sounds in the studio and helping us to explain where we wanted to go with the recordings and especially at the mixing stage. I think you can definitely hear Ainslie's influence on the album in terms of her vocal and writing style.
Yackandandah seems to have played a significant role in shaping this record. Can you share how the town influenced your music, and what aspects of life in Yackandandah found their way into the themes of the album?
Yackandandah is an awesome town to be a creative in, it's filled with musicians, artists, environmentally friendly and passionate people and people who are constantly doing cool and inspiring things. It's a really inspiring place to live and create. It's a tiny town but somehow it's created this awesome culture of the arts and those who want to support it.
I think some of the themes came from Yack because we spent so much time there during lockdowns and the writing of this album. So sitting around the fires in the winter, waiting for the cold to pass, the stillness we experienced after 3 years touring full time on the road nationally and internationally.
Photo: Cat Leahy @ Feather & Drum by Bec Haycraft, 2024 bespoke hatter for Tim Rogers, Bobby Alu, Cate Ceberano
We've heard about Cat's hat making! What can someone expect when getting a bespoke hat from her, and how does this creative outlet contribute to the overall artistic vibe of This Way North?
Yes! Cat learnt how to make hats in 2020 during the pandemic and it turned into something that she was fabulously amazing at! Someone can expect to have Cat help them create the most amazing piece of wearable art that always has their own unique element, so no two hats are the same! I think this creative outlet is an awesome element that helps us remember that we can do anything we set our minds to! Also that visual element has really helped us figure out our performance outfits including hats of course!
You’ve received accolades from notable artists such as Tim Rogers and Abbe May. Who are two other artists that you believe are on the cusp of great things, and what makes their music noteworthy in your opinion?
Oooooh great question, we really love the band Eastbound Buzz who incidentally will be supporting us at our Melbourne show, they are kind of like a combo of The National and War on Drugs, super powerful and moving rock and roll. We also love the artist Merpire, she's doing amazing things too and has an awesome sound and is really making a stir in Oz and over in the UK!
Photo: This Way North by Rickard Iskov, 2024
Now that 'Punching Underwater' has been unleashed, what can fans expect from a This Way North live show, and do you have any upcoming touring dates or special performances on the horizon that we should look forward to?
Fans can expect a high energy, empowering, hopefully inspiring show, we've been working really hard on our live show and the performances we give we try really hard to give our all and have the audience with us on the journey.
As they unleash "Punching Underwater" onto the world, and a lineup of upcoming tour dates, the duo remains steadfast in their commitment to delivering electrifying experiences and leaving a lasting impact on audiences worldwide. As they continue to push boundaries and champion creativity, the future shines brightly for This Way North.
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