INTERVIEW: Geowulf (October 2019)

Always excited to get to do an interview on here - time for another one, this time around with one of my favourite duos, the absolutely dreamy Geowulf, AKA Star Kendrick and Toma Banjanin. After releasing their debut album Great Big Blue at the start of last year, they recently shared the follow-up, My Resignation. Just before they head off on some US and UK tour dates (go!) I caught up with them for a few questions about the album, which you can (and most definitely should) listen to here.

(c) Tom Oxley

Hello! Happy release week! Firstly - who are Geowulf and how did the band come to be? 

Thank you! We’re old friends. Starting writing together for fun four years ago and voila ! 

We’re chatting (via email, it is 2019 after all) because your new album My Resignation was released on Friday. Congrats! How does it feel to have finally made it to release week?

Yeah pretty surreal. Super nice to have it out there. You spend such a long time writing, recording, mixing, marketing etc so just feel really ready to share it. 

As I’m listening to the record I’m hearing some relatable and heavy themes - loneliness, relationships, break-ups and generally trying to figure out the space that you occupy in the world. That’s my interpretation - how would you describe the themes/story behind the record?

Yeah I think you’re pretty bang on. Felt quite reflective I suppose. A lot of coming to terms with things and moving on and accepting things you can’t change. Important themes for life definitely. 

With that in mind, how did you approach the writing process for the album? Is writing a collaborative process? 

Yeah a few songs with different people this album. Justin Parker, Ben Christopher and my good friend Jordan Purvis. Just felt nice to shake things up a bit and let other cooks in the kitchen. Nothing was written with any pressure. We were just real and honest in the moments and got some cool songs out of it. 

Where did the new album come to life, and how did recording differ to your debut record?

Australia! Which was really nice. Being able to record over the summer and with all our old friends around. It differed because we were able to record all at once. Hence probably giving it more continuity. First album was recorded over a period of time because I had a lot of trouble with visas etc.

I absolutely LOVE the Pêtr Aleksänder rework of your breakthrough track ‘Saltwater’ with added strings. Hearing you both sing it live with the duo at their recent London show was a gorgeous surprise. If you could get them to rework a song from the new album, which would you choose? Anybody else you’d like to work with on a remix?

Um maybe Celebrate I reckon. It’s one of my favourite songs on the album. Remix ... hmmm dunno open haha. Hit me up. 

Now that everybody has hopefully fallen in love with the album, where can we see you perform it live in the coming months? 

Ah! US 7-15th November and UK 18-27th! (Tickets here.)

Finally - your chance to recommend us some music. Who is in your headphones at the moment?

The Walters, Flyte, John Myrtle, Aldous Harding, Charlotte Gainsbourg.

Follow Geowulf - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

WATCH: Geowulf - 'Lonely'

Geowulf continue to deliver gorgeous tune after tune with latest release Lonely. I'm absolutely loving the refrain "I'd rather be lonely than be alone in love"  - preach it. The track is taken from the duo's upcoming second record My Resignation, which is due for release via PIAS on 25th October and also features recent singles I See Red, Round and Round and He's 31. 

Talking about the track, vocalist Star Kendrick explains that "in a way, 'Lonely' epitomises a lot of what this album means to me [...] A bold and welcomed acceptance of myself and my own company. Feeling less and less like I need the approval of others. That's one of the many nice things about getting a bit older." 

To support the release of the album, Geowulf play a run of shows in the UK this November, dates below & tickets available here.

18th Nov: Oslo, London

25th: Deaf Institute, Manchester

26th: Hare & Hounds, Birmingham

27th: Exchange, Bristol

Follow Geowulf - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

LISTEN: Geowulf - 'Round & Round'

I'm excited to share a brand new track from Aussie duo Geowulf. Their debut album Great Big Blue was one of my favourite albums of 2018 and I can't wait to hear their sophomore album My Resignation when it is released in October. New single Round & Round joins previously released He's 31 and I See Red as our early tasters of the album, a record tackling themes of loneliness, love and heartbreak.

Talking about the new track, vocalist Star Kendrick explains that "I was frustrated with maybe a lack of self-control and an inability to break patterns in my life... in a few areas. This song is my way of poking holes in how I handled that. The rest of the album follows a similar emotional narrative, and is all about exploring those old things & how I've tried to leave them behind." 

Follow Geowulf - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

ALBUM NEWS: Geowulf - 'My Resignation'

A few weeks ago I saw the first headline show from contemporary classical duo Pêtr Aleksänder and it was a lovely surprise for them to bring out special guests Geowulf (and later Rae Morris!) to sing a reworked version of their track Saltwater from last year's album Great Big Blue. I'm really chuffed to share the news that they've released a date for their second album - My Resignation is due out on 25th October and their latest single He's 31 will feature on it.

Singer Star Kendrick explains that "trying to balance expectations and disappointment seems to have been a bit of a theme the last few years for me. I guess thing song is a love song about disappointment. When writing it I felt very raw & upset which I think comes through in the lyrics. Music has always been that space for me; where you can take all your disappointments/expectations and then try to make something of them. Feel pretty lucky to have that." 

Follow Geowulf - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

LISTEN: Geowulf - 'I See Red'

Brilliant news - Geowulf are back with their first new track since debut album Great Big Blue, which was somehow released way back in February last year. I See Red is the first collaboration with the duo's new writing partner Justin Parker (Lana Del Rey, Bat For Lashes) with whom they've worked on several tracks from their upcoming second record My Resignation, due for release later in the year.

Front-woman Star Kendrick (Geowulf is Star and Tempesst frontman Toma Banjanin) explains that the new track was written after an argument with her sister. "The song was a realisation that you are only ever your most raw, horrible self when you're with the people you love to death and who love you." 

"I have been very proactive over many years in going to therapy, talking openly about mental health and have constantly taken steps to control emotions, moods and even my temper - having a family history of mental illness, this is something my siblings and I have had a lot of awareness about. This song is about that process and what I've learnt. The ebbs and flows of trying to be the best version of yourself." 

You can catch Geowulf headlining London's The Waiting Room on 11th June - tickets here.

Follow Geowulf - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

LISTEN: Geowulf - 'Saltwater' (reimagined by Pêtr Aleksänder)

I'm really pleased to share this track - not quite a remix, but a 'reimagining' of Saltwater by the lovely Geowulf who released their debut record Great Big Blue earlier this year. Classical duo Pêtr Aleksänder have reworked the track, adding in some beautiful strings, much like their recent version of the Banfi tune Future.

With a few of their own tracks under their belt, including Bells, the video premiere for which is the most viewed post on the blog (check that out here) the duo have recently signed to Communion Music, and I can't wait to hear what they release next! 

Follow Geowulf - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

Follow Pêtr Aleksänder - Twitter | Facebook | Soundcloud | Instagram.

WATCH: Geowulf - 'Sunday'

If dreamy "beach pop" is your thing, look no further than Geowulf. They're a duo from Australia (but based in London) and they're totally beautiful. They followed debut single Saltwater (which has nearly 10 million streams on Spotify and got them quite a bit of critical acclaim) with various tracks through 2017, and their debut record Great Big Blue was released around a month ago. Perhaps one of the dreamiest of its tracks, they've recently shared the video for Sunday. I'm still completely gutted that the snow stopped me from being able to make the album launch show back in February so I'm holding out for some more gig announcements, keep your eyes peeled!

Follow Geowulf online - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

LISTEN: Geowulf - 'Hideaway'

Following a couple of live dates last Summer, beach pop duo Geowulf released their debut single Saltwater into the world. It was received incredibly well, and they've since played various shows and released a few more tracks, including the recent single Drink Too Much. With a few brilliant tracks under their belts, the band have recently announced that their debut album Great Big Blue is set for release on February 16th. The first tune from the record is the dreamy Hideaway which you can listen to below - if you like what you're hearing, be sure to catch them live at The Lexington in London on 28th Feb for their album launch show!

Follow Geowulf online - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram.

WATCH: Geowulf - 'Drink Too Much'

Australian duo Geowulf first came onto my radar last Summer, playing at a show for Doctors Without Borders alongside King Charles, Tom Figgins and Tempesst - a cracking line-up! Following the absolute stunner Saltwater and a couple more singles over the year, the duo, made up of Star Kendrick and Toma Banjanin, recently released new tune Drink Too Much. In the track's video premiere on Wonderland Magazine Star talks about the track being inspired by "The worst night of my life. A big big break up created from one awful night on the booze", before going on to talk about an album release - exciting! Check out the video below...

LISTEN: Geowulf - 'Saltwater'

When I bought a ticket for the Reach Out Charity Gig back in June, Geowulf were the only act on the line-up whose music I couldn't find online (shock horror!) Opening up the show, they're a duo made up of Star Kendrick and Toma Banjanin of Tempesst who were also playing on the night. Not knowing at all what to expect apart from a male/female duo, I had pretty high hopes based on the rest of the line-up, and I really enjoyed the set which did a great job of easing everyone into a night of beautiful music and fundraising! They've recently debuted their first track Saltwater online, listen below!

Keep up to date with all things Geowulf on their Facebook page here.

LIVE: Reach Out charity gig at The Lexington (10/7/16)

If you didn't get along to the Reach Out charity gig at The Lexington last night then you missed a pretty great night - it's a definite contender for one of my favourite shows of the year so far. A great atmosphere was thanks to great company, great cake and most of all a wonderful line-up of bands, all raising money for a hugely worthwhile cause in the form of Medecins San Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). Massive shoutout to Emma and Mercedes for their wonderful organisational skills and for putting on such a fun night.

It all kicked off pretty early to squeeze in the Euro final in the middle, and first up were Geowulf, a duo comprising of Toma from Tempesst and Star, with some pretty lovely harmonies and starting the evening in a really lovely way (with a cookie in hand - more gigs need cake stalls!)

Geowulf

Soon after their set, Tempesst took to the stage, with Toma quickly transforming from a member of a chilled out duo to an energetic frontman. Performing the three tracks I'd heard on their Soundcloud and a couple more, the set was really enjoyable - even if their bassist was an iPhone for the night! I'm digging the new track Broke Down Blues which I posted about recently, and the track Too Slow which I've put below. 

Tempesst

Before the footie, the legend Tom Figgins and a couple of members of his band played, premiering a couple of new tracks which went down pretty well with the crowd, as did tracks like Let Your Roots Grow and Permafrost. A highlight of the night for me though, was after it had all finished, and a few of us were chatting, and Tom's guitar fell out of his bag and down some stairs. He proceeded to check it was alright and sat and sang Crave, my favourite track of his!

Tom Figgins

It's testament to how great the night was that having one of my favourite artists, King Charles, headline after the football, was just a bonus of being there. Sitting in while they sound-checked, it was really interesting to hear the stripped back sound with Charles performing with just drum and bass backing from Nick and Tom (very cool to finally hear Nick on drums as he's currently playing drums for SG Lewis!) The set, comprised mostly of second album tracks, went down really well even if it was cut short as they went over the live music curfew. Charles brought out a new (very small) guitar for its first (and last) gig, as the strap fell off and it went out of tune for the last track, Love Lust - irritating but provided lots to laugh about and a great video below..

Having missed a train to catch the end of the set, I stayed around for an hour after the show finished, and it was so good to catch up with a bunch of my favourite people, and to meet some new people too! The night felt like such a success and I hope that reflects in the amount taken for MSF which I can't wait to find out! Seeing everyone having such a good time, from the bands, their friends, family and fans, is also really inspirational in wanting to carry on working towards a career in music and particularly live music! 

Now - when can we do that all again?!

INTERVIEW: A few questions about 'Reach Out' gig for MSF...

I posted a few days ago about the upcoming Reach Out Charity gig, raising money for MSF (Doctor Without Borders), taking place at London's The Lexington next month with the brilliant King Charles, Tom Figgins, Tempesst and Geowulf. I can't wait for the show and highly recommend grabbing a ticket and joining me. It's an absolute bargain at £10, the line up is superb and it's for a great cause - what's not to like? I caught up (by the wonders of the internet) with one of the show's organisers, Mercedes, to ask her a few questions about the night.

Poster for the show

What does the charity mean to you?

Medecins Sans Frontiers/Doctors Without Borders is one of the most significant charities around today as it combats worldwide issues whilst staying politically neutral, thereby not taking any sides and simply supplying aid. We found MSF a particularly striking charity for the crisis in Syria, as it works on providing help for all. It does this through the establishment of hospitals in land as well as in the neighbouring countries, MSF also provides search and rescue on the Mediterranean Sea, and has work in refugee camps (for example, the Calais ‘Jungle’). We believe that it is the key charity that will provide the most aid to the affected people and areas.

Have you been involved in fundraisers for the charity before?

Neither of us have raised for this particular charity before, however we have both been involved in fundraisers, including for other charities such as Childreach International.

Have either of you put on a gig before or is it new territory?

Mercedes put on a tiny gig at university a few years ago.

Why The Lexington?

We believe The Lexington is a great venue and is in a fantastic location in London as it is incredibly central, directly in between King’s Cross and Angel.

Where can people get tickets?

Here: https://www.wegottickets.com/event/363669

And to get you in the mood.... here's a recent session video of King Charles, playing his track Choke.

Tickets for the show are available now here - the venue is pretty small and the show should be pretty special, so be sure to grab tickets ASAP if you want to come (and why wouldn't you?!)