There ain’t a lot of bands going around that are like DEAFCULT. The Brisbane six-piece have built a reputation around the country for their instantly engrossing music, as well as their awe-inspiring live sets. With four guitarists in the band, it’s Punk-influenced Shoegaze that can literally blow you way.
Auras is the debut album from DEAFCULT. Released through Hobbledehoy Records last month, it truly captures the sonic spirit of the band. It finds beauty in it’s most aggressive moments, it’s endless layers allow you to sink into every moment, relishing in the noise around you.
The band are hitting the road to celebrate the release, stopping in at The Hamilton Station Hotel on Saturday August 5th. The show is a pretty mixed bill; featuring the frantic Punk stylings of Obat Batuk, and the Alt-Country lean of Jen Buxton & The Slaughterhouse Five. The show will also be the debut of Post Truth, a new band featuring members of Conation, Fear Like Us, and Stockholm Syndrome.
We had a quick chat to Stevie Scott (Vocals/Guitar/Synth) about the album, and their upcoming show in Newy:
Your new album Auras came out late last month. It feels like such a complete and well thought out piece of art. How was the writing process for this record? I imagine having four guitarists comes with it’s own set of challenges.
A lot of the record was written in a subconscious way. There’s a lot less involved than you think. Normally I start with a loud rhythm guitar and play it in a weird bendy way with the tremolo arm of my guitar and when you listen back there’s all these tones and ghost notes that you can hear. They become the lead parts. Most of the vocals are the first thing that comes into my head. I just press record and start singing. Then Innez will work out what I’m saying and usually it’s her first harmony that we record!
The new album is out through Hobbledehoy Records, and your previous releases was put out through Blackwire Records – both amazing independent Australian labels. How important is a DIY frame of mind to what DEAFCULT does?
It’s been really awesome to work with those labels. The best thing about them is how thorough they are with everything. A lot of care and attention goes in to their releases. Both labels have been very forgiving when it comes to how long it takes us to produce an actual finished record. Hobbledehoy waited a year for a record. We finished it then told them we needed to do it again. Most labels would have told us to get lost.
You’re coming to Newcastle as part of your album launch tour, playing at The Hamilton Station Hotel on August 5th. It’s not very often we see Jen Buxton and Obat Batuk on the same show together! How did you go about picking bands?
This whole tour has been about playing shows with bands we love. We couldn’t believe the line ups when we looked at the tour poster. There are 6 of us so we all have pretty varied taste in what we listen to. The line ups reflect that too I think. All the bands supporting on this tour would make a perfect mix tape. Haha
Your show will also be the debut of new Newcastle band Post Truth, any idea of what to expect?
I have no idea what to expect. I’ve known Jamie for a long time so I can guarantee it is really good, full of heart and honest narrative that will without a doubt be put in a beautiful way.
What song on Auras do you enjoy playing the most at the moment?
We messed around with some alternate timings during the recording. So it’s fun to play those songs. I use a really cool sparkly peach guitar for those songs!
Who: DEAFCULT
With: Safe Hands, Jen Buxton & The Slaughterhouse Five, Obat Batuk, Post Truth
Where: The Hamilton Station Hotel
When: Saturday August 5
DEAFCULT photo by Nico Ford
