Fletcher Gull's new single City Is Busy, is out now! We chat to the musician about his music and more.
Image: Supplied.
Australian musician Fletcher Gull recently made his return with his new single, City Is Busy.
The track came to be after a chance encounter with an old school punk whilst the singer was in North Melbourne. The woman shared her life story with Gull, recounting her life during the 80's and sharing stories of her trips riding around Australia on her motorbike with friends. Gull shares with MILKY that the song is "characterised by her sinister perspective on modern society".
Bringing his particular brand of story telling to the release, City Is Busy is a multidimensional, sparkling offbeat pop track complete with kaleidoscopic production, rich textures and captivating harmonies.
City Is Busy is out now! Read our full interview with Fletcher Gull below.
Tell us a bit how you began your musical journey…
I started playing guitar and piano when I was a kid cause I was bored. I didn't realise you could learn other people's songs, so I just made up my own
Your new single City Is Busy came to be after a chance encounter with an old school punk. Could you tell us about the song and what drew you to exploring the themes present?
The song is characterised by her sinister perspective on modern society, some of which I admittedly share. The tones are somewhat Orwellian in nature. She also spoke in reverence about her life in the eighties, kind of like a dying soldier talking about the smell of their backyard. I guess that was inspiration for the instrumentation. The chorus is all like BAM!! JUNO.
The video depicts you as an old-school salesman who is a life disrupter, whilst also showcasing the fast paced nature of the city. Is the video clip influenced by the song itself in terms of the symbolism within the clip?
You'd think so. So probably.
What messages do you hope listeners take away from the release?
Belief that the human spirit is still alive. And to remember to not take stuff too seriously. It's only life after all.
Could you tell us a bit about your creative process when writing and recording songs?
I think things and sometimes I sing them. Recording I have done in a few places but at the moment I'm trying to localise everything a bit more - I've been recording in Dave's shed. We've got a good thing going on there. Recording is terrifying though, I hate the thought of everything being so final. At least it's nice doing it on your own time and being your own director - even if you have no earthly business doing so - because it's a really vulrable state of development. The song's like an embryo and even if it grows up a total nitwit atleast you can find solace in the fact that you raised it. It's your own. Your personal battleaxe of solipsism to brandish haphazardly and say "take that world, I can make stuff too".
Australia has a diverse and vibrant music scene, who are some of your favourite Aussie acts and why?
Seekae. Hands down. They made me realise I didn't have to be a les paul pentatonic man. Those dudes don't even realise what they do, but it's somehow the least pretentious music I've ever heard in my life and the percussion tickles my funny bone in the best way. Listen to John Duncan. I can't fucking believe it honestly. Maybe it's just me.
When I was 14 I saw them at the opera house. I ate a bunch of these hilarious pills that were legal at the time from happy high herbs and obnoxiously wept when they played forest fire. The live version of centaur was off chops. For some reason I took my shirt off and was the only person dancing in a really tame seated ampitheatre. It worked though, I became friends with the band after that and they taught me how to use ableton.
What has been the most challenging part about creating music during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Same stuff as usual. Demons in my head that play pan flutes
When can fans expect an album or EP? And what should we expect in terms of the sonic sound of your future full-length release and if you are experimenting with any new sounds?
EP in the next couple months! It always turns out way different than I imagine but I just bought a tape machine and I'm listening to too much Alex G, so if I had to take a guess I'd say more organic indie vibes to come.
The current pandemic has obviously put a halt to touring and performing live, what are your touring plans post pandemic? If any, what can people expect from your live show?
Plans are to get back on it baybee! New band lineup, new stage stunts, new hairdo.
You can expect to see a human being try their darndest to spill their soul into a tuppaware container and give it to you, use guitar pedals they don't understand and poetically take on real life issues, like how many times a day I jack off, what to say to the devil when you've accidentally taken ten hits of acid and why the holographic principle is central to understanding quantum gravity.
RAPID FIRE
Biggest influences?
Bob Dylan, Modest Mouse, Chopin, Led Zeppelin
Dream collaboration?
I wanna make a folk indie album with Fourtet.
Album that has had the most impact on you?
By The Way - Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
How do you define your musical style in 3 words?
Happy sad music.
Best song of 2020?
Oh man, I can't remember. Maybe Tropic Laurel by Baths
If you could create the soundtrack for any film, which one would it be?
The next Don Hertzfeldt movie (the existing ones are already perfect).
Hannah Montana or Miley Cyrus?
Miley Cyrus, cause Karen Don't be Sad makes me cry.
The best/most memorable show you’ve ever performed?
Bulldog Cafe, Mexico city. Although it's not a cafe, it's a friggen palace.
Album you would listen to on repeat on a road trip?
After the Goldrush by Neil Young or Benji by Sun Kil Moon
Best concert you have been to?
Seekae, Sydney Opera House… or Osibisa at Bluesfest.
Last concert you went to?
Mac Demarco at Ally Pally (Alexandra Palace, London).
If you were a Spice Girl, what would your spice nickname be?
The Eleven secret herbs and Spice.
Guilty music pleasure?
Charli XCX.
If you could support any artist on tour, who would it be?
The Flaming Lips.
An artist you think has had the most influence on the music industry.
Beethoven.
What advice would your current self, give your future self, for a year from now?
Don't do it!!
The moment you knew you wanted to be a musician?
I heard Ben by Michael Jackson when I was a kid.