The John Steel Singers play the The Zoo on Thursday 13 November 2008.
Local band The John Steel Singers have just released their second EP In Colour. Featuring the new single ‘Rainbow Kraut', the six-member band boast horns, harmonies and even a glockenspiel. Having just returned from touring with The Grates, the group are home for a breather before heading out on the road to promote their EP.
The band recorded In Colour at Big Jesus Burger Studios in Sydney."We worked with Scott Horscroft which was amazing," enthuses trombonist Peter Bernoth. "We didn't expect to be working with such a good producer on our second release. [He] liked what we did with our other EP."
Augmenting the line-up for the recording was Daisy from Bridezilla who added strings.
"We met Daisy at a show when we played down in Sydney, probably half a year ago and kept in contact with her. If we're ever in Sydney and wanted strings, she said she'd be keen."
"We approached her and she came in one afternoon and recorded the strings for ‘Mother' and ‘Harlequin Maid'. I really loved what she's done on ‘Mother' especially. [Daisy] came in and said, ‘I've never played country before', and she started playing this beautiful violin."
The boys take their inspiration from the likes of The Beatles, The Velvet Underground, The Beach Boys and other sixties songwriters. Their love of harmony gives beautiful depth to their tunes.
"It was always a big thing when we started to get harmonies. I guess not many people out there are doing [four part harmonies] so it's a good thing. It's just the music that we like and we just keep on doing it."
Band mates Tim [Morrissey] and Scott [Bromiley] have taken on the role of main songwriters but, as the band has progressed, the other members are taking a more active role in this area.
"The first year or two [Scott and Tim would] come with almost fully formed songs or song ideas. Now they'll bring in a song idea or a chord progression. We'll jam it out and figure out our own parts," Pete continues. "Arranging is a big thing and [that] takes the longest. It's definitely become more of a collaborative thing working in the rehearsal room."
To stay up to date with the boys, Pete keeps a blog of the behind the scenes happenings of The John Steel Singers posted on their MySpace page.
"It started when we recorded our first EP, it was just keeping people updated with what was happening. Then for some reason I started writing all the ridiculous things that came into my head. I can't [blog] to a schedule I've discovered. Once I sit down and start doing it, it flows out naturally."
In Colour out now through Inertia/Levity.
by Rachel Colbourne
The John Steel Singers play Sol Bar on Thursday 13 November, The Zoo on Friday 14 November and Bon Amici on Saturday 15 November 2008.
Check out The John Steel Singer's music video for 'Rainbow Kraut'.
