Spacey Jane – Hardlight

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

Q) How would you best describe your sound?

A) I think it’s tough to describe it from where I’m where I’m standing but what I’m aiming for is music that makes you feel euphoric but lyrically is honest and brutal. [laughs]

Q) Who are your Top 3 musical influences?

A) Arctic Monkeys, Wilco, Phoebe Bridgers

Q) Tell us the story behind the recent single “Hardlight.”

Caleb: I wrote this song about how I was feeling like my life was a bit like one of those nightmares where you’re at school with no pants except I used the metaphor of being on set and forgetting all your lines (because it felt less silly).  I guess it’s about anxiety. but also just having no idea what I’m doing even though I want it to look like I really do.

Q) You just released the music video for “Hardlight.” How did you come up with the concept for the music video?

A) Finding time to produce music videos in between touring can be pretty squishy and occasionally calls for spontaneous and strange ideas – “Hardlight” was one of those.  This was our second time working with Nick, he created the concept for and workshopped the Lunchtime music video remotely due to COVID border restrictions, so it was great to have him on set this time.  The brief was pretty simple:  We had a day off in Melbourne and we wanted to film a whole performance-based video that felt interesting and exciting.  Nick pitched the charter boat and we loved it straight away. We got to dance around on a party boat on the Yarra River for six hours – it was a lot of fun.

Q) So far, what has been the response from listeners after hearing “Hardlight?”

A) To be honest, I’ve been making an effort to avoid seeing how people are reacting this time around.  Usually, I’m all over socials and the Spotify for Artists app seeing how things are going but as we draw closer to the album release, I think my nerves are getting to me a bit.  It feels like we’re about to make ourselves very vulnerable and I think I’d rather just see how everyone feels once the dust settles.  If that makes sense?

A) In addition to the release of “Hardlight” and “It’s Been A Long Day,” you also have an album titled Here Comes Everybody coming out June 10th. What are some themes that you explore on the new album?

Caleb: I want this record to be for youth persevering and thriving emotionally under the weight of our generational burden made up of climate change, COVID, etc.  Feeling like you have the responsibility of your entire future on your shoulders without any say in what happens creates anxiety and uncertainty.  I think COVID took away the sense of unity that gives young people assurances in such times.  I know music isn’t a replacement for taking control and galvanizing positive change, but I hope this record can soundtrack some of those moments in peoples’ lives.

“Here Comes Everybody” has a sort of surety/triumph to it but is also daunting if you look at it the wrong way, i.e. everyone expects so much but can’t tell you what it is they actually expect.  I like the idea of the juxtaposing meanings you can find in it.  Lyrically the album is diverging down those two outlooks, there is still vulnerability in feelings of hope and resolve.  It’s not realistic to expect anyone, especially young people in this time, to be brazenly confident and it’s often in addressing fears and insecurities that we’re able to find confidence and purpose.

Q) For the release of Here Comes Everybody, is there a listening party in the works?

A) Absolutely! More details to come here, but we’re workin’ on it.

Q) Prior to “Hardlight” you released “It’s Been A Long Day,” which is one of my favorites! Do you have any favorite songs on Here Comes Everybody and if so, which ones and why?

A) Ooo that’s tough, but I think “It’s Been a Long Day” takes the cake for me. We worked on that song for so long and the band put in some incredible performances and I’m really proud of it. It feels very emotive and is so, so fun to play live.

Q) For the release of Here Comes Everybody you are embarking on a worldwide tour. What venue/city are you looking forward to the most and why?

A) New York!! I love that city very much and I think it’ll be pretty special to do two nights at a venue as iconic as the Bowery.

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from exploring Here Comes Everybody?

A) I just hope people can stop feeling shit about feeling shit. It’s normal and ok, being young doesn’t have to be a main character moment- it often isn’t.

Q) What Spacey Jane songs seem to be a fan favorite at shows?

A) We’re pretty lucky to have a very vocal fanbase who seem to know the words to every song. [laughs] Aside from the obvious more popular songs, we do a drop out/crowd singalong bit in “Headcold,” and that moment is always so fun for everyone.

Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters of your music?

A) It’s hard to put that in a few sentences but we are grateful beyond words really. The fact that we get to make music for a living is only because of the support of people around the world who engage with and love the music. We could never overstate the fact that the only reason we are here is because of them.  So, thank you for listening and finding meaning in our music, we love you and it means the world to us xx.