The Moving Stills – Wabi Sabi

By starrymag | March 1, 2024

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

 

Q) How would you best describe your sound?

Ben: I guess our music would fall somewhere between indie pop and alternative rock. But some of our sounds could be described as warm or even heartfelt maybe?

Q) Who are your Top 3 musical influences?

Ben & Tom: This question is a bit hard to answer because our influences often change. But some artists that we keep coming back to are: The Drums, Angus and Julia Stone and Coldplay

Q) Tell us a bit about some themes that you explore on your latest album titled Wabi Sabi. 

Tom: After a few years of lockdowns, followed by lots of touring, we had a lot of time to reflect and feel things. The songs reflect moments or things that we’re trying to unpack from the last couple of years. Vulnerability is super important to us, and we’ve further opened the gates on this album to let it through some more. We want to be pretty real in our music, and we hope that people connect with our experiences.

Q) The term “Wabi Sabi” is a Japanese phrase which translates to finding beauty in the imperfect. What inspired you to not only write a song with that title, but also use it for the title of the album and write songs based off of that theme?

Ben: Yeah, I suppose it has a nice meaning behind the word which is what we liked about it. Our Guitarist (Mike) just started to put in some of the early vocal demos for the song and it just stuck from there. When it came to choosing the album title, that one really stood out as we loved the meaning of seeing the imperfection. The imperfections on the record are what we feel makes the record what it is.

Q) You had the chance to work with Izaac Wilson on the production of Wabi Sabi, who has also worked with other bands such as Sticky Fingers and Rum Jungle. What was it like getting to work with him on this album?

Tom: Yeah, overall, it was great. Wabi Sabi was a pretty collaborative album. We wrote the songs and made demos and then took them to Izaac Wilson to amp them up and produce them into a finished song. On our last album, for the most part, we did a lot ourselves and then had it mixed. So, it was rad to collaborate with Izaac this time. We used many parts of the original demos and just added and re-worked where we felt it.

Q) The most recent single you recorded a music video for was “Westside.” How did you come up with the concept for the music video?

Ben: With the “Westside” video we just wanted to recreate a nostalgic memory we had growing up, and so it’s based on something called tarp surfing. It’s where you use a tarp to recreate a wave and skate through It. Was very fun to revisit those memories and tarp surf with your mates again.

Q) With the release of Wabi Sabi, what has been the reaction to the music from fans and listeners?

Ben: The reaction has been positive, which is great. It looks like the songs have had a good reaction both live and though streaming. Which we can’t ask for much more. So super happy there.

Q) I absolutely love the song “I Got You!” Which song was your favorite to write and record for Wabi Sabi?

A) We remember “I Got You” being especially fun because we did it with our friend, Taras. It was a good vibe having him in the studio. Eating cyclone ice creams and tracking guitars is a core memory on one of the album recording days.

Q) What do you hope listeners take away from listening to Wabi Sabi?

Ben and Tom: Enjoyment! That’s what music is there for. Maybe even lighten up your day as well. We recommend putting on our music when:

– Cooking a Minestrone soup

– You finally finish a game of monopoly

– You’ve opened your second packet of digestive for the day

– You’re driving to pick up a bargain from FB Marketplace

Q) You have upcoming dates in Australia for January and February. Are there any plans to bring your tour to other continents and/or possibly to North America?

Ben: Not sure with international touring just yet. Of course, we would love to but it’s a big financial decision. But if any big international bands want to take us on the road with them, we won’t say no.

Q) Which song(s) is your favorite to perform live?

Ben: For me, it would have to be “Westside.” The chorus is so fun and energetic to play on drums and I’m always having a good time singing along.

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

A) Thank you So Much! We love you all. We love seeing you at shows or on social media. But, yeah, thanks for being a part of the journey we are on. We wouldn’t really be if it wasn’t for you all!