Australian psychedelic folk-rock outfit Meadow Argus begins 2023 with the release of its EP, "Dancing Through A Slow Apocalypse." With a sound inspired by a blend of Neu!, Kraftwerk, Eurythmics, Broadcast, The Church, Sonic Youth, and Johnny Cash, each of the seven tracks has been masterfully composed, recorded, mixed, and produced within Jevan’s home studio, a converted earthen shed surrounded by the beauty of nature. Mastering was completed by Jevan Cole and Seamus Kirkpatrick. Journeying through "Dancing Through A Slow Apocalypse" guides listeners through a genre-defying and boundary-pushing world of imagination and creative exploration, built atop a lush, layered soundscape of bubbling synths, intricate acoustic guitars, and spaced-out electrics, and featuring dreamy, esoteric lyrics that draw you deeper into the musical experience.
By Kamil Bobin
Discovered via Musosoup
The interview was conducted with Jevan Cole from Meadow Argus.
Hello Jevan. What strengths do you have that you believe make you a great musician?
I guess the fact that I don’t think I’m a great musician. I mean, I’m aware I have some strong skills. And experience. I was certainly a lot better technically when I was performing a lot. But I am constantly trying to improve parts of my practice. And also, I’m always looking for new input – sounds, groups, styles etc.. And I think that’s the main thing. Keep exploring music and sounds you may not have before.
Who inspired you to make music?
I’ve wanted to play and make music for as long as I can remember. Both my parents played a bit so there was always music around. I think I was 5 or 6 when I realised there were people out there in the world who actually spent their time organising pieces of sound into some kind of structure. That was definitely a bit of a watershed moment for me. By the time I was ten or eleven (late primary school), I was actively seeking out bands via the radio, magazines, parents and their friends’ record collections. A few years later, import record stores etc.
In terms of actual artists: as a child - Pink Floyd, Fleetwood Mac, Jethro Tull etc.. Then guitar bands like The Church, The Stems, The Moffs, and post punk bands.. Echo and the Bunnymen, Siouxsie, The Cure. And I obviously need to mention the epiphany I had in my late teens hearing bands from the English folk revival – Pentangle, Incredible String Band, Comus, Anne Briggs, Vashti Bunyan, Shirley and Dolly Collins, Nic Jones, The Watersons. I could go on for a while…
I also really need to mention that I’m inspired daily by anyone who’s following their path. Be it music, visual arts, science, politics, education. People with passion.
Your latest release is 'Dancing Through a Slow Apocalypse'. Can you share with us the background of its creation and did any unusual things happen during its creation?
Well, this is an interesting record for me. Partly because I made a concerted effort to reign in some of my more indulgent tendencies. Every song sticks to a form, whereas in the past, I did ramble a little. I also made a conscious decision to explore some of the genres of music that I’ve always loved but not necessarily delved into creatively. So, there are a number of nods to eras and styles that have inspired me in the past. And, finally, there is a very definite theme to the album. It was written during the covid lockdowns. And as we all know, a lot of people didn’t cope with the loss of social connections, income etc. Not to mention those who actually got sick and died or lost loved ones. I got off extremely luckily. And, as a died in the wool introvert / homebody, I actually kind of thrived through the isolation.
Can you shortly describe each of the tracks that are on the EP?
Is That You?
Looped metalophone sounds and robotic drums provide a platform for historic recordings of morse code, squeaky dog toys, and of course, the one and only “Le Marvello”, who implores us all to Dance (and Sing)!
Featuring Michael Peterson, AKA Le Marvello on vocals.
No Company
A reflection on the loneliness and despair many felt during the covid lockdowns of 2021. Produced with the sparse style in mind of early 80s British synth pop / new wave bands such as Eurythmics, Ultravox et al. (which seemed to convey their own inherent sense of isolation)
Featuring Annie Peterson (nee Deller), one of my oldest friends, singer from “One Straw.
Michael, Annie and I played together in the early 90s in a permaculture / pagan-folk band called “One Straw”.
Sweetgrass
Written as a dedication to one of my favourite bands, “Broadcast”, who mixed clean psych guitar sounds with broken synths, tape manipulations and earthy, highbrow lyricism.
Lyrically, ‘Sweetgrass’ references a creation myth from the Indigenous peoples of the Great Lakes area of Northern America. I learned of this myth whilst reading “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, an indigenous elder and botanist /ecologist from the Potawatomi nation of the Northern Americas. An important book for anyone who cares about the future of our natural world and learning from the wisdom of indigenous cultures.
Features the delightful singing of regular Meadow Argus collaborator, Ellie Dalton.
Tiny Flames
An ode to the academic and artistic explorers and travellers – whose creations and revelations make some tiny sense of the great unknown, so the rest of us mere mortals can breathe a little easier. Held together by a swarm of E-bows!
Featuring co-producer, Tim Hall on vocals (ex The Strange and The Whitlams)
House Husband
A song by a knucklehead for all the other knuckleheads who still carry their dreams in a back pocket, despite being blissfully content with growing older, and the challenges of family life.
Sung by a small multi-tracked chorus of chief knucklead, JC.
Sleep
Our “country death” song. “Death” (the character) has had enough so breaks a couple of rules (are there rules!?) and passes on the mantle to someone who really deserves it.
Featuring the amazing Rob Longstaff (Maleny / Berlin) on vocals.
Also features the two instrumentalists from local alt-country band, Midyim: Jem Dunlop – fiddle, and Mitch Ruggles – Clawhammer Banjo.
Dance With Me
Soundtrack to a full moon community dance event!
With Tim and Ellie singing
How do you stay up-to-date with the latest musical trends?
My three children are all fairly active musically and spoon feed me stuff they think I’ll like.
What makes you different from others?
I think my background in instrumental folk music has given me a unique approach to both song-writing and arrangement. And on top of that, my “real” work in natural areas informs the way I think about sound. In that any / all sound can be musical.
What’s an average day like for you?
I don’t think I ever have two days in a row that are similar. As with most people who work in the arts, I have to be creative with my time and how I generate income. So, to keep on top of daily artistic practice whilst also earning a living, strict time management is essential. As far as music goes, I try to do at least an hour’s work in the studio every day. I do have one or two days a week dedicated to studio work. But often, these are interrupted by daily life things. But, even if I only get a small amount of time, I’ll try to achieve something. Maybe a small edit. Re-listen to something. Try a slight tweak to a mix.. Keep things moving.
I start with coffee.
Please discuss how you interact with and respond to fans.
I’m too old for “fans”. If someone likes my music and wants to chat, then it’s clear we have at least some things in common. I’m always up for a chat with people who like interesting music and art.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to follow in your footsteps?
Don’t follow me. I’m easily distracted. And I stop to look at plants and bugs a lot. Make your own path.
What are your plans for the future?
In the short term, I have three more Meadow Argus albums underway. A rambling long form type album more in keeping with earlier EPs, a kids’ story / concept album, and a solo fingerstyle guitar EP. Last year, I also instigated several collaborations, which are now at various stages of development. My other project, “Small Engine Chorus”, which is an ambient / abstract / sound collage type thing will be releasing the third in a series of EPs sometime in 2023 as well.
Apart from that, I’ll continue to revegetate the land I’m living on, hang out with my family, and wave my (virtual) fist at numpties on the internet.
LINKS:
Dancing Through a Slow Apocalypse:
https://meadowargus.bandcamp.com/album/dancing-through-a-slow-apocalypse-2
Website:
https://www.meadowargus.com/
Bandcamp:
https://meadowargus.bandcamp.com/
Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj7BSaEnHox8nvXSPELCKLw
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/meadowargusmusic
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/meadowargusmusic/