Tom Crandles is one of those intelligent sonic drifters that spend decades meticulously honing their craft - from the intimate shoegaze of his COLOURS project, to his wonderful psych-pop duo Au.Ra alongside Sydney local Tim Jenkins. Now he’s exploring new territory again with Prudence, deepening his dense catalogue.

He’s also recognisable as the bass player of notoriously popular Australian rockers DMA’s, but the energy he channels through Prudence is entirely opposite to that band’s chaotic output. Last year’s EP Major Tom was suffused with six rich and textured songs, and new single ‘Heart Sways’ follows in its lineage, while also transitioning from a typical bedroom project to a fully-fledged band, with Aleesha Dibbs on piano and Kat Harley on bass.

The song comes accompanied by a visually arresting video from Luke McLean Stephenson, adding another vividly psychedelic layer to the proceedings. It’s a wonderfully concocted slice of dream-pop, shimmering with lush experimental flourishes throughout. It’s improbable when listening to the languid melodies of ‘Heart Sways’ to envision it being so intricately crafted when it sounds this utterly effortless.

The lyricism mines heavier territory though, touching on a difficult relationship - this both explains the song’s title and the juxtaposition between songwriting and sound. As Crandles sings “reimburse these arms/this heart’s not yours to steal/I don’t want to feel”, the sense that a relationship is coming to its culmination, or has already done so, is evident. Lyrics like this add a layer of realism to the dreamlike rhythm pattern, painting a pained picture of the fragility that exists at the centre of love - full of want, ache, uncertainty, longing. The heart sways, as the title tells us, and we can imagine it wavering between impulses - to try and make a relationship work or to succumb to its frailties.

We spoke with Crandles about what influenced his new music and it’s as exquisitely varied as one would expect.


Talk Talk - 'The Rainbow'

Whenever I’m out of ideas I turn to this piece. It definitely played a part in the production of 'Heart Sways'. Mark Hollis influenced me to create more space when writing music. I don’t really know what else to say other than this to me is perfect music.


David Sylvian - 'Let the Happiness In'

David Sylvian was the singer of Japan, a new romantic band from London in which my favourite bass player Mick Karn was a member. I highly recommend looking into the collaborations and records the members of Japan have made over the years, from Riyuchi Sakamoto to Kate Bush - there is a lot to explore. Anyway, ‘Let the Happiness In’ is a track off his fourth solo record Secrets of the Beehive. I really resonate with the sentiment of this song, it paints a vivid picture in my mind that feels warm and familiar to me. I’d love to let the happiness in.


Rebuilding the Empire Cinema, Leicester Square 1962 by Frank Auerbach

I recently took up painting as a distraction from the crippling boredom I've been dealt over the last year or so. I like to associate painting and music and I definitely feel a musical connection with most of Frank’s work. You can tell he has scrapped a work and painted over it many times before he is satisfied, creating those deep textures. I find this often happens when recording music. This was a painting Lucien Freud hung in his house until his death.


Mina - 'Se Telefonando'

Mina is a massive Italian pop star from the 60’s. Although I didn’t take much influence from 'Se Telefonando' when writing 'Heart Sways', I felt I had to include this one as in my opinion it’s the greatest pop song I’ve ever heard. This track was written by Ennio Morricone and still breaks my heart every time I listen to it.


Gabrielle Gianna Tomassetti

The star of the 'Heart Sways' music video, my mother, who got me on to music at an early age. She took me to see an orchestra at the opera house then told me I could learn whichever instrument I liked the most. I chose the violin. I was surrounded by musical instruments as a child as Mum was a piano teacher and performer, singing on cruises and across Sydney whilst her sister, my Auntie Carmen, ran a music school out of my Nonna’s garage in Merrylands in Sydney.


Kat Harley & Aleesha Dibbs

And most importantly - Kat Harley who was one half of Mezko; whom I'm sure you've covered in the past, and now plays bass in The Laurels and Prudence (as well as other projects she has on the horizon). Aleesha Dibbs of Dive Bell who plays piano/keys in Prudence. Aside from being great friends, they are also both multi-instrumental powerhouses and 'Heart Sways' or Prudence wouldn't sound the same if these guys hadn't added their parts and personality to the music.