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Talking Influences with Jacuzzi
Talking Influences with Jacuzzi
Following the release of their pile-driving post-punk single ‘Soft Dream’ last week, Melbourne new-wave trio Jacuzzi talk us through the diverse and, at times, unexpected influences on their sound.
2019 was a stellar year for brothers Anthony and Christopher Morse, who, alongside long-time friend and collaborator Ash Briody, form Jacuzzi. The synth-heavy project launched their dark, tender synth-pop debut EP Are You Living? at the Grace Darling, before ploughing on with the recording of their first full-length effort under the guidance of producer James Cecil (Architecture In Helsinki).
2020 is shaping up to be even bigger for the trio, who’ve just dropped their powerful single ‘Soft Dream’, the second from their upcoming album on their newly-founded label Zucchini Records. The track’s sudden opening presents like a sonic punch in the face and is relentless in its assault. Snarling, distorted bass drives persistently over frenetic drums, a gnarly backbone ripping through a deftly-crafted soundscape of luscious synths and reverb. Think Suicide’s ‘Ghost Rider’ fanging down the highway, a stolen Depeche Mode synth under each arm. However, in reality, at the helm is a confident-sounding Anthony Morse, whose effortless vocals range from intimate whispers through to theatrical cries and pained howls, often in the space of a couple of bars.
Jacuzzi’s new sound is tighter and more aggressive, but they maintain the lyrical candour that so endeared listeners to their older material. Morse explains that though the song was borne of a depressed stage of his life, the lyrics aren’t so much autobiographical as they are about addressing "depression in general” and the universal battle to feel valued and to value oneself. “For a lot of people, these struggles are all too real but moving through these difficulties can help achieve some real emotional growth and that idea is what I wanted to try and capture”, he explains.
The full album will doubtlessly be upon us soon - in the meantime, we had Jacuzzi take us through a few of the influences on their creative process.
Bob Dylan
2020 is shaping up to be even bigger for the trio, who’ve just dropped their powerful single ‘Soft Dream’, the second from their upcoming album on their newly-founded label Zucchini Records. The track’s sudden opening presents like a sonic punch in the face and is relentless in its assault. Snarling, distorted bass drives persistently over frenetic drums, a gnarly backbone ripping through a deftly-crafted soundscape of luscious synths and reverb. Think Suicide’s ‘Ghost Rider’ fanging down the highway, a stolen Depeche Mode synth under each arm. However, in reality, at the helm is a confident-sounding Anthony Morse, whose effortless vocals range from intimate whispers through to theatrical cries and pained howls, often in the space of a couple of bars.
Jacuzzi’s new sound is tighter and more aggressive, but they maintain the lyrical candour that so endeared listeners to their older material. Morse explains that though the song was borne of a depressed stage of his life, the lyrics aren’t so much autobiographical as they are about addressing "depression in general” and the universal battle to feel valued and to value oneself. “For a lot of people, these struggles are all too real but moving through these difficulties can help achieve some real emotional growth and that idea is what I wanted to try and capture”, he explains.
The full album will doubtlessly be upon us soon - in the meantime, we had Jacuzzi take us through a few of the influences on their creative process.
Bob Dylan
There is a piece of card sticking out of the top of my copy of Dylan's The Lyrics: Since 1962. It was from the last session I had with the book from about a week ago. Drunk and sitting around the piano with loved ones, I needed to speak some of his words to help make sense of my world. I flicked the overly large book open onto the track ‘When You Gonna Wake Up?’ He'd probably say or call that divine intervention, but the religious part of Dylan... I ain’t quite there yet. I sat it on top of the clean green felt of our pool table and spat the words out. It hit me like many of his songs do. I had a temper that night, but the angst and that temper was soon resolved. That track, you gotta listen to that track, man. I have long been a Dylan fan and needed this book of his lyrics. Thanks Bob.
Games Of The XXI Olympiad - Black Cab
Games Of The XXI Olympiad - Black Cab
I always go back to this record with strong feelings. It was a special time for me when this was released. Roughly around the time I was getting my head around the Juno 106, after many tears and years on the guitar, even supporting Black Cab many times as a guitarist. This change to the synth was everything.
One of our last shows as The Infants was at The Corner supporting Black Cab, and watching Jimmy on those boards was amazing. Many times I had seen them, and didn't really understand what the shit was happening up on stage! I didn't know what a sequencer was... This album came out and I dug it up. It helped me in my change of instruments.
How High The Moon on Triple R, presented by Dan Dare
Not so much an influence on our sound, but a big inspiration. Obviously, the music we create wouldn't ever fit on Dan's program, but god damn, I get down with some of those weird places electronic music can take you. Thanks for this program Dan!
Also, just a general shoutout to Detroit techno. Getting deep into the wonderful world of electronic music has saved me, but has also killed me, you know what I mean. Our usual Friday nights consist of rehearsals/writing sessions, skipping dinner, then hitting the pool balls around while getting pants with this program. Always surprises me week to week with the madness that can come from such nights.
Swans
One of our last shows as The Infants was at The Corner supporting Black Cab, and watching Jimmy on those boards was amazing. Many times I had seen them, and didn't really understand what the shit was happening up on stage! I didn't know what a sequencer was... This album came out and I dug it up. It helped me in my change of instruments.
How High The Moon on Triple R, presented by Dan Dare
Not so much an influence on our sound, but a big inspiration. Obviously, the music we create wouldn't ever fit on Dan's program, but god damn, I get down with some of those weird places electronic music can take you. Thanks for this program Dan!
Also, just a general shoutout to Detroit techno. Getting deep into the wonderful world of electronic music has saved me, but has also killed me, you know what I mean. Our usual Friday nights consist of rehearsals/writing sessions, skipping dinner, then hitting the pool balls around while getting pants with this program. Always surprises me week to week with the madness that can come from such nights.
Swans
Brutal. I caught their live show in Tasmania for Mona Foma many years ago. It was freezing, the wind blowing every piece of green tobacco off the paper, I couldn't handle the wait to catch the noise. Coming into winter once again, as like every year, I start feeling like a good SWANS belt down. I feel they have definitely influenced us to be harder and louder. Even though latterly as a band we are moving slightly away from that noise, I still hold that feeling very close, just in case we become weak with old age... Much love xx
