Ambleside
Vocals: Daniel Stevens
Guitar/Vocals: Dean Lawrence
Guitar: Jackson Buckler
Bass: Jazz Carruthers
Drums: Ash Mayes
I recently sat down with Jackson Buckler of Adelaide band Ambleside to learn more about the band, the songs, and their influences.
So you guys recently dropped an epic single Tired Eyes, what’s the response been like?
The response for Tired Eyes (to our surprise) has been epic, we are really happy with how it turned out. It was an interesting experience for us because it was also our first film clip. We felt a kind of weird pressure releasing the clip, knowing that so many people could see us in our human form opposed to just our social networks statuses. Weird.
I’ve seen you play a couple of times (if you’d count the show I passed out against a wall) and it’s hard not to feel the passion you put into your music. Where’s that passion come from?
Music is something we all appreciate quite dearly. Being on stage is such a nice break from everything negative that exists in life and we try make the most of it within the short 25-30 minutes we have to do so.
I personally love the music style of Ambleside, but what was it that got you into the post hardcore genre? Who were the influences?
Funny enough post hardcore isn’t even the favourite genre for any of our members. Our main influences (depending on the member) ranges from bands such as Tool, The Cinematic Orchestra, Architects, Blink 182. Even dipping into the Chicago blues with artists like Muddy Waters. We all just really like the energy and personality behind post hardcore, we can relate to it a lot.
What’s the writing process for your tunes?
Usually I’ll start a session in Pro Tools and work on songs until I’m happy with it. Then I’ll pass it to Ash so he can fine tune the drums, and Daniel to start putting in some lyrics. Once everyone has had their input I’ll usually take the session back and then produce/fine tune the ideas they have added until we are all happy with it.
You’ve always given the option to listeners to get your stuff for free, any reason?
When the day comes that we think our music is actually good enough to start trying to sell, we might consider it. In the mean time it’s just a really good way to get our name out there and also to receive more honest less judgemental feedback from people.
Out of curiosity, songs Alarmos, Letterbox Ross and Kingston Ave don’t really seem to connect lyrics with titles, so where’d the names come from?
To our surprise no one has actually asked us a question like this before. Alarmos is more of an in joke so I wont really dive into it too much. Kingston Avenue was our old street that we lived on together and we made some very well cherished memories there together.
Letterbox Ross definitely takes the cake. Basically our friend moved up from Perth. He got off the plane and that same night bought a car off Gumtree. It turns out it was stolen and was the property of the Hells Angels Bikie club. We were on the phone with the person our mate bought it off trying to figure out what was going on. The next thing we know we’re listening to this guy getting beaten up and we assumed they were coming to our house next. (At this point we’ve never been more scared in our entire lives and Daniel is about to shit himself). Eventually the gang contacted us and told us to leave a lump sum of cash in our letterbox by a certain time or else.
That organised time comes around and right on the dot this giant bald guy wearing all black rocks up in a black tinted BMW, headlights off – takes the money and leaves. His name was Ross. Letterbox Ross.
Wow. To change the pace up a bit, The Simpsons or Family Guy? VB or Carlton? Burritos or Sushi?
Fuck thats real hard man… The Simpsons for sure. Over the last year I’ve drank more VB than Carlton. Me personally I’d go Sushi but I have a feeling the other Ambleside guys would go a Burrito.. So who knows!
While we’re on the whole one or the other thing, heres a hard one… Hopeless Records or Run For Cover Records?
Phwoaaaa thats tricky! Both would be really good opportunities but we would definitely be stoked to join team Hopeless with Trophy Eyes!
Finally, what’s next for the Ambleside boys?
At the moment, we’re just taking a break to write something new and to get our financial situation more stable. Our aim is to work incredibly hard and towards the end of this year, release the best songs Ambleside has ever written. Let’s see how we go!
Thanks heaps for your time Jacko!
We should kiss.
.