Q&A by guitarist Patrick Holcombe
Tell us about your new single/ album/ tour?
We are releasing our Debut Album “Cathedrals” at the Shadow Electric on Friday the 27th of November.
How would you describe your sound in food form and why?
Probably some kind of hearty stew. With quinces. We mix a lot of different ideas and genres.
Which of your songs resonate most strongly and why?
Animals Housed has been a song which has resonated with our Audience. It just works really well as a live song.
Tell us a quick, on the road, anecdote.
When we toured with Elbow the band gave us a bottle of Jameson as a goodbye gift (which we drank with them after the final gig).
Where do you draw inspiration from?
All over the place. What ever is making me feel intense emotions usually gets put into songs.
Which song do you wish you wrote?
Anything by bjork.
What’s next for you?
We are really excited about moving forward onto new things. This album has been a long process and it feels like a milestone.
What’s your scene?
Sleeping under the stars at the top of a mountain somewhere.
About Playwrite
Playwrite announce stunning debut album Cathedrals, new single and hometown launch show
Their music retains the kind of natural movement that could have been recorded in a vast forest, or on a boat in the middle of a large, still lake. – FBi Radio
Three years in the making, Cathedrals is the debut album from Melbourne folk-pop quintet Playwrite and set for release physically on November 26, with the band celebrating the launch in their hometown at The Abbotsford Convents Shadow Electric Bandroom on Friday November 27.
The incredibly diverse and powerful body of work was carefully crafted with producer Jimi Maroudas (Kimbra, Eskimo Joe, Bertie Blackman) and brings together eleven songs spanning the bands evolution over the past five years.
Moving between moments of delicacy and elation, the soaring vocals of lead singer Jordan White deliver a haunting honesty, illuminating the darkness behind the songwriting. In 2009, lead guitarist Patrick Holcombes parents passed away defending their home in the Black Saturday bushfires. Much of the songwriting is drawn from the bands dealing with this loss and grief. The album sketches are layered between morphing psychedelic effects and the driving syncopation of the five musicians, with intoxicating vocal harmonies that deliver a cathartic, sonic euphoria.
Having already gained praise locally from the likes of triple js Richard Kingsmill and Dom Alessio, as well as rotation on Double J, and Community Radio, with previous singles Lady Oracle, Whittaker and Animals Housed, the latest single Black Cloud, was written in the wake of the Fukushima Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster in 2011. The gripping vocal delivery expresses the helplessness felt when observing the suffering of strangers and loved ones who are far away. Black Cloud is another beautiful and touching song that showcases the ability of a band that continues to transcend genres with ease and grace.
A busy touring schedule in 2014 saw the band take to the stage of the Sydney Opera House supporting UK icons ELBOW on their National tour as well hitting the road with songster Jack Carty on 30 dates throughout Australia nationally.
Playwrites varied and vibrant live performances have earned the band a reputation for invoking wild and uninhibited energy, making them a band you need to experience in person. See Playwrite launch Cathedrals in their hometown of Melbourne with support from Hayden Calnin and SlowTurismo.
Playwrite Cathedrals Album Launch
Friday November 27
Shadow Electric Bandroom
The Abbotsford Convent, Melbourne Vic
With support from Hayden Calnin & Slow Turismo Tickets:
Cathedrals is out now digitally via ITunes & BandcampOut
November 26 physically via Bandcamp
