Q&A Scene: Geoff Rana - CRYSTAL CITIES

Tell us about your new single/ album/ tour?

Our Debut EP is released on March 3rd and was recorded at various studios around Sydney and with 3 different engineers / producers, The EP is titled Who’s Gonna Save Us Now, The lead single Who’s Gonna Save Us Now and 2 other tracks were recorded in our mates Garage, which gave us time to explore sounds and arrangement ideas without having to worry about the stress of time in a studio. The EP encapsulates Crystal Cities sound and explores elements of musicals layers that will be further refined in later releases.

What’s your favourite work at this point in time?

I’m proud of the work we have done on our EP, there are elements on the album that upon listening to know seem trivial but on reminiscing there was a lot of work that went into getting guitar tones, vocal deliveries, bass timbres, etc.

How would you describe your sound in food form and why?

If Crystal Cities was food it would be a Mary’s Mushroom Burger with a pint of Young Henrys Newtown Lager.

Tell us a quick, on the road or studio, anecdote.

There was a Tibetan singing bowl that was sitting in our mates garage and at some point i decided that would make a great musical layer in our single “Who’s gonna save us now” after a few minutes of getting my singing bowel technique up to scratch it made it onto the track, if you listen carefully you can hear the bowl swirling away in the background.

What, or who, inspires you?

There were a lot of inspirations on this record, from political events, observations of social structures, inequality, austerity etc, bands like War on Drugs, Death Cab for Cutie, Real Estate, and Vancouver Sleep Clinic were some of the musical inspirations during the writing and recording process for this collection of songs.

What’s next for you?

We set off on our East coast tour to promote the EP starting in Brisbane on March 2nd, we are looking forward to taking these songs outta the studio and playing them live. We are also in the process of writing for the next EP and looking at getting back into the studio to record our next single asap for once the EP has runs its course.

What’s your scene?

Chillin’ with some beers while writing new tracks and recording some demo ideas to take to the band, i like to travel and get inspiration so travelling anywhere around the world is also a cool for getting inspiration.

CRYSTAL CITIES Release debut EP ‘WHO’S GONNA SAVE US NOW’.

In 2016 dream rockers CRYSTAL CITIES unleashed their candid ballad ‘Tell Me Now’ and the sweet introspective tune ‘Good Life’ as delectable teasers to their impressive 2017 debut EP ‘WHO’S GONNA SAVE US NOW’.

Opening the 6 track EP with lead single ‘Who’s Gonna Save Us Now’ front man Geoff Rana’s raspy mighty vocals instantly draw you into their journey of intrigue and turmoil begging the question, ‘Who’s gonna save us now’. The Newtown troubadours and graduates of The Australian Institute Of Music explore the boundaries of social ideologies, political structure and inequality throughout the record all whilst blending perfect harmonies, highlighting their instrumental prowess and staying true to their upbeat dream rock sound. ‘Feels good to open the garage door and set these tracks free into the world and into ya ear holes’ CRYSTAL CITIES

“This sparkles like the sun reflecting off the ocean” TRIPLE J, DOM ALESSIO

“Undoubtedly their best work yet” AMNPLIFY

CRYSTAL CITIES ‘ WHO’S GONNA SAVE US NOW’ TOUR

March 2nd – Bloodhound Bar, Brisbane

March 3rd - The Rails hotel – Byron Bay

March 4th – The Pier Hotel – Port Macquarie

March 5th - The Lass O’ Gowrie Hotel – Newcastle

March 10th - The Retreat Hotel – Melbourne

March 31st – Vic On The Park – Sydney

More information here:

www.crystalcities.co

facebook.com/crystalcitiesmusic