In November 2014 Adelaide band Wireheads travelled to Olympia, Washington to record their second album with Calvin Johnson at his Dub Narcotic Studio.
“Good Grief” is a product of that weeklong stay.
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Taken from the forthcoming album Big Issues which Johnson, best known for his work with Beat Happening and K Records, recorded to two-inch tape, it’s a slow oozing melter with talky vocals that encapsulates the Wireheads laconic style
The time in Olympia also resulted in an addition to the already sprawling Wireheads live ensemble, when seventh member Harriet Fraser-Barbour joined on twelve-string guitar.
Big Issues, the follow up to their their debut LP The Late Great Wireheads will be released on Brisbane label Tenth Court on August 7.
We caught up with the band’s Dom Trimboli to find out more about the track and Olympia.
Noisey: Hey Dom, what are the big issues?
Dom Trimboli: I guess that depends who you ask. Some folks get upset about the weather affecting their hairstyle, others get annoyed when their plane crashes into the side of a mountain. Some people even walk around believing that they were Nicolaus Copernicus in a previous life.
“Good Grief” has a real Swell Maps feel. How did you approach the writing of this song?
The same as always, they kind of just fall out. I wrote it, Liam arranged it, Dan said it was too funky. Our next album will probably be called Epic Soundtracks.
Did Calvin give much feedback?
This was one of his favourite songs on the album. He put down some megaphone backing vocals in the chorus. His main advice was to stop overdubbing it with layers of rubbish. “Very groovy, baby”.
What were some your highlights in Olympia?
Hanging out at Dub, cheap Ranier beer, Sam Gray, The Golden Gavel Motor Inn, playing a show at River and Olympia Liam’s house, Harriet joining the band and Calvin’s Vibrochamp.
‘Big Issues’ is available August 7 through Tenth Court. Pre-orders available here.
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