ALEX FARRELL-DAVEY of ALAE: The Man Who Made Him Cry
An interview by Sarah Kidd.
Having just released the music video for their new single ‘From 1 to 3’, Alae are quite the busy – now – three piece. Yes, that’s right, the band have expanded from a soulful duo to a trio with the recent addition of drummer Jayden Lee. Their latest video directed by Mikee Carpinter, cleverly utilizes block colours, silhouettes and projected artwork from the single itself to create and build a visual feast.
Alae are currently in the middle of their Australasian tour which sees them cover the majority of New Zealand and then cross over the ditch to play in both Brisbane and Melbourne. I caught up with vocalist Alex Farrell-Davey to discuss the new single and recent addition to the band itself along with his thoughts on the current New Zealand music scene.
So Alex, the band has recently become a little bigger with the addition of Jayden Lee as a full time drummer now. What prompted you to want to expand from being a duo?
“I think it was just wanting to be a little more open with our sound; trying to use percussion and stuff in a practice environment without having a drummer was a really hard thing to do. Our songs started to become, not lethargic but like they didn’t ask for drums and I wanted to change that. I think we both did, so that was a good idea”
Obviously you and Allister Meffan have a friendship that has existed since college; so how did Jayden enter the mix?
“We just met him the first time we had a jam with him, which was probably only a few months ago!”
Oh wow, so you could almost say love at first sound?
(laughs) “Yeah, nice! It was pretty cool, he came along for a jam, he was really chill. He was just so relaxed that we were like, ‘Sweet as man, you’re in!’ … and obviously solid drumming as well!”
Your latest single ‘From 1 to 3’ is actually a song that you have had tucked away under your wing for quite a while now isn’t it?
“That seems to have become a regular bit of my songwriting now! My songs are a bit of a journey and that’s definitely coming through on that one; it kinda starts off quite angsty in a sense. That first chorus to me is quite funny to look back and listen to; it kinda goes on to say you know ‘Actually it’s all good bro’. That song is all about realizing your irrelevance but being all good about it”
Sometimes that’s the human condition isn’t it; to question the relevance of our current status?
“Yeah totally you know; just check yourself and also just be aware of other people around you and how you affect them. Come to terms with yourself and accept people, that’s really all it is”
I understand you wrote some parts of the song while you were still living in Melbourne – do you believe to be successful in New Zealand you have to spend time outside of it (even if it is just Australia)?
“I think the one thing is – I don’t wanna say anything to generalize opinions that anyone has or whatever – but we seem to appreciate a little bit more when people have ‘made it’ overseas because they’re just that little bit more impressive … and we back them! Which is funny, it’s a strange thing … but that’s it. So it definitely helps, just the fact that you have been overseas, creates – for New Zealanders especially – an idea of professionalism and you know you’re good enough to have made it. New Zealand music gets a shit name sometimes just because it is New Zealand music … we are just a bit harsh on each other”
We do seem to suffer from tall Poppy syndrome a little bit…
“Yeah a little bit ay? It’s pretty gnarly. There are so many, so many talented people it’s crazy and a lot of them just have no recognition. There’s this one guy I love so much called Jonathan Bree, a New Zealand artist, so cool, just a whole lot of originality going on there! I can’t find anyone that’s like him, [yet] he’s got hardly any followers on Soundcloud!”
So who are the other local – or international – artists that are currently inspiring you?
“Both Aldous Harding and Nadia Reid are doing some pretty cool stuff. Ryan Adams, I love that guy!”
Did you see his show this year at The Civic?
“Yeah I did, I cried for the first two songs then I sorted it out (laughs) it was pretty amazing! I don’t think he liked the audience though, I think we kind bummed him out a bit; he wasn’t really chatty and just kinda went off stage”
For the brilliant music video ‘From 1 to 3’ you worked with director Mikee Carpinter – how did this relationship develop?
“He’s our manager as well (laughs). They just have a whole lot of gear at their office and Mikee has all the knowhow. The craziest thing is, is that Mikee has known us since we were like 17! He was making the TV show for Rockquest when we were in it, so he came and interviewed us and just said heaps of real awesome stuff. Said he really loved my music from the get go – came over to Melbourne when I was over there and did an interview; just always loved my music and then [when] I moved up to Auckland he was like ‘You know what man, do you want me to manage you?’ And I was like ‘Yeah man!’”
It must be really cool to have such strong bonds with the people surrounding you – to know that they truly care
“Yeah that’s the cool thing, the people who really love the music – it keeps us really busy”
So what was the inspiration behind the video? How much input did Alae have?
“He [Carpinter] approaches us with ideas and concepts and we discuss it; if we think it is a bit silly we just say no but if it’s good – and for the most part it is pretty good stuff – I’m pretty chuffed with it. So yeah we will just sit down and talk about it, he gives us ideas and then we just trust him to sort it out!”
When it came time to actually film the video, how did you find the process?
“You just look at the camera and stare into it; like you have to be a bit of a narcissist sometimes (laughs) well you do! It’s a good confidence boost I suppose, like anxiety practice! You have to look as though you’re selling what you’re doing, like you’re really into it and you believe in what you are doing. It’s not arrogance but confidence. It’s just that self-backing. I think sometimes it’s quite hard as a New Zealander to say that you’re good at something”
Your upcoming debut album is highly anticipated! Can you disclose anything yet for your fans?
“Well we’re hoping for March / April next year, we’re just not sure yet, but there will be a few new ones so it will be well worth the wait!”
It’s fantastic to see that you are also playing shows in Australia on this leg of the tour.
“Yeah it’s kinda exciting right?! We will be using the tour to show off some new material”
Alae are currently in the middle of their Spring tour, with a show tonight (25th August) in Palmerston North, then shows in Mt Maunganui (Saturday 26th August) and Auckland (Saturday 2nd September). Tickets for all shows are still available here, but be in quick as they are looking like they will sell out!
