ED KNOWLES of RACING: Hypnotic Swan Rock
An interview by Lauren Sanderson.
Indie-rockers Racing are back with a new single ‘If Only’. The Auckland based band have released a funky new EP ‘The Bass’, which came out yesterday. To celebrate the release they will be touring New Zealand throughout September and October. I caught up with frontman Ed Knowles to talk about the EP, rumours of an album and his man crush on Arctic Monkeys lead singer Alex Turner.
Your new EP ‘The Bass’ came out yesterday, can you tell us about it?
Its four songs and we recorded it at Roundhead. They are all pretty good numbers, it’s a fun little EP. There aren’t any major influences behind the songs but Bryan Ferry from Roxy Music gets a mention. It’s a bit of strange mix to be honest. It is not particularly a specific type of music it’s just out to have a good time.
Following from the EP, can we expect a full album anytime soon?
Yes, we actually have a full album already recorded, the last little tweaks are just happening right now, which is pretty exciting.
There are a lot of indie bands out there nowadays, how do you make sure you stand out from the crowd?
I don’t know how to stand out, I think you just have to enjoy what you do. If you have a good time on stage the audience will have a good time. If you enjoy writing your music, then it gives the song a great feel and influences how people feel about the music.
How did the band form?
Sven and I played in a band called The Checks before this band and we went on tour with Dan and Izaak’s band Space Creeps. Our band broke up and then there’s broke up around a similar time and we just got together and started playing.
Why did your first band break up?
I don’t really know. We had been together for such a long time and I think we were all ready for a new adventure. We had been together for ten years, so it was quite refreshing coming out of it and starting something new. It was great knowing we could have gone anywhere musically, we just had such a clean slate. We could be anybody that we wanted, which was fun.
What made you go down the route that you have? Is this the type of music that you’re interested in?
Yes definitely. It just happened, when we started writing those were the kind of grooves that we came up with. Once we started we couldn’t stop, we found our groove.
What’s the story behind the name of the band?
I have always liked the way the word looked. We liked how it didn’t sound like any other band name and also it feels like it’s in motion somehow, almost like it’s in speed. It felt weird and it kind of just stuck with us.
Your music is a blend of indie, rock, psychedelic dance – what type of music did you listen to growing up?
I listened to rock ‘n’ roll music. I listened to The Doors and The Beatles a lot. Everything changed when ‘Is This It’ by The Strokes came out when I was in form three, that record was a game changer. I absolutely love The Arctic Monkeys and The Last Shadow puppets are amazing.
I love The Last Shadow Puppets! But, I feel like not many people know who they are.
I love them too. I feel like I am the only ambassador in the whole country for this band, I constantly tell people about them and nobody knows about this incredible band. Their last album was amazing and I went back and listened to the first one from eight years ago and it’s just brilliant. I feel like Alex Turner should do the next James Bond theme song.
So, if you could collaborate with anybody would it be with Arctic Monkeys or the Last Shadow Puppets?
That would be pretty cool, I would really like that. I just think that Alex turner is the talent of our generation, he is just such a good song writer and his lyrics are always amazing.
How would you describe your sound?
Hypnotic swan rock.
You start touring NZ in September, so what’s our favourite thing about touring?
When you’re really tired after performing and you’re driving either home or to the next venue and you just start making the most ridiculous jokes. They’re just not funny afterwards but at the time they are hilarious!
During your time so far as a musician, who is your favourite person or band that you’ve shared the stage with?
It’s got to be Oasis in 2006. That was pretty awesome.
If you were stuck on a desert Island and you could only take one member of your band with you, who would it be?
(Laughs) I can’t say, that’s going to be a bone of contention. I don’t know if I can answer that. I can’t politically have a favourite.
I know you’re definitely thinking of a name right now but you just can’t say it.
(Laughs) Maybe.
Racing’s new EP ‘The Bass’ is out now and sets the scene for an extensive eight date New Zealand tour throughout September and early October. The tour kicks off at Totara Street in Mount Maunganui on September 15 and winds up at Meow in Wellington on October 7. Tickets are still available for all shows here, but be in quick as they are sure to sell out!
