review and interview: if looks could kill, busy kingdom
Calling the boys of Busy Kingdom busy is both obvious and a little cringeworthy. Bad writing aside, there’s no getting around it. Busy Kingdom is a busy band. The four-piece from Melbourne have spent the last two years shoring up local gig spots, and are entirely deserving of the fan-base they can now call their own.
Back in February, the boys released their self-titled EP, an effort that solidified them as a band to watch. Fast forward six months, and a follow up EP has just been released. Staying true to their ‘folkternative’ roots, If Looks Could Kill is a fine example of a band that gels together perfectly. Honest and introspective, the EP showcases considerable songwriting talent, and a knack for catchy, guitar driven instrumentals.
If Looks Could Kill opens with Broken Hearts, a track that draws more than a little inspiration from country music. Back of the Bus is languid and soulful, a song that brings to mind lazy, slow summer days, perhaps at the back of the bus. On Rebecca, Busy Kingdom’s talent for solid, ‘toe-tapping’ songs shines through, with the band’s very unique style mingling with something that’s a little 60’s. Next cab off the rank, Every Chance We Had is introspective and hopeful, while still managing to keep the tempo up. Some excellent guitar work makes this track one of the standouts. Finishing off the EP nicely is International Man of Mystery, and – taking no cues from Austin Powers – this is the EP’s equivalent of a ballad. Heavy lyrics pair with moody instrumentals to create a beautiful three minutes forty.
If Looks Could Kill is a brilliant effort from a band who clearly have a firm idea of what kind of stories they want to tell. Heartbreak and pain mingle with love and hope, giving us something uplifting. Influences vary, but there’s strength in the vocals, songwriting and instrumentals that remains throughout. One has a feeling that after this offering, Busy Kingdom are only going to get busier.
Lip spoke to Busy Kingdom’s vocalists and guitarists, brothers Brendan and Michael, about the EP, the launch and making music in Melbourne!
What makes the local scene in Melbourne what it is?
BRENDAN – I think the fact that there are so many live music venues all over the city that cater to all kinds of music and all types of bands has a lot to do with it. Whether bands are starting out or well established there are a lot of opportunities to get gigs and play live. Also, people in Melbourne really support their live music scene. I was chatting to a random guy after one of our gigs the other week and he said that he loves going out to live music venues and discovering new live acts. Often he doesn’t look up whose playing – he’ll just chance it and he said he’s discovered a lot of new acts this way. Also as well as punters, there are lots of organisations that nurture music in Melbourne.
MICHAEL – I think the amount of venues that are contained in such small areas makes Melbourne a vibing live scene. On certain streets you might have 6-7 venues all playing live music 7 nights of the week – all within 500 meters of each other!
Best 5 words to describe If Looks Could Kill?
B – Strangely familiar but also distinctive
M – Catchy Moody Interesting Surreal Fun
What makes you gel so well as a band?
B – I think when you regularly play live with someone after a while you get on a level and start to be able to lock in better with them. I think with all of us because we have been playing together now for some time we are able to do this a lot quicker and easier when we perform. It also happens during rehearsals or while we are working on new material. After doing it for a while you all start to understand how you slot into the band to make it better.
M – I think its the fact that we take the music seriously but we don’t take ourselves too seriously. To me this comes across when we play live. There is a good energy when we play in front of people.
What sets the Australian music scene apart?
B – I think because Australia is half the world away it helps with our originality. Not being on America or Europe’s doorstep works in our favour. I think also the fact that so many good Aussie bands have had international success, INXS, Silverchair and more recently Gotye and Tame Impala that the world is seeing Australia has so many good live acts to offer and so many great songwriters.
M – The variety of band you can see at any local on one night. The scene in Australia is so varied. We have done gigs with a Folk duo, a punk band and an ambient electro group all on the one line up in one night!
1 song you wish you’d written?
B – Sexy Sadie by the Beatles. This song is one of my favourite Beatle tracks. Such a weird chord progression and arrangement and killer lyrics. John Lennon was one in a million.
M – Power of Love by Huey Lewis and The News
1 good thing and 1 bad thing about being in a band with your sibling?
B – A good thing is that when we disagree on something or tell the other one that something is rubbish or could be better we don’t take it personally. After many years of growing up together you learn to get over stuff quickly. A bad thing would be losing scissors paper rock when we are on the road touring and working out who’s getting the bed or who’s on the floor.
M – Good thing is we are usually pretty instinctive about where we want a songs direction to go. Bad thing is that people always confuse who we are and who is older!
Best gig you’ve ever played?
B – In late 2011 very early on in Busy Kingdom’s career we entered into a battle of the bands competition. After a few heats we ended up making it to the final. The final was out of 16 bands and we were on second last just after a thrash metal band. To boost our supporters that night we hired a bus and had heaps of family and friends come along. As soon as we started playing we knew we were going to play a tight set and the crowd got right into it. It was a big crowd too, about 700 people. Anywho when they announced the winner it was us and we got handed the prize money of $15,000. It was such a big night and there was plenty of drinking at the party afterwards.
M – Band comp final in front of 750 people and winning! wanting to really show how good we could be.
Favourite song on the EP, and why?
B – Broken Hearts. This was a song that blossomed from a very basic idea that I had on the piano. Over a few months we kept working on it and shaping it until it reached the point where we were ready to record it. To think that one simple idea I had while sitting at a piano can evolve into a song that is a crowd favourite at gigs and that opens our EP is pretty cool.
M – To me it’s Back of the Bus because I’m a sucker for a slower tempo ballad.
What can people expect from the EP launch?
B – 45 minutes of solid, live music entertainment, with a tight band and good songs. Also everyone through the door is getting a free copy of the EP!
M – A song, a dance, good times, cold beer, an entertaining show, some laughs and a free copy of the EP!
On the 7th of September, catch Busy Kingdom at The Grace Darling in Melbourne, for the If Looks Could Kill launch. Supports from The Trotskies and Louis Spoils. $10 gets you entry and a free copy of the EP!
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