Tell us about the two singles on your RSD release this year.
These two tracks are the first songs Heavy Moss ever recorded. We were still working out our sound. We initially thought they would end up on our first album, Dead Slow, but it’s nice that they exist on their own, and now this 7” for Record Store Day celebrates them as their own standalone release. They also represent the contrast (or balance) between the different writing styles within the band – one being written by Kyle and the other by Lucas – a practice that bled over into the writing of Dead Slow. (Lucas)
Summa: Summa was created from bringing together two old demos that were “gathering dust” and existed apart. What was it about these two tracks that made you feel they could breathe a new life together?
My brain is like an old sketch archive. Sometimes it’ll mentally stitch sketches together. Then I go and play them. And, on rare occasion, they work. Summa worked. On top of that, I think HM was the right arena to table this track. (Kyle)
What was a creative approach to intertwining old tracks together?
As mentioned above, sketches tend to stay with me for years. The good ones, at least. And I’ll arrange songs entirely in my head before I go and record them. So these two naturally amalgamated in my brain. Then the instrumentation and extra bits flowed pretty easily. I’m a big believer in gestation. Let stuff marinade. (Kyle)
What is the messaging behind the track and how is that reflected in the music?
There’s no real message. I think it just tries to communicate a feeling. Perhaps a feeling of trying to stay awake. To witness more. But ultimately you can’t. And maybe your unconscious self takes you further than your awake one ever could. Maybe? The music hopefully reflects that feeling. (Kyle)
Morning Milk: Morning Milk was written in your early 20s, but even after 10 years, you still feel a connection to the song, though with a shift in its meaning for you. How has its meaning evolved over time?
I think like most songs – the lyrics are open ended and the listener applies their own meaning. The lyrics are honestly kind of depressing – and it’s funny to think I was depressed in my early 20s. Now in my 30s, my problems, grievances and sadnesses are completely different – but it’s interesting to think that these two versions of myself still connect with this song. I guess the themes are grief, angst and depression – but those feelings have completely different sources 10 years apart. (Lucas)
When re-recording Morning Milk with Heavy Moss as a new band, what changes or new elements were added to the song – if any?
We tried to make it sound very different sonically – a lot more synthy – from the start I wanted Heavy Moss to be a keys/synth heavy band – when I first recorded this song in one of my earlier bands Atolls – guitar was my main instrument. So that immediately changes the sonics. I also just wanted to apply years of what I had learnt about recording and production to breathe new life into the song. (Lucas)
“Sour is my morning milk, sweet yesterday” – what do these lyrics mean to you, and what is the significance to make them the title of the track?
I think at the time I was directly referencing Dinah Washington’s “What a Difference a Day Makes” – one day you can be happy and the next completely different. One day your milk tastes fine, then the next it’s gone bad. I just thought that metaphor had a nice ring to it, and was good enough for a title! (Lucas)
Are there any places where you feel particularly inspired to create/write?
In terms of lyric writing, I find I can get in the flow state on my own when I have no perceived judgement – but that’s a double edged sword – as I’ve gotten older I’ve definitely found that collaboration gets the best out of me. I’m breaking that down though – and Heavy Moss has become a really inspiring and safe space for throwing ideas out to the group and collaborating openly. (Lucas)
How did the formation of “Heavy Moss” come to be? Tell us about the history of the band?
Sam and I played in a band together years ago, and ran into each other after both moving back to our hometown of Geelong. We talked about jamming, jammed and quickly recorded a couple of demos together. Then we roped in Kyle, then Bec and here we are! (Lucas)
What is a track of yours you would recommend to a new fan?
I feel like Star is a good entry point. I guess it was our first proper “Single” – it’s probably on the shorter side for our tunes and it has a great video that was directed by Kyle! (Lucas)
Do you collect records yourself? Do you remember the first album you ever bought on vinyl?
I do – I probably have about 500. I used to have a few more but down sized a bit recently. I use to buy a fair bit of second hand stuff on tour without really knowing what it was, so I’ve trimmed a bit of fat over the years. I can’t remember the first record I bought, but I remember discovering my dads record collection for the first time.He had whole heartedly adopted CDs and his collection and turntable were in the back of a cupboard gathering dust. He set it up for me and played Dark Side Of The Moon and I was instantly hooked. (Lucas)
Favourite Australian record store? And international one?
Favourite Aussie one is a new one in my hometown of Geelong – There and Back Again Records. Internationally, it’s hard to go past Amoeba in LA – It’s Mecca for vinyl folk really, and it’s hard to beat. (Lucas)
What are the band’s plans for Record Store Day 2025?
Where can we find you celebrating the day? Lucas and Kyle will be spinning some of their own record collection at Sound Merch in Melbourne and watching some of the great local bands playing an instore there!
