INTERVIEW WITH INDIE-POP DUO THE TRYOUTS
Last month saw duo The Tryouts release their latest single ‘Wolf at the Door’, a well-rounded banger with a great sound that is so easily put on repeat. The pair spoke to Electric Dreams Media about the single, their sound, and what it’s like working as a couple.
First thing is first, where did the name The Tryouts come from, and why did you think it was the perfect name for your music project?
David: We had spent a year calling ourselves Bee Sting Ghost Roll Into The Ocean but some people felt that wasn't commercial enough, for some reason.
Chels: The Tryouts was a name that Dave had as the backing band for an open mic he was running in Toronto, Canada. It was one of many names. We liked the simplicity of it, and felt like it suited the philosophy of our band.
You both clicked as musicians and then clicked as a couple, what’s it like working and creating with your other half?
Chels: We were both solo writers before, and neither of us had much experience with collaborating, which is a skill in and of itself. It can be challenging to work together, but we are getting better at incorporating one another’s styles and developing a sound that is a perfect blend. We love a lot of the same music which really helps when it comes to production decisions.
David: There is an incredibly fine balance of making sure you're listening to each other's creative input whilst also being critical and moving songs forward. I don't think we’re anywhere close to figuring this balance out yet.
It’s said that your latest track ‘Wolf at the Door’ originally was a challenge from friends on who could write the best song in three minutes with three chords - You definitely smashed the challenge out of the park. What was that like? I couldn’t even imagine coming up with an idea in three minutes let alone writing something haha.
Chels: You know, it's funny but sometimes a challenge like that, with a deadline and parameters really helps with creativity! It’s also a lot of fun and hearing what everyone else comes up with can be inspiring and motivating too. The song started as a piano ballad but we decided we needed more bangers in the set haha.
David: Sometimes just closing your eyes and letting the ideas flow is all you need to undo a log jam. Even still this was a rare and lucky occurrence.
You guys have such a great sound, where does that come from and is there anyone or thing that really inspires you/your sound?
Chels: We both really love melodic music, a lot of 60’s influences like the Beach Boys, Dusty Springfield, The Zombies and The Beatles of course. Dave is a huge Elliot Smith fan and also listens to a lot of hip-hop. He is big on lyrics. I grew up listening to and loving a lot of 70s music - Queen, ELO, Carole King, Fleetwood Mac, Steely Dan etc. I also have a soft spot for 1940s jazz and I love 90s dream pop a lot too!
David: Thank you! Not being very technically advanced at my instrument and failing to accurately reproduce my fave artists is mostly how i get my sound.
How do you think you’ve changed as a musician over the years?
Chels: Well, I am the drummer in this band, and I only started that two years ago! That’s a big change for sure. I am better at knowing what I want something to sound like - the gap between my taste and what I make is getting smaller, which is great. I am also much more forgiving of myself for not being perfect all the time, and trying to make music a place for expression and play more than technical prowess.
David: Letting go of the idea of polish and perfection is massive. Being honest with myself about my favorite recordings both of other artists and my own helped me to get there. Let go of your ego and let go of trying to do something a certain way because you think it makes you look better.
What is the biggest highlight of your music journey so far and how did it make you feel?
Chels: So many things! When people take the time to write to us and tell us they love the EP, that feels incredible and we are so grateful to know people are connecting with the music. A professional highlight would have to be opening for Smudge in Sydney!
David: I feel like making a big impression on a small number of people is more valuable than making a small impression on a big number of people but im probably just saying that because we cant boast about opening for You Am I or playing Big Day Out.
And lastly, if you could play at any venue in the world, where would it be and why?
Chels: Oh man, so many! There’s a really cool spot in LA called Hotel Cafe, where so many great artists got their start, I’ve been lucky enough to catch a couple of shows there, and I love it so much. So let’s go with that!
David: Hamilton Station all day!