Insulinfunk Interview with The Morning After Girls
by Blake Garris ~ June 30th, 2009. Filed under: Interview, Music.
The Morning After Girls is a shoegaze-rock-sometimes-electronic band from Melbourne, Australia. They’re getting amazing reviews from the likes of Rolling Stone, NME, and Kerrang! to name only a few; and they haven’t even released their album, The General Public, yet. We recently got the opportunity to talk with frontman Martin B. Sleeman and it was just in the nick of time, because they’re about to be huge.
To begin, super producer Alan Moulder (Depeche Mode, Jesus and the Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine, Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, Blonde Redhead, etc.) mixed your upcoming album alone. How did you get him and what did he bring to the table for the record?
We were also fortunate to have our friend Robbie Rowlands mix on the album too. Our former manager, David Weisz, contacted Alan after we expressed a very strong desire to work with him on our album. Conversations and music was shared, a mutual respect developed, and within a short period of time, we were in London, mixing with possibly our most-respected musical producer. Alan brings a wonderful level of possibilities, refreshing openness to collaboration, and, in my opinion, the most unique approach to songs co-existing as singular parts and also parts of a whole (album).
The teaser EP you sent out is incredible. What can we expect from the full length?
Thank you. Quite simply, you can expect an album. I state this what used to be the “obvious.” However, I haven’t experienced the arrival of a true album in many years; a journey from start to finish, that is both an individual experience, but one that can also be shared by virtue of it’s effect on each individual. These things need to be celebrated more.
You’ve been getting a lot of comparisons to shoegaze bands. I know it’s a generic question, but how would you describe your music?
I don’t believe music can be described. Indeed, it’s flattering to be compared with bands we respect, but I really believe that comparisons are made to save people investing real time into music. It’s such a paradox when music is placed into this category or that category. I really urge you to listen to it, feel it, and honestly, you won’t need to ask that question. Music must be personal, not categorized.
You’ve also been doing a lot of press lately. Besides the questions I’m asking, which ones are you most sick of?
I don’t get sick of questions really. I think it’s important to add different currents to streams that may have become stagnant or tired. Like those areas of rivers where dead-water gathers. It might always be there, but it’s important that gets shaken up.
When you’re not touring, what’s a normal day like for Martin B. Sleeman?
Quite honestly, every day is different. I don’t see much normality in my days. Not to imply that there’s some new circus passing through my lounge-room every day, but quite sincerely, I really couldn’t say. My external interests – such as seeing the material-world through a lens – are a constant feature with each day, as well as long periods of mind-body observations. However, it really does depend on the nature of each day.
What’s a Morning After Girls show like?
It’s really something that you have to experience for yourself. I don’t mean to avoid the question, but really, these things contain and retain their beauty, because they don’t rely on descriptions to have the effect that they do. We are conducting an algebra class. You know?
You’re from Melbourne but recently moved to New York. What are the most striking similarities and differences in the music scenes?
I really don’t believe there are any scenes anywhere at the moment. I don’t believe that there has been a real “scene” anywhere, in a really long time. And to be honest, I don’t believe in scenes. They are just another attempt by people (who are not usually in a band), to impose boundaries upon and negate individuality.
We recently interviewed An Horse and Youth Group, two great bands from Australia as well. Is there a musical invasion coming to the states that we don’t know about?
No, I don’t believe so. Although, you would probably be best to ask someone who pays attention to that sort of stuff.
We asked them both what the worst Australian stereotypes were and they basically said anything involving celebrities and crocodiles. What’s yours?
They are all kind of stupid really. But let’s see, celebrities? Well, most of them were not even born in, raised in, or even live, in Australia.
What do you ultimately want to accomplish through the band?
Whatever the band demands, from moment to moment. If one gets too caught up with sticking to some grand plan, one loses perspective of what can be accomplished with each new moment. So many things effect the answer to this question, which is why I don’t think in the sphere of “ultimate” accomplishments, etc. It’s counter-productive to what I believe a band to be.
After the release of your record, what’s next for The Morning After Girls?
We plan to tour extensively; firstly throughout the US, then most likely to Japan, Australia, UK, and Europe. We’re always fleshing out ideas for the next album as well, simply to keep inspired.
And finally, what’s the meaning of life?
The meaning of life is to know thy self. Form a harmonious relationship between your body and your mind so that your heart is your self, your path, your truth; within you, and without you.