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 Brissie rockers GRAND ATLANTIC’s PHIL USHER offers BIRDIE their two cents on how to make your way in life with the second single off their latest album, How We Survive.
Feeling confused and overwhelmed by the world? Who could blame you for needing a guide to the 21st century and the modern difficulties it presents … Fear not. "It seems to be easy for some people, but a lot of people struggle with just day-to-day life," offers front man Phil Usher. "The album is a collection of stories about that. Some people only write when they’re depressed but I’m the opposite, I only write when I’m happy! Still, I have suffered from depression over the last five years so there is an element of that, though I try to focus on hope rather than despair. Our music doesn’t really have a stark element, it’s more joyous than anything. It’s a celebration of life but it acknowledges the things we deal with in the modern age that our ancestors never had to deal with before. In some ways we have it much easier than them, but in other ways they never faced what we face."
As single number two since the album’s release mid-last year, Coast Is Clear will see the band on the road through to February, followed by a tri-residency across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland in May, but not before the all-important trek across America this March, Usher adds.
"Coast Is Clear is a shoegaze-y kind of rock track that’s had a lot of interest in America on blogs and podcasts," he explains. "We had a song used on NBC’s summer campaign for a new show last year, so that already opened the door for us. The US is not our number one choice of destination – I lived in the States for a few years – but sometimes a door opens and you’ve got to walk through it. The UK is difficult because it’s so fashion-driven and not really what we’re about at all, but we’ve got a positive response in America so we’ll see how it goes."
Sometimes doors also open within doors, as Grand Atlantic have discovered – with South By Southwest being added to the band’s 15-date American tour in March.
"Being invited to South By Southwest is a big step for any band," Usher says. "In some ways you make your own luck, that’s always in the back of my mind, so I hope we go well. For now, we’re concentrating on the Australian shows with Blackchords and Sierra Fin. I was just listening to their stuff this morning and they’re great. They’re both kind of in the same vein of music as us in their unique way. The idea for the tour was that each band is from a different state so that when we get to Victoria, Queensland or New South Wales, each of the bands shares the headlining depending on the state. It should be interesting. You can play in your own city only so much before they’ve had enough of you!"
GRAND ATLANTIC, Blackchords and Sierra Fin play the Miami Tavern on Friday Jan 22, The Globe on Saturday Jan 23 and Bon Amici on Sunday Jan 24. HOW WE SURVIVE is out now through Laughing Outlaw. www.myspace.com/grandatlantic
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