Far from an amalgamation of singles sitting together alienly within an LP, Graffiti Welfare’s debut alt-psych-pop album, Revolving Shores, is a tight-knit construction of experimentally composed singles that gel together to tell an anxious coming-of-age story. I sat down with the group to have a chat about their background and what is to come.
To anyone new to your music, name 3 words that best describe your sound.
Psychedelic. Intimate. Ethereal.
What’s your writing process like? Do you write the music or lyrics first?
I usually start out by finding a combination of chords on keys, layering sounds and sculpting a soundscape, and then when I have something that’s resonating well, I loop it and improvise lyrics. Then record vocals and see what lyrics fit the song best. Lots of improvising and refining is the best approach for me.
Who are your main musical influences and why?
Tame Impala – Lonerism: I was a huge fan of Tame’s first album, Innerspeaker, so when Kevin Parker released Lonerism, it completely inspired me to start recording myself. The way he was able to mix synths and pop into his solo, pyschrock production just felt so fresh and needed. I felt called to create in a similar way, and feel that there’s so much room to explore between electronic pop and psych rock.
Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion / Feels: Animal Collective is my favorite band of all time, and both of these albums continue to be gold standards for me. Merriweather is seamless and so dreamy, while Feels is raw and heavy. I tried to find a combination on Revolving Shores where the album experience carried the listener through ups and downs.
Miles Davis – Bitches Brew: I have to mention Miles Davis. I love the intimate early classical jazz like Kind of Blue, but when he goes full pysch on Bitches Brew, it’s so good. Abrasive but funky, innovative yet familiar. There’s something about the mix of that album that makes me feel like I’m in the studio with Miles and the Producer. Clever loops and effects that take the recordings to another level, and I found great comfort in this while I was trying to finish Revolving Shores.
Give our listeners some music recommendations that we should check out!
Beyond Tame Impala, Animal Collective, and Miles Davis, here’s some more recent stuff that has been grabbing my attention lately:
Youth Lagoon – Heaven is a Junkyard
Unknown Mortal Orchestra – V
Masayoshi Takanaka – AN INSATIABLE HIGH
Loving – Lately in Another Time
King Tuff – Smalltown Stardust
What’s in store for you for the rest of the year?
After years mixing and mastering Revolving Shores, and then making music videos and promoting heavily, I’m finally getting back into recording and working through various directions for my next album. I’m going to try to release at least one single this year to build momentum for the next album. Stay tuned!
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