Mercy Arms Interview

Recorded during 2007, Sydney quartet Mercy Arms have finally released their much delayed debut self-titled LP this month.

The album - which was produced by Tony Cohen (Nick Cave, the Dirty Three) and mixed by Tony Espie (the Avalanches, Cut Copy) - is a modern synthesis of styles ranging from the dismal euphony of My Bloody Valentine through to the verse/chorus tunefulness of the Pixies.

Liveguide: How did the band form?

Kieran Callinan: Julian and I met Thom at a Morning After Girls show. I told Thom I played keyboards and we organised to jam. I arrived at his and he had a heap of keyboards set up. After a couple of hours or so of fairly uninspiring jamming I confessed that I wasn’t really all that good a pianist but I did play guitar. He pulled out another six string and we clicked...

LG: You've been a fixture on the live scene for years but are only now releasing your first album.  Has your sound evolved in the transition from the stage to the studio?

KC: Yes, certainly. Our music is actually quite personal and I hope this translates on record more so.

LG: What are your biggest influences?

KC: My Dad and my other Dad.

LG: What's the most memorable gig you've played?

KC: My memory’s not all that good. I’m sorry, I’m going to have to go with the most recent one, wherever it was...
 
LG: You have a very distinctive live presence. Do you plan the staging of your gigs or do you just write up a setlist and play?

KC: Until now it’s always been the latter, but this album tour it can be expected that this might just change...

LG: How do you feel about all the hype the band is getting?

KC: I don’t think there is all that much hype. There certainly has been in the past, but with this release we really want the music to do the talking.

LG: Where do you see Mercy Arms in a year?

KC: Talking to you lovely people about our next record!

For Mercy Arms tour dates CLICK HERE

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