LiQUiFY Magazine December 2014 | Page 105

2. You guys are big on playing at surf festivals, on the beaches and amongst the surf community in general - what’s some of the best memories or shows you’ve had in that capacity and how was the tour you just finished? Album tours are weird because every album is different and takes some getting used to. My agenda is always to play as much new stuff as I can because it’s fresh and the crowd have their own agenda sometimes. It can be a battle of attrition sometimes but I enjoy it. We’ve been lucky enough to play quite a lot of big festivals and I couldn’t possibly single one out. I will say, playing music anywhere near the beach is always a highlight! 4. Can you please explain how you expect the new record will take you and the band into 2015 and beyond? We have a new stage show that is influenced by a lot of music I love such as dub, hip hop and dancehall. We’re running synths, MPC samplers, tape echoes and a horn section. 3. What was your best surf for 2014, can you tell us where, when and describe the session? (Or worst if that’s more interesting haha!) It hasn’t been a year of a whole lot of amazing waves for me because I’ve been so busy. I’ve had a couple of really good days at some secret spots around home (Sydney) though. A highlight was surfing a reef near my house late one afternoon by myself and having a giant whale breach about 100 feet from where I was sitting. Its belly was lit up in the afternoon light and there wasn’t another soul around to see it. Craziest thing I’ve seen in the surf. 5. Is this album indicative of the musical direction you want to take the band in the future and if so, how? It’s hard to say because it’s always my priority to do things I haven’t done before but I like where it’s at. As time goes on I’m caring less and less about what is ‘popular’ and am becoming more focused on making the best, heaviest, most original sounding music I can. I don’t want to sound like anyone else. 6. If you had to choose between, love, music and surfing, what order would you prioritise them in? Love, surfing and then music. Upcoming Gigs // BYRON: The Great Northern Jan 8 COOLANGATTA: The Cooly Hotel Jan 9 BRISBANE: The Triffid Feb 13 MAROOCHYDORE: Solbar Feb 14 www.matmchughmusic.com