Q&A: Buckley Ward

Define your genre in five words or less:

We are a pop band.

So, someone is walking past as you guys are playing, they then go get a beer and tell their friend about you... what do they say?

“…then the hairy one is yelling at the one on its back and it’s like all chaos and bees are freakin’ everywhere and I’m just running man, running for my life. Later when it all calms down I’m still walking but it’s like I’m walking through some kind of fluid and it’s totally slowing me down. It slows down everything, even time. Then there’s this music coming from somewhere and everywhere and nowhere. I can’t pinpoint the source but it’s pulling me towards it in every direction, like it’s absorbing me into its conscience or something. I know, weird.”

How long have you been gigging and writing?

In our current form for about a year.

What has been your favourite gig you’ve played to date?

Last Saturday in Sydney was pretty amazing. We played a show with Winter People and Boats Of Berlin (two amazing Sydney bands) to an awesome sell out crowd.

Which band would you most like to have a battle/showdown with?

Having a showdown with another band sounds horrible. If we win we make them feel bad. More likely if we lose, we feel bad. Let’s just hook up for some beers, everyone wins.

What inspires or has influenced your music the most?

Mediocrity.

What do you think a band has to do these days to succeed?

First you need a cool story. In our case, we were all raised by an unruly dwarf-horse. Second, you need an obvious famous comparison combo that hasn’t been done yet. For us, think Crowded House breast-feeding Animal Collective. Third, you pretty much need unlimited time, money, patience, hair and a loose moral fibre. Shake well, let nature take its course and you should be right.

Do you have any record releases to date? What? Where can I get it?

We have a single on our website (buckleyward.com) that’s free. It’s from an upcoming record.

Why should everyone come and see your band?

Because we are the prescribed antidote to all your ailments and fears.

When are you playing live/releasing your album/EP/single/etc?

We’re playing at Yah Yah’s on Saturday September 24 with I, A Man and Birds For Running, both fantastic Melbourne bands. Then us. Also good.