“This one was easy. We recorded half of it in the States at the end of last year then got an arts grant, recorded the other half here in April. So we had the money to just mix it and master it and we’ve put it out independently on our own label, through MGM.”
The US recording stint that Farrell mentions was a self-funded session at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, North Carolina.
Drummer Jarrad Long interpolates that financial restraints meant they weren’t actually conscious of working towards a full length album when recording in America.
“We weren’t picturing an album at the start. We originally were only recording an EP, we didn’t know we’d have the money to record the whole album.”
However, after returning to Australia the band were awarded a grant from Arts Victoria, which fast tracked their album ambitions into fruition.
Asheville proved to be a very creatively prosperous environment for Dancing Heals and Farrell fondly reminisces about the town’s unique atmosphere.
“From the day we got there, there was a good vibe in the air. Even when we got to the studio, the studio manager was so excited for us to be there.”
Farrell elaborates incredulously about the goodwill and kind relations that characterised the week they spent there.
“The moonshine was great, the organic food from the local deli was great. After we did a tour of the studio the day before we recorded, we stayed at a house they had up in this old part of town and the studio manager was like, ‘oh, we filled your fridge with local craft beer and here’s a couple of bottles of whiskey and moonshine, make yourselves at home, see you tomorrow’.”
Even though Asheville is a fairly small town the band unanimously vouch for its thriving music pulse.
“The Moog synthesiser comes from Asheville and when we were there, the last day of recording, they had Moog-fest, so tonnes of bands descend on Asheville, like Santigold, Justice, Death Grips. True to their hospitable form the studio gave us VIP passes and we ate hummus with the stars backstage,” laughs Farrell.
You Will Never Be Younger Than You Are Now is a hearty step forward for Dancing Heals, showing a more developed personality than on their debut. Farrell reveals that the new album’s writing process involved more mutual mediation than Into The Night.
“This album and the direction it was going in the rehearsal room was a lot more collaborative. Dan [Trakell, co-vocalist/guitarist] and I used to bring pretty full songs to rehearsals but now we bring really bare bones, maybe a chorus maybe a verse, and then we flesh it out together.”You Will Never Be Younger Than You Are Now definitely corresponds with American songwriting traditions, notably incorporating elements of heartland rock’s earnest determination. It’s evident that Dancing Heals feel comfortable in America and the college radio support for Into The Night signals their music is resonating with American audiences. Farrell explains that they would like to focus more on the American market with this release, however there is one key factor holding them back. “It would be great to focus on America and Europe but we don’t have backing to do it yet.”
For the time being the band have plenty keeping them busy at home and, armed with their stock of new material, they’re presently making their way around the country. Farrell indicates that their setlist has certainly been enhanced by the additions from the latest record.
“These shows have been really great. We’ve been playing pretty much the whole album live and we haven’t played most of it before at all. It’s been pretty good, definitely a step up I think.”
BY AUGUSTUS WELBY
