Blackwood Jack Exclusive
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Blackwood Jack Exclusive

Warrnambool lads, Blackwood Jack are set to launch their self-produced, 6 track EP this weekend at The Loft in their hometown.  This has been a long time coming for the trio comprising of Ben Cue, Daniel Paroissien and Talen Galbraith and we had a chat to the alt-rockers about this exciting milestone! Blackwood Jack have also given Forte the exclusive to premiere their first video, for single ‘Fall Apart’ check it out below!
Hi guys, thanks so much for taking the time to chat to Forte, how has the EP launch preparation been treating you?
Relatively cruisey, choosing to do our launch in our hometown first prior to a Melbourne launch gives us the opportunity to do some different production methods that we may not have been able to do down in Melbourne. Own soundguy, lighting dude, backdrops, smoke machines, recording/filming (all the bells and whistles) and having our favourite local acts on the bill means it’s going to be a real party. With an after party. We’ve had so much support from Hawk at the Loft so why not give some back.
You originally began the recording process for the EP back in April, how long did you record for and how and where did you record?
We took a weekend out at a secluded hall in Crossley (just south of Koroit). Having a mate whose willing to lend out his studio gear is definitely a plus. The 6 songs off the EP were tracked live in an arvo, then we spent that night and next morning adding overdubs/embellishments. With most of the vocals kept from the live takes, and being on our own time meant we got to relax without keeping our eyes on the clock watching the benjamins tick over. After having it in the can, things kinda got in the way and the mixing process got drawn out a little. It was mixed in conjunction with our pal Brenton Smith (God) at Smith Sound in Narringal and Adam Dempsey at Jack The Bear Studios has his mastering prowess all over it.
The band has been together almost two years now, how did Backwood Jack originally come about?
Cover band. Way back when, we started out as a cover band.
Your style is both unique and refreshing, how would you describe your sound and from where do you draw inspiration for your music?
I think we all have relatively different tastes in music, and with our contrasting personalities all bringing something interesting to the table gives us a good dynamic to work with.
But yeah, we’re just trying to be as original as possible and keeping ourselves on our toes with new material and the constant struggle of moving forward musically so nothing becomes stale.
It’s also good having a strong regional music scene, being able to be influenced by your mates bands as much as what is happening down in Melbourne.
What would be your favourite song from the EP and why?
Pretty tough question guys haha. We all dig different songs on it for different reasons, I (Daniel) favour Sandbags because of Ben’s ability to go from soulful swooning to brash abrasiveness with his voice, and the dynamic lift at the end is rewarding for the listener whose willing to stick out the whole EP to the last note. Talens is Fall Apart because of the groove. Bens is The Pessimist due to it being tracked all live first take, Dr. Dog-esque; the way it swings like a drunken lullaby and builds dynamically. In his opinion his strongest lyric off the EP. The bridge lyric is written on the inside of the gatefold case, under the CD tray.
All local Warrnambool boys, how do you spend your time when not playing gigs and recording?
2x tradies and 1x Drum Store manager. Nothing too mysterious about us. Hobbies in the past have included skateboarding, but lack of skill prevented us from really taking it to the next level
How do you view the live-music scene in Warrnambool and Regional Victoria as a whole, do you have some other bands from the region you look up to?
A lot stronger than some people think. All the local bands around here support each other well, and the crew that turn out to The Loft most weekends are top notch!
Make sure you check out Red Eagle, The Infants, Kashmere Club, King Evil & The Alamo.
You have played a whole heap of shows and festivals all around the state, including Kennedy’s Creek, Arockalypse, Brunswick MF and even some shows in Queensland, what has been your favourite show to date and where do you enjoy performing most?
There’s been a few! Can’t beat a weekend at Kennedys Creek. Close to that would be the iconic Cherry Bar, and Queenscliff MF a while back was pretty sick!
What does 2015 hold for the band, have you got many touring plans and what is you goal for the year?
At this stage we want to get back in the studio as soon as possible and hopefully have a new single out early 2015. Organising a Melbourne launch and subsequent shows up the coast is on the cards, and try and garner some more good support shows. Might even get another EP out too.
Thanks again for chatting with us, is there anything else fans should know about Blackwood Jack?
Thanks for having us. Make sure you check out our new 8 Bit video clip for ‘Fall Apart’ taken off the EP. Gets pretty intense!
Here it is:  Fall Apart- Blackwood Jack