Energetic folksters Perch Creek are back

Family band Perch Creek are back with a mischievous new single ‘Gold Shop’, a thrilling car-chase of a track which signals the second taste of Perch Creek’s new self-titled album, which is an eclectic and innovative collection of harmony-driven folk, evocative pop and offbeat soul, set for release on April 13. We chat to guitarist and vocalist Eileen Hodgkins ahead of the band’s massive run of shows to celebrate the upcoming release.
Hey Eileen, thanks for chatting to Forte! How are you and what have you been up recently?
I’m good thanks. I’ve been up to a million things lately! Recording an album and now prepping for its release, being a first-time stunt woman in our film clip, booking a tour, running a creative warehouse in Coburg, and working some day jobs in between to hold it all together!
For those who don’t know, give us a quick rundown of what it was like growing up in the Perch Creek area, and the non-traditional upbringing you guys had. And how did you then go on to form a band?
It seemed like a normal childhood to us until our friends told us otherwise! We had real hippie parents and grew up with eight kids and no TV on a property in northern NSW. Our dad started the jugband project for us to busk at the local markets as well as giving him a creative outlet. We used to pile into the family bus and head off to play at the markets, late night malls to rowdy street crowds and festivals all over, which helped out with the family income. As we got older, we got sick of him telling us what to do so we kicked him out of the band. Since then, it’s grown into our own thing, which has taken us to a lot of cool places and has evolved to something completely different.

Just about to drop the new self-titled album in April, which is an eclectic and innovative collection of harmony-driven folk, evocative pop and offbeat soul. Tell us about that process and how long has it been in the works?
This one has been a long time coming! We started writing this album way back in 2014 – we were on a European tour and took a week off in Wales, hired a beautiful countryside cottage and went to town jamming and writing together. Following that, we took our time finishing the songs – when you are working in a five-way collaboration, there are a lot of steps, a lot of opinions and a lot of arguments.

As you mentioned, this album has been a long time coming for you guys, and it marks a distinct change in direction. What direction are you hoping to head in following this album? And what spurred the shift in sound?
When it came to writing for this album, we knew that we had taken the jugband sound to it’s natural conclusion and wanted to start a new sound. We didn’t know what that sound was, so we just jammed and whatever felt right we ran with. The result was more of a 60s/70s rock sound than our previous stuff but we feel it still captures our essence as a band. The shift was a natural evolution for us to just write the kind of music that we felt excited to play live.
Thanks for taking the time to chat. We’re looking forward to seeing you in Geelong. To finish up, what are your goals for 2018? What else can we expect to see from you guys?
Thanks! This will be our first show in Geelong. We’re looking forward to releasing this album, going on tour again, playing festivals later on in the year and making more film clips. Expect to see heaps of blue and yellow.
‘Gold Shop’ is set for release on March 23, and Perch Creek will be available through MGM distribution on April 13.
When & Where: The Workers Club, Geelong – June 21 & Theatre Royal, Castlemaine – June 22.