Five years ago they had their last gig, or so we though. Ballarat band Epicure are back for a few strictly limited shows in support of the re-release of their hit album The Goodbye Girl on vinyl. We had a chat to Juan Alban [guitar/vocals] on what the band has been up to since their last good-byes.
Hi Juan, thanks for taking the time to chat to Forte magazine, how are you and what are you up to right now?
I’m well! Busy preparing for our hometown reunion show at Karova lounge on May 16.
How has life been since the last few gigs in 2010?
It’s been great! Been Living in Melbourne the last four years, and I released my debut solo album 18 months ago called ‘Dr Pelican On Holiday’.
And how are you feeling about these upcoming shows?
Really excited! We played The Northcote Social Club to a big crowd on May 2nd, which was our first show in five years and we can’t wait to catch up with all our friends in Ballarat.
Given it has been five years since the last show, was there much rehearsal that you guys needed to do or have you picked up where you left off?
We’ve only rehearsed a couple of times and we’ve all been really surprised how quickly it’s come back to us. The band’s sounding the best it ever has which is surprising!
The shows are in support of releasing your hit album on vinyl, is it nice for the songs to now have that beautiful rich sound of being on vinyl?
Definitely! We’re all big fans of the format and have pretty decent collections at home. Having an Epicure album on vinyl was always a dream we thought would go unfulfilled so when it all came about we were suitably stoked!
Have you had a chance to listen to it yet?
I have! It sounds lovely on vinyl… brings back some wonderful memories of the band’s heyday.
It’s nice as well that Heart of the Rat are releasing it as it is a Ballarat run company. Are you pretty proud of what the guys are doing?
Yeah those guys are doing amazing things and we wish them every success. The guys who run the label are exceptional musicians in their own right so I think it’s great to be involved with people who are as passionate about their craft as we are, and have experienced the highs and lows of being in bands themselves. It really shows in the way they run the label.
Why do you think it’s important to keep vinyl records around?
I think a lot of people have special memories associated with vinyl records. For me it’s listening to my parent’s records as a kid. They’re some of my earliest memories and no doubt influenced me to become a musician myself. There’s something about vinyl that gets you more involved as a listener. The process of taking it out and laying it down, turning it over etc and then sitting down with the cover and reading the lyrics as you listen.
As for the show, was it hard deciding what tracks of yours to play?
It was yeah. We’re playing a lot from The Goodbye Girl, but choosing the other tracks was tougher. The sets at the both shows will be a little different too, just in case people are coming to both
Have you missed performing as a band?
I have personally yeah… We did it for so long that there’s been something really comforting about performing with Epicure again. Besides, the guys are some of my best friends. We went through a lot together and it’s been nice to just do some shows without any of the pressure that you deal with with when the band is a going concern.
Thanks again for chatting with us, is there anything else you’d like to share?
Yes! To coincide with the reunion shows we’re also hosting an exhibition of our bass player Tim’s artwork. Tim did all of Epicure’s artwork throughout the years but he’s never exhibited them publicly before. The exhibition will be held at The Lost Ones gallery, located at 14 Camp St in Ballarat, just around the corner from Karova. The opening is on Friday May 15 from 6-8pm and the exhibition will also be open from 1-9pm on May 16… the day of the gig!! Admission is free.
When & Where: Karova Lounge, Ballarat – May 16
Exhibition: The Lost Ones Gallery, Ballarat – from 6pm May 15 until 9pm May 16