Forté chat to vocalist and guitarist Joshua Peasley from the Geelong’s pop/punk band Phoenix Avenue.
Hey Josh, thanks for chatting with us. How are you and what are you up to at the moment?
I’m excited and we’re rehearsing like crazy in preparation for our next string of shows early next year. We’ve also been writing a bunch of new songs that we can’t wait to play live!
You guys just released your music video for ‘My Hands’ which you use Geelong as the backdrop. How was the filming process, was there any huge challenges you guys faced?
The filming process was something I was definitely not familiar with, but nonetheless quickly became one of the best experiences I’ve had since the big move from Queensland. The only real problem we had was when the police thought we were camping on the beach and had a few words to say. But once they were aware what was happening, they were pretty cool about the whole thing!
In the video, it shows you busking on the street. Is that how you began your music career?
I actually started out playing bass when I was 16 with a high school band called Mayfair. But I think it became a career for me when I played my first show at The Brightside back in Brissy under the name Phoenix Avenue. I put a band together and we played stacks of shows around Queensland before I moved to Melbourne and started from scratch in early 2015.
Tell us about your new EP ‘Taste Your Vanity’, what sort of music should we be expecting?
The EP is a series of melodic pop/punk chronicles packed with nostalgic sounds that remind you of the beautiful beaches we call home here in Australia. Influenced by the American punk/pop sounds of Mayday Parade, Panic At The Disco and Fall Out Boy, we tried to capture that sound of 00’s as best we could for the EP.
How does the creation process work for all of you/how do you approach it?
It’s different every time, but the most recent method for us is I will bring in a song (old or new) that is basically a set of chords with a punchy chorus or verse, and Marshal [lead guitarist] will add in his melodic lead lines before Jessie [drums] puts in the magic touch on the beat. Once we have the foundation, we will refine it; write lyrics, counterpoint, and experiment until we’re happy with it.
And we hear you guys are working on your first album already set for release in May 2017?
Yeah, we’re heading towards a heavier sound with the new line-up. Our influences have altered slightly, incorporating a post hardcore feel but still the same pop/punk core remains. We have titled it Cult & Response, it consists of 10 new tracks, and two acoustic bonus tracks.
Thanks again for the chat, any famous last words?
We would like to thank everyone who has assisted us so far, we love you all!
Taste Your Vanity [EP] Available on iTunes, Google Play & Spotify – December 5
Photo by Lucinda Goodwin Photography
