Independent record label Tremorverse Records have released their second compilation album, Two, which comes after the success of the label’s debut release, One in 2018. Two crosses genre boundaries, bringing the sounds of jazz, hip hop, indie rock, folk and more together on one LP. Amongst those featured on the compilation album is Melbourne five-piece Diamonds of Neptune, who boast a unique take on the indie-rock genre. We sit down with the band following Two’s release.
Hey guys, thanks for chatting with Forte Mag! First up, can you tell our readers a bit about the band and your music?
We have actually been a band for quite a while. Our vocalist and guitarist met way back in 2010 at University and we added members from there. Pink Floyd and Tame Impala initially inspired us heavily. While our current genre sits in the indie dream-pop bracket, there is still evidence of early rock and psychedelic influences.
Congrats on being apart of the Tremorverse Records compilation album, Two. How did your relationship with TR come about?
Our vocalist Matt goes to Box Hill Institute, where the label is based. He submitted ‘Open The Door’ for consideration on their upcoming compilation. They liked it so much that they decided it should be one of the singles.
Tell us a bit about your track ‘Open The Door’?
The song came about when Matt (vocals) layered a couple of scratch vocals on top of a track that Alex (bass) had created. In one of the takes was the notable line and title of the song, ‘Open the Door’. This inspired and paved the way thematically for the rest of the song both sonically and lyrically. On the surface, it’s about heading out on the weekend to forget about troubles during the week, but it also refers to shifting your mindset from either past or future and finding solace in the present.
Why is this the track that was chosen to feature on the compilation?
According to Merida and Sarah from Tremorverse, they simply loved the track. We like to think the track this was due to the fact that while it can be classified as a dance-pop song, it’s also augmented by a psychedelic solo section and half-time outro.
Is there a particular track on the album (besides your own!) that you’re really getting around?
It would have to be ‘Apocalypse Later’ by ‘Pseudoskateboard’. Not only because it’s a track that is somewhat reminiscent of the band ‘Pixies’ but also due to the way in which the song came about. It was the winner of the inaugural ‘Creative Cup’, a competition held by Box Hill Institute and entered into by Students of all music faculties. This song was one of many that had to be written and recorded in just 2 days.
You’ve released a few singles across the years, and we hear there’s a debut album coming at the end of the month. Can you tell us a bit about this, what can we expect to hear?
It’s an album featuring 11 entirely new tracks, including ‘Open The Door’, as well as previously released singles ‘Give A Little’ and ‘Leave It All Behind’. It is s gradient of sonic colours, a reflection of our genre evolution as a band. It has something for all fans of our music, past, present and undiscovered.
You’re celebrating with a launch show at the Evelyn, and you’ve also got the Two Compilation album launch in Box Hill this month. What do you love most about performing live?
I think more than anything it’s playing together as a band. There’s an on-stage chemistry there that you don’t find easily. It’s there regardless of fluctuations in performance and crowd numbers.
Two is out now via Tremorverse Records. The album launch will down at The Venue, Box Hill Institute, Box Hill on Friday, October 18.