Dew Process: 2009]
Young and exciting Australian indie four-piece Yves Klein Blue are set to release their much-anticipated full length debut on June 26. The album title ‘Ragged and Ecstatic’ came from the words of Jack Kerouac describing the meaning of life as “the ragged and ecstatic joy of pure being” – a befitting choice of words for a record that overflows with addictive pop hooks, youthful vigour and impressive musicality. After a tiring year of continuous touring and recording, the boys are home for a national tour ending with a spot at Byron Bay’s Splendour in the Grass festival. We caught up with super enthusiastic and charming bass player, Sean Cook, to discuss the band’s amazing year as well as talk about red hair, champagne and who he’s listening to...
The band recorded ‘Ragged & Ecstatic’ in Fairfax Studios in LA with Kevin Augunas (Cold War Kids) – a far cry from the small local studio in Brisbane where they self-recorded their EP. Sean told us the experience was humbling for the band. “It was a shock for us – having Kevin there constantly wanting something better, re-working the melodic parts, always interested in a better way or a different way of approaching a song… Initially we were really taken aback having someone challenging us constantly”. So did anyone get their feelings hurt? “Ha ha! Yeah absolutely – we all had our moments. The process was a kind of non-stop whirlwind, really a creatively bizarre time. We were spending 24-7 with each other and thinking, breathing, dreaming about this record”. But obviously great things came out of it? “It was an education, because we were challenged and our ideas of how to make a song were challenged… but I think as a result of that we made the best record we possibly could.”
‘Ragged & Ecstatic’ is a really impressive album – especially considering it is the debut of a group of guys that are so freaking young. The album - and the Yves Klein Blue sound in general - is difficult to categorise as it doesn’t stick to one obvious genre. In fact, the album veers from the piano-driven pop swagger of single ‘Getting Wise’ to the acoustic call-to-arms of ‘About the Future’ and the The Hold Steady-esque rock storytelling of ‘Dinosaur’. The diversity of sound is linked to the huge catalogue of bands and songs that the band listens to. “We have a pretty scattered list of influences, but I guess at the heart of it we are into good songs – not necessarily die-hard supporters of particular bands.” At the moment he said he’s been listening to Nick Cave’s “Boatman’s Call”, Led Zeppelin II, Elvis Costello’s “Armed Forces”, among endless others.
It was straight-up rock ‘n’ roll talent that led to Yves Klein Blue signing with Australian label Dew Process in 2008. Sean said to celebrate they went out for steak and champagne, “it was extremely civilised, actually.” Champagne is pretty rock and roll though? “Yeah! And we didn’t use glasses either. Put that in!”
Now a year later, the band will play before the green fields at Splendour in the Grass, for the second time after gracing the stage in 2008. “It was probably my favourite gig we’ve ever played – to put it simply. As kids we used to go there and it’s a great festival to be at – it has a pretty unique feel. So being up on the stage and looking down into the crowd… that is completely surreal! We just love playing music together, and now we are getting to travel around and play our music to people…. It’s like a culmination of all this rehearsing and recording and playing our instruments and actually being rewarded for it. I have to pinch myself!”
We asked Sean what his favourite album of the week is and he said a new album that he’s been listening to called ‘North Hills’ by a band called The Dawds - sunny Laurel Canyon-style California pop. We would like to say thanks to Sean for the tip - and for being such a delightful, down-to-earth guy.
Yves Klein Blue have gained a reputation as an exciting live band, and they certainly have genuine charisma and a stage presence that belies their youth, so keep an eye on their tour dates to check them out for yourself. “Ragged & Ecstatic” will be released to the masses on 26 June. For more information on the band visit their website
taken from: http://www.albumoftheweek.com.au/2009/06/yves-klein-blue-ragged-and-ecstatic.html
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