When we last touched base with The Black Ryder they were preparing to release their debut album Buy The Ticket, Take the Ride. A lot has happened since, so I recently caught up with Aimee Nash to talk about all these exciting events.
When I spoke to Scott last year he was hopeful that your album Buy The Ticket, Take The Ride would be released overseas. Since that time you’ve signed deals for release in Japan and the United States. How does it feel to have that dream realised?
To be honest it’s been so busy the last few days/weeks/months that I don’t think either of us have had time to think about how we feel. Since the beginning of this musical project/happening, we’ve always thrown ourselves into every aspect of it, including the business side of things, which sadly can take up a lot of time (particularly lately!).
I guess there’s certainly a feeling of relief that things are coming together, but there’s no time to rest or get too silly about things; there’s plenty more to be done.
You’ve signed up with relatively small record labels overseas. Why did you choose that route over the larger, more commercial labels?
I wouldn’t necessarily call Mexican Summer a ‘small’ record label, but more of a strong independent.
I was over in NYC and LA in November/December having meetings with different labels with our manager at the time. We met with a fair few bodies; interestingly enough one of the meetings we’d had with a really large/commercial label, which resulted in Mexican Summer getting in contact with us.
Things seem to fall into place at the right time with the right people. We’re still in discussions regarding a UK/Europe release, hoping to make more announcements on this front soon.
Are you planning trips abroad to support those international releases?
Most definitely, more on this later.
You don’t often play live shows, but you’re heading on the road next month to support The Cult. Are you looking forward to getting back in front of an audience?
Very much looking forward to the tour. We had a lot of fun playing at Playground Weekender at the beginning of the year. We have a new drummer playing with us now as well, Nick Kennedy, who brings something quite incredible to our music. Jules and Archi are still playing with us, we all enjoy playing together. I believe we’re close to announcing our own run of dates soon post Cult tour. I know that we haven’t played many of our own shows but it’s all feeling good right now so we really do want to get out there and play some more, not too much though. Less can sometimes be more, and we never wanted to be a band who plays every other weekend.
Are you big fans of The Cult?
Sure, they’re one of those bands I discovered a long time ago, so they hold a place in my heart. I saw them the last time they were out here and it was awesome; they definitely know how to put on a show.
When I spoke to Scott last year he said he saw you as more of a studio project than a live band. How do you translate what you do to the stage?
With great care, a lot of rehearsals and an open mind (and a fair few guitar effects/pedals). I believe that we both would have felt that way when we started writing and recording, because we didn’t have a band. It was Scott and I at the helm of writing and recording everything, and we had the occasional friend/special guests contribute parts along the way. I’d say that where we’re at right now we’re certainly enjoying playing together and have been rehearsing regularly together, which is a luxury we didn’t have when we started this.
You released a gorgeous video for your song “Sweet Come Down.” What’s it like to work in that visual creative medium?
Thanks! I absolutely loved the whole process of working on the visual creative, from our artwork to our film clip. Michael Spiccia was the man behind the vision with ‘Sweet Come Down,’ there were many crazy red wined fueled late night discussions, many different ideas being thrown around, things starting out one way and ending up somewhere completely different. It was exciting and inspiring, to work with someone who ‘sees’ something in your music, who can create a story behind it, how wonderful.
We love Michael, we’ve often said he’s the silent member of The Black Ryder because he brings something to our music that can sometimes be just as important to the way people perceive your music/your band. We have a common inner darkness and we’re both the same star sign if that means anything. I’m not sure, but whatever it is, we work really really well together. We’re actually catching up tomorrow night to start working on the next clip, so we’re very excited about that. We can’t wait to get started.
You joined old pals The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club track “Done All Wrong,” which was then picked up for the Twilight New Moon soundtrack. Did that song’s success take you by surprise?
I don’t know that the success of it took me by surprise. I think I was more surprised and excited to have been asked to sing on it in the first place. I wasn’t really following the whole Twilight phenomenon. I’m sure what my idea of success is would be different to the next person’s. The success part for me was doing any type of collaboration with one of my favorite bands/musicians/artists (Peter Hayes/Black Rebel Motorcycle Club).
You’ve worked with so many amazing artists. Are there any other musicians still on your wish list?
No one specifically. We never set out with any intention of approaching people to work with us, things just happened very naturally. I’m just keen to find some time soon to get back to writing and recording again.
Following The Cult tour, what’s next on the agenda for The Black Ryder?
We’ll be announcing more shows very soon in Australia so will be looking forward to playing more. We’ve just released the album in Japan last week with the U.S release coming in the next few months as well so I guess we’ll be working those releases, planning more in other countries, and then working on doing some OS shows later in the year. That’s enough for now I think.
You can catch The Black Ryder with The Cult at the following shows.
5 May 2010 – The Tivoli, Brisbane
6 May 2010 – Big Top Luna Park, Sydney
8 May 2010 – Palais Theatre, Melbourne
10 May 2010 – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
12 May 2010 – Metro Theatre, Perth
Image used with permission from Original Matters