Ahoy

In a band which boasts ten members, even the simplest decisions can become difficult. Though it’s likely that Inland Sea have the ability to rid this burden given the long list of accomplishments they’ve achieved since forming in 2010.

The swift production of their debut EP, ‘Traitor’, is perhaps a reflection of their determination to succeed in the industry, but it’s another element that’s acknowledged by band member Claire Whiting. “It’s more a reflection of our excitement, I think,” she says. "A lot of us were already in the music industry and were in the industry for a while. I’ve been writing songs for years and years and did my solo thing, Alistair had his own band and about seven of the members had their own bands and had been doing that for a while.

“We kind of knew the things that you do, we’d built up those ideas and contacts, so when we met each other and all fell madly in love with each other’s music, we wanted to get it done really quickly and we love it, so we wanted other people to hear it really quickly.”

Having received praise in spades for their live performances, ‘Traitor’ has also enjoyed a tremendous reception in the public and media alike.
“We really like it. The process was really interesting. It has pretty, beautiful folk melodies on it … it’s a big sound; a big, big, folk sounding thing. We have five singers, so there are a lot of harmonies.

“For us, it’s just been really flattering the way people have taken it. For it to be received so well, we love it for that. We loved it before, we get the music, obviously, but other people get it as well and that’s really flattering.”

Admirable is the humbling and modest manner - a vivid feature of the music also - in which they respond to the compliments directed at them. The ‘with a pinch of salt’ approach assures all 20 feet are kept on the ground. “I always say that if you’re going to take a really bad review to heart, you should take a really good review to heart. I think that if you’re going to read reviews, you should probably not take them too seriously. I mean, it’s wonderful and we take the reviewers seriously but we don’t let it go to our heads.

“I think it’s important to stay grounded. When people say really nice things about you, it’s really nice and it feels good, and we thank them, but we’re not going to become big-headed all of a sudden. If we let that sink in too much, then get a bad review, we’re going to take that the same way. What’s needed is a balance; with criticism you need to know what to take on board and what not to take on board.”

A feature sometimes lacking in bands, whether successful or not, is the perfect combination of intelligence and talent. This mixture is not absent in Inland Sea, which is possibly the reason they’re marching onwards with such pace. Having enjoyed a number of tour support slots, including John Steel Singers, the indie pop ten-piece have their sights set on a tour of their own. “We’re very excited; headlining shows is going to be great. Being a ten-person band, sometimes people aren’t prepared for that and headlining our show means that we can make everyone prepared. Practically, it’s great. The fact that we’ll be going on an Inland Sea tour is going to be wonderful, considering we are such a young band as well.”

For July, a residency at the Brisbane Powerhouse will be the platform for their bittersweet alt. folk musings, where the incoming tide brings a number of free shows throughout the month. “It’s always flattering to be given a residency because that means they don’t mind seeing your face every Friday night for a month, but especially at The Powerhouse because it’s such a beautiful venue and just to get to go there and hang out, it’s going to be great.
“We’re going to reveal some new songs and I think it’s the perfect time to do that. So we’ve got that coming up and we’re going to start recording out second EP on July 7.”

To see why they’re held in such high regard, catch them in their element, on stage and in action. In contrast to their music, the reason to see them is simple. “It’s good ol’ music.”

INLAND SEA PLAY THE BRISBANE POWERHOUSE EVERY FRIDAY OF JULY, BEGINNING JULY 1.