MUSIC: POND MAKES A SPLASH

Perth, Western Australia. It’s one of the most remote, isolated cities in the world. Because of Perth’s relative isolation from other Australian cities, overseas artists often exclude it from their Australian tour schedules. This isolation, however, has encouraged and nurtured a strong local music scene.

Enter, Pond. Pond are a made up of a group of Perth locals, musicians, rascals. With three of the members, also band members of renown psychedelic rock group Tame Impala, Pond are more a love project than a serious rock band. But don’t be fooled, the band is epic, and their live performances have become legendary.

Their new album, Beard, Wives, Denim, in all its ramshackle, reverb-washed, bush psychedelia glory, is out today in the United States.

To mark the occasion, Pond are sharing an album b-side called ‘Pond In A Park’, which you can listen to below.

Pond recorded Beard, Wives, Denim in a country farmhouse in Western Australia in 2010, with 10 friends, a houseful of equipment, cows, sheep, and a mini tent village set up in the surrounding fields. I spoke to Jay Watson about the band, their antics, and what American fans should expect to see on the US tour.

GL: Jay, why Pond? Why juggle two bands with a similar line-up and a not too dissimilar sound?
JW: Yeah, well Tame Impala is Kevin’s (Parker) baby. It’s a serious band with a serious amount of pressure, which is cool. For me, Pond is the fun, party, hang out band. Pond is a band that doesn’t care about reviews or success, we’re just having a good time, and writing whatever we want, and getting drunk and being juveniles.

GL: Do you think that’s why your live shows are so dynamic? Because you’re just about having a laugh?
JW: For sure. We recently played a show in Perth and honestly, it was the best gig ever. I felt like i was high. We just enjoyed the moment so much, the crowd were amazing and so into it. No-one had any expectations or ideas about what they were going see, and we just went off. There was so much energy it was epic.

GL: Was the crowd made up of mates and locals who knew you?
JW: Not at all. Actually we didn’t really have any mates at that gig. I think maybe that’s what did make it so fun, is that we had no idea who anyone was and just rocked out like maniacs.

GL: So how do you feel about bring Pond to the USA on this national tour? Are you worried about how you’ll be receievd after Tame Impala’s success?
JW: I’m so excited to tour the States, because there’s no pressure at all. As i mentioned, we don’t care! For us this is kind of a muck-around band, and if we do well, we’re happy, and if we don’t, we’re having a great time…so nothing really matters but that we’re enjoying what we do.

GL: Beard, Wives, Denim was recorded over a year ago now. With its release only happening today, how do you now feel about the album?
JW: I guess maybe there are some things i’d do differently but what i really like is, when you listen back, you can really hear the personalities; the different personalities of every member. It’s honest australian music and you can hear the honesty when you listen to it.

GL: Can you tell me about your influences and favorite bands? Or rather, just tell me your top 5 bands of all time.
JW: I love this question, but i always go blank when i get asked. I’ll look on my ipod, hang on. Here are my most played: David Crosby, Ty Segall, Shuggie Otis, Beck, The Shangri-Las! (Laughs).

Pond are playing a US national tour with NY-based band, Oberhofer. For dates, see below.

GrandLife Hotels are excited to be hosting the official NY POND & OBERHOFER show after-party, in which both bands will be DJ’ing. The party will be held on the 21st March, 2012. Check back on our events page for details.

Sun March 11th || Fitzgerald’s || Houston, TX *+
Wed March 14th || Hype Machine Party @ The Hype House || SXSW, Austin, TX
Fri March 16th || Official SXSW Showcase, details to come || SXSW, Austin, TX
Sat March 17th || Aussie BBQ @ Maggie Mae’s || SXSW, Austin, TX
Sun March 18th || Low Key Arts || Hot Springs, AR *
Tues March 20th || Johnny Brenda’s || Philadelphia, PA *
Wed March 21st || Bowery Ballroom || New York, NY *
Thurs March 22nd || Brighton Music Hall || Boston, MA *
Fri March 23rd || Casa Del Popolo || Montreal, QC *
Sat March 24th || Cafe Dekcuf || Ottowa, ON *
Sun March 25th || The Drake Hotel || Toronto, ON *
Tues March 27th || Lincoln Hall || Chicago, IL *
Wed March 28th || Taylor University || Upland, IN *
Fri March 30th || Cactus Club || Milwaukee, WI *
Sat March 31st || The Maintenance Shop || Ames, IA *
Mon April 2nd || 7th Street Entry || Minneapolis, MN *
Wed April 4th || A Club || Spokane, WA *
Thurs April 5th || Sunset Tavern || Seattle, WA *
Fri April 6th || The Biltmore Cabaret || Vancouver, BC *
Sat April 7th || Jinx Art Space || Bellingham, WA *
Sun April 8th || Squeak & Squawk Music || Tacoma, WA *
Mon April 9th || Mississippi Studios || Portland, OR *
Wed April 11th || Rickshaw Stop || San Francisco, CA *
Fri April 13th || The Echo || Los Angeles, CA

* with Oberhofer
+ with A Place To Bury Strangers