INTERVIEW: Midnight Juggernauts
We have a chat to Midnight Juggernauts about their new album and track 'Memorium'.
This year the MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS lads have been very busy, playing the Groovin' The Moo tour, releasing their album Uncanny Valley and made a very interesting video to accompany their new track 'Memorium'.
The video follows the evolution of CGI technology and proves that MIDNIGHT JUGGERNAUTS are still one of the greatest bands floating around.
We had a chat to the trio about how far they've come and to see how their year has panned out for them.
First of all, congratulations on the new album! I've been a Juggernauts fan ever since your very first EP and I have to say, I think 'Memorium' is one of the best songs you've ever written. How has the overall response been for 'Uncanny Valley'?
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Well thank you! It’s great to have a new album out. We had a bit of a break before this so it’s good to dive back into it and release some new sounds. The album’s been getting a really good response which we’re happy with. We also like that we’ve now been out there for nearly 10 years and have 3 albums which feels like a catalogue! We’re just finishing off a quick run of shows in Europe and it was great to play new songs as well as some music from our first EPs, and audiences are connecting with all these eras and chapters.
At your last show in Sydney at Oxford Art Factory, as you know, a man proposed to his girlfriend on stage. Has this sort of thing ever happened before? Is it reassuring to know relationships are sometimes formed because people enjoy your music so much?
Yes it is quite amazing that you can release some music which will float out into the ether and take on it’s own journey. Travelling into strangers lives and becoming a song which soundtracks some kids morning jog around the gardens, or a Spanish couples roadtrip through Mexico, or some couple falling in love. That wedding proposal was something else.
Way back in 2006, I saw you support the legendary Gerling at The Rev in Brisbane. Were they a big inspiration for you at the time?
Yeah I always liked Gerling. I saw them play many times and was happy when we got to support them. A lot the early shows are when you’re still finding your feet so it’s quite a relief when you can play your gig and then go watch the headline act with everyone else, after stealing from their rider. Would be great to see them reunite for a show in a few years when they have time.
I noticed recently you mentioned you had a really good time on the Groovin' The Moo tour, especially when you got to visit Magnetic Island, which for those who aren't aware, is a 20 minute ferry ride from Townsville. Can you tell us about your experience over there?
Yeah, that was a fun tour. Plus, it was apart of our first run of shows after our break. We were playing to pretty young crowds and our album wasn’t out yet so I’m sure there were many kids who had no idea who we were, but it was good getting to play to new audiences and testing new material. Magnetic Island was lovely. We had sailing races and enjoyed some warm Queensland Sun during the Australian winter. I also picked up a snake and ate about 50 oysters.
What were some of your most memorable moments of Groovin' The Moo? Do you have any hilarious backstage stories you can share with us?
Nothing too crazy. It was quite civilized. Did I mention we got to hold a snake? Also got very lost in Bendigo. We ate a lot of good food and drank Kahlua. Plus, we jumped around to friends' bands.
As it is a five date tour, that particular festival is known for creating friendships between the artists. Which ones did you bond with the most?
We mainly hung out with the Tame Impala guys who we were touring with at the time as well. We did some jamming with some of the Pond dudes in between shows when on the west coast. I guess we’ve known them for a little while. It was great to see The Temper Trap guys again. We played a lot of the same shows back in the day through ’06. It’s interesting to see the trajectory everyone has tacken in their own little directions. It was good to see Regurgitator play again too. I forgot how big their catalogue is.
On your upcoming national tour you're playing at The Metro Theatre in Sydney. Can you remember when the last time you played at this venue was? Have you got anything special lined up for these shows to celebrate your latest album release?
Yeah it will be great to return to the Metro. It’s been a few years since we’d played there. We’ll play old stuff and new stuff and a few surprises. We’re touring with good friends Kirin J Callinan and Fascinator too who are both unique artists. It should be a special gig. Thunder and lightning and all of the above! We’re going to make it interesting.
Words by Tony Kingston
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