COSMIC surf pop musicians Crepes prefer it the old-fashioned way: cassette tapes and recording in analogue.
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The Ballarat-raised but Melbourne-based band just think old technology sounds better.
Having just recorded and released their “starry-eyed” and “nostalgic” new single, Hidden Star, the five-piece has been busy in the studio fashioning the future of its at-once futuristic and retro sound.
Tim Karmouche, the band’s multi-talented singer, songwriter, keys and guitar player, said he’d been getting inspired by the likes of Neil Young, Big Star, Gary Newman and Devo.
“We don’t want to be too hardcore revival but a lot of people do note those influences and that kind of sound,” he said.
“It’s not super modern production either, we still record to tape and use technologies which are old and give it that sound as well purely because we reckon it sounds better in a lot of cases.”
He said the indie pop group had something a little unique.
“The single is pretty space themed and we use a lot more synthesis that most indie bands, a lot more keyboard sounds,” he said.
“It wasn’t until I was a bit older until I got into older music. But definitely 70s music is my biggest influence.”
Crepes, which is about to head off on a national tour to promote Hidden Star, has been climbing Melbourne’s gigging scene, especially since the release of its EP last year, Cold Summers.
They will stop off to play at Karova Lounge next week, back in Ballarat, a city that Karmouche said had given his and other bands plenty of support.
“The Ballarat music scene is good - there are a lot of good bands and a couple of good venues and they’re getting a lot of good touring bands in Ballarat,” he said.
“I think the bookers at Karova and the Eastern are really embracing of young bands coming up, but every outlet is pretty supportive and all the schools as well.”
However, the decision to move the band to Melbourne five years ago had been a good one, he said.
“Melbourne’s just a good place to meet more musicians and immerse yourself in the music scene here and get more experience,” Karmouche said.
Crepes will play at Karova Lounge on April 29. For more details, visit www.karovalounge.com