It’s hard to believe gritty rock band Polish Club only has two members.
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While bands like The White Stripes have set formidable standards for what can be achieved with duos, those lofty heights have rarely been reached since.
But Sydney duo Polish Club, who have just released their debut album, are already giving minimalism in music a respectable shot in the arm.
Frontman and guitarist Novak said the trick to creating such a full rock sound was to “not think about it too much”.
“It was never a conscious decision to get into a room with only two people and write music; it was kind of the circumstances, but it seemed to work,” he said.
“We don’t try to overthink it.”
Novak also said it was The White Stripes’ music, rather than the fact they were a two piece, that inspired him and drummer John-Henry.
“That whole era of The White Stripes, when The Strokes were popular, that kind of music had a huge effect on me at least,” he said.
“It was not so much that those bands were two pieces but that they paved the way for what we do.”
He also said he didn’t think bringing in extra musicians would have any benefit.
It’s a really simple thing. It ends up being a really simple song and hopefully a genuine vibe.
- Novak, Polish Club frontman
“We could add other people I’m sure but I don’t think it would at this point, with the way we write together, add to the music.”
With a sound and a look reminiscent of the Detroit heyday, Polish Club’s brand has been described as low-tech “scuzz”.
Novak said he hoped that brand gave the pair a sense of musical authenticity.
“John and I are not the best musicians out there – I can barely play a guitar and the way John plays the drums is not necessarily technically incredible, but he has more passion and more energy than anyone I’ve ever seen.
“We try to feel it out, we try not to think about how we’re writing songs and dwell on the process, it’s a really simple thing.
“It ends up being a really simple song and hopefully a genuine vibe.”
Nowhere is that more obvious than in the pair’s new self-directed video Beat Up, which is described as embracing distortion, technical issues and “bad internet connections”.
Polish Club will perform at Karova Lounge on December 15. Tickets at www.karovalounge.com