My Echo - Darcy Carter
Questions: Stuart Millen
Melbourne's My Echo are all about hard work and rock n roll. Four years of playing, recording and touring has seen the band travel the country, both on their own and playing support for some of Australia's finest rock bands. Having released their self-funded and self-produced EP The New Approach in 2011, the band are about are about to release their brand new, self-titled EP this May, backed up by a major national tour.
While it may be a busy time right now, guitarist Darcy Carter took time to answer a bunch of questions, explaining to Caught in the Mosh some of the things happening in the band's life at the moment.
You’re about release your new self-titled six-track EP and head out on a big tour. Busy yet exciting times for the band. How are things going in the My Echo camp at the moment?
Things are great for us. Thank you for asking! We have been working with such an amazing team for the release of this new EP. We are just really excited for the release and tour.
The new EP was recorded at Sing Sing Studios with Hadyn Buxton. What lead to your choice of studio and producer?
We had already established a relationship with Hadyn after touring with his band and had heard some of his previous work, which we were all big fans of. We sat down for a coffee and it was just an easy decision. He mentioned recording live to tape, and that Sing Sing would be the perfect studio for us so we just went with that. And he bloody nailed it!
You recorded live to tape? How was the experience compared to previous recording sessions? Were you happy with the results?
Well, as I mentioned, Hadyn suggested the idea of recording live to tape. The band wanted to capture our live sound as best we could and that was our best option. It was definitely a full on experience for us all. Recording live is not easy by any means. It was really challenging at one end but a completely rewarding experience at the other.
You’ve previously released the 7-track New Approach EP and the digital single Do or Die and the new EP is about to be released. Is it too early to be thinking about a full-length release? Do you have any other tracks up your sleeve?
A full-length is definitely something that is already being discussed. It’s something all of us want to do. And yes, we do have a few tracks up our sleeve already. Some may even make light of day at some of our upcoming shows!
While it may be a busy time right now, guitarist Darcy Carter took time to answer a bunch of questions, explaining to Caught in the Mosh some of the things happening in the band's life at the moment.
You’re about release your new self-titled six-track EP and head out on a big tour. Busy yet exciting times for the band. How are things going in the My Echo camp at the moment?
Things are great for us. Thank you for asking! We have been working with such an amazing team for the release of this new EP. We are just really excited for the release and tour.
The new EP was recorded at Sing Sing Studios with Hadyn Buxton. What lead to your choice of studio and producer?
We had already established a relationship with Hadyn after touring with his band and had heard some of his previous work, which we were all big fans of. We sat down for a coffee and it was just an easy decision. He mentioned recording live to tape, and that Sing Sing would be the perfect studio for us so we just went with that. And he bloody nailed it!
You recorded live to tape? How was the experience compared to previous recording sessions? Were you happy with the results?
Well, as I mentioned, Hadyn suggested the idea of recording live to tape. The band wanted to capture our live sound as best we could and that was our best option. It was definitely a full on experience for us all. Recording live is not easy by any means. It was really challenging at one end but a completely rewarding experience at the other.
You’ve previously released the 7-track New Approach EP and the digital single Do or Die and the new EP is about to be released. Is it too early to be thinking about a full-length release? Do you have any other tracks up your sleeve?
A full-length is definitely something that is already being discussed. It’s something all of us want to do. And yes, we do have a few tracks up our sleeve already. Some may even make light of day at some of our upcoming shows!
You’ve been fortunate enough to support some big name bands. How’d the support slots come about?
We have been lucky enough to recently join the amazing team over at The 123 Agency. Damo and the crew are just amazing at what they do so we are complete honoured! Before that, we would just go out to the shows of bands we admired and try and pass on our CD’s. The old networking game will pay of with a little hard work.
What’s the story behind the Do or Die video? There was some crowd funding used in the financing. How did that go?
It was a concept put together by our friend and director Kelly Perry. The response to the crowd funding was incredible. It actually blew us away! We have some truly great friends out there that is for certain!
Do you have plans for a video to go with the new EP?
This is also in the works!
What’s your favourite track to play live, and why?
At the moment it would be the new single Lonesome City. It has a great tempo and feel about it as well as a monster riff in the bridge. And who isn’t a fan of a good riff?
What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
We will continue to tour and play shows as much as possible as well as release new material.
The internet has changed the music industry dramatically. There are pros (new listeners) and cons (loss of income). How do you see the internet in relation to My Echo and your music?
Music sales in general have taken a hit from the internet with illegal downloads/album leaks etc. While it is a negative financially, it is always going to happen. If someone downloads our albums for free that is fine. Just as long as they come down to a show and buy a shirt and support us that way.
What do you think artists can do to entice people back to buying music?
I think providing people with alternative mediums or packages. Pop your singles on to a vinyl release or offer a bundle package that includes the CD and some rare merch items.
We have been lucky enough to recently join the amazing team over at The 123 Agency. Damo and the crew are just amazing at what they do so we are complete honoured! Before that, we would just go out to the shows of bands we admired and try and pass on our CD’s. The old networking game will pay of with a little hard work.
What’s the story behind the Do or Die video? There was some crowd funding used in the financing. How did that go?
It was a concept put together by our friend and director Kelly Perry. The response to the crowd funding was incredible. It actually blew us away! We have some truly great friends out there that is for certain!
Do you have plans for a video to go with the new EP?
This is also in the works!
What’s your favourite track to play live, and why?
At the moment it would be the new single Lonesome City. It has a great tempo and feel about it as well as a monster riff in the bridge. And who isn’t a fan of a good riff?
What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
We will continue to tour and play shows as much as possible as well as release new material.
The internet has changed the music industry dramatically. There are pros (new listeners) and cons (loss of income). How do you see the internet in relation to My Echo and your music?
Music sales in general have taken a hit from the internet with illegal downloads/album leaks etc. While it is a negative financially, it is always going to happen. If someone downloads our albums for free that is fine. Just as long as they come down to a show and buy a shirt and support us that way.
What do you think artists can do to entice people back to buying music?
I think providing people with alternative mediums or packages. Pop your singles on to a vinyl release or offer a bundle package that includes the CD and some rare merch items.
My Echo's EP is out Fri 2nd May, in various formats and bundles from Ten to Two Records.
The national tour starts this Saturday. All shows are 18+. Tickets and more info from My Echo.
Sat 3rd May - Bendigo, Groovin' The Moo
Fri 9th May - Warnambool, The Loft
Sat 10th May - Adelaide, Edinburgh Castle
Fri 16th May - Brisbane, Beetle Bar
Thu 22nd May - Sydney, Frankie’s Pizza By The Slice
Fri 23rd May - Newtown, Lansdowne Hotel
Sat 24th May - Penrith, Tattersalls Hotel
Fri 30th May - Melbourne, Northcote Social Club
Sat 21st June - Melbourne, Rock 'N' Load Festival, The Espy
The national tour starts this Saturday. All shows are 18+. Tickets and more info from My Echo.
Sat 3rd May - Bendigo, Groovin' The Moo
Fri 9th May - Warnambool, The Loft
Sat 10th May - Adelaide, Edinburgh Castle
Fri 16th May - Brisbane, Beetle Bar
Thu 22nd May - Sydney, Frankie’s Pizza By The Slice
Fri 23rd May - Newtown, Lansdowne Hotel
Sat 24th May - Penrith, Tattersalls Hotel
Fri 30th May - Melbourne, Northcote Social Club
Sat 21st June - Melbourne, Rock 'N' Load Festival, The Espy
