MusicJournoBaltic interview
November 13th 2006 08:42
This is an interview I did with Sydney rock band Baltic about a year and a half ago, answering the questions are Dave (bass) and Ari (vocals)
MP3s...
Baltic myspace - click to hear songs
Baltic is a kind of abstract sounding name, any particular reason for choosing that?
ARI: When I suggested the name to shogun I felt that it had a very dark or cold feel to it, like some fucked up grey, chaotic sea with a kind of indifference attached to it. Shogun agreed so we were like "yeah that'll do". Also at the time I was really into excessive, powerful names like Boston and Chicago so I thought Baltic was sweet. The main charm of the name for me was, like you said that kind of abstract thing. The name just exists and it doesn't mean anything, it defines itself. I guess I like that sort of shit as long as it doesn't get too wanky.
You guys sound like you like to rock out, was it a conscious decision to try and aim for that retro-ish sound?
ARI: I doubt that it was a conscious decision, I just think we do whatever comes out and let people see what we are for themselves. I think when bands think about how they should sound too much they ruin the music for themselves and in turn for everyone else, once you avoid what comes naturally you risk sounding like a fake arse. However, on my part it was a conscious decision to deliberately avoid the sound that is "in" right now... but I won't go into that.
DAVE: I think we’re a perfect combination of retrospect and progression. There’s really no one doing what we’re doing. I guess the only conscious decision we made was to do a rock band, and anything else has just flowed from that.
What are your influences?
ARI: Alchohol is my biggest influence, however recently cannabis has been a good one too. Amphetamines go alright as well but not much recently cause I don't have a job.
DAVE: Husker Du, Cheap Trick, Gunners, Judas Priest… We draw on so much, I think without sounding fragmented or derivative.
You've all been in other bands before, and some of you are in other bands now, how do you think this would reflect on/effect the estimated lifespan of Baltic?
ARI: I certainly hope Baltic lasts. I always tell the other guys it's sweet that I get to sing in my favourite band. I could play with these guys til I'm a filthy old man! All the stuff I have done in the past has been much more light hearted and easy. Baltic has a lot more depth and effort put into it so we have way more to lose if we break up.
DAVE: The old stuff is history and the side projects pale away in comparison. Baltic is gonna release 10 albums, do a greatest hits, then work on our solo projects, and return 20 years later for a reunion tour. By then Ari will be completely bald and my tits will weigh 100 kilos each.
Any plans to tour anywhere?
ARI: Dude I would love to go down to Melbourne and up to Queensland but I don't think we will until we get a record out which will hopefully be soon. We have this one problem though, we are dirt fucking poor, so we need to beat ourselves into financial shape before we even consider recording and touring. Shogun doesn't even have his own amp after all these years of playing, we still have to borrow or hire or steal someone else’s amp to play a show.
How far do you plan to take Baltic?
ARI: To the top man...haha
Where ever it goes man. If in five years we're playing in the gutter I'll be happy if the band is still fun and sounds good to me.
DAVE: Far enough for me to bitch slap Usher backstage at the Grammies. Maybe smoke a spliff with Dre… go home with Beyonce.
Where can people check you out? (webwise, livewise and otherwise)
DAVE: www.baltic.live.com.au has all the info about shows. I guess we’ve just been doing the usual Sydney circuit, playing with all different kinds of bands, from indie to metal.
What do you think the number 1 perk of playing in a rock band would be?
ARI: Oh definitely free booze, when the bar isn't too stingey to give it up!
DAVIE: Money. Fucking heaps of money.
Any final words or shit you would like to stir?
ARI: Listen to Journey.
DAVE: Download our demo tracks from the website. The music is what’s gonna stir the shit.
MP3s...
Baltic myspace - click to hear songs
Baltic is a kind of abstract sounding name, any particular reason for choosing that?
You guys sound like you like to rock out, was it a conscious decision to try and aim for that retro-ish sound?
ARI: I doubt that it was a conscious decision, I just think we do whatever comes out and let people see what we are for themselves. I think when bands think about how they should sound too much they ruin the music for themselves and in turn for everyone else, once you avoid what comes naturally you risk sounding like a fake arse. However, on my part it was a conscious decision to deliberately avoid the sound that is "in" right now... but I won't go into that.
What are your influences?
ARI: Alchohol is my biggest influence, however recently cannabis has been a good one too. Amphetamines go alright as well but not much recently cause I don't have a job.
DAVE: Husker Du, Cheap Trick, Gunners, Judas Priest… We draw on so much, I think without sounding fragmented or derivative.
You've all been in other bands before, and some of you are in other bands now, how do you think this would reflect on/effect the estimated lifespan of Baltic?
ARI: I certainly hope Baltic lasts. I always tell the other guys it's sweet that I get to sing in my favourite band. I could play with these guys til I'm a filthy old man! All the stuff I have done in the past has been much more light hearted and easy. Baltic has a lot more depth and effort put into it so we have way more to lose if we break up.
DAVE: The old stuff is history and the side projects pale away in comparison. Baltic is gonna release 10 albums, do a greatest hits, then work on our solo projects, and return 20 years later for a reunion tour. By then Ari will be completely bald and my tits will weigh 100 kilos each.
Any plans to tour anywhere?
ARI: Dude I would love to go down to Melbourne and up to Queensland but I don't think we will until we get a record out which will hopefully be soon. We have this one problem though, we are dirt fucking poor, so we need to beat ourselves into financial shape before we even consider recording and touring. Shogun doesn't even have his own amp after all these years of playing, we still have to borrow or hire or steal someone else’s amp to play a show.
How far do you plan to take Baltic?
ARI: To the top man...haha
Where ever it goes man. If in five years we're playing in the gutter I'll be happy if the band is still fun and sounds good to me.
DAVE: Far enough for me to bitch slap Usher backstage at the Grammies. Maybe smoke a spliff with Dre… go home with Beyonce.
Where can people check you out? (webwise, livewise and otherwise)
DAVE: www.baltic.live.com.au has all the info about shows. I guess we’ve just been doing the usual Sydney circuit, playing with all different kinds of bands, from indie to metal.
What do you think the number 1 perk of playing in a rock band would be?
ARI: Oh definitely free booze, when the bar isn't too stingey to give it up!
DAVIE: Money. Fucking heaps of money.
Any final words or shit you would like to stir?
ARI: Listen to Journey.
DAVE: Download our demo tracks from the website. The music is what’s gonna stir the shit.
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