Soft Plastics Music Makes You Feel Like the Love Interest of a Film Noir
“I wanted to play music again, and I wanted to create a new band with myself and Jono and a mystery drummer (Laura), ”she says.“
We were still figuring out what we wanted to do sound-wise from the end of 2019 to mid-2020, and it was then we latched onto something we were interested in.
”The first two songs they made were‘ Smokes Let’s Go’ and‘ I Love My Wife’, both recorded in Sophie’s flat in Wellington. Recorded and mixed by Oliver Devlin (Hans Pucket), the band says they like to get people from other bands to help out, DIY style.
“People really liked the sad girl music,” Sophie says. “I think they resonated with it.”
When the band recorded ‘Loozer’ with Oliver and Lochie Noble (Mirror Ritual), they asked respected recording engineer James Goldsmith to mix it for them. Sophie says James saw potential in them as a band and asked if they wanted to work together. It was then, Jono says, their music was taken to the next level.
Their collaboration resulted in their debut album, Saturn Return. Inspired by the cosmic concept of Saturn Return, which is an astrological transit that can cause waves of emotions–Sophie says the album is an encapsulation of a personal astrological experience.
“When we were writing a lot of these songs I was going through a lot of changes in my life. I wouldn’t say I’m particularly obsessed with star signs and that but I do find it funny, to put some kind of external meaning on what’s happening to me instead.
“The idea of Saturn Return encapsulated where I was at and where we all were as individuals being a similar age.
”Each band member has their standout song. For Laura, it’s the last track they recorded during their sessions at Surgery Studios.“
My favourite track is‘ Someone Else’, she says. “It’s a very different song to what we recorded in the past, there’s a lot more percussion, there’s pianos at the end so it sounds almost electronic. It works really beautifully and showcases Sophie’s voice.
”Jono is a stickler for‘ My World/Your Girl’, especially when they re-recorded the original to suit their shift in sound.“
I loved all the string parts, and Charlie on the cello was a dream. Again, working with those kind of musicians...it’s so nice to have that extra touch.” Sophie’s favourite is the album’s namesake.“
I do have a special connection to the title track, ‘Saturn Return’. It’s nice to get lost in when we play it as a band,” she says. “Plus, there’s a special little something that happens when we play it really well".
