The Snowdroppers Think High Tension And Royal Headache Are Ace

There's plenty going on for blues band The Snowdroppers. Their new release Business was recorded on the Central Coast north of Sydney, utilising both Grove Studios and Ivory Lane Studios. "It was produced by our friend and long-time live engineer Ryan Hazel," begins Snowdroppers frontman Johnny Wishbone — real name Jeremy Davidson. "His studio is the Ivory Lane studio but he was adamant that he wanted to track some of it at the Grove just because it's a really nice atmosphere there." As it turns out there were certainly some benefits in tracking at Grove. "It's just got this big live room! We had the space to shed up and really spread out, stretch our wings and fly away!"

"I went to see Royal Headache the other night and they are just phenomenal."

Certain elements were then taken back to Ivory Lane for over-dubbing, but the majority of the record was tracked live. "There's one track on the album that is a completely live cut." Davidson explains. "Hold On. It's actually a Tom Waits cover. That was kinda last minute. We didn't muck around with it until we went into the studio and sorted floated the idea of doing a cover. We sorted of started jamming that and it worked!" This is typically how The Snowdroppers have worked in the past; capturing the essence of their live sound is an important element. "We were really conscious this time around. This time around we have come the closest to getting that energy than we have before." 

It's about 18 months since The Snowdroppers last toured. "I wish I could say it's because we have all been windswept and interesting and jet setting across the globe... but we haven't," admits Davidson. In truth Davidson and guitarist Pauly K originally took four months off to work on a play for the Sydney Theatre Company. "It kind of made me realise how much I truly love music and love performing music!" admits Davidson with sincerity of the experience. "Music truly is my number one love. It definitely sent us back into the writing process and into the studio with sort of a new vigour."

Joining The Snowdroppers on tour for most of the dates is Food Court. "Food Court, man, they are so good! They are one of the best bands going right now. They just have that ragged, garage, pop, jangle thing going on, which is awesome!" As for other bands on the Australian scene, Davidson has nothing but good words for Royal Headache and High Tension. "I went to see Royal Headache the other night and they are just phenomenal. I also went to see High Tension the other day. They really impressed me! She [Karina Utomo] has a phenomenal voice, absolutely phenomenal frontwoman!"