Stonefield

In light of their new album, 'As Above, So Below', finally coming out this week, we had a quick Q&A with Victorian psychedelic rockers, Stonefield. Lead singer and drummer, Amy Findlay (pictured far right) was happy to answer our questions as the band gears up for the next big chapter of their careers with album #2.

How was the recent Festival Of Voices show in Hobart for you and the band?

It was great! It was a bit of a last minute show, as we were filling in for an artist that dropped out but we always love a chance to visit Tasmania, the crowds there are always nice! 

Good to hear! Regarding your shows, later this year in October you’re playing Yours & Owls. That kind of festival seems like a really good fit for Stonefield, with a rather eclectic lineup. Who else are you most excited to see live? I personally love the idea of having Ladyhawke and Totally Unicorn playing the same bill.

I’m really looking forward to seeing Black Mountain, The Coathangers and Vera Blue. I only just discovered Black Mountain and I love their vibe… so many great artists, though, it’s going to be a fun time! 

With the new album’s title, ‘As Above, So Below’, I got a bit of a religious vibe from it. Is that the case at all, or does the album’s name pertain to something else?

For us, it’s not religious. It’s more a representation of how powerful the universe is, that we experience a lot of happenings in life for reasons that are sometimes bigger than us. Vibrations and energies are constantly happening around us, affecting what we’re doing here on Earth and the more we embrace it the more at peace we are with life. 

Going off of the couple songs I’ve heard from ‘As Above, So Below’, the album seems to have a larger sense of space and ambiance than the self-titled album. Do you agree at all? And if so, what do you think that came down to – how you recorded it or just how it was mixed?

Yes definitely. I think it was a mix of things; learning how to better express what we are wanting to hear, working with Kram and John Lee and delving deeper into the sounds that we were experimenting with.

Cool! Now, why was there a three-year gap between the two albums? Was it a matter of other commitments outside of the band, or wanting to take your time create something that you’re all proud of, as opposed to rushing it? Maybe even both?

It was a lot of things. The album has been through so many changes and phases, sometimes not to our liking. In the end, we are all happy with the final result, which in a way inspired the title of the album. Everything happens for a reason and the songs definitely benefitted from the process. Hopefully next time it won't be so long! 

Right on! This may be a bit cliché of me to say, but I hear a lot of Fleetwood Mac and Pink Floyd when I hear the new songs in particular. Am I close with my comparison at all?

We are definitely influenced by both of those bands but by writing our music, as I’m sure is the same for most artists, we hope to create something new that is a blend of many influences.

Now, I’m actually from Kyneton, Victoria myself, and with living rurally, I’m curious to know if the band’s geographical location has any affect on the band’s sound at all?

Possibly from the fact that we all grew up quite close as a family and our parent's record collection had a huge impact on us. If we had of been exposed to more outside influences I guess there’s the possibility that we would’ve ventured in other directions but who really knows! 

Finally, and stemming from my last question, do you think that maybe more rural bands tend to focus on more indie and psychedelic music more so than city bands do?

I’m not too sure. Rural bands are free to make a lot more noise so I guess that could contribute to it!

 'As Above, So Below' is out Friday, July 15th via Wunderkind. Stonefield will be performing at Yours & Owls Festival on October 1st & 2nd. Further info and tickets here.