Melbourne Indie quartet British India have just released their latest studio album, Nothing Touches Me. While their previous entry Controller demonstrated a capability of diversity and quality song writing, Nothing Touches Me shows an astounding leap into maturity and an understanding of the new rock scene.
With regular air time on Triple M and Triple J, listeners were treated to key tracks such as Suddenly and Wrong Direction prior to the album hitting stores on March 13th.
Admittedly, the newest addition to their growing collection is a change of pace, a move forward from what began in the recording studio 11 years ago.
There are the signature fist-pumpers, the power ballads, the energetic rifts and the slower tempo tracks to calm the mood. The most impressive aspect of the 12-song album is the variety available; no two songs sound the same, allowing listeners into British India’s personal world of travel and the impact that has on relationships.
The Indie rockers took the time to be interviewed not only in regards to new music, but to talk about their views on the rock industry, themes of influence, touring and alarming fan antics.
What would you say the main differences are that fans can expect to hear between ‘Controller’ and ‘Nothing Touches Me’?
The best way that I can describe the difference would be if “Controller” was dipping a toe in the water then “Nothing Touches Me” is jumping into the deep end. We have had the luxury of being able to work harder on songs in our home studio before committing them to tape and they are lusher and more thought out.
Have there been any key influences for writing ‘Nothing Touches Me’, musically and lyrically?
The most consistent theme on the album is travel. The notion of loneliness and separation that comes with always being away from home. There have been a lot of relationship changes within the band; some losses and some gains, and this comes out in the emotion of the album.
What are your thoughts on the current climate of the music industry, and specifically the rock scene?
Rock n Roll has seemingly been getting the rough end of the stick as of late, it isn’t exactly in the popular realm, but having said that there is a reason it will never die. Bands like Jet and the Black Keys have proven that a good song will always reign supreme no matter what the current trend may be. There is the obvious problem of illegal download which is making it a little harder for bands, but if you work hard we can all weather this storm. The internet is currently the wild west, but the west was won.
‘I Can Make You Love Me’ is one of my all-time favourite songs. From the new album, is there a stand out track you believe will be the best received by fans
So far it has been a mixed bag. I don’t mean to give a flippant answer but I believe it is the strength of the album. Different people are emoting specifically with different songs because there is a lot going on inside this record. Personally tracks like “Lifeguard” and “Blame It All On Me” really resonate.
In interviews you often discuss the love of touring. Is this the most important part of the job for British India?
I wouldn’t say that, I think every stage is important. You need to write the songs to record them, record them to release them, release them to be heard, etc.
But when it comes to touring we love it because it is the pay off the for the work you put into it. It is for lack of a better word a party. Only party poopers don’t like parties.
What’s the strangest thing a fan has done at a live gig?
So many things flood to mind, so very little of them PG. We have had pot plants thrown at us, people be carried out on stretchers, Declan crowd surfed out of a gig and didn’t get let back in. The list goes on, but at the same time touring can be a blur man.
Triple J have long played and promoted British India. What can you say about their support?
Without their support its pretty safe to say there probably wouldn’t be a British India. The fact that they stretch as far as they do means that bands like us are able to tour far and wide in this country. Due to the climate of the industry bands can’t get by just hitting the capitals, we need to go to places you have never even heard of – and it is great because Triple J allows us to do that.
While Melbourne is your home and you’ve played to packed out venues here like the Espy numerous times throughout your career, where would you say is your favourite venue to play a show?
If you ask the four of us that question you would probably get six different answers. Personally, I would say The Cambridge in Newcastle. We have a bit of a bullet proof vest scenario going there, I always feel very comfortable and we tend to rock the bejesus out of it.
Check out the live performance below of Spider Chords from the album ‘Nothing Touches Me’, available now on iTunes.
Chris Sutton
