Steve Kilbey joins Paul Cashmere of Noise11 for an in-depth conversation about Lacuna, the new album from Australian rock band The Church.
Is Lacuna a concept album? Steve has an unexpected answer as he discusses the meaning of the album title, the freedom of ambiguity in songwriting and why he believes listeners should be able to find their own interpretations in his lyrics.
In this interview, Steve explores the imagery and ideas behind several of the album’s songs, including ‘Western’, ‘Sky And Hill’, ‘Martian Skyline’ and ‘Forever’.
He explains why the reference to Cappadocia in ‘Western’ has nothing to do with having visited Turkey, how Austin, Texas, became an important environment during the making of the album, and why the city’s extraordinary musical culture continues to inspire him.
Steve also reveals the real inspiration behind the flying fish imagery in ‘Sky And Hill’, discusses the disappearing character in ‘Martian Skyline’ and considers the changing perception of time in ‘Forever’.
The conversation also moves beyond the recording studio to The Church’s orchestral performances with conductor George Ellis. Steve discusses the experience of hearing familiar guitar parts reinterpreted by bassoons and strings, the expanded musical possibilities of orchestral arrangements and the discipline required when performing with an orchestra.
He reflects on the band’s previous Psychedelic Symphony performance in 2011 and the current series of eight orchestral shows.
For fans of The Church, Steve Kilbey’s songwriting, Australian alternative rock and the creative process behind one of Australia’s most distinctive bands, this is an illuminating conversation about music, memory, philosophy and interpretation.
Stay updated with your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here
Be the first to see NOISE11.com’s newest interviews and special features on YouTube. See things first—Subscribe to Noise11 on YouTube
Follow Noise11.com on social media:
Bluesky
Facebook – Comment on the news of the day
