Lime Cordiale Road to Paradise EP Interview

Lime Cordiale Road to Paradise EP Interview

Sydney's Lime Cordiale have been storming through 2015 off the back of two emphatic single releases, travelling the country like virtual pied pipers, gathering a rabid legion of fans that have made them one of the biggest live acts you've never heard.

The release of their third EP -Road to Paradise' and its lead single -Not That Easy' is set to change all that as the band sheds its sonic apprenticeship and takes full ownership of the zeitgeist they have created.

-Not that Easy' is the perfect summer jam, taking the smooth roots-infused pop and electronic stylings their fans have come to love and adding an extra sprinkling of class, a pinch of edge and three large handfuls of hooks.

The band are also making a big statement with their most ambitious run of Australian shows to-date to back up the EP. The Road To Paradise Tour is set to thirteen dates across the country, including separate U18 and 18+ shows at Northcote Social Club in Melbourne, appearances at Soundscape Music Festival and Lost Paradise Festival in NSW, and their biggest venue to-date"an end of year celebration at Sydney's iconic Metro Theatre.

Inspired by a string of influences from Charles Bradley to Daft Punk to The Roots, Lime Cordiale's forthcoming EP features brand new track -Not That Easy' alongside previously released tracks -Hanging Upside Down' and -Feel Alright'.

Lime Cordiale's emphatic live show has graced countless local and international stages over the last 18 months across two separate twenty-date tours of North America and in Australia alongside The Delta Riggs (sold out national tour), Ball Park Music, The Griswolds, Dispatch and Cosmo Jarvis.

They have previously sold-out a sizeable list of Sydney venues including the Metro Lair (twice), Newtown Social Club, The Standard and Oxford Art Factory. The band have also performed at numerous Australian festivals over the last eighteen months including Bigsound, Homebake, AWME,Deni Blues, Bluesfest, Caloundra Music Festival and Marmalade Skies.

Stream -Not That Easy' here: https://soundcloud.com/limecordiale/not-that-easy/s-8XD6n

Interview with Lime Cordiale

Question: How would you describe your music?

Oli Leimbach: I don't think we can. I can't describe anyone's music. People always ask, "What genre are you guys?". I have to give some pressured, made up answer... "Yeah we're like this indie, soul influenced kinda pop but more psychy... we just like to have a good time y'know...uhhh yeah I dunno."


Question: What should we expect from the shows on this tour?

Oli Leimbach: We try to make every one of our shows a bit different. I used to worry that we lacked consistency but now I'm into it. We're often getting different musicians to jump on-stage with us. At The Metro this Saturday (December 19th) we're playing as an eight-piece. It will be the largest Lime Cordiale has ever been.

Question: What was the main inspiration behind the Road to Paradise EP?

<Oli Leimbach: The EP wraps up 2015 for us. We've mucked around with our sound a lot this year and finally feel comfortable with it. Our producer Jean-Paul Fung played a huge part in this. He produced 3 of the songs on the EP so he obviously helped shape those tracks but we spent a long time workshopping our sound with him.


Question: Can you talk us through the recent clip for, Single Not That Easy?

Oli Leimbach: We toured through Outback Queensland earlier this year and didn't really know what to expect. The good thing about playing in a band is that you often travel to places you might not normally go to. Before the plane even landed in Longreach, we could see how beautiful the landscape was. Dry as hell but beautiful. Our Dad came with us on that tour, which was a first. Like many Dads, he's always got a camera in our face. So about half way through the tour, we realised we had some great footage for a music video.

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5QQt_bYyvM


Question: Why was drought-affected North Queensland something you thought was important, to showcase?

Oli Leimbach: We didn't plan to get so involved with Drought Relief but once we were there, we couldn't help it. We spent a lot of time in pubs (as you do in Queensland) and met some of the most genuine Australians we've ever met. Such legends. We heard stories of people having to give up their properties and change their careers after generations of hard work. It's something that our primarily urban audience don't hear much about, so we decided to dedicate our music video to the Western Queensland Drought Appeal.


Question: Louis, how do you find time for art as well?

Louis Leimbach: I'd love to be painting all the time. Having deadlines always helps me out. I don't mind a bit of pressure. Get's me going. Know whad I mean? I often stay up late at night. Painting when everyone's gone to bed and I can be all alone is what's good.

Question: Can you talk us through the inspiration behind the cover art?

Louis Leimbach: I've started doing a lot of lino-cuts recently. I've been inspired by an artist called Bruce Goold who Oli and Dad are making a doco about at the moment. All the art for Road To Paradise started off as lino cuts and then I mucked around with it in my own way.


Question: And, how long did it take to draw the video clip for Hanging Upside Down?

Louis Leimbach: The Hanging Upside Down clip was a bunch of my older stuff that Oli picked up from around the house. He scanned about 250 of my artworks and sent them off to this hell talented young guy in Melbourne called Matt Schembri. I don't know how long it took me to paint all those works because they were all lying around... but I know he spent about 100 hours putting the clip together.

Watch it here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXIW1SvyCCU


Question: Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Oli Leimbach: I thought we'd have a little bit more money. Other than that, it's what I expected. I think the music industry are good at shaping it the way they want. We play shows to lots of people and party afterwards. Managers like to be hard arses. Promoters like to smoke ciggies. It's all good!


Question: What's your inspiration when writing music?

Oli Leimbach: Your environment always affects the music writing process. Sometimes it's good to write a song when you're having a shit time. When we're writing together, we often like to start the day with a swim, have a spicy meal at half time and open a few bottles of red in the evening. When we're stuck - having a break or pumping someone else's song can get you back on track. Bad moods can kill it all. I also hate people being on their phones when we're trying to write or record. Check your insty likes later mate.


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?
Louis Leimbach: The Strokes, Tame Impala, Ray Charles, Charles Bradley, The Growlers, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, The Beatles, Dr. Dog, War On Drugs, Dr. Dre, Citizen Cope... I dunno... that's just my most recently played on Spotify at the moment.


Question: What's next? Tour/Album/Single?

Oli Leimbach: An album


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Oli Leimbach: I always forget to bring a towel on tour so it's never been an option.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Louis Leimbach: They're both so different. The thrill of being on stage is like nothing I've ever experienced but I normally have a stiffy in the car on my way to the studio. It's great having a packed house dancing to the songs we wrote but it's equally satisfying having a song come together in the studio.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Oli Leimbach: Mum was the lovely lady that made sure we had music in our lives. We played clarinet and trumpet as kiddies. Dad's a film-maker. They're both struggling artists but love what they're doing. Growing up around that just pushed us into this industry. We've always frothed on bands. Seeing the Chili Peppers back in year 6 probably made me wanna do what they do - the music, not the drugs. We've constantly got mentors and legends helping us along the way, whether it's Michael Chugg, Jean-Paul Fung or one of our mates enjoying our tunes, it's what keeps us going.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

Oli Leimbach: Dealing with personalities is always a difficult one. You spend so much time with the same people whether it's on tour, in the studio or back an forth on the phone with different people. Keeping everyone happy is a challenge. You experience some big highs in the music industry so you've gotta expect some lows.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Oli Leimbach: We all have other jobs outside of the band. The majority of Australian bands do. But when we're away from that shit, we're working on Lime stuff. There's an endless amount of stuff to do. We spend a lot of our time downstairs at our parent's place. We have a home studio set up there and Louis has a space for his painting. We listen to heaps of music down there. We drink. Play music. Record demos. Write emails. Wrestle. Watch Curb Your Enthusiasm. It's a great space.


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

Oli Leimbach: It's a bit of a drug. You're constantly wanting more. But I remember saying that we'll have "made it" once we're travelling with our music. We've been to the US, New Caledonia and all around Australia. We're constantly visiting places you wouldn't go to if you didn't have an excuse to be there. The lifestyle mate! The lifestyle!


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Louis Leimbach: Paul McCartney


Question: What are your New Year's Eve plans?

Louis Leimbach: Lost Paradise Festival! We're playing at 4:30pm. See ya there maaateee...


Interview by Brooke Hunter