The Chapel of Ease Interview

The Chapel of Ease Interview

The group's publisher describes the music as something "achingly beautiful". Chapel of Ease has an intense folk sound that isn't distinctively obvious; the deep moody voice of Tracy Redhead produces a soul soothing happiness that only music can. The album '/When Night Falls' /is strikingly stunning music. Motivated primarily by acoustic guitars, the music maintains a sound that's used to support the song. 'When Nights Falls' was recorded at St George's Chapel of Ease in Lachlan, in Tasmania's countryside.

Julien Poulson, who wrote the lyrics, combined with Charlie Owen, Tracy Redhead, Matt Moller and Anthony Rochester to record this album. When Julien invited his close group of friends the brief stated, "come and hang out for a week, make some music, music inspired by and made in Tasmania". The music is made from acoustic instruments, Dobro, Banjo, 6 and 12 string guitars, Wurlitzer piano, Hammond organ and the occasional electric guitar. If you listen carefully it seems that the birds outside the chapels windows can be added to the list of instruments, listen carefully to 'House Creaks' to hear these.

Interview with Julien Poulson

Question: What was your inspiration behind this music?

Julien Poulson: I started out as a conversation I had with Charlie on creating some music for a film about a Tasmanian convict. I had spent some time writing a script called Convict Cannibal Pearce and wanted to return to Tasmania and try to make this film. I asked Charlie to read the script and think of some music, the final track is Peace of Pearce a really beautiful ode to a very ugly chapter of Tasmania's dark past. Really the inspiration was in setting up in an isolated location and letting the music flow.


Question: Have you always wanted to be an artist?

Julien Poulson: Not consciously, though I grew up in a family were art and artists are appreciated and encouraged. always loved music and art, still do, and now it's the thing that is a continuing adventure for me.


Question: What was the turning point that cemented your decision?

Julien Poulson: I don't think there was a cemented decision. I'm a Libran in that I can't cement a decision on anything. I like a creative life so I've just found ways of sustaining this, sometimes as an occupation, sometimes. just a fascination.


Question: What type music do you listen too when you are not writing yourself?

Julien Poulson: Most recently I've been loving Popol Vuh the incredible German group founded by Florian Fricke who wrote many of the soundtracks to Werner Herzhog's greatest films. I've also been listening to musicians I've recently recorded in Cambodia and a friend gave me an unmarked dub of some beautiful Turkish folk music. I also love great songwriters like Townes Van Zandt and last night I went to see James McCann at the Monesteria bar here in Spain. I think James is now one of the best Australian songwriters.


Question: How lengthy is the process behind recording an album?

Julien Poulson: This album was recorded in a short amount of time. it worked well to do it this way and much of the music is captured 'live' as it was performed. We had five days, set up the instruments in this beautiful old chapel in rural Tasmania and focused on making something beautiful. It was good to do this in a limited amount of time but it had taking a long time to come out.


Question: What is your favourite part of being an artist?

Julien Poulson: The feeling of, sometimes slightly guilty, being able to indulge in something you love.


Question: How would you describe your new album?

Julien Poulson: Haunting, beautiful. I'm really happy with it, I think the blend of mostly acoustic instruments like dobro, twelve-string, harmonium, Wurlitzer piano, as well as Tracy's voice is a magical mix of sounds but more so, the atmosphere of the venue was really captured well.


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

Julien Poulson: We're all in different parts of the world now but I hope that the next thing for COE will be a tour, most likely the end of the year. I'm also looking forward to the next chance we get to record.


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

Julien Poulson: Regularly. In fact I've thrown in so many towels.and I keep finding more for the throwing, maybe one day I'll find THE towel but I hope not, I'm bit by this music bug and it's hard to shake.


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

Julien Poulson: Finding the money to do things as well as I'd like to.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Julien Poulson: I haven't had a typical day for a longtime. today I've woken up early and I'm listening to the commotion outside an old apartment where I'm staying in Barcelona. soon I'll go drink some black coffee then go busking, with my cittern and harmonica, in the echoing lanes behind the cathedral in the gothic quarter of this incredible city. Tomorrow I'm heading to Paris.


Question: Where do you hope to go with your career from here?

Julien Poulson: I'm hoping to do more work with both my groups - The Green Mist and The Chapel of Ease. The Green Mist has another album to release soon, it's called Dirt Weed and it's a lot more desolate than our first album. I'm looking forward to touring COE and really hoping to do more of this kind of music, more soundtrack work too. I just recorded a live to screen soundtrack for a Tasmanian filmmaker and really loved it.


Question: Why did you choose Chapel of Ease as a name?

Julien Poulson: We took the name from the venue where the project was created. St Georges Chapel of Ease is the venue's full name and for want of a better name Chapel of Ease seemed to fit. The Chapel itself became part of the story of this album.


Question: Do you have a website fans can visit?

Julien Poulson: target="_blank" rel="nofollow" onmouseover="window.status=' www.myspace.com/thechapelofease';return true;" onMouseOut="window.status=''; return true"> www.myspace.com/thechapelofease


Interview by Brooke Hunter