Thanks to Kade from Magandjin noise rock trio valve for taking part in this edition of SCRATCH THE SURFACE.
There's also still a few cassette copies of their debut ep Family Trust available through Team Glasses Records
You can catch valve at their final show for the year tomorrow, Sat Nov 29th at Season Three along with Razorblades, Freya and Tall Work. Tickets and info on the Magandjin gig guide.
1. Hiya, what's your preferred name and pronouns, and whose country do you live on?
Hello my name is Kade. I play guitar in valve and we play in Turrbal/Yugerra country (Brisbane). The other members of valve are Ben (Drums & Vocals) and Che (Bass & Vocals).
2. What was the first album that you bought with your own money?
The first album I remember buying with my own money was the first Crazy Frog EP. I had pretty bad taste when I was a little kid. I do remember the songs and the little frog guy being really funny when I was eight.
3. What was the first album or artist that got you in to heavier/more abrasive music?
When I was really young my Dad listened to a lot of Death/Thrash metal bands like Sepultura, Carcass and Slayer. My Mum listened to a lot of 90s alternative music like Smashing Pumpkins , Nirvana and Pearl Jam etc.
So I was exposed to heavier/abrasive music quite young because it was always just on in the house. But a lot of it didn't really resonate with me until I was a bit older and I started developing my own tastes. I probably got into my Mum's alternative music first. Then probably the Metal my dad was listening to. I remember stealing my Dads CD of Individual Thought Patterns by Death. Loved that album when I was 12.
4. What artist or album do you think has really helped to shape your approach to song writing?
For me I do find that the line between listening and making music are quite blurred, making it hard to point to any one particular artist. I don't know if I can necessarily listen to something and not be influenced by it.
Although our music is quite heavy and abrasive. I generally don't think of heavy music when I start writing or sit down with a guitar. I probably think more about folk, country and blues music. I don't know if that comes through in our music but it's usually what I am thinking about when I start writing. Then finding a way to mix the noise rock elements in with the traditional songwriting elements.
The artists that are the biggest influence for me for the noiser side of our music would be Unwound, Sonic Youth, Fugazi and GY!BE. For the traditional songwriting influences they would be artists like John Fahey, Elizabeth Cotten, Hank Williams Snr, Nick Drake and Bert Jansch.
5. What artist or album would you say has most influenced your personal philosophies?
I think having conversations with people who challenged my ideas and way of thinking about the world have had a lot more influence on my personal philosophies and outlook than any particular artist. Also conversations with my bandmates Che and Ben about how we want to conduct ourselves, and what we believe will be a positive contribution to the culture and the little scene that we're a part of.
6. What artist or album have you been listening to the most recently?
I've been listening to these three albums a lot.
No Harm Done by Josephine Foster
The Dance Of The Sun And Moon by Natural Snow Buildings
You Belong There By Daniel Rossen
Thank you again to Kade from valve for making the time to talk through some of his influences and inspirations.
valve: Bandcamp / Instragram / Cassette's Via Team Glasses Records