Interview With The Temper Trap

If you're going to any festivals this year the chances are that you'll get the opportunity to see The Temper Trap. They depart from Australia shortly for a tour including over 20 festival dates across Europe and America where they'll be showcasing material from the new album Conditions.

Having featured in the top 15 of the BBC's Sound Of 2009 poll and with The Temper Trap's debut album arriving imminently, the band are certainly well on their way to making 2009 their year.

We managed to catch up with Lorenzo from TTT before they jetted off around the world. 

SG: How would you sum up The Temper Trap in one sentence?

Lorenzo: A soul jazz exploration, in search for the new sound. 

SG: Your last two EP's built up some great publicity and positive reviews as well as the band gaining recognition in the BBC Sound of 2009, do you think this praise has given you more confidence regarding the success of the new album? Or does it feel like a big step for you guys?

Lorenzo: I think it’s probably given us a bit of both. It was really exciting for us when we heard that the BBC wanted us to shoot some of our new songs for their web site, and being in Australia at the time we didn’t really know how much of a big deal it was. It was also very flattering when they put us in the top 15 ones to watch. In terms of the album's success it’s hard to know until the record comes out but it definitely has put us in front of a much wider audience that we might not have had otherwise.

SG: The new album has been produced by Jim Abiss, someone who has produced some amazing albums in the past and especially over the past few years, how did you find working with such a illustrious producer, and how did the relationship come about in the first place? 

Lorenzo: I guess you could kind of say it was fate working with Jim. What happened was his manager had come down to Australia to see some relatives and also do a little bit of scouting work. Anyway Jim’s manager came to one of our shows but she was actually there to see the band we where supporting. Luckily for us she saw something in us and reported back to the big fella. It took over a year to work out all the finer details before we actually got into the studio.

I remember one thing that Jim said to us at the very beginning of the recording session and that was “We are not here to make friends we are here to make a record, and if we're friends at the end that’s a bonus.” That was true of our recording time it was very hard at times for all party’s but It was a very memorable experience and one I will never forget, and we are now great friends with Jim.

SG: We've already heard the single 'Science Of Fear', is this a good reflection of what to expect from the album?

Lorenzo: I think it is just one aspect of the band, S.O.F is very heavily programmed and a little electronic, the whole album takes you on a journey through very guitar driven songs to I guess folk inspired Arcade Fire etc. songs.

SG: Considering that the band has been around for a few years now, do you think Temper Trap is yet to fully develop and evolve or do you think that you've 'found your sound'?

Lorenzo: In terms of sound I think that we are constantly evolving, out influences change as time goes on, I mean we went through many different forms to get to the songs on this album and I think we will go through many more before the second record comes out. Collaboratively we want to keep pushing ourselves and write the best songs we can. 

SG: What is the music industry in Melbourne like for young bands such as yourselves? Was it hard to establish and flourish the band? 

Lorenzo: The scene in Melbourne and Australia is very healthy. Where we come from you can basically go out any night of the week and see what ever type of music you like which is very liberating.

I would say it is a little easier in Australia to flourish because we are so far detached from the rest of the world so you can do anything and not be heavily influenced by what’s happening around you.

SG: I gather you've decided to move to the U.K now. I know of several bands from Australia who've done that (i.e Howling Bells), what's the reasoning behind that? 

Lorenzo: Australia is great but there is only so many times you can tour up and down the country. So I guess it’s a natural progression to try and tour and build a fan base in another territory.

SG: According to your Myspace blog, at least one of you is married. How difficult is it to leave family for months on end? Or do you try and bring them out on the road with you?

Lorenzo: It’s always difficult leaving your home and family and it’s something that none of us are experienced in. Both Johnny and Toby’s partners have made the move over here which is great as they are able to give us a little extra support. They will come on the road with us where they can but like us they are building new lives in a new country.

SG: What artists do you draw inspiration from?

Lorenzo: We all have very different musical tastes which contributes to our sound but we there are five which we all agree on. David Bowie, TV on The Radio, Arcade Fire, Radiohead, U2, Prince…

SG: How do you feel about people getting to know The Temper Trap through illegally downloading your music? Should they be encouraged? Or prosecuted?

Lorenzo: They should be encouraged, I mean our record company would probably kill me for saying this but I just want our music to get to as many people as possible, and at the end of the day I have faith that if they really like our music they will end up buying the record.

SG:The past year has seen Temper Trap pass landmarks and discover new heights, any happy memories you'd like to share with our readers?

Lorenzo: One of the Best memories I have is of some of our last shows in Melbourne. Before we can over here we did V festival. It was a real buzz for us at the Melbourne leg because the shed we played in was jammed pack full of people singing our songs it was crazy. As well as that we sold out our first headline show in Melbourne. I never thought we had that many fans.

SG: Any ambitions as a band for the future? Anywhere you'd really like to play / work with?

Lorenzo: Sell a Million records, tour the world, and conquer space and time.