With their most recent release dating back to 2013 and band members on a self described sabbatical it’s about time we heard from Eskimo Joe again.
The group have been busy working on individual projects separate from the name that bought them into the spot light nearly 20 years ago but they’re coming together again under the Eskimo Joe banner to put on a performance at VAT 2.
Bassist and distinctive vocalist Kavyen Temperley gave a rare and selective interview to the Bunbury Mail about what they have in store for VAT 2 and a sneak peak into what he and the band have been working on.
Kav has been taking time to work on a solo project while Joel Quartermain has been busy producing for Meg Mac.
Kav said his solo work is a collection of four track EPs to be bundled and released together online but he said the first time working solo has been an alien experience.
“Usually writing for Eskimo is a collaborative effort, which I do miss now I’ve began working alone but the two methods produces different results,” he said.
“I may hear something in my mind but I don’t know where I’m going to end up with that idea – with the band it’s usually kept on track with everyone’s ideas.
“I don’t have to confer with anyone on a solo record so it’s more me.”
Kav said he participates in a writing exercise he calls automatic writing, which he uses as a method to generate ideas.
“I spend 10 minutes or so writing down my completely unfiltered thoughts which usually results in subconscious dribble,” he said.
“It usually results in accounts of my life.
“Sometimes I come up with these grand concepts for music but I usually have to bring back down to earth because I get a bit of a reality check.”
After nearly 20 years in music the journey has been enlightening in a number of ways for Kav, with most of the common misconceptions about making music being demolished in the process.
Kav said it takes a special type of person to make music and it definitely isn't all “b**ches and weed.”
“People with that perception definitely don’t last long at all, you have to be obsessed with the whole process,” he said.
“We learned quickly if we wanted to get to the top of the mountain we’d have to work our ass off.
“Then we looked to the top of another mountain and began working towards it too, because you can never be satisfied or you’ll lose the drive.”
Eskimo Joe will be performing at VAT 2 on December 9 for a night of their biggest hits, email vat2@vat2.com.au for tickets.
Blayde Grzelka
Journalist for the Bunbury Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
Journalist for the Bunbury Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
