A Quick Chat with Quiet As A Mouse

‘Peter Pan’ has such a nostalgic and cinematic feel to it. What was the spark that inspired the song?

It was the moody verse chord pattern and rhythm which kicked it off. But the key thing was when I found the chorus words, chord pattern and melody. It felt quite anthemic, simple and direct.

The video for ‘Peter Pan’ was filmed on Peregian Beach at sunset. What made that location the perfect fit for the track?

The beach (Peregian Beach) is my favourite beach in South East Queensland. I like that whenever I go there it feels more like a locals' beach, is quieter, and is just classically beautiful.

Your upcoming album is called Nostalgia is fine…but…. What does that title mean to you personally?

It’s obviously an open-ended phrase and can mean whatever the listener wants. But for me, it’s about living in the past not being the answer. Remembering the past is great and trying to learn from it is helpful, but come on, let’s move and look forward. It’s more interesting and braver to do so.

Quiet As A Mouse has roots in both Edinburgh and Brisbane. How have those two places shaped your songwriting?

I think both have been great for my songwriting in pretty different ways. Edinburgh was hard, harsh, cold and exciting, so it gave me a lot creatively. I lived there up until the finish of the album cycle for the debut album. Brisbane is hotter, more chilled out and offers an easier lifestyle. Looking back, I think a few of my newer songs are more relaxed and laid-back, especially musically.

Your sound pulls from indie, emo, grunge and alt-country influences. Which artists had the biggest impact on this album?

To be honest, most of the time I only really find the influences after a song is written, and the songs often don’t sound like those influences. For instance, with ‘Peter Pan’, when I found the verse chord pattern, the mood it created for me reminded me of Black Sabbath and Alice in Chains. It gave me a dark and desolate mood, and I added my playful style to it, but the verse sounds nothing like those two bands. Thinking about the chorus, it reminds me a bit of Urban Hymns-era The Verve, partly because it uses a very classic ’90s Brit-rock chord progression.

After supporting bands like Hinds and Palma Violets over the years, what have been some standout moments from the Quiet As A Mouse journey so far?

Working with Liam Watson, who produced Elephant by The White Stripes, and Marcus Mackay, who produced Sing the Greys, have been major highlights. Other standout moments include being played on BBC Radio 6 Music, coming close to selling out my first London gig at the Bull & Gate, and performing to around 600 people at a near sold-out show at the The Liquid Room.

Here in Brisbane, Quiet As A Mouse is currently a studio project. Highlights have included receiving a positive write-up in the Courier-Mail and recording the new album Nostalgia is fine…but… with my friend John Prefontaine at his studio in Capalaba.