A Quick Chat with Colleen Ave

Your new single 'Slipfast' is a reflective coming-of-age anthem about unrequited love and wondering what's around the corner. What inspired you to write it?

The inspiration started after I listened to the song 'Slipfast' from ROLE MODEL and I just loved the word. Never heard it before, and it just inspired me to pick up the guitar and write a song. The song lyrically is definitely about someone who’s trying to find their place in the world, and curiosity is taking over their brain, while the lack of love and attention is deadly.

The track blends driving guitars with shimmering synths. What was the vision behind its sound?

This tune turned out that way because we wanted to blend the acoustic guitar into our music, and it just wasn’t enough to drive the song. So we added a distorted guitar to the mix and it shaped the song, and the synths are a staple for that C.Ave sound, so we just sprinkled those throughout the song.

If listeners could take away just one feeling after hearing 'Slipfast', what would you hope it is?

A sense of validation. I want our listeners to know that they’re not alone, and feeling lost, uncertain and lonely is okay, but it’s about what comes next that should drive you out of that.

You recently launched your own independent festival, Hair of the Dog. What made you want to give back to Brisbane's music community in that way?

Well, it all started as a cool idea for a gig. Then, after we hosted the first one at the Indro Hotel, The Triffid showed interest in it and we worked out a deal with them to host one there. Once we got cleared for that, we were buzzing because The Triffid! That’s a dream to play there if you’re a local band. We gathered the best of the local acts and whacked a big-name headliner on the festival and put together a massive event. What was the reason for doing it? It was definitely just to give local acts like ourselves and others the opportunity to tick off a bucket-list goal: one, play at a festival; two, play at The Triffid.

You've shared stages with artists like The Rions, South Summit and Bootleg Rascal. Which live experience has been the biggest highlight so far?

Opening for all of them was amazing, of course, but the standout one for sure was opening for The Rions. Not only are we massive fans of them, but we got to do three shows of their tour and that was surreal. Getting to hang out and see what they do before shows was a great experience.

With touring plans in the works, what can fans expect from a Colleen Ave live show over the coming months?

Expect high energy, a lot of dancing and some sexy sax solos. We love playing live; it’s the reward of being a musician, but there is plenty to see at a Colleen Ave concert.