Interview with Grand Atlantic’s Phil Usher

Following the success of his band’s latest album, How We Survive, the Australian frontman sat down for a few questions with DOA. Aside from commenting on the success of that aforementioned album, we discussed the writing process and Usher reminded us that The Beatles are still, very much relevant.

Delusions of Adequacy: The songs on the album are about showcasing a certain resilience in the human spirit, what were/was your personal life during the recording process?

Phil Usher: Yeah, I think there were probably a lot of things going on. I sort of struggled with clinical depression the last five or so years and I guess for me, writing music has become an outlet for things I see going on in my life and what I see in others’ lives.

Personally, we lost our original drummer during the recording process and that was a significant experience as well. And that inspired some of the lyrical content on the album. I think it comes down to the fact that it’s not easy being an adult in the 21^st century and I think the album is sort of about that.

DOA: The focus on how Westerners react to problems was especially enlightening, does that come through first-hand experience or by knowing others?

Phil Usher: Probably first-hand because I know I’m really trying to improve my life. I try not to bitch and complain about things and instead, I’ve tried to just fix the wrong. In our world we are so lucky to have all that we do have; that what we complain about is really trivial to what people in third world countries deal with. So for me, it was about reminding others of what he have and the simple fact that we can even have shoes on.

DOA: The actual production comes off as a polished, lean sound, was this a primary focus?

Phil Usher: I think we probably got a bit rawer with the second album, a bit more reflective of what we do like but I think in a way, when you’re in the studio and you are playing, you leave a lot more room for things to just happen at the time. The songs shaped themselves and the lyrics shaped themselves as well. We got a bad-ass producer in Magoo who cane along and put some of his own touches on it too.

I don’t want to use the word organize but we try to go with what will work and let it be natural and I think that’s what we accomplished.

DOA: Just how different is this new album, How We Survive, from your debut, This is Grand Atlantic?

Phil Usher: It is rawer than the first one, the subject matter is more personal than the first one (not that he first one wasn’t honest) but it draws from my experiences and I also think it isn’t ambiguous. We were trying to be more adventurous – the first record I did all the demos and every night was working, and the second one wasn’t like that at all. You can see a progression between the two and we’re excited with the stuff for the third one already.

And yet, I still feel that had I only recorded the first one, I would be proud to leave that as my legacy had I passed away but we need to progress somehow even though I wouldn’t want to choose either one.

DOA: With the music possessing an obvious lean towards alternative rock with big sweeping hooks, do you feel this kind of music still has the power to captivate?

Phil Usher: I’d like to think so because I find that for me, I am into the music of the 60s and I find that music to be very relevant today, to myself (like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones) and I think that music like that and lyrics like that will always find an audience. I guess that, I’ve studied music, a lot of people are really into technical side into playing something very proficient but on a personal basis, I like to see someone record and pour out their heart. And I think a lot of people really feel that way too.

DOA: Are there any kind of workings to delve deeper into that sound or on the opposite side, follow another path?

Phil Usher: I think the songs we’ve written are a little like the ones before but even maybe more raw than before. I try not to second guess myself too much, try not to get too lost in the concept but rather, I try to write the best songs I can to express myself through the lyrics and I try not to conceptualize too much. I can see it progressing to a new place, slowly.

DOA: I know what the reception has been here in the States but in your mainland in Australia, how do natives feel about Grand Atlantic?

Phil Usher: I think the band has a lot of respect there, we have a growing audience there. The problem with Australia (as with most places I suppose) when someone comes from a different place, there is more of a mystery with them, more of an interest. Kind of like the saying, “A prophet is never respected in his own home.” Now, I’m not saying I am a prophet but I think people might take it for granted. I think people prefer to go to clubs and listen to a DJ, rather than seeing a band and we are fighting with that.

DOA: Whoa, I didn’t see that coming…

Phil Usher: It’s really a small market and we have some people. Culturally, Australians are a bit skeptical and when they see us in the States they think, “Oh, now they must be good” and don’t get me wrong, we get people at our shows and we have a good backing but it is pretty exciting to be in the States at the moment

DOA: What are your immediate plans besides touring?

Phil Usher: When we get back we are going to do some more writing and we’ve booked a few shows. And in May we have this thing called “Tri-State” and then hopefully we can go to Japan in June/July and then we are hoping to come back to the States at the end of the year. That’s if you guys will have us back.

DOA: Definitely! Is this your first time playing the SXSW venue, how excited is everyone?

Phil Usher: Yes sir, I’ve been here before and a few of the other guys but one of our guitarists has never been to the States so yes, we are pretty excited to play SXSW.

DOA: Would you care to share which five albums have had the largest influence on you?

Phil Usher:

The Beach Boys – Pet Sounds
Nirvana – Nevermind
The Beatles – Magical Mystery Tour
The Warlocks – Phoenix Album
The Rolling Stones – Goat Heads Soup

DOA: I’ve seen you mention how making music that can stand the test of time is one of your goals, do you feel as if you’ve succeeded that?

Phil Usher: I tell you what, I think that is for the people to answer. On my side of the fence I think a lot of people talk about success and I think that to record records and songs I feel successful because I feel that I have succeed at that. If I can come back to our records in ten years and still feel really good about what I did then I feel good knowing about what I did. Not in terms of fashion but just that they are in fact good songs, then I will be happy.