Earlier this month, Melbourne’s My Echo released their new self-titled EP via Ten To Two Records. The band is currently on the road launching the release which you can pick up a copy of [Here]. This Friday you can catch them at Beetle Bar in Brisbane, next week they’ll play Sydney before a big home town launch on Friday 30th May at the Northcote Social Club in Melbourne. This week in The Hotseat, we catch up with Darcy from the band to answer our questions. Expand this post to take a read of his answers and see all the tour dates.
THE BASICS
Name : Darcy Carter
Band : My Echo
Job In Band : Guitar/Vocals
Website Address : www.myechomusic.com
HOME
Hometown : Melbourne
Hometown is best known for : Pubs, Footy and erratic weather!
Best venue in your hometown : Ding Dong or The Corner Hotel
Favourite show you’ve seen in your hometown : The Bronx and Fucked Up @ The Corner Hotel. Mayhem!!
Favourite show you’ve played in your hometown : Last ever Trial Kennedy show @ The Corner.
THE BAND
How did the band first come to exist? Brenton and myself have been playing in bands together for around 10 years now. We met Henry when he came in to try out for an old band, which ended quickly and made way for My Echo. Tom joined the band sometime in 2012 after our original bass player and good friend Ben left to play in Jonesez. I’ve known him since he was like 12 years old. Its pretty random him now playing with us. But he’s one of the best musicians I know.
How long has the band been going? We formed at the end of 2010. The current lineup since early 2012.
Any particular story behind the name? It’s a track title off Rival Schools’ ‘United by Fate’ record which is one of my all time favorites.
What’s your most recent release? Tell us a little about it… We’ve just released our second EP on May 2nd through Tentotwo Records. We recorded it with local producer Hadyn Buxton at Melbourne’s Sing Sing Studios. It was a pretty surreal experience recording there for us with the history that place has seen. We also recorded live to tape which was intense yet completely rewarding. It’s definitely our proudest work to date!
Got a personal stand out achievement of your band to date? Being asked to support Trial Kennedy of their final shows tour. We are all massive fans of that band and everything they did, so it was a complete honor to be asked to join them around the country. Especially seeing as we weren’t a very well known band at that stage. It was sad to see them finish but we were completely stoked to be able to share it with them.
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? I had a pretty early introduction to music as both my dad and brother played guitar and in bands etc. Blues especially. So I followed suit and started learning the guitar. Then when I was around 13 or 14 I snuck in to a Pennywise show. That was it for me. I was hooked. The noise and energy that was in the room, I needed to experience that for myself.
Any particular band / album or song that you personally credit as a major influence? Going back, I’d say records like Full Circle from Pennywise or The Black Album from Unwritten Law. Later on Caution from Hot Water Music or the first Bronx record would change the way I thought about music.
Your first band name, and what style did you play? We were called ‘The not so hungry jacks’. We destroyed 90’s punk songs from bands like NOFX, Unwritten Law etc. DESTROYED!
Most prized music related item you own? Any of my gear that allows me to get up on stage and do what I love with the best guys I know!
When you’re not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? I’ll be working for bigger, better bands. Watching excessive amounts of TV, or spending time with loved ones.
The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is… Visiting new places and meeting new faces all while doing what I love with my best mates. Pretty Lucky!
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is… The smells that come out of Tom and Henry after a big night on the sauce!
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ON THE STAGE
When on offer, what’s your one must have item on the rider? A few ice cold stubbies and you will have a smile on my face.
Favourite place you’ve toured… and why? We just recently played Tasmania for the first time and it was amazing! The Brisbane Hotel is one of the coolest venues I have ever been in. The people are next level, but so bloody nice. And some incredible music has been born there in recent years.
Most memorable show you’ve played? and why? It would be the same as my favourite show listed above. We were asked to play Trial Kennedy’s final shows tour, which ended with a sold out sign at The Corner Hotel here in Melbourne. It was the biggest crowd we had played in front of so far and the reception was amazing. Those guys were just the nicest people to play alongside as well.
Got a favourite song to play live? Lately it has been our new single ‘Lonesome City’. It just has an energy that allows you to put everything out there. Crowd favourites like Do or Die and For Old Time Sake are always a good time as well.
Any embarrassing on stage moments come to mind? We recently played an Australia day show and decided it would be fun to dress up as bogans. Blueys, Footy shorts and mullet wigs. You get the picture. However, we also decided it would be a good idea to start drinking at 11am when we played at 9pm. Again, you get the picture.
Any pre-show rituals? A few beers to calm the nerves is a must. We used to do that pre show ‘Quack’ chant from the Mighty Ducks movies but people kept looking at us funny.
What do you find is the hardest aspect of touring in a band today? Covering the costs of touring is always tricky. When you have to factor in flights, accommodation, car hire etc. it all starts to add up quickly! Budgeting your dollars is important.
RIGHT NOW
Last song you listened to? The Menzingers – I don’t want to be an asshole anymore
Last album you picked up? Luca Brasi – By a thread
Which band or album is currently on high rotation? The new Luca Brasi and Ceres records are bloody fantastic! I also haven’t stopped thrashing the last EP by Tassie band Captives. Straight up, in your face rock’n’roll!
Tell us an up and coming band or artist you think we should go and listen to right now? Captives from Tassie. Amazing song writers and one hell of a cool live band.
What’s on the cards for the next few months for the band? The EP just came out on May 2 so we’re hitting the road through May which started at Groovin the Moo in Bendigo. Then on to Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and finishing up at the Northcote Social on May 30 for our launch with The Ramshackle Army and Captives.
IF ONLY…
You can pick any one album for your band to cover in full, what would it be and why? We used to cover Paul Kelly’s ‘To Her Door’, so possibly just go for the whole Under the Sun album?
You can pick any one band / artist to cover one of your albums in full, what would it be, and why? It would have to be The Living End, as they would just show us how to do it properly.
One band you wish you were able to see live but never had the chance? I’d have to say the obvious one, Nirvana. Definitely a big influence for me when I was younger.
One venue you have yet to play that you would love to? I would have loved to get to play at The Palace in Melbourne. It is complete bullshit that it is closing to make way for more mediocre apartments.
The chance comes up to fill in for a member of a band for one tour, which band would it be, and why? I wouldn’t say no to picking up the 6er for Hot Water Music. Sharing the stage with Chuck Ragan would be a pretty special experience I think.
A headline tour overseas comes up, tell us two bands you’d take along to support your band. It would have to be our buds in The Sinking Teeth and Captives. They are both incredible bands and complete legends!
PLUG TIME
Got any final words? My Echo – Self titled EP out now via Tentotwo Records.
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MY ECHO – Self Titled EP
Out now on Ten To Two Records.
Grab it on CD, Vinyl and Digitally [Here].
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