Snakadaktal EP Track-By-Track

As the wide-eyed winners of triple j’s Unearthed High competition, talented Melbourne youths Snakadaktal have the world at their feet and, we’re predicting, a gleaming future ahead of them. The band gave us the lowdown on each track off their impressive self-titled EP, including the story behind “Chimera”, the gorgeous shoegazey pop tune that made triple j sit up and take note… They’re embarking on a national tour in December, so go catch them live and maybe buy them a drink. Check ID first though. They’re hell young.

“Wake Up”
Wake Up always felt like an intro song to our ears. It begun with Joey’s guitar fiddles and then quickly grew into a warm, full and rich tune. The tone that defines this song as it’s own, is the prominence of the bass guitar (Jarrah). This was the first song we recorded from the EP. It’s tone contrasts dramatically from speaker to speaker, so is always great fun to feel the song in a different way.
Sean wrote the lyrics, somewhat on the spot. All we can hope is that they will mean something to somebody.

“Chimera”
Musically, this track was written collectively. Our intention initially was to create a certain atmosphere and sound for a new song. This atmosphere that we had imagined then grew into developing a certain structure and was strung together on a chalk-board to form a song. The song was recorded in the basement of Phoebe’s home (along with the rest), and brought the first use of our microphone set up. Designed by ourselves, it was completed as a hole in the wall with various cushions lining it, with stockings and wire used as the ‘pop-filter’. Phoebe wrote the lyrics. The song is about the passing of a beautiful friend. We will miss him always. Peter Pan is the image of a being living within us, forever young.

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“Air”
The chords and the lyrics of this song were brought to the band by Sean. It was a simple tune that evolved quickly with the interaction of everybody’s involvement. This song’s appearance upon the EP was heavily debated and saw close to never emerging… however with the nagging words from wise friends and family, it made it’s sneaky little way to be the 3rd track. Thank you Northeast Party House.
Sean wrote the lyrics. The song is about young love and it’s naïve ways. It is not a personal song, rather an observation.

“Carnival (Lobster Monster)”
Musically, this track evolved through Sean’s keyboard adventures. We had the most fun recording this track and continue to enjoy playing it live above the rest – fun simple grooves. We tried to make this song with lots of participation taking part. eg: Yelling and friendly screams. Sean wrote the lyrics. It is written about thoughts, daydreams and nightmares. It tries to reveal the paranoia one can experience through the wondering mind.

“Skin”
“Skin” begun as lyrics and two lonesome chords. Later becoming an acoustic/soul played to us by Sean. It made real light when we brought it together with Barna’s “beats” and Joey’s guitar riff in the verses. We had a lot of fun with the build up, which we believe is the most left rooted aspect of the EP. It has evolved a great deal since the recording; we hope it continues to belong with its own colours.
Sean wrote the lyrics. The song is about trying to hold onto something (a girl (a wee lass)) that has been lost from you, and should not be chased.

“Boy”
“Boy” was a melody and base organ piece written by Barna and Sean in the early hours of a morning as a friend bored them with studies. It was almost completely transformed when brought to the group to create a pop tune with a change of spirit. This was always going to be the EP’s last track, as the outro of the song provokes feelings of the draining of energy and time. This is one of our faves, but perhaps the trickiest and most rewarding to achieve live. The lyrics were written by Phoebe and Sean. We had just had a swim, and both with different stories, brought together feelings through words that intertwined peacefully. It involves tales of love, anxiety, animals and fools.

SNAKADAKTAL – HEADLINE EP TOUR
Saturday 3rd December – The Toff, Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
Thursday 8th December – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
Wednesday 14th December – GoodGod, Sydney
Thursday 15th December – Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane
Friday 16th December – Neverland, Gold Coast

Order Snakadaktal’s self-titled EP now via IOHYOU records.

Title Image Provided by Snakadaktal

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