The Nest Interviews – Full Flower Moon Band, Grinspoon, EMU

I’m trying to join the dots of the Australian music scene together. Some times as an interviewer you notice different people dealing with the same issue in different ways. I’ve been talking to different bands about the recording process, and was intrigued by their various approaches to recording and how it influences the sound and mastering of an album.

Kate of Full Flower Moon Band (FFMB) talks about the recording of their third album ‘Megaflower’ as one of refinement. Learning to be decisive in the studio, and dialling in tracks over time. Pat of Grinspoon deftly describes the process as choosing “the ones we wanted to record and throwing away the ones we didn’t”. Which is an attitude I presume comes from immense experience .The tracks from EMU emerge out of jam sessions, which are fleshed out from there with help from Connors dad. I can only imagine how fun those sessions would be.

I’ve been in love with the ‘Megaflower’ release since the first single ‘Devil’ launched on the 14th of March 2024. Since releasing the album FFMB has toured extensively across Australia and Europe. They are slated to support Foo Fighters for their 2026 tour across the nation.

Leader of the band Kate ‘Babyshakes’ Dillon opens up about how she embraced the recording process to dial in the albums sound… “There’s a lot of DIY in there…. Just being brave with things and trying to expand our sound. Especially on this latest record… It’s a melting pot and I’ve been reading a lot of Rick Rubin (The Creative Act). I guess just believing that you just have to run with whatever’s happening for you at the time”.

The approach to studio sessions of newer bands is radically different to that of established artists.

It’s no stretch to say that Grinspoon is the most accomplished band in this series, having released eight studio albums to date. Their latest release “Whatever, Whatever” marks the bands first album in 12 years, I spoke to Pat Davern ahead of Grinspoon’s 2024 tour of Australia. On the decision to put new music out into the world, Pat said “It was risky for us to do a new record when things were tracking along pretty nicely… we were doing back catalogue kind of tours, everyone was getting along and there was no issue. We thought it was just time for us to get it out of our system and do it”. I don’t think the album will disappoint fans, with a myriad of catchy tunes that drive the band into this decade. The band views the studio as a vehicle for their music, there isn’t as much reverence for the creative act.

My interview with EMU was just dripping with Queensland charm, you can hear the sounds of the rainforest as Connor Mitchell talks about the production of EMU’s first full length release. Self described as “an explosive sonic hurricane, letting rip cosmic & righteous jams”, the band nails the guitar tones and style of early rock n roll. The albums distinct sound can be attributed to recording and mixing by Connor’s father, Andy ‘Pops’ Mitchell. A unique dynamic in the recording studio for sure. We amble through a discussion of the songs, the Brisbane music scene, Steve Irwin, and how the band jams out. Connor said “I really enjoy the process… even the monotony of going over the parts… and I just love it. It sort of feels like a mining a diamond out of the dirt when you really stick to it, you know, and you get something out of it”.

Listen to the full interview on Youtube to hear the full stories of how these albums came to be!