Creative Conversations 046: Breaking Down A Debut With Scenes
Interview by Luke Byatt
Scenes is the solo project of Graham Ritchie from indie rock band Holy Holy; making soaring, beat-driven electronic rock. We caught up with with the legend behind the project to break down the project, debut release ‘Henhouse’ and associate music video.
Futuremag Music: Hey Scenes, how're you doing?
Scenes: Hi Futuremag Music. I’m excited to be putting out music this year! I count myself as very fortunate that during the pandemic I’ve been able to stay both healthy and continue making music.
Futuremag Music: Congratulations on the release of 'Henhouse', it's a rich indie record. Before we jump into the record, could you talk us through your artistic career and what led to you launching the Scenes project?
Scenes: Thank you! ‘Henhouse’ is my first release as Scenes. I have been collaborating with artists as a session musician and producer for a number of years and despite not releasing my solo songs until now, I’ve always been composing. I can trace my career through the friendships I’ve formed on tours or from sessions… Holy Holy, Big Scary, Japanese Wallpaper, Airling, Emma Louise. Some of my favourite moments and lessons in music have come from being in the studio with these artists. I’ve learnt that everyone has a different process for drawing inspiration and critiquing their work. I’ve now found a modality that works for me and feels authentic, so I’m ready to release music as Scenes.
Scenes by Mitch Lowe
Futuremag Music: 'Henhouse' has a masterful team behind it; including yourself, Ainslie Wills, Ryan Strathie and Jake Miller. Could you talk us through the production process and give some insight to how each contributor added their unique touch to the record?
Scenes: Ainslie Wills is one of my favourite artists and an incredible singer. We recorded her vocal at The Aviary Recording Studios in Melbourne after I had sent her the song with a guide vocal track. Recording Ainslie’s vocals was both effortless and exhausting, in the best way. Imagine hearing an entirely convincing, intuitive performance of your song each time you record a vocal layer. It still feels like a dream having Ainslie on this song.
Ryan Strathie is my bandmate in Holy Holy. He’s a great drummer and an encyclopaedia of music. I sent Ryan Henhouse with my programmed Drum track. We workshopped the parts at my home studio before tracking at Alchemix in Brisbane. There are two drum kit parts heard simultaneously for the majority of the song. There’s a looping pattern that interweaves with the main acoustic kit part.
Jake Miller has been living in London for a few years now, but we met when he was living in Brisbane. We’ve kept in touch and have caught up when I’ve been there on tour or he’s back in town. Jake knew what I was after with the mix. His treatment of vocals, space and dynamics is world class.
Futuremag Music: Accompanying the release of 'Henhouse' is a wonderful music video directed by Matthew Howard. How does the visual component complement audio recording?
Scenes: Amongst other ideas, the video highlights that both actions and introspection are playing a part here. There are responses to what we think and feel; what we learn about ourselves. After discussing a few ideas for the video with Matthew and talking through my intentions with the song, at that point, I just handed it over to him. When I saw the first cut, a few moments felt uncannily intuitive. The release in the final bedroom shot, the glimpses of the actors smiling, the stillness vs energy… I thought “how do they know?” It can be heard as a pretty heavy song, but there’s hope and a sense of openness attached too. I see that in the video.
Futuremag Music: In partnership with Your Favourite Team, what is a piece of advice or something you wish you knew when starting out following a career in music?
Scenes: If you’re trying to find a place in music… Plan to continually discover and learn more. Find great teachers on records, in studios and on gigs. Go deep and there you’ll find what works for you.