The Corsairs are a garage/rock/pop band who have recently started making waves in the Melbourne scene. Their sound ranges from lilting surf-tinged ballads to raucous garage numbers, yet is always imbued with a sense of melody, vitality and energy. Inspired by summertime, lovers, the Beach Boys and nineties music videos, the Corsairs’ diverse influences combine to create songs that are at once familiar and unique.
The band is led by front-men Simon Thompson (bass/vox) and Harrison Ottaway (guitar/vox) and rounded out by Adam Morgan (lead guitar/backup vox) and Josh Collins (drums). With three singing members, the Corsairs alternate between sun- soaked harmonies and sing-a-long group choruses, underpinning everything with crunchy, reverb-drenched guitars and stomping beats.
The band are already gaining a reputation for their kinetic live performances, each one a flurry of sweat, hair, dancing girls and beer. They have played numerous iconic Melbourne venues (Cherry Bar, Ding Dong Lounge, The Espy), St Kilda Festival early in the year and maintain a manic gigging schedule. They are sure to appear soon in a band- room near you.
Their anticipated debut E.P. “I’m Feeling Social” comes out this month. To launch the E.P The Corsairs will be playing Ding Dong Lounge, 15th September 2012.
Your I’m Feeling Social EP launch is on September 15 at Ding Dong! What can we expect to hear?
Some great tunes to bring in the summer. An energetic set that will have everyone jumping around.
You’ve also been added to the line-up for Spray & Wipe at The Espy, who are you looking forward to playing alongside?
It will be great to play with Northeast Party House, we wanted to see a bunch of the bands on the bill anyway so its really worked out for us. It will be an amazing night.
What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?
Nights out, although i was hoping that some people align it with their summer. Nothing better than getting your tracks pumped out at a house party.
How would you describe The Corsairs sound?
We tend to say its a cross between surf/garage/indie rock, its like a blend of modern music, without being to heavily based on any of those genres. So i haven’t really given you much of an idea, but thats as close as we can get it i think haha
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with?
It would be great to colaborate with a really different genre, so maybe some electronic stuff or maybe just grunge it up and bash out a song out with Royal Headache.
What has been your most memorable gig to date?
St Kilda Festival was great fun, first really professional show, lanyards and everything. Playing at the Toff a few months back was great as well, really good band room.
If you could play any venue/festival where would it be?
Well playing something like Coachella, T in the Park, Glastonbury would be out of this world. Also all of the great Australia festival would be sick, if i had to pick one i would say Laneway would be great fun. Need to dream big!
Who are your greatest influences when creating music?
There are so many that i wouldnt be able to name them all. We all have our early influences which are the reson why you pick up an instrument in the first place, so i would have to say they date back to the older guys like your Beatles, Hendrix and Zeppelin’s
How do you like your music? On digital, CD, or vinyl (maybe even cassette)?
Well we all listen to most of our music digitally these days, but if i love a band i will get it on vinyl. The sound and process of it is great, nothing better than having a physical timeline of the music you were/are into.
What else have you got in store for 2012? Where can we catch you playing next?
We will be continuing our hecitc giging schedule and just taking shows as they come, but next up Ding Dong Lounge this Saturday (15th of September) launching our EP and then Spray N Wipe at The Espy on the 21st. Come check it out!
