Adrian Fitipaldes spends his nights screaming on stages to clusters of sweaty, heaving crowds, expelling enough intensity to suggest possible spontaneous combustion.
Fitipaldes, frontman of Sydney metalcore act Northlane, has a contained but effervescent energy off stage. He has reason to celebrate a successful 2013, and what better way to conclude a period of commercial and critical acclaim than an American tour announcement with personal heroes, UK giants Bring Me The Horizon.
“We just announced this yesterday, and it’s been really hard to keep it a secret!” the laidback singer explains.
“Shortly after meeting Oli [Sykes, Bring Me The Horizon vocalist] at Soundwave, he was kind enough to send our band some products from his clothing range Drop Dead. I sent him an email saying thanks and that we should tour soon, and he ended up replying. The next thing I knew we had a tour booked with them. I can see some good friends being made there for sure.”
Having just returned from a North American tour on the back of sophomore album Singularity, Fitipaldes is exhilarated by the consistently positive reception that their shows receive, especially considering the difficulties associated with infiltrating the American market.
“You could tell there were a lot of fans who had been waiting even years to see us, so that felt insane. Especially in America, they kind of have their own little entertainment world, so it’s cool for a heavy band from Australia to be able to go into that world and be welcomed.”
Northlane have achieved widespread acclaim in a relatively short timeframe. Originating in Western Sydney in 2009, their EP Hollow Existence was an understated preface to their first full-length album, Discoveries (2011). Opening track ‘Dispossession’ achieved an eloquent fusion of melodic and brutal fare, setting the tone for a dynamic album.
“…it’s cool for a heavy band from Australia to be able to go into that world and be welcomed”When Singularity was unleashed in 2013 after a clever marketing campaign, the release hit number one on the Australian iTunes chart and debuted at number three on the ARIA albums chart; a feat almost unheard of for heavy acts.
After performing at Soundwave as one of only a handful Australian bands, and being one of the only heavy acts to play at esteemed festival Big Day Out in 2014, the expectation for continued prosperity must weigh on their minds. Fitipaldes applies a positive approach to the suggestion.
“I definitely do feel pressure, but pressure for us as a band is a really healthy thing. The pressure helps us work at our best and work hard. I like relating it to evolution as well; it’s only when animals are under pressure that they’re forced to adapt and evolve. I like recognising that in our career.”
He is confident the close-knit band will attract responsive audiences at Big Day Out, a typically more mainstream festival that’s not traditionally skewed towards alternative appetites.
“The challenge is definitely accepted. And I’m definitely going to be working my absolute hardest to get the crowd involved and to make sure everyone has fun,” he promises.
The evolution of Northlane is hardly a typical story for an Australian metal band, and not just because the route to commercial success is rare. The band’s message is ultimately one of positivity and light, a worldview that seems to come very naturally to the five Sydney musicians. Prior to recording Singularity, Fitipaldes sensed where the process would take them.
“When Jon (Deiley, guitarist) brought the music, it already had a very spacey, uplifting vibe about it. I automatically knew what some songs like ‘Quantum Flux’ and ‘Dream Awake’ were going to be about. In Northlane, we’re on the same level. We’ve had similar sorts of experiences in our lives and most of them we’ve had together,” he explains.
It is certainly hard to miss the joy in those tracks, with the catch-cry anthemic lyric of ‘Quantum Flux’ being, “Can’t you see the joy of life is right before your eyes?” (It is worth googling the entire song lyrics if you’re still not convinced.)
“We just try to be ourselves…we’re not evil people, we’re not dark, demonic people”“We just try to be ourselves…we’re not evil people, we’re not dark, demonic people. We might play heavy music, but I really like heavy music because it’s rebellious. At the same time, we try to remind people about the good in the world and the positive aspects of life. In this day and age, especially with all the information out there, it can be scary learning new things about the world,” he continues.
For such a young musician, Fitipaldes is impressively humble. His tendency for philosophical trajectories is replicated in his music, and when it is suggested that Northlane is basically comprised of high achievers and nerds, he laughs immediately.
“Yeah, you’re definitely right. We don’t do this to get money. We do this because we want to be the best at what we do.”
There may be a message of optimism, but there’s no doubt about the seriousness with which the band approach their career. Fitipaldes pays close attention to the wellbeing of his voice. He’s aware of the demand to constantly fluctuate between screaming and singing, a delicate act requiring mastery by most vocalists in the metalcore world.
“I try and get as much rest as possible. I definitely try to get my eight hours or even more some nights. I also remind myself that when I’m on stage, I got to look intense, and I got to be intense, but I have to make sure I’m not forcing my voice too much when I’m out there. I do have to pace myself over the month of shows every night.”
It is just as well that he has some caretaking rituals in place. If 2014 is even a shade of what 2013 has been for Northlane, he’s going to need that signature voice in fine working form.
Big Day Out 2014 Dates, Tickets
Friday 17th January ~ Western Springs, Auckland*
Sunday 19th January ~ Metricon Stadium & Carrara Parklands, Gold Coast
Friday 24th January ~ Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
Sunday 26th January ~ Sydney Showgrounds, Sydney
Friday 31st January ~ Bonython Park, Adelaide**
Sunday 2nd February ~ Claremont Showgrounds, Perth**
*For New Zealand Big Day Out 2014 lineup and ticketing details, please refer towww.bigdayout.com and choose AUCKLAND
**Subject to council approval
Tickets and info at www.bigdayout.com
