Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker has opened up about his escape from the devastating Californian wildfires.
Back in November, the US state of California played host to some of the most destructive wildfires in its history. With over 100 people losing their lives (the overwhelming majority of which were firefighters), dozens injured, and $3.5 billion in damages, there’s no doubt that Americans will be feeling the effects for years to come.
One lucky survivor of the fires was none other than Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, who took to Instagram to describe his lucky escape and loss of musical equipment.
“RIP to all this gear (and someone’s beautiful house) in Malibu,” Parker wrote at the time. “I made it out with my laptop and the Hofner. My heart breaks for the wildlife.”
Now, in an interview with Perth Now, Parker recalled the “wave of panic” as he was forced to evacuate the house he had been renting.
Recalling the events of that day, Kevin Parker explained that he had woken up at 10am following a night in the studio, finishing up around 4am.
“I usually sleep a bit later, so it’s quite lucky that I woke up when I did,” Parker said.
“I didn’t know where else to go. At least I knew I could jump in the water,” he continued. “I stood and watched the flames burning the hillside for an hour.”
While Kevin Parker estimates he lost around $40k worth of gear and equipment, it seems that sessions are still underway for the band’s new album, with recording being moved to Parker’s home in South Fremantle.
Check out Tame Impala’s ‘The Less I Know The Better’:
While music fans around the world are keen to see what Tame Impala’s historic headlining spot at Coachella will be like, it sounds like we won’t have too long to wait before we receive a new album from the band.
Back in July, Kevin Parker opened up about his recording plans while speaking to Beats 1’s Matt Wilkinson, explaining he was hoping mid-2019 would result in a new Tame Impala record, noting that he would “be really disappointed if we didn’t have something out by then.”
“I’m always working, I’m pretty certain now that another Tame Impala album is my main priority, definitely,” he stated. “I think now I’ve felt that calling. It’s like a calling from beyond.”
“I love playing the songs live, I love playing Currents songs I love playing Lonerism songs and everything but I think I’m ready to play some other songs live.”
“All the instinctual things are there. You know when a bear knows that it’s time to hibernate? When birds fly north or whatever. How do they know? They just feel it.”
Check out Tame Impala’s ‘List Of People (To Try And Forget About)’:
