Radio Free Alice on Discovering What's In Between

Naarm/Melbourne’s new wave and post-punk export Radio Free Alice are celebrating the release of their debut album, What's In Between.

Produced by the legendary Peter Katis, who is known for his work with Interpol, Death Cab for Cutie, The National and many others, and featuring input from Ewan Pearson (Depeche Mode, Franz Ferdinand) and Finn Billingham, What's In Between is 11 tracks of stirring, melodic modern guitar music showcasing lead singer Noah Learmonth's lyrical prowess.

"I don't know if I'm an especially joyous person. I wish I was more joyous. But I want to be somebody that makes joyous music. I think it's a self-deprecating record but, if I can say so myself, I think there's something very charming about the album,” says Learmonth. "If the album was a person, it's the sort of person I’d want to be."

We chatted with the band about their debut, working with producers Peter Katis and Ewan Pearson, overseas audiences and their favourite live experience.

Congratulations on the release of What’s In Between. After putting in the work with Radio Free Alice over the years, what does it mean to finally have your debut album out in the world? Is it exciting or more of a sense of relief, or a bit of both?

I think it's definitely a bit of both. A debut album is such a big and special moment; it feels like there's a lot of pressure. Which is exciting. And to have a cohesive, compact project out feels great. But I can’t say I'm not relieved to finally be done with it all. Some of these songs have been years in the making, so it feels good to have that weight lifted and to be able to move on.

What's In Between has been described as the band's "coming of age story". How much of it reflects where Radio Free Alice is now versus where you were when some of these songs were first written?

I think the "coming of age" thing is consistent with a lot of our music. So I'd say at least that component hasn't changed really. We are probably now a lot more considered in our approach to songwriting and the way in which we want to present ourselves as a band.

How did the process of making your debut album differ from the way you approached your earlier releases, particularly your first couple of EPs?

For the most part, the process has been the same. The songs are usually already written, then we go into the studio to track and mix them. I will say there were a couple of songs on the album, 'Undressed' and 'Four Leaf Clover', that were actually written in the studio as we were recording. That process is rare for us and was really fun and felt very creative.

Did you go into the studio with a singular idea or theme, or did the record evolve organically during the writing and recording?

It definitely evolved organically. We rarely go into the studio with a specific or singular idea. Usually we like to let the songs evolve themselves, and convey an emotion we are all drawn to.

READ MORE: Adam Newling Embraces The Bloody Unknown

What's In Between features production from two heavyweights: Peter Katis (Interpol, Death Cab for Cutie, The National) and Ewan Pearson (Depeche Mode, Franz Ferdinand). Tell us a little about those two and how they helped shape the album.

Ewan tends to have a more understated approach to his production and has an electronic background, which definitely comes out in his recordings. He can capture a certain feel and groove that always flows really nicely. Peter has a much more full and grand approach, which feels quite undeniable and exciting. Listening back to Peter's mixes, it always immediately just feels right. The album wouldn't be where it is without both of their expertise.

The band has released a slew of awesome singles, but I'm a big fan of the album track 'Bottleshops'. It has a real Manchester vibe to it and feels like a track that would go off live. Can you tell us a little about the idea behind the song and what your favourite track on the album is?

'Bottleshops' came together super quickly, as you could probably expect. We felt the album needed a fun more fast tempo track and our manager said that was the one for it. My personal favourite is 'Undressed'. It feels our most mature song to date, was a lot of fun to record too.

Do you think Radio Free Alice has undergone a significant evolution since the band first formed?

I really don't think we have changed much. Maybe we’ve gotten a bit older, and slightly more miserable.

As one of a few Aussie bands who have found an even bigger audience overseas in recent years, what has surprised you most about the way international listeners have responded to Radio Free Alice?

Just the fact that people overseas are responding to our music positively is a surprise. I mean, we've always had aspirations to be an overseas band, but the fact that it actually happened is very surreal.

The band is particularly big in the UK. Do you guys have any desire to move there and give it a real crack establishing yourselves across Europe?

Yeah, we actually already have moved there. Between tours, I've been living in Bow with these two fellas from Belfast. Loving it. So yeah, already done. Haha.

 READ MORE: Jebediah: Still Writing Their Own Story

Continuing the international theme, you've spent a fair amount of time touring overseas. What have those tours taught you about the band that you might not have discovered playing shows at home?

Just that touring internationally can be really challenging. It's hard to talk about that without sounding ungrateful, but it's true. It's hard work. Not much sleep. And you want to give an explosive performance every night and give people their money’s worth, but it's hard. In a way, that's been the biggest learning experience we've gone through, but we're getting better at it.

How does Radio Free Alice approach playing to an audience that may be hearing you for the first time compared with a crowd that has followed the band for years?

We try to change nothing on our end, but inevitably we do. Playing live is a conversation, and if the audience isn't giving much, it's hard to self-generate that energy. But in terms of our approach, we try to treat all shows the same way.

You recently played Reading Festival and supported Geese on their Aussie tour. What's been your touring highlight over the past 12 months?

Probably playing a festival in Belgium called Rock Werchter. That was the best festival I've ever played or attended. So special, and the people there were the most generous audience members.

The guerrilla pop-up series took you from a London railway bridge to LA's Chinatown and an Austin backyard, and recently with 800 fans in a Sydney laneway and 400 inside Pentridge Prison. What did it mean to see that kind of support at home?

It was beautiful, to be honest. Playing shows in Australia will always have a special place in our hearts, so it was really nice that it went well.

Finally, when you look back at the journey from forming the band to releasing What's In Between and touring overseas, what are you most proud of?

Honestly, this album. I think these songs are the best of our career, and we can't wait for people to hear it.

What's In Between by Radio Free Alice is out now. Listen here.