tunesday – get to know eggy

If life was a movie, what would it sound like? Avant-pop outfit EGGY explores all things and movie magic on their newest album From Time to Time. We caught up with Lucy Packham and Zoe Monk for a behind-the-scenes snapshot of the making of the album.

From Time to Time is an album that has been made for the big screen, strewn with cinematic soundscapes. What films inspired the making of the album? Lucy: We really lent into the concept of cinema in more ways than one! We actually found ourselves thinking about the typical film structure when we were piecing together the order of the songs. So, they follow the emotional rollercoaster we feel in our favourite films.

In terms of inspirations, I see long expansive shots and moments, rather than whole movies. Shots that have either an incredibly aesthetic view with a lot going on, or a slow zoom in or out in a scenic setting. Some films that come to mind with those scenes are Zola (the motor inn scene), Truffle Hunters (opening scene) and The Shining (opening scene of the long drive).

If EGGY could soundtrack any film, which would it be? Zoe: I think it would have to be something somewhat absurd and unsettling, ‘cause that’s in the EGGY wheelhouse. I’d love to give The Shining a go. Wendy Carlos’ soundtrack is iconic, so it’d be so hard not to try and replicate what she wrote. But it would make for a very fun challenge to enter into, with that parameter in mind. The Shining, sign us up.

You’ve jumped back into your childhood instruments for the making of this album. What’s your favourite memory of music as a child? Lucy: My earliest engagement with music as a child was creating dances with my friends in the early 2000s. The highest profile one was in grade two at my primary school in Queensland where we got to teach the dance to all the students in the school hall at lunch time. We chose Blue’s “All rise” (naturally) and it went off. This probably sparked my love of performing and also maybe the reason many in EGGY pursued a legal degree. (I cannot speak for Dom and Sam on these statements.) 

Music lessons on the other hand were probably the earliest indications of neurodivergence. I used to not practice all week and then cram in practice for the 30 minutes before my lesson. I didn’t get very good at piano, but actually became not too bad at sight reading.

The song “Dying Sun” is described as “a warning call, from an era that can’t be visited”. If you could visit any era to hear the music of that time be performed live, which would it be? Zoe: Early-to-mid-‘70s. So much creating and inventing in that time. Synths were a bit easier to get your hands on, and they were the perfect mix of that raw energy and experimentation. I think people got a bit too good at using them by the ‘80s, and that perfect storm got washed out. A precious blip in time!

Your mum is referenced as a point of inspiration for the song “POW!”. What is the best advice your mum has ever given you? Zoe: So many things. I think less of specific quotes from my Mum, but more so overarching messages. I think some of her best messages she has given me is to always stand tall for what you believe in, to be kind and understanding, trust your gut, and to always hold love at the core of what you do. And to never lose your imagination, ‘cause that is free and will take you anywhere you want to go.

 

 

 

 

 

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The album even has its own feature film! Where did the idea come from to create such a vast visual accompaniment for From Time to Time? Lucy: Saying that EGGY has grown as a band with each of our releases feels like a bit of a cliché! But I guess we’ve been playing together for such a long time now that each release accompanies a new phase of our own personal development. For this one, we wanted to be more expansive than ever. The word cinematic got thrown around a lot and we ended up with a whole heap of carazay demos that were long, unwieldy and dynamic.

The word “journey” was used in almost 100 per cent of the early listens of the album. So, we felt like it made sense to reflect this feel into a story visually.

We’re also privileged to have director Bill Irving as EGGY’s number one ticket holder and support crew. He is a walking new idea and was able to help wrangle those ideas into a cohesive cinematic narrative. We’re really excited to have his and our ideas visually represent the cinematic feel of the album.

You’re playing at the UK’s The Great Escape in May. If you could escape into the world of any movie, which would it be? Zoe: Ratatouille. Could you imagine!!! I’d love to see those lil rats cookin’ up a storm.

Which song on From Time to Time are you most excited to play live for your upcoming shows? Lucy: I love the songs like “POW!” and “Open Field” that are maybe the most dynamic. The use of child-like nursery rhyme sounding sections (often played in hardcore venues) can catch the audience off guard. You then get to see their reactions change as the songs shift tone. That is drama and that is cinema, baby!

Describe the perfect setting that From Time to Time should be listened in. Zoe: I really hope everyone who reads this question has a different answer. Because so much of this record was about not wanting to tell people what to hear or think when listening to it. But from my own personal experience, I would say anywhere that makes you feel most grounded to the lands around you. For me, it’s sitting under a very big gum tree near my house, watching the birds and being in that conversation with what is around you.

From Time to Time is set to be released on March 21st. Until then, you can treat your eardrums to EGGY's music below.