To find out more about the sounds of You Read My Mind, we asked for Ella and Graeme to take us on a tour through their studio space in Fitzroy, where we’re checking out some of the synths, drum machines, sequencers and other bits and bobs that made it onto the record.
1. AKAI MPC 5000
This is the central piece of gear in the GL setup. It has been involved in every GL production since the start, and even used to run the entire live show, which was not a great idea in hindsight. An amazing piece of equipment that gets a bad rap unfairly.
2. Oberheim DX
This is an essential drum machine with heaps of versatility and attitude. Can be unruly, but always satisfying. I usually just record out of the mono mix on this for the true juiciness.
3. Yamaha DX7
I’ve been looking after this for my friend since about 2010. It’s full of Chick Corea inspired patches. Our first singles ‘Won’t You See’ and ‘What Happened To Us’ were recorded using this classic.
4. Simmons SDS 8
Love this drum synth, not only as the brain for the accompanying Simmons pads, but also as a unit to control using acoustic drum triggers, or the MPC. It’s quite versatile and can add a lot of fun to your live drums.
5. Ludwig Drums
This is a pretty ratty ’60s Ludwig kit. Very thumpy, and warm. Very forgiving and easy to play/record.
6. Tubs full of handy things
Boring but important, some semblance of organisation in the studio is very important. Saving time searching for small bits and cables can really help you stay focused.
7. Buckets full of handy percussion bits
Percussion can be so inspirational for creating energy and fun early on in the process. Recently triangle, castanets and blocks have featured heavily on GL recordings.
8. Roland JX3P
This synth was used on many songs on the album. I love its warmth and versatility. Great for everything from ambient drone sounds to lush string parts and thick round chordal sounds.
9. Imagist Poetry
I find it can be helpful to have a few poetry books around when writing lyrics sometimes you just need a word or different metaphor to think about. I always come back to this book of imagist poetry which I found at a second hand bookstore years ago. It’s a collection of different writers’ work which use this idea of the paradox of the image.
10. More books
A couple more books I love, like this lovely book of animal poems. Here is one of my favourites;
‘A Jellyfish’ – Marianne Moore (1887-1972)
Visible, invisible,
a fluctuating charm
an amber-tinctured amethyst
inhabits it, your arm
approaches and it opens
and it closes; you had meant
to catch it and it quivers;
you abandon your intent
Another book I always keep around is a collection of poems by Margaret Atwood titled The Door. Here is a lovely excerpt from one of her poems called ‘Gasoline’;
“I knew that it was poison
its beauty an illusion:
I could spell flammable.
But still, I loved the smell:
So Alien, a whiff
of starstuff.”
GL’s new album You Read My Mind is out now via Pool Records.
