Five Records That Forged WAAX’s Big Grief
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Five Records That Forged WAAX’s Big Grief

Big Grief, recorded across a number of sessions with fabled producer Nick DiDia (Rage Against The Machine, Bruce Springsteen) and none other than Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning, aims to change this. Across twelve tracks, the band battle with the titular concept of grief in all its meanings; penning rousing songs to explore notions of self-doubt, social anxieties, body image, loss and moving on to better things. Despite its anthemic, stomping instrumentals and Maz DeVita’s ear-candy vocal performances, Big Grief is a record that carries a heavy weight; and it’s one which reinforces exactly what WAAX stand for within Australia’s musical landscape. To further understand WAAX’s debut record, we dragged the band from their hectic national promo run to find out more about the records laid the foundation for Big Grief.

 

 

Idles – Joy as an Act of Resistance

 

 

We are obsessed with this record. The sincerity and passion that shines through was really inspiring for us to hear while making Big Grief. It’s raw and soulful and pretty much flawless. Lots of love and respect for this band. We saw them play at the Brightside (Brisbane) and were completely blown away.

 

 

Dose Your Dreams – Fucked Up

 

 

Guitar-wise, Fucked Up were big time inspiration. The huge sounds that come off this album are so brutal and almost operatic. We really wanted moments of wall of sound with big dynamics and you definitely get that with Fucked Up. Super excited that they’re coming to Australia – and we get to share the stage with them at Yours and Owls later in there year. Mayhem.

 

 

Fleetwood Mac – Rumours

 

 

We just love this record and try to take production inspo from it whenever we can. We were definitely thinking of it a lot while writing our closing track ‘IDKWIFL’. Just everything about this band rules. I’m pretty inspired by Stevie Nicks vocally, and drumming-wise you really can’t go past Mick Fleetwood.

 

 

Violent Soho – Hungry Ghost

 

 

Pretty close to home with this one – we are lucky to call this band our mates and one of our biggest inspirations. When we first heard Hungry Ghost we were floored and it definitely helped shape us – plus Brisbane; we are lucky to be from a town with so many great guitar music bands.

 

 

Julia Jacklin – Don’t Let the Kids Win

 

 

Julia’s songwriting is unreal. I love how direct and clever it is. We were listening to this record a lot when working on Big Grief. We actually recorded a cover of ‘Pool Party’ because we loved it so much. I’m sure its floating around on the inter webs somewhere.

 

 

Big Grief, the debut record from WAAX, arrives on Friday August 23 via Dew Process. Catch the band play live in a town near you this month.