Trenton Woodley - Hands Like Houses (05/09/2014)
Whether you’re from the UK, American or Australia, there’s a chance Hands Like Houses have made a stop in your city. Since releasing their highly successful sophomore album, Unimagine with Rise Records, they have played shows in twelve countries, in over three continents, on nine separate tours. Hailing from the nation’s capital, the six-piece are showing how an Australian act can make it on the highly competitive international playing field.
While on a well deserved break, The 59th Sound spoke with vocalist Trenton Woodley about their upcoming Australian tour in September and their third album.
“We’ve had a pretty intense four months on the road touring, and with an Australian tour on the side it’s a nice chance to settle in at home, be with friends and family and to start putting down the foundations for what’s next”.
The upcoming ‘A Tale of Outer Suburbia’ tour will be the band’s third Australian tour this year and it seems they have no intention of slowing down any time soon. After the conclusion of this tour, they will head straight of to the UK to support Bury Tomorrow alongside Byron Bay boys, In Hearts Wake. However, like most bands they try to stay true to their roots.
“In Australia we had a little bit of a slow start, but being able to play to an Australian crowd has been really encouraging between each show, seeing all the rooms filling up earlier and the rooms getting bigger it’s definitely a positive thing” Trenton says with a proud tone to his voice.
It’s been just over a year since Unimagine was released; it was a success and showcased the immense talent that Hands Like Houses have.
“We try not to focus on the single mentality, where you have two or three songs that are good and the rest is kind of forgettable. For us we want to make every song worthwhile, even if it isn’t the single that everyone latches on to, we want to make sure every song has a continuity so it fits together and just feels like it’s a part of something bigger”.
Coming in to the creating process of their third album, there’s slight nervousness in the back of the band’s minds as the third album has the potential to make or break a band. Woodley keyed us in on things work when a band reaches this stage in their career.
“The reality is, with the music industry the way that is these days, every album is make or break. The third album is typically when bands have built enough momentum to strike out on their own and start playing big headline shows and to start attracting big attention”.
“There is obviously a make or break mentality around the album, we’ve had incredible growth, especially on the back of Unimagine and the third album keeps things rolling or things start to plateau out and you can usually tell by the time the third albums comes out where things are headed long term”.
“There’s pressure around it, but no more than we’ve dealt with before. The first album is what people discover you by, the second album is when you start to branch out to confirm what that first album is about and the third is where you start to strike out on your own. It’s in the back of our minds, but at the end of the day you just have to write the best music that you can and do something that’s right for you and your audience. The rest will come naturally after that”.
Like every band, Hands Like Houses have their own way on approaching writing and recording for their albums.
“We try to change it up a bit and approach things from a different angle, but traditionally we try do all the form work then we build up the keys and the vocals, and the drums around the cord and rhythm base”.
“We try to explore too, different people coming up with different ideas. Starting songs from a bass and drum part, or just starting it from the guitar part. Trying to branch out, try different things and see what comes together.”
Earlier in the year, the band disconnected themselves from the world in a small farmhouse located in the Snowy Mountains to rediscover the songs from Unimagine in order to produce an acoustic EP. It will feature fan favourites including the first single from the album Introduced Species and is set to be released September 16, just days after they embark on their headlining tour across Australia.
With new music and an upcoming tour, it means the tough decision of creating the perfect set list to please fans has to be made.
“Choosing set list is really tricky, obviously you want to try and change things up, so people who have seen you multiple times aren’t seeing the same thing over and over again. So you create new balances and a new narrative story of the set with the flow between the big and heavier songs and the quieter songs to create one seamless experience for everyone”.
Despite having two albums out, Trenton explained that depending on where they play, their set list will change.
“In Australia and the UK, Unimagine has been a lot more successful and appreciated. In America though we have a more broad split between Unimagine and Ground Dweller, but we still tend to lean more toward Unimagine just because we prefer playing it, but we still keep the favourites off of Ground Dweller”.
Having toured extensively over the past two years with these songs, including the American leg of the Vans Warped Tour, it made it hard for Trenton to pin point his best memory so far.
“Probably our London show on our first headline tour of the UK back in May, it was a sold out show and was one of the most enthusiastic response we’ve had at a headline show”
“At this point, we are starting to strike out on our own, creating our own audiences rather than borrowing from other bands we’ve supported. It was really very encouraging to see such a positive response to our stuff.”
“Playing sold out shows where it’s not just someone else, people are coming to see you and the venue is full, it’s a really cool thing.”
Although they are now making a name for themselves and playing more headlining shows, Hands Like Houses have toured with some big names in the scene including Memphis May Fire, Sleeping With Sirens and Pierce The Veil.
“We’ve been very blessed with who we have toured with, like Pierce The Veil, have had a lot to do with our touring mentality. They are very level headed guys and genuinely good people to be around, and from them we’ve picked up tips and tricks to touring. Especially going into things like Warped tour which is an experience itself. playing all day everyday, it’s hot and sweaty, you learn some advice from everyone.”
“I’ve had some pretty interesting conversations with Craig [Owens] from Chiodos about some of the experiences they’ve been through, because they kind of blew up before the pre-internet era so they’ve reached some amazing heights. Just being able to chat with him about his experiences with getting big was good to get some perspective on and take it all onboard for our own touring mentality.”
Now with their own headlining tours, they are able to give smaller bands the opportunities they were given to create their own audiences.
“That’s what gave us our big break, just supporting bands that genuinely appreciated our music and wanted to look after us and give us the best start. So we want to start doing that for bands that are coming through like Forever Ends Here [the main support act for the September tour] especially who have done some really positive things in the last 2 years”
As for the future, Hands Like Houses are just seeing how things play out for them, and despite it being a huge stretch would love to tour with Thirty Seconds to Mars one day.
“If you asked us five years ago what would you like to do if our band became successful, we’d probably list off a whole bunch of things that we’ve been lucky enough to have already done. From here on out we are just taking every opportunity as it comes, for us it’s just to take it as far as we can and enjoy the experience as it goes”.
Catch Hands Like Houses at one of their upcoming shows on the ‘A Tale of Outer Suburbia’ tour this September. Their new EP Reimagine is now available on pre-order through Rise Records.
Ashleigh Minnell
HANDS LIKE HOUSES
AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR - SEP–OCT 2014
With Guests Forever Ends Here
Tickets Available at http://wl.eventopia.co/handslikehouses
FRI 12 SEP – FOWLERS, ADELAIDE SA (LIC/AA)with guests Forever Ends Here, Breakaway
SAT 13 SEP - DING DONG, MELBOURNE VIC (18+)with guests Forever Ends Here, Breakaway
SUN 14 SEP – WRANGLER STUDIOS, FOOTSCRAY VIC (AA)with guests Forever Ends Here, Breakaway
THU 18 SEP – BOAMBEE COMMUNITY CENTRE, COFFS HARBOUR QLD (AA) *with guests Far Away Stables
FRI 19 SEP – CROWBAR, BRISBANE QLD (18+)with guests Forever Ends Here, Far Away Stables
SAT 20 SEP – SMALL BALLROOM, NEWCASTLE NSW (18+)with guests Forever Ends Here, Far Away Stables
SUN 21 SEP – BALD FACED STAG, SYDNEY NSW (LIC/AA)with guests Forever Ends Here, Far Away Stables, Breakaway
SAT 27 SEP – ANU BAR, CANBERRA ACT (18+)with guests Forever Ends Here
WED 1 OCT – HQ, PERTH WA (AA) **Local supports TBC
THU 2 OCT – AMPLIFIER, PERTH WA (18+) **Local supports TBC
* Forever Ends Here not appearing** HLH only and local supports
While on a well deserved break, The 59th Sound spoke with vocalist Trenton Woodley about their upcoming Australian tour in September and their third album.
“We’ve had a pretty intense four months on the road touring, and with an Australian tour on the side it’s a nice chance to settle in at home, be with friends and family and to start putting down the foundations for what’s next”.
The upcoming ‘A Tale of Outer Suburbia’ tour will be the band’s third Australian tour this year and it seems they have no intention of slowing down any time soon. After the conclusion of this tour, they will head straight of to the UK to support Bury Tomorrow alongside Byron Bay boys, In Hearts Wake. However, like most bands they try to stay true to their roots.
“In Australia we had a little bit of a slow start, but being able to play to an Australian crowd has been really encouraging between each show, seeing all the rooms filling up earlier and the rooms getting bigger it’s definitely a positive thing” Trenton says with a proud tone to his voice.
It’s been just over a year since Unimagine was released; it was a success and showcased the immense talent that Hands Like Houses have.
“We try not to focus on the single mentality, where you have two or three songs that are good and the rest is kind of forgettable. For us we want to make every song worthwhile, even if it isn’t the single that everyone latches on to, we want to make sure every song has a continuity so it fits together and just feels like it’s a part of something bigger”.
Coming in to the creating process of their third album, there’s slight nervousness in the back of the band’s minds as the third album has the potential to make or break a band. Woodley keyed us in on things work when a band reaches this stage in their career.
“The reality is, with the music industry the way that is these days, every album is make or break. The third album is typically when bands have built enough momentum to strike out on their own and start playing big headline shows and to start attracting big attention”.
“There is obviously a make or break mentality around the album, we’ve had incredible growth, especially on the back of Unimagine and the third album keeps things rolling or things start to plateau out and you can usually tell by the time the third albums comes out where things are headed long term”.
“There’s pressure around it, but no more than we’ve dealt with before. The first album is what people discover you by, the second album is when you start to branch out to confirm what that first album is about and the third is where you start to strike out on your own. It’s in the back of our minds, but at the end of the day you just have to write the best music that you can and do something that’s right for you and your audience. The rest will come naturally after that”.
Like every band, Hands Like Houses have their own way on approaching writing and recording for their albums.
“We try to change it up a bit and approach things from a different angle, but traditionally we try do all the form work then we build up the keys and the vocals, and the drums around the cord and rhythm base”.
“We try to explore too, different people coming up with different ideas. Starting songs from a bass and drum part, or just starting it from the guitar part. Trying to branch out, try different things and see what comes together.”
Earlier in the year, the band disconnected themselves from the world in a small farmhouse located in the Snowy Mountains to rediscover the songs from Unimagine in order to produce an acoustic EP. It will feature fan favourites including the first single from the album Introduced Species and is set to be released September 16, just days after they embark on their headlining tour across Australia.
With new music and an upcoming tour, it means the tough decision of creating the perfect set list to please fans has to be made.
“Choosing set list is really tricky, obviously you want to try and change things up, so people who have seen you multiple times aren’t seeing the same thing over and over again. So you create new balances and a new narrative story of the set with the flow between the big and heavier songs and the quieter songs to create one seamless experience for everyone”.
Despite having two albums out, Trenton explained that depending on where they play, their set list will change.
“In Australia and the UK, Unimagine has been a lot more successful and appreciated. In America though we have a more broad split between Unimagine and Ground Dweller, but we still tend to lean more toward Unimagine just because we prefer playing it, but we still keep the favourites off of Ground Dweller”.
Having toured extensively over the past two years with these songs, including the American leg of the Vans Warped Tour, it made it hard for Trenton to pin point his best memory so far.
“Probably our London show on our first headline tour of the UK back in May, it was a sold out show and was one of the most enthusiastic response we’ve had at a headline show”
“At this point, we are starting to strike out on our own, creating our own audiences rather than borrowing from other bands we’ve supported. It was really very encouraging to see such a positive response to our stuff.”
“Playing sold out shows where it’s not just someone else, people are coming to see you and the venue is full, it’s a really cool thing.”
Although they are now making a name for themselves and playing more headlining shows, Hands Like Houses have toured with some big names in the scene including Memphis May Fire, Sleeping With Sirens and Pierce The Veil.
“We’ve been very blessed with who we have toured with, like Pierce The Veil, have had a lot to do with our touring mentality. They are very level headed guys and genuinely good people to be around, and from them we’ve picked up tips and tricks to touring. Especially going into things like Warped tour which is an experience itself. playing all day everyday, it’s hot and sweaty, you learn some advice from everyone.”
“I’ve had some pretty interesting conversations with Craig [Owens] from Chiodos about some of the experiences they’ve been through, because they kind of blew up before the pre-internet era so they’ve reached some amazing heights. Just being able to chat with him about his experiences with getting big was good to get some perspective on and take it all onboard for our own touring mentality.”
Now with their own headlining tours, they are able to give smaller bands the opportunities they were given to create their own audiences.
“That’s what gave us our big break, just supporting bands that genuinely appreciated our music and wanted to look after us and give us the best start. So we want to start doing that for bands that are coming through like Forever Ends Here [the main support act for the September tour] especially who have done some really positive things in the last 2 years”
As for the future, Hands Like Houses are just seeing how things play out for them, and despite it being a huge stretch would love to tour with Thirty Seconds to Mars one day.
“If you asked us five years ago what would you like to do if our band became successful, we’d probably list off a whole bunch of things that we’ve been lucky enough to have already done. From here on out we are just taking every opportunity as it comes, for us it’s just to take it as far as we can and enjoy the experience as it goes”.
Catch Hands Like Houses at one of their upcoming shows on the ‘A Tale of Outer Suburbia’ tour this September. Their new EP Reimagine is now available on pre-order through Rise Records.
Ashleigh Minnell
HANDS LIKE HOUSES
AUSTRALIAN HEADLINE TOUR - SEP–OCT 2014
With Guests Forever Ends Here
Tickets Available at http://wl.eventopia.co/handslikehouses
FRI 12 SEP – FOWLERS, ADELAIDE SA (LIC/AA)with guests Forever Ends Here, Breakaway
SAT 13 SEP - DING DONG, MELBOURNE VIC (18+)with guests Forever Ends Here, Breakaway
SUN 14 SEP – WRANGLER STUDIOS, FOOTSCRAY VIC (AA)with guests Forever Ends Here, Breakaway
THU 18 SEP – BOAMBEE COMMUNITY CENTRE, COFFS HARBOUR QLD (AA) *with guests Far Away Stables
FRI 19 SEP – CROWBAR, BRISBANE QLD (18+)with guests Forever Ends Here, Far Away Stables
SAT 20 SEP – SMALL BALLROOM, NEWCASTLE NSW (18+)with guests Forever Ends Here, Far Away Stables
SUN 21 SEP – BALD FACED STAG, SYDNEY NSW (LIC/AA)with guests Forever Ends Here, Far Away Stables, Breakaway
SAT 27 SEP – ANU BAR, CANBERRA ACT (18+)with guests Forever Ends Here
WED 1 OCT – HQ, PERTH WA (AA) **Local supports TBC
THU 2 OCT – AMPLIFIER, PERTH WA (18+) **Local supports TBC
* Forever Ends Here not appearing** HLH only and local supports