interview with silk n oak

This group, fronted by brothers Rick and Troy Saunders, claims they draw inspiration from almost every musical genre. After hearing of their transformation from folk-rock to alt rock, I had to see this for myself, so I went to a gig. This transformation does them well, and they still manage to incorporate a little bit of everything into their music.

Thanks for chatting to me! How did this all begin for you? Tell us a bit about you and the band.  

Rick: It really began when I got into highschool. I broke my leg riding a motorbike. SO I had nothing else to do, so Tory and I started playing more music together. We played our first proper gig when we were both still in school. I think I would have been like 15. We stared gigging more and more and haven’t really stopped since. We toured, as a duo, to Tasmania as soon as Troy finished school. We had like a mumford-esque vibe. When we returned we record and EP, which only made it into CD. Then Lachy joined on drums, and his sister, Becc, joined keys & vocals a little later on. We’ve hosted a couple festival, which we call The Silk ‘N’ Oak Show, release a few more singles since the EP.

Troy: For me things began by the campfire. Sitting under the stars, listening to the dingoes howl, the stir of the wind brushing through the trees. This environment was enough to spark a lifetime of musical endeavours.

The journey was never intentional. The we just started jamming and writing songs in a room and one day we got asked to play a cafe, then for the next two years we were playing gigs nearly every weekend. We didn’t chase any gigs it was all word of mouth.

You say you draw inspiration from almost every genre- are there any artists that inspire you that may surprise listeners? 

 Rick: Well yeah, probably. Most people probably gauge our inspirations based on what we’ve released - and that particular sound - but it’s funny hearing people’s different ideas for your influences. A lot of people have compared us to Kings Of Leon, which have never been an influence really. I’d really listened to them until people starting saying that one.

I’ve drawn from and emulated, Johnny Cash - that’s probably a surprise for some, but that was my first big bit of inspo - both with writing and performing. I don’t think that would be expected based on our current releases.

Troy: Maybe a few if you have a narrow mind.

 What’s changed since you moved to Brisbane? 

 Rick: Buying food. Paying rent. Noise complaints. A diverse choice of watering holes (bars). I’ve had a little insight into city life I guess, and the different subgroups, and mini-cultures that begin to form within that. It’s also made gigging more accessible.

Troy: Drinking habits, the ability to see more live shows, meet for people, learn more about the scene.

 Speaking of change, how has your transition to alt rock been? 

 Rick: Really challenging, we lost our way, and wanted to give up and work at A-mart all sports or something… Or start playing country music.

We didn’t really push for it to happen, or make a choice about it. Just that we were listening to different kinds of music and that change generally finds it’s way through into your work. We also had a second guitarist, Luke, which influenced the new songs differently - opened a different door - so to speak. There’s no rulebook really, you just have to tell people something, so that’s where the alt.rock thing came from.

Troy: The transition to alt rock, I mean what a journey.... Getting to the destination of “Alt Rock”. Some of it has come naturally some of it has been pushed.

 Do you prefer recording or playing live? 

 Rick: That’s varies. At the moment I’m preferring writing and recording. Recording can only really be enjoyed once you kind of know what it is. Once your ideas like: ‘it’s all gonna be amazing, and how everything is gonna sound great, and your songs won’t be shit…” dissolve. Once those notions are gone, then you can get creative and not instill yourself with so much doubt.

Troy: That’s a tough one. Both have there moments. Couldn’t quite put my finger on it.

 What’s a memorable tour/ backstage story of yours? 

 Rick: I don’t really have one. We think it’s funny, like the “wild bands”, but we’re really not one of them. Low key, you know? Smoke a couple cigarettes, probably more than a couple beers and fall asleep. Go home depressed cause there was no girls at your gig. It varies, but not really.

Troy: The first tour with our drummer Lachlan. So many fond memories, good laughs, idiotic behaviour and great gigs. Touring can be difficult, but it’s comes with its own challenges that bring fun to the table so it’s always a good time.