“Magic naturally fades over distance. But proximity – well, when it works, proximity amplifies magic.”
David Levithan
There is a magic that radiates intensely at an intimate music showcase. The performances that take place in club show settings harness an imminent energy that is impossible to measure, but is perpetually memorable due to the proximity and experience of “living the music”. Arena shows are assuredly magnificent events that create unforgettable moments; however, the closeness of a few-hundred-capacity live music venue where the spectators’ senses are beyond stimulated by sights, sounds and even smells are undeniably spellbinding.
NSW’s mathcore party punks Totally Unicorn live and breathe this magic. Their exhibitions are not just presentations of “musicians in front of the crowd” – at the majority of their performances, they are IN the audience. This is not in a threatening manner at all, in fact it is quite the opposite; it is in a loving and collective sentiment. They want their onlookers to have fun with them, as a part of their family, for their entire set. That is the quartet’s purpose and why the famed author’s quote above fits so flawlessly well, Totally Unicorn amplify magic.
Vocalist Drew Gardner is arguably the best charmer in Australia when it comes to live music alchemy amplification. Moments into a ‘Unicorn showpiece, he descends from whatever stage is hosting him, and he is quick to hug the attendees of the show, play skip rope with them and his microphone cord. He will climb upon bars, seats, tables and even possibly run outside altogether. Does this seem a little difficult to believe? Simply watch the film clip for the four-piece’s latest single Parrot, which is a documentation of the band’s recent New Zealand tour; Drew’s wizardry is abundantly clear.
“New Zealand was so good, we had so much fun.” Gardner recollects from his balcony at home with an infectious smile. “The shows were unreal and everyone was super psyched to watch us. Truthfully, that was pretty surprising, we were not exactly sure if people really knew of us there, but the crowds were amazing.”
How was the music festival Camp A Low Hum in Wainuiomata?
“Mate, generally I hate festivals, but that was incredibly special,” Gardner continued. “A real DIY camping festival and everyone was SO nice. There were no dickheads, it was BYO. The atmosphere was really cool, and the event was extremely well put together, it was fantastic for us.”
The quartet have recently wrapped up their east coast run of shows celebrating Parrot and the fun-loving front-man plus guitarist Aaron Streatfeild, bassist Dean Podmore and drummer Adam Myers have gratefully discovered that the track has become a fast favourite for their followers. As Drew happily discloses about the recent venture:
“It was really good! We had a great response. I think the song itself, people loved it, but especially when we showcased it live – they were really into it. Every time we played it, at every show, it was the song people were most excited about,” he reflects with a joyous disposition before continuing, “sometimes on tour, you have those shows, and you are kind of like: ‘Okay, you know that was alright.’ But all the shows were great and amazingly fun; I mean, people actually came to all of them too, so that’s always good (laughs).”
How about returning to their hometown, Wollongong? That would have had an immense significance for Totally Unicorn?
“Going back to the ‘Gong was great,” he smiled. “It had probably been over a year, and thankfully we played a weekend. Every time we’re there, we play on a Thursday or a Sunday, and it’s just a bit fucking tricky. But we played Saturday night, and people came out, and it was fucking rowdy, that’s what we love.”
Essentially, the tour for Parrot concludes October 6 in Adelaide at a mini-fest hosted by Green Room Records and Set The Fire Records entitled Spring Break Down at the recently saved and historic music venue Crown & Anchor. The event features: Totally Unicorn, punk maniacs Thrashboard celebrating their 10th anniversary, doom devastators J A G U A R G O D, party-moshers Hammer618, thrash wizards Bone Reaper, the enthralling punk-core duo Witch Spit, metallic punk partiers SwordfishTrombone and post hardcore noisemakers Dilettantes. If TU’s history in South Australia is anything to go by, this will be remarkably ‘Good Thanks’.
“Adelaide is always pretty good for us,” Drew admitted. “I feel like it’s one of the places that we actually get pretty excited about playing. I don’t know why it’s different there, and I am not complaining, but people down there seem to be pretty keen to go to shows, which is nice. The crowds are always pretty receptive to us, so it’s awesome.”
What can we expect this time around? New songs? Old songs? Breathtaking outfits like the one modelled beautifully at Froth & Fury 2023?
“Yeah, we’ll probably play another new song we have played on the tour, and we will hopefully be releasing soon,” Drew offered. “It’s called Hard Feelings, and it’s my favourite song we’ve ever written. It’s a bit different for us, a bit ‘raw’; I suck at recording terminology, maybe ‘squashed’ – it sounds tough and really cool.”
What about the old favourites?
“Oh, man; we have been playing Guts, but that’s probably about it. It’s so hard with fuckwit (Adam Myers, drummer) living in Adelaide; I would love to play more from our splits and Dream Life. But man, it’s really weird being at a stage in a band, that I never have before, where you don’t want to cut a song. I like playing so many of our songs and having a whole set made up of songs I really enjoy playing, it is pretty incredible.”
Are there some that you would never like to revisit?
“Yeah, there’s fucking heaps of them (laughing).”
Assuredly, there will be many enthused admirers eager to witness this new composition from Totally Unicorn; therefore, it plagued this writer to ask if there is more new music to come and possibly more international touring?
“So we’ve got some new songs recorded, but I think for us, doing an album, it is just such a slog, and it usually takes a year out of the whole thing.” Drew admits in an earnest yet positive demeanour and elaborates further. “So we’re just really focusing on getting in and recording a couple of songs here and there, releasing them with videos, and then touring off that.”
Is a return overseas likely?
“We’re still trying to plan next year, but I think it’ll mostly be trying to finally get to Europe. Then maybe getting back to either Japan and New Zealand again.”
Considering October is just days away, the “proximity” of the music and possible touring, Totally Unicorn plan to unleash on the world is much closer than what their devotees probably realise. Although, with all of these exciting initiatives at a current impending status, their magic will be AMPLIFIED.
Just like a unicorn.
