INTERVIEW: Golden Vessel On ‘everythingeverydayeverything’
By Josh Bell
Meanjin based producer and artist Golden Vessel has consistently shown himself a creative force of experimentation and collaboration in the lead up to his 2022 album ‘everythingeverydayeverything’.
Blending and bending influences from hip-hop, indie-rock and alternative the 11-track LP feels like a victory lap of his previous work as a sonic shapeshifter and mainstay of Australia’s experimental pop scene.
Featuring appearances from regular features like Mallrat and Emerson Leif ‘eee’ is a star studded affair that sees Golden Vessel enter new artistic territory while maintaining his indie electronic essence fans have come to know and love.
We had the chance to pick his brain on making the magic behind his latest masterpiece - as well as get a sneak peek into what he’s got lined up for the remainder of his already massive 2022…
Hi Golden Vessel! Your new album ‘eee’ is finally out! What would you say is the most surprising thing people are going to hear or get to know about you through listening to the album start to finish?
Hey! Hmm I think the album is quite personal and is about a period in my life where I was rethinking my religious upbringing. So maybe that would be surprising to some people? What surprised me the most is how many people have had similar experiences leaving church or questioning their beliefs, so it’s been really nice to have shared it.
‘everythingeverydayeverything’, what made you decide on that title?
It’s something that my friend Kalem (Rei So La) sang and when you’re rethinking your beliefs it really does run into every aspect of your life and how you think, so it felt quite fitting.
What song are you most excited to perform live and why?
We didn’t tour my previous album colt because of lockdown so I’m excited to play the new songs but also the colt songs that feel really fun to play as a band (like that’s us or diesel).
As a producer of all your work - is there a track on the record that ended up changing the most from its original iteration? If so, how did this come about?
Probably the lead single ‘eee’. I wrote it in the back of my car when I was road tripping across the states and originally it was this slow song with only verses and was in 6/8 time.
While we’re on the subject of production, what was the songwriting process like for making this record and how was it different from your last offerings ‘colt’ and ‘SLOWSHINE’?
I think they’ve all been similar! And just sonically it’s changed through my exploring of different sounds and influences. But I love collaging different songs & ideas together and sampling recordings that my friends make and collaborating. I think since SLOWSHINE though i’ve gotten better at making space and not overcrowding the pot.
As always this latest album is a feast of collaboration and features - Is there an artist on this record you were most excited to work with or any new friendships you gained in the process?
Pretty much everyone who worked on the album with me is an old friend or we’ve worked on other projects before! Was really nice to make ‘so far’ with FELIVAND though because she and I have become fast friends and was a pleasure working on her album ‘ties’, so nice to get her on mine as well.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBpB5mnMzLw?wmode=opaque]
If I hopped on your Spotify account right now who could I expect to find in your most listened to? And what artists helped influence this release?
At the moment I can’t put down the new record by Florist, it’s amazing. I’ve also been listening to this 2003 Japanese ambient album ‘Re.Sort’ by Sora. I’m always listening to lots of different music but definitely Big Thief / Adrienne Lenker were a big influence on this album.
Similar to its title - if you had to describe this album in your own 3 words what would they be?
Patchwork, heaven, blip
There’s a beautiful sense of chaos and playfulness to the album artwork for this one - what was the process of making the artwork like?
My old housemate moved out and I had 6 weeks where I had the house to myself before my new housemate moved in. And so I took the empty room and fitted it out with pieces from local artists & music equipment and made a sort of fake bedroom studio. We shot there for 2 days and then tried to use those visuals in as many ways as possible. I also worked with Visaya Hoffie who created a mascot for the album which was a fun process. She drew me 12 pages of characters and then I chose the one that I liked the best and then she drew him in different poses & made him out of clay.
What’s in the pipeline for the rest of the year and what can fans expect to see from you next?
I’ve been working on a lot of music for my dance side project 1tbsp which I’ll be rolling out towards the end of the year! And I’m just starting to figure out what’s next for Golden Vessel atm, i’ve got a few ideas though.
