Polaroid Fame : Exclusive Interview

“A story told through great vocal hooks, catchy bass-lines and danceable grooves textured by spacious twin intergalactic guitar play, floating on a sweet blanket of synth”. This is how Polaroid Fame singer/axe-man describes the Fame’s much-coveted sound. Their tight Kooksian-Cut Copyesque indie pop-electro- especially in the live sense- is creating all sorts of delicious hype for the Byron Bay foursome.

Their debut album *We Live Your Life* is setting nostalgic hearts afire with their 80s reminsisence and decidedly charming tunes (no Galvatrons-style pomp in the Polaroid Fame camp). Frankie explains the evolution of the rekkid; “Up until the actual decision of saying ‘right, let’s do an album’, we were kind of content on the idea that we would release a new single-type thing every six months or so. But as we went along, I started thinking ‘what are we waiting for?’; we have this great body of pop tunes and had a lot of people at gigs, people asking, “when are you guys going to delve into an album?”. So we started talking with our producer Anthony Lycenko [Giants of Science, Pulp] who had worked with us on our previous single and EP. Before we knew it, we were on our way to making this fantastic album. We are so proud of how it turned out”

As you and I are already aware, the Australian music scene is notoriously cliquey and tough to crack; many bands fall by the wayside, lost in musical limbo as “experimental acoustica” or “the now defunct…”. Frankie explains how Polaroid Fame are faring in the Scene.

“I think, first and foremost, your music has to really strike a note with people. Doing a lot of free gigs and supports for bigger bands and just having fun with it worked for us. People pick up on that and want to be a part of it. We’ve also been pretty lucky so far with zzzFM [North Coast radio] really taking a liking to our music and thrashing our tracks; getting our music on the airwaves was a huge boost. We see people in the crowd nudging each other with affirmation of knowing the songs. Also, playing Splendour In The Grass this year really took it up a notch for us and confirmed that we are on the right track”

“Musically, we all come from slightly different places…but one constant is that deep down we all have a soft spot for classic and indie 80’s pop tunes. We are [also] huge fans of art, photography, the beach and Yazz flute to mention a few” Frankie laughs when asked from where the Fame draw greatest creative spice. So, Frankie, what song do you always wish you’d writted?

“Of late, I would have been happy to have written Death by the White Lies, but I think one that’s always blown me away is* Purple Rain *by Prince”

Ah: a sterling reference that no doubt gobble up massive nostalgic brownie points with fellow 80s-dance/rock enthusiasts. Where to now for the magnetic musos?

“I’d like to think we can keep building on our live shows and slowly get to a stage where we are packing them out. Music is so strong with us all, so I think a realistic goal is to work towards another album within the next year or two. We are totally independent at this stage, so I think it will take us that long to pay this one off” Frankie laughs, optimistically self-depracating. And I would expect nothing less.

Polaroid Fame play the Great Northern Hotel in Byron Bay (NSW) on January 8, 2010.
For more info about Polaroid Fame head to myspace.com/polaroidfame

POLAROID FAME – “We Live Your Life”

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