MOTEL VOID: You are from New Zealand (Aotearoa). How would you describe the current music scene there? Do you feel that you’re part of it?
SWALLOW THE RAT (HAYDEN): Seems like the scene is healthy again. Something resembling normality has been restored after a few years of lockdowns. There are some exciting new bands around and the good venues are well booked out. International acts are coming back down here again too which creates opportunities for local bands. Guess I do feel involved in the scene here, in that people know who we are, and I know who they are, and we seem to be getting offered shows more often.
MOTEL VOID: Last year you released your second album (if I don’t count split w/ Clone) called South Locust. Could you tell us more about the recording and writing process of your album?
SWALLOW THE RAT: We are a band where everybody contributes to the writing process whether it be a fully fleshed out structure or ideas for different instruments or vocal parts. Majority of the songs on SL we had been playing live so they were well locked down, with a couple introduced just before going into the studio. We recorded with our friend Nick Abbott here in Auckland. He has nice gear and is excellent at putting microphones in front of guitar amps, and he gets us. Overdubs were added back at our practice space. We then reached out to Sonny Diperri in LA who had worked on some records we really liked and somehow convinced him to mix the album. Sonny in turn recommended Carl Saff for mastering.
MOTEL VOID: You just announced your US tour, congratulations! You’re playing SXSW for example… Will it be your first US tour ever? And how many shows will you play there?
SWALLOW THE RAT: Thank you. This will be our 3rd tour there. Our last one was March 2020, which got cut short in New York when a state of emergency was declared. Looks like we’ll be playing about 20 shows this time including a bunch at SXSW.
MOTEL VOID: Your biggest inspirations right now?
SWALLOW THE RAT: I don’t know but last week we played with a noise rock band from Australia called Twine who were really great. The last two records I bought were Bauhaus ‘Mask‘ and Osees ‘Metamorphosed’.
MOTEL VOID: Your other plans for 2024?
SWALLOW THE RAT: Get more sleep.
motel void 
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