Dunedin psychedelic post-punk quartet The Violet Ohs released its fantastic debut album Battlephant last month.
I caught up with vocalist and guitarist Nick Tipa to discuss the new release, part Battles, and part Tame Impala's Elephant.
When I last spoke to Tipa in September 2014, he'd made the decision to forgo playing guitar in the band, opting instead to present himself as a stand-alone singer and frontman performing with a line of pedals to manipulate his voice.
It was a brave and interesting choice, but for this new album, he's made a return to the six-string.
''When we came to jam again to make some material for the album, I just jumped on guitar - I'd been playing a bit on keyboard as well - just trying to find some different stuff to work with,'' he says, sipping a coffee.
''We just found a lot of the songs were coming together really naturally with two guitar parts. One of the main reasons I stopped playing guitar is because it would be a matter of [guitarist] Zac bringing a song to practice, and we were trying to fit another guitar part into his songs. It was hard and often wouldn't work or do justice to the song. I've only started playing for a natural reason. At the root of it it's natural.''
Having him back is a great move: not only does he beef up the band's muscular sound, but he's also a talented player who doesn't seem interested in being too flashy, locking in parts which act as great countermelodies and the basis for some sonic exploration.
''As far as vocal lines go though, I think I've taken [quite a few lessons onboard]. It's going to be a matter of taking some of the stuff we were doing a year ago, and bringing them back into the music.''
As a vocalist, Tipa has a classical background, performing in the University of Otago Capping Shows Sextet, and in local vocal group Guillare.
It lends a projection, cleanliness, and boom to his delivery, a robustness that creates vocal parts and timbres you wouldn't necessarily expect on what is essentially a psychedelic post-rock record.
''Classical singing is basically not trying to scream too much,'' Tipa tells me.
''I've slowly started to find ways around that with the band. It's just not screaming in ways that are detrimental to your vocal health, and not all screaming is bad for your voice. Opera is basically screaming with education.''
Tipa thinks this unexpectedness is echoed in the playing of his bandmates, guitarist Zac Nicholls, drummer Josh Nicholls, and bassist Connor Blackie.
''I think that comes through on what the other guys do too. Zac's a big fan of a band like Dream Theatre. We used to listen to a lot of power metal. I've often had people says he plays things you wouldn't really expect.''
Drummer Josh Nicholls brings life and youthful vigour to Foals-like, math-pop-meets-the-dancefloor rhythms, and interlocking guitar and drum patterns, playing with far less restraint and adding a harder edge and different feel to the grooves.
This is a fine record, which is certain to pop up in my Best of the Year Local List, and the band are also planning a new EP for early next year, so watch this space.
Get it
• The Violet Ohs debut album Battlephant is available for for $7 on bandcamp, thevioletohs.bandcamp.com/
• Suitable Alternative has two digital copies to give away. To go in the draw email playtime@odt.co.nz with Battlephant in the subject line.
