Fuzz-Pop Appetiser

Brisbane-based, fun-loving rockers Babaganouj have been flirting around the local music scene for a couple of years now, boasting one of the most interesting band names on the market. “The name was just a suggestion from an old friend,” explains frontman Charles Sale. “It's probably not the most ideal band name, but I have a theory that every band name is really crap, so we just rolled with it. Also I feel like we've got fans that are always going to be fans because they like eating baba ghanoush.”

The group has been kicking around for a while now and experienced a couple of line-up changes, the addition of Ruby McGregor last year being the latest. “In terms of the live show I think having Ruby in the band has taken a lot of pressure off Charles, because he used to be the only guitarist,” vocalist Harriette Pilbeam explains.

“Yeah actually it's been quite helpful,” Sale admits. “I think in terms of the songwriting as well, having Ruby around has kept everything simple, because she's not the greatest guitar player in the world. That sounds really mean, but I think it's just helped keep our heads in the pop spectrum more.”

With most members also involved in other musical endeavours, both Sale and Pilbeam find Babaganouj to have the most creative freedom comparatively. “With so many of the other bands I play in it's purely an instrumental part, you know, I play the guitar. So Babaganouj is like my outlet,” says Sale.

“Yeah it feels pretty much the same for me” agrees Pilbeam, “because, in all the bands I've ever been in I'm kind of just playing for them, whereas The Nouj feels a lot more free. I do a lot more singing with The Nouj as well, which is my favourite part. I think it works really well with the two of us singing together.”

Both Sale and Pilbeam believe their latest single Too Late For Love has been a positive step forward. “I think emotionally our range is increasing,” Sale offers, “and it feels like we've really settled into the sound that we're looking for with this one.”

“There's definitely a darker side to this latest single,” Pilbeam adds, “so it will be great to take it out on the road and show people.”

Throughout March the quartet will be heading out on an east coast tour, playing alongside some pretty special bands along the way. “Ruby has been obsessed with The Spazzys since she was about 12 years old,” explains Pilbeam. “She's met them a couple of times and been to heaps of their shows – I think she pretty much cried when she heard they were playing with us at The Tote in Melbourne, so that's going to be a pretty crazy show.”