Mountain High

If you're talking about breakout Australian musical acts in 2012/2013, then you'd be a smart punter to back Alpine to the gates. Led by the twin voices of Baker and Lou James, the intriguing and undeniably unique band have been drip feeding us bursts of glistening indie-pop brilliance for a couple of years now, and it's this gradual rise which has allowed them to created a subtle and warm presence, the perfect foundations from which to build their profile from.

“It's been I guess, for lack of a better word, organic, and really natural,” the softly-spoken Baker informs. “A few of the songs that are on the album were on the EP (Villages, Hands) and they're songs which we wrote quite a while ago as well, so there wasn't a tremendous rush in that respect. We've always managed to keep our own pace when it comes to writing so it's been good – there's no pressure or anything. Right now [though], it's really surreal, and because we recorded [the album] a few months ago we've just been sitting around weirdly for a period of time – and just having an album ready, y'know? Nowadays, it's not what the album used to be, with downloads and everything; it's different now so it's a strange thing but still really exciting and precious, like, 'It's our baby'.”

The ladies, as well as their four male counterparts – Tim Royall (keys), Phil Tucker (drums), Ryan Lamb (bass) and Christian O'Brien (guitar) – create music that simply washes over the listener – in a good way. There is a liquid quality to the songs on A Is For Alpine, swirling layers that swim around your senses and provide new highlights as the musical tide moves majestically back and forwards. When posed with such musings, Baker points out that although it may not have been a direct goal, the way in which the album was written may have naturally produced such results.

“When I write and when I'm collaborating with everyone we're looking for something that is interesting to listen to and not just easy – we want bits that will surprise you, hopefully. And a lot of the times that we are writing, maybe always, you are really improvising to try and surprise yourself. And a lot of these new songs are much more of a collaborative effort in how they were written, so there are so many more influences coming into it. And there are lots of genres, like I don't think we need to be tied down to anything specifically, we can just go anywhere and that's the fun of writing.

“I think lyrically and thematically for us it's not all just about the happy experiences. There's anxiety in there because both Lou and I have had periods of suffering from that, and there is whole lot of other things too, so there's a mixture. But a lot of [the songs] are sort of joyous, like I feel the instrumental parts are more in that vein even though the lyrics might not be so.”

Ironically, it was in the Australian bush where Alpine really managed to refine all their energy and broad ideas into 11 succinct tracks, each standing tall on its own while still working amazingly well together. Getting away from their central Melbourne base, they ventured a little way north to Gisborne, Victoria, Baker admitting the setting was vital to the creation of the record.

“I think it definitely helped because you couldn't just walk down the street and go to the shops,” she says. “We were out of town surrounded by paddocks and it was great to have that nature, wildlife atmosphere around us, and quite relaxing which helped us to focus more on the music and not get too distracted.”

At the helm for the recording was Dann Hume, skinsman for platinum selling Kiwi brothers Evermore. Although better known for his work on the stage as opposed to in the studio, he has crafted songs for Lisa Mitchell, and with his family has built a cosy studio out on the borders of the town, aptly titled The Stables. Baker is quick to lay praise on the young musician and producer, saying he allowed the band to feel comfortable in their own skin while still pushing to get the best possible songs.

“He was just the king – he was amazing,” Baker unabashedly tells. “I actually couldn't imagine [recording] with anyone else now that we've done the album. He was so patient and lovely and hilarious, and was just great to work with. He really brought out the best in all of us, and hopefully you can hear that in the recording.”

Although the band weren't familiar with Hume's production skills prior to the making of the LP, or even the man himself, Baker says that not only have they walked away from the sessions with a shiny new record – they have also discovered a great friend.

“Our management suggested him and we were like, 'Who? Who is this guy?' But after a couple of meetings we really got along and he's a similar age as well, which was nice. I think it was very important to have someone who was going to be patient with us so we could just take our time and repeat takes, to do all that kind of stuff, and also someone who we could just talk rubbish with. He's like an old friend – kind of like a groovy grandpa. He would hate that [description] – I don't know why he reminds me of a grandpa?” she exclaims. It's really weird.”

Although the album is awash with gorgeous, lush arrangements, choral beauty and some serious hip-wagging grooves, there is also a darker side to A Is For Alpine, an edge that shows itself to be sharper with every spin. Personal blood is spilt across the record, and far from shallow ponderings, what you find here are rich excursions into what it means to be young and free. Baker let herself go through the process and when you hit play, so should you.

“I feel like you write your best stuff when you are feeling your most vulnerable and emotional, and when you are ready to let stuff out of your system,” she finishes thoughtfully. “Cathartic sums it up – it's almost like an explosion or a vomit of words. Sorry, that sounds really gross! But you just can't help it come up in your system and that's the most passionate and raw and honest part of you, and that's what makes a good song. [And that] could be anywhere. I might be out and something might come to me during the day and I'll just say, 'I have to go. I've got to get home and get it out and write it down'. Inspiration can happen at any time and any place.”