urveyors of apocryphal gothic Australiana, Nikko have had a tumultuous year. Kick-started with a short-lived sojourn to Melbourne, the quartet (sans bassist Sam Whiting, who still lives there) winged their way back to Brisbane. The separation hasn't stopped them releasing their overtly ambitious second album Gold & Red, and it's a triumphant testament to their growth in stature and prowess. The record feels like a massive progression from 2010's debut release The Warm Side, with much more emphasis on the structure and atmosphere that they are able to generate.
“The record is basically a collection of songs we were writing since 2010; there wasn't any particular focus or shift in mind,” guitarist/vocalist Ryan Potter muses. “We made it in May 2011 over five days at the Old Museum with Cam Smith (Tiny Spiders, Tape/Off). The venue allowed for a natural, big sound and we recorded it all live, only adding vocals and strings at Cam's studio over the next few months. We handed the tracks over to Aaron Cupples (The Drones, Dan Kelly, Snowman) and he took things into a different direction, which we're really happy with.”
While Cupples may have boosted their sound even further, the tracks on Gold & Red are indicative of a constant evolution of the Nikko sound since their inception seven years ago. They have taken their initial post-rock leanings and infused it with a haunting melodicism, coupled with Potter's antiquated lyrics and baritone, creating a unique soundscape that stands apart.
“It's taken time, but I think we know how to go about things differently [and] more subtly,” Potter states. “We have worked hard at our writing so that instead of sounding as brutal as we can be, the dynamics of the band have become more important, working on subtleties and changes in time. There is more form in these songs; while a focus for the album as a whole wasn't apparent for a while, there was a focus on what each song could be – what we could do with it. There wasn't any one thing in particular that we changed or that we felt needed changing, more so that everyone knows what to do to a Nikko song. When I bring a song to the band, we all sync in together.”
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The launch is for the red and gold double-vinyl issue of Gold & Red, which is an achievement in itself, and Potter is quick to assert that it is the medium that all music should be presented on. “We are selling more vinyl than we are CDs, and it makes sense. I think the vinyl of the album sounds better, and the whole nature of it makes people appreciate the music more. I hate seeing people with their iPods in or walking their dogs, almost getting run over because they can't hear anything. It's not how music is meant to be listened to.”
However, it was the way in which it was presented to the wide world – guitarist Jackson Briggs holding the vinyl over his nether parts wearing nothing but a world-weary stare – that had tongues wagging and Potter wryly shaking his head. “Sam wanted photos taken of the vinyl to put up for our pre-order sales,” Potter says. “He asked Jackson to look after it. I'm not sure, but I'm guessing there was quite a lot of drinking involved. There were a lot of photos too; they must have sat there for a while.”
Nikko will be playing the following shows:
Thursday 29 November - The Bridge Hotel, Castlemaine VIC
Friday 30 November - The Public Bar, North Melbourne VIC
Saturday 1 December - The Reverence Hotel, Footscray VIC
