by Khiara Elliott.
Sun Theory is the latest collaborative project brought to you by five of Adelaide’s most passionate and seasoned musicians, featuring Anthony Scott on electric guitar and backing vocals, Glyn Lehmannn on keyboard and altonium, Michael Boundy on bass, Sam Carpenter on drums and Rich Coldwell on lead vocals and acoustic guitar.
In the lead up to their April 24th release of new album, Fine Dust, BSide Magazine writer Khiara Elliot caught up with Rich to have a chat about the evolution of the band, their new musical direction and the process of creating the latest album.
Up until 2011, Sun Theory performed under the stage name Cow. Each member of Sun Theory had been involved in the music scene for a number of years, being a part of numerous other bands, before Cow was born. It was a change in musical direction was the driving force behind steering away from any names that involved barnyard animals.
“We all kind of sat down and talked about where we wanted the band to go, and did the whole ‘pull a name out of a hat thing’,” Rich laughs. “We felt that Sun Theory was a very apt name, given the changes and evolution that the band was undertaking.”
Rich notes that the same nature of redesign and remodelling also applied to the songwriting process.
“It’s still always a process of evolution,” he says. “Some songs still have that country feel but you never know what they’re going to end up sounding like. I could write something that turns out completely different after sitting down with the boys. It’s a real collaborative effort.”
Rich states that he believes it is the wealth of experience each band member brings with them as the reason they are able to work so well together.
“We’ve all been doing this for years and some of us have had the opportunity to play alongside bands like Hunters & Collectors and Midnight Oil, and a few of us have opened for INXS too,” Rich says.
“Everybody just listens to each other. They can tell me, ‘No, you’re not playing guitar on this song’ and I sort of just go ‘okay!’” he laughs. “Nobody tries to outdo the other and I think that comes with age and experience. Sometimes we arm wrestle about who’s going to play which show but that’s about it.”
The country roots of Sun Theory’s music could have been attributed to the location of their recording studio, as Rich went on to discuss that the album was recorded at keyboard and altonium player Glyn Lehmann’s studio at his house in the Adelaide countryside.
“It was very much an easy and relaxed recording process. The drive up to the studio was great. It allowed us to sort of escape and get into a really good head space before recording,” he says. “Glyn bakes too so there would always be snacks and cookies and stuff. It was like taking a drive up to Nana’s house [laughs]!”
Among one of their favourite Adelaide venues, it seemed only fitting that the Sun Theory boys held their upcoming album launch at the Wheatsheaf Hotel in Thebarton.
“We’ve played at the Grace Emily Hotel and recently at a country pub called The Bridgewater. There’s definitely something about a nice Sunday arvo, drinking beer and playing music, but we all love rocking out on a Saturday night as well. That’s what makes the Wheaty such a perfect venue.”
In anticipation of their album launch, we ask Rich if Sun Theory had any major plans in the works, even perhaps a tour.
“We’ve been playing together for nine years, and we’re all parents, so we’ll have to sit down and figure out our next move will be following the launch,” he concludes.
Sun Theory present their Fine Dust album launch at Wheatsheaf Hotel, 39 George St, Thebarton, from 9pm on Fri 24 Apr. Free entry.
There’s more information via Sun Theory’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/suntheory.
Interview courtesy of BSide Magazine.
Click HERE to read Sun Theory’s Fine Dust CD Review.
