Everyone loves a good condiment, and everybody loves mamas even more. I’m no analyst, but basic logic dictates that just about the whole world should love themselves some Marmalade Mama.
A three piece out of Perth, these fellas are about to unleash their debut EP into the world and we’re wriggly with the anticipation. Before the record drops and the tour bus splutters onto the road, we took five with bassist/vocalist Patrick Smith for the latest.
The tour, the EP and the endless quest for more dollars: we catch up with Marmalade Mama before they disappear into their biggest month ever.
HAPPY: Hey, how are you? What are you up to at the moment?
PATRICK: We just got stickers made so we’re putting them all over people’s shit.
HAPPY: The EP is done and dusted yeah? How are you feeling about it now that it’s out of your hands, being pressed as we speak?
PATRICK: Yeah hopefully will have our mitts on a hard copy next week some time. We’re so stoked with it. The tunes sound way better then we thought we could do and the artwork looks beautiful. Shouts to James Giddy.
HAPPY: How long did the process take overall? Were there tracks you couldn’t fit into the debut?
PATRICK: We started in about December last year I think. Originally we just had three songs planned but then wrote some better ones so figured we’d record them too. It’s a full set now. We were considering recording a couple more but hahaha money.
HAPPY: From the cuts we haven’t already heard, is there a particular jam you’re especially excited to unleash? Why so?
PATRICK: We’ve shown a couple of mates and they all dig the first track, Stuck. It’s been dubbed ‘the banga’. My girlfriend likes Dream Away My Days and we like Not Alright. Tom’s guitar sounds so loose on it. They’re all pretty different songs in their own right so we cant really separate them. I guess we’ll find out.
HAPPY: Can you talk about working with Dan Carroll on the EP? He’s a name that keeps popping up for us.
PATRICK: Oh man, he’s a fucking legend. RADA is a beautiful space. Dan’s an unreal musician and just clicks straight away with what your trying to do with the song. Being able to decipher the babble that comes out of our mouths when we try to explain shit is a real gift. We learnt a ton while we were there. He’s such a legend too and has all these rad stories so its a treat working with him. We’re stoked he made time for us, he’s worked on some of the best records coming out of Perth. Dan Carrol is a fucking wizard.
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HAPPY: Where does your name come from? You’re allowed to just say you love marmalade and mamas.
PATRICK: Haha shit, looking back it’s surprising how little time went into that decision. We used to be called the Silky Chooks, then had a bit of a re-shuffle and got our first gig as a three piece on a Tuesday night at 6:30 or something so figured we needed a new name.
HAPPY: The scene in WA is fucking insane right now, we wish we got over there more. Who are some fellow up-and-comers you’ve got your eyes on at the moment?
PATRICK: We’re pretty stoked we managed to get our three favourite bands on the lineup for the launch. I know you guys are all across The Southern River Band. Western Kinsmen of The Sun have been recording recently, keep an ear out for that, shits gonna blow up. They’re so sick. And the Durongs are the best time, we’ve been gigging together a while now and fucken love em.
But you’re right there’s so much insane shit coming out of Perth. There’s killer gigs on all week long. Old Blood are as good a band as you’ll see live, The Spun Loves, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, Fuzz Toads, Flossy, Ruby May and then Chakra Khans, Crush Zone. Shit theres heaps…
HAPPY: You’re no strangers to a few shows yourselves. What’s the secret ingredient to a good time, Marmalade Mama style gig?
PATRICK: Ain’t nothing new about this recipe. Dancing boots on, bottle of rum, someone else’s pouch and a few hot tickets.
HAPPY: And what’s something the average punter can do to enhance their own experience?
PATRICK: See above. Also make sure you limber up, don’t wanna wake up sore for church in the morning.
HAPPY: Last time we chatted to your tour mates The Southern River Band they told us their secrets to happiness. It would be remiss of us not to do the same, so: how does Marmalade Mama keep the smiles on their dials?
PATRICK: All three of us are hell funny cunts.
Catch Marmalade Mama kicking around WA this month, hitting all your favourite haunts. Dates below, and head here for the finer details.
Friday June 16 – Mojos Bar, Fremantle
Thursday June 22 – Prince of Wales Hotel, Bunbury
Friday June 23 – The Firestation, Busselton
Friday 30 June – White Star, Albany
Friday July 7 – El Grotto, Perth
