In 2018 Key Out decamped to Greg Walker’s (j walker/machine translations) General Store in rural Victoria to record What (do) you see, their debut album and first release on Half A Cow Records.

The studio’s remoteness and sense of space colour the ten track LP as much as Greg’s collection of old analogue equipment and sophisticated production. Paddy Haid’s detuned, angular strumming darts around Saskia Clapton’s almost independent basslines, both anchored by Rohan Geddes drumming. The result is a sometimes dark and unexpected indie pop record.

The band’s unusual dynamics are illustrated in the first single off the album, “Nameless town”. A locomotive beat and off kilter bassline set the scene. Layered melodies and counter-melodies hover long enough to catch the listener’s ear before retreating into silence or dissonance. The influence of Sandpit, Blonde Redhead and Art of Fighting is clear (under a certain light), as is band-members’ previous work in Ides of Space and Sound Like Sunset.

Greg Walker has a beautiful studio in an old bakery in rural Gippsland called The General Store,” Haid says. “Greg ended up playing some guitar, bass, keys, ocarina and other quirky things. It was always exciting to get his ideas and snippets, and they pushed the songs in different directions.”

From the upbeat, hooky “Nameless Town”, with its starring rhythm section, to the beautifully haunting “Colours” and sublime dream-pop of “I See”, the set is an assured and evocative listen that’s testament to the players’ and producer’s experience.

“We’re really happy,” Haid says. “We wanted to catch moments, good-sounding mistakes, interesting accidents. Greg’s approach was excellent for that, and I think we stayed on that path.”

The 12″ vinyl LP comes with a limited edition companion zine with liners, lyrics, guitar tunings and notes.

– bio by Bronwyn Thompson