Babe Rainbow recently released a new single, ‘Super Ego,’ the first single in support of the upcoming EP, ‘Fresh As A Head of Lettuce, ‘which is slated to release on June 23rd.

The band formed in 2014 and they released their first single later that year, ‘Evolution 1964’. As of 2021, the band has released four full-length albums, along with one EP. The band’s later work ventures more into soft rock with influences from latin music, with Domingo being from Venezuela. The band has worked with fellow Flightless alumnus Stu Mackenzie of King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard to produce their self-titled debut album, ‘The Babe Rainbow’. In July 2018, The Babe Rainbow’s second studio album, ‘Double Rainbow’ was released. Their 2021 album, ‘Changing Colours’ featured Jaden Smith. You don’t want to miss the upcoming EP!

“No genre is safe when it comes to the records we get”

We are only weeks away from your upcoming EP, ‘Fresh As A Head of Lettuce’. How much work went into it and what will be different this time around?

Angus Dowling: We worked a lot with our new mate and producer Timon Martin. It was such a groovy EP session with him messing around with the tracks and rerecording little chunks of drums and whatever, he was a legend. Although it’s still a bunch of Babe Rainbow songs at heart, I can definitely hear that extra punch that Timon brings, the fact that we didn’t have time to change it or overthink it, just packed it and sent it to Jorge Elbrecht in Denver to master, mix and split it.

Where was the EP recorded? Tell us about the recording session?

The first session took place at Figure 8 Studios in Brooklyn. It was just the most chilled-out experience I’ve ever had and it was above a brewery beer hall. We simply redid the vocals and added some extra guitar at our Byron studio after we returned home from the tour.

What inspired the songs on it? Do you have a favourite from the album already?

These songs were inspired by our US tour with seventies tube ride. Over the course of six weeks, we listened to so much Steve Miller Band and The Eagles big sing-alongs and covered all this highway America rock in our soundchecks and encores. It was so much fun. The ‘Sunshine’ is probably my favorite song at the moment, it was just easy to write and definitely has a little bit of the Spice Girls wannabe sound I’ve always wanted, mixed with some earthy mantra groove. The Elliot bass line in the ‘Loading Quicksilver with Pitchfork’ is such a kicker.

You have been on the road for quite some time. What are some of the recent shows that you really enjoy?

On this last tour we played with Marina Allen at Half Moon Bay at Maverick’s and had the best time with the owner of the bar. They’re always so different and always so much fun, but especially on this last tour there was this hilarious incident. The venue owner caught all the fish off the wall and cooked it for us on the fire. We had amazing margaritas and played outside in the sunset on this gorgeous night. It was the grooviest people dancing, having the best time. We hung out and made so many new friends after the show, love mavericks, then went to Joshua tree and took a picture with the nirvana dinosaurs behind In & Out Burger.

What are you planning at the end of June when the EP is out?

My partner and I are expecting a new baby, so it should be really psychedelic. I am looking forward to playing all my favorite songs and cooking our favorite hippy stew and this river coffee chocolate cake. It will be our second baby, and I’ve been thinking about names like Ludlow, Paloma, cat, disco, or Roo. There’s something pretty about the name Paloma, don’t you think?

When on the road, what kind of stuff do you listen to in the van? Are you also going to do some record shopping? If so, what are some of the latest finds?

When we travel chaotically, keeping records safe can be challenging. Equipment and personal items are always fully loaded into the sprinter van. No genre is safe when it comes to the records we get. Whenever you cruise into a city, play a song about that city, like ‘Baltimore’ by Nina Simone or ‘Barefoot in Baltimore’ by Strawberry Alarm Clock or ‘Baltimore’ by Randy Newman or ‘Streets of Baltimore’ by Gram Parsons or ‘Baltimore’ by Prince or of course ‘Raining in Baltimore’ by The Counting Crows.

What else currently occupies your life?

We still surf every day with our parents, it’s just how it is in Australia. Meanwhile, we keep recording and practicing for the next tour. As for me, I’m working on a children’s book about monkeys in Bali, but I shouldn’t reveal too much about it yet. Watch out for all the new Babe Rainbow stuff coming soon!

Klemen Breznikar

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