Long Hours is a lo-fi outsider project by Julian Medor from Australia.

Long Hours has performed up and down the east coast of Australia countless times and has toured Japan twice. Medor has released over 25 albums in the last three years. He’s currently on a European Tour.

“I’ve always liked very compelling and intensely delivered music”

Tell us where you grew up and what first got you into music?

Julian Medor: I grew up twenty minutes outside of Melbourne where I still live. The suburb I grew up in musically had no scene, but I discovered music I really liked through skateboarding. My parents were also musicians so I was around their band a lot.

Did you and your buddies have a place where you like to hang out and discuss music?

I’ve never had many friends. Mainly the people I’ve been friends with, have also been in bands together. I don’t think I’ve really discussed a great deal in music with too many people, I found out early on, most people didn’t view certain styles or take on music in a way I could relate to.

There must be some essential records that inspired you to pick up an instrument and start your own thing?

I’ve always liked very compelling and intensely delivered music. At the Drive-In, Sonic Youth, that approach to guitar music was very similar to what I was wanting from playing music as a teenager.

Tell us about some of the very early bands you had.

I’ve played in bands since I was 14. The early bands I’ve played in were either just playing guitar or vocals. Some were enjoyable, some were a waste of time, but always something to learn what not to do again.

I Am Duckeye released quite a few albums…

I Am Duckeye is still the band I’m in. We’ve been playing and touring together for 15 years. We’ve recorded and released everything ourselves. I think that’s what’s made it possible to release the amount of albums we’ve made.

How did that evolve in Long Hours?

I just woke up possessed one morning to start writing my own songs. I’ve never liked the idea of a solo project, but it just happened. Now I can’t stop. It’s been the most fulfilling music project I’ve ever done and provided the most experiences and opportunities. I guess a lot of it has evolved from learning what not to do from having to be in a band with other people to be honest.

“To experience the world through touring as an artist and musician is the main vision”

What do you see is the main vision behind Long Hours?

Performance and relentless productivity. Making up for lost time. I don’t always see it as being as intense forever, but I think I’ve worked out a formula that will keep me enjoying making music like this for a very long time. To experience the world through touring as an artist and musician is the main vision for sure.

Tell us how the latest album, ‘Wayward Serenade’ was recorded and what can you tell us about your songwriting process?

‘Wayward Serenades’ is a compilation album. So it was all recorded by me, but released by Spooky Records in Australia and Beast Records in France, that LP has songs on it ranging from at least 8 or 9 albums. Because I’ve recorded so many albums and continue to do so, the record label thought it was a better idea just to release compilations of my songs, which I think is great as a “first release” on a label. I’m proud of that. Also that way, people can then go and find the other albums I’ve released online and piece it altogether.

<a href="https://longhours.bandcamp.com/album/wayward-serenades">WAYWARD SERENADES by LONG HOURS</a>

How would you compare it to your previous Long Hours releases like ‘Repair,’ ‘Neighbourhood Hymns,’ ‘Holidayland’?

Well it has songs from those albums on there. ‘Wayward Serenades’ was remixed and remastered for vinyl so there are some sonic differences and quality to it.

Your most recent releases are ‘Wreck And Burn Rock N Roll’ and ‘Scenelessness’. Are you planning to release them on vinyl/cd/tape as well?

I will release them myself dubbed on tape and maybe burned on cd for some shows back in Australia. But maybe in the future, they will end up on another vinyl compilation. I’m very happy with senselessness. ‘Wreck And Burn Rock N Roll’ was recorded on tour between Japan and Europe. I’m currently working on another album in France too. With Fly House Records.

<a href="https://longhours.bandcamp.com/album/wreck-and-burn-rock-n-roll">WRECK AND BURN ROCK N ROLL by LONG HOURS</a>

Are you excited to play in Europe? You’re soon coming to the StonerKras festival…

I’m half way through the tour with 17 out of 30 shows already. It’s been very fulfilling. I’m looking forward to StonerKras very much. I haven’t been to Italy in a long time and I haven’t visited Trieste before.

You’re big on the lo-fi, tell us about your effects, pedals and gear in general.

I mainly use cheap, affordable equipment. I have a fuzz pedal I’ve built myself that I mainly use. Along with other modified or circuit bent equipment I’ve done myself. I like using old drum machines and children’s keyboards or simple old organs and synths.

Did you do a lot of shows as Long Hours?

Yes, and still do a lot of shows. Maybe in the space of four years counting off the top of my head, surely 300 shows.

And what would be the craziest gig you ever did?

I think playing in an abandoned bank in Hiroshima, Japan that survived the nuclear bomb blast was probably the craziest considering the situation.

Australia has had quite a scene since the early 70s, what are some of the bands that you enjoy?

I like The Birthday Party. More recently, Double Vanity, Half Gift, Sam Haycroft, Kotlas Begemot.

What are some future plans for you now?

Keep touring Japan and Europe, possibly New York sometime next year. Keep recording albums. Try to keep balancing playing shows and tattooing while on tour. I’ve been asked to tattoo while I’ve been here a few times which is nice.

Let’s end this interview with some of your favourite albums. Have you found something new lately you would like to recommend to our readers?

Check out Double Vanity’s Love to Leave You album. Great stripped back raw drum machine driven vibes going on there. As for some of my favourite albums, anything by The Jesus Lizard, DAF, Malaria!, Einstürzende Neubauten, Kraftwerk, The Fall, Throbbing Gristle, Krisma…

Klemen Breznikar

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