Bringing the Nashville Sound to Australian Radio: An Interview with Country Rock Band Eight Second Ride

 

For Aussie band Eight Second Ride, the last year in particular has been a whirlwind. Having paid their dues on the local pub circuit, the group is now landing spots in big festival line-ups as their big live shows slowly but surely continue to help them gain a slew of devoted fans.

Following the release of their debut single, See What Tomorrow Brings, I caught up with lead singer/guitarist Matt Sneddon to discuss how they went about giving the song a “Nashville” vibe, their upcoming tour and plans for their debut EP.

Congratulations on the release of your debut single, See What Tomorrow Brings. What was the inspiration behind the song?

 

Thank you. Well, we’ve all been through heartbreak and the turmoil of the ups and down of a break up and I found this was an easy emotion to tap into [as I experienced this first hand].

It tells the story of that struggle to end that relationship you know is toxic and going nowhere. However, the struggle to recognise that sometimes is hard, so you roll through that cycle of going back to the place you know you shouldn’t go, hoping that tomorrow will be different …

 

What usually inspires your song writing?

We try to be diverse in our song writing and not get caught up in one emotion. We take inspiration from experiences we all have shared in life and try to emulate that through our songs. The best way to write a song is to get out there enjoy life, make memories, laugh, cry then look back and tell the story through song.

What’s your fans’ reaction been like so far?

It’s been an overwhelming reaction, we have the best fans out there who all feel like they’re part of the journey with us.  We invited a heap to shoot the music video with us and we had to turn away over 100 people as they just couldn’t fit into the venue we were shooting at.  It’s a great feeling knowing that were tapping into people’s emotions and they can relate to our music.

This is the first single from your upcoming debut EP. How indicative is it of what fans can expect to hear from the record?

It’s a good indication of our sound. We have tried hard to keep this record flowing with solid riffs and catchy choruses that people want to sing along with and dance. Of course, we will add a slow love song in there and slow things down for one song though … every record needs a love song.

You recorded the single first with Doug Martin (Mountain Track Records) and are also working with producer Ben Watts (who has worked with the likes of Carrie Underwood and Blake Shelton). How does their combined experience assist you in the creation of this EP?

It’s been an amazing experience. We recorded the tracks locally here in Toowoomba with Doug (who is amazing to work with) and he brought the song in our heads to life.

However, we were really chasing a specific sound. We wanted that BIG Nashville sound that has everyone in a country craze. Ben is originally from South Australia and has been living in Nashville for nearly 15 years now.

When I floated him the idea of working with us to produce See What Tomorrow Brings and future songs, he was stoked. As he has wanted a project to showcase that sound back to Australia with an Australian artist. We can’t wait for Ben to take charge of the next few songs and see what the outcome will be. I’m sure he will blow us away.

 

In coming together as Eight Second Ride, you guys wanted to bring that “Nashville sound” to Australia in a way that it hasn’t been heard before. Do you think you have achieved that with See What Tomorrow Brings and your forthcoming EP?

Look, I think it is close. Ben only half-produced See What Tomorrow Brings as we were a fair way in and committed with Doug. So, Ben only got the near final product and helped thicken the sound.  Country music isn’t what Country used to be. And it’s evident that country music is rapidly on the rise thanks to music festivals such as CMC Rocks QLD, who bring over Amazing artists from the USA.

[At the] end of the day we’re are still a Aussie country rock band and proud to be an Australian country band. We’re just taking inspiration from the home of country music (which is Nashville), and trying to bring some of that sound back home with us to Australia.

 

What’s the epitome of success for you as a band?

Our goal is to secure ourselves as an Australian artist and play shows and festivals here to our fans. Obviously, we would love to get overseas and give the USA market a good go there, but at this point, the goal is Australia.

Every day is a new achievement for us and [will be] as long as we keep moving forward as a band. We will keep releasing new material and building a better show, so every time you see us play, we’ve stepped it up another level.

 

What have you learnt from the experience thus far?

(Laughs) The road to success is long. Set small goals and achieve them slowly, also trying not to overthink songs when we’re writing and producing, otherwise you will spend months and months on one song all over a bass note that nobody hears. Trust your producers and have fun.

 

How does US country music compare to Australian country music (in your opinion)?

That’s a hard question to answer.  The thing I love about country music is the wide range of diversity in it. You have Bush Poets to Country Rock all within one genre, and that’s rare to find under one particular banner.

It’s hard to compare one market to another, we have our stories and they have theirs. It’s finding that balance and sound that defines each one. Obviously, the US has some of the biggest artists and some amazing facilities to record in. However, for us, it’s not wanting to be like them, it’s seeing what works here and abroad, taking inspiration from that and applying that international flavour to our music hoping to find that balance between the two.

 

Individually, you have toured with Powderfinger, Jet and Wolfmother. Does that collective experience help or hinder your work as Eight Second Ride?

If anything, it’s helped shape us as musicians. Growing up on a small property just outside of Toowoomba, I have always loved country music. But as a teenager, my musical career and, I guess, my vocal style was attractive to the rock market and bands wanted me for those qualities.

If we released See What Tomorrow Brings to the Australian country music market 18 years ago, I’m sure we would have had a less favourable reaction … It was those experiences as a younger musician, learning the hard way from poor decisions and learning from great Aussie bands who have been there before, that has shaped me as an artist today. And with that experience, we can apply that to Eight Second Ride to bring our live performance to the next level.

It’s not like we’ve picked up a guitar and struck gold on our first song and now have to learn the ropes. All of us have worked hard the last 20 years perfecting our craft and now come together.  I think I’m lucky that Country and Rock [have merged] , so I get to play the music I love with a twist that suits me.

 

Do you have any plans to release a full-length album soon?

It’s definitely a goal.  I think an EP will be our next step as it feels like the natural process. We already have enough songs written for the EP, its just getting the time to get in Studio to Record them. I’m sure somewhere along the line … a full-length album will be released.

 

How and when were you inspired to make music your career path?

I’ve always been into music. I started as a drummer when I was about eight and played drums for school and in garage bands as a teenager. When I joined the military at 18, I first picked up a guitar and began singing. By age 22, I was playing in well-established bands around Sydney on weekends whilst still serving and it was here that I knew that music was going to be a huge part of my life.

I left the military in 2009 and pursued a few other music projects around Australia before life caught up and out shot some kids and the dream appeared to come to a grinding halt.  I was content in playing local solo acoustic shows here in Toowoomba and South East QLD as I was considered one of the town’s favourite and it was pretty cruisy booking gigs when time suited.

It wasn’t until I met all the boys now in Eight Second Ride that that switch clicked and I knew that I had some high calibre musicians right here and it would be foolish not to see what could be done.

I got everyone together one night and floated the idea of a country rock band and the outcome has been more than I could [have] imagine[d]. Music is where my life keeps taking me to and I have 110% support from my partner, kids and family and I try to involve them as much as possible on the journey. It’s really amazing.

You’re touring in December. What can fans expect from one of your live performances?

We pride ourselves on the shows, its where we have the most fun. We bring a high energy non-stop show to our fans. We play a 3-hour non-stop (no breaks) show with as much energy that you would see at a high-end concert. [Where possible] we bring a huge line array sound system and a state-of-the-art lighting and stage effect setup, where we bring the music to life visually.

We interact with the crowd as much as possible and seamlessly flow one song to the next with guitar & drum solo’s, epic breakdowns that segue to another dimension before we transition to the next song and stage antics that keep you entertained throughout the entire show.

 

What do you enjoy most about touring and performing live?

The energy, the crazier the better. We love it when everyone sings along or finishes the songs for us. It truly is a great feeling. We all love travelling and now that we bought a tour bus, we can do it in comfort and style.

Music takes you to towns you would normally just drive through, but we get to stop meet the locals and get a new respect for people you normally wouldn’t meet.  It’s not the destination, but the adventure getting there.

 

You recently headlined the Brews n Barbie Festival in Toowoomba to crowd of 10,000 people, with three encores. What was that like?

[It] was insane.. This was our first headlining show in our home town and to have the response we did is truly something else, its nice when your hometown is behind you and you feel the support from the community.  We had a lot of fun with the encores, we could have kept going all night.

 

In addition to performing in smaller venues on your upcoming tour, you’re also scheduled to perform at Smithton Tall Timbers Rodeo, alongside The Wolfe Brothers on New Year’s Eve. What are you most looking forward to about that performance?

There is not one particular thing i can pin point… It’s blown our minds that eight months ago we were practicing in a shed to now sharing a stage with one of Australia’s best. I’m a huge Wolfe Brothers fan and I’m pumped to just be a part of a festival like this.

 

 

When not performing or recording, what does an average day look like for you?

Flat out… I run an international logistics company and it takes a lot of time to manage and balance life. There is a lot of interstate traveling involved and time away on top of touring. Again, I’m am so thankful and lucky to have a great partner and kids who support me in all I do. If it weren’t for them id be a mess.  I’m luck though that majority can be done on my laptop so work always travels with me 24/7. It’s just finding that balance.

 

If you could collaborate with anyone in the industry (living or dead), who would it be and why?

I would have to say Kip Moore. I would love to spend a day or two locked in a room with him. I find his song writing mesmerising and you can feel the emotion pouring out in his songs. I feel we have a similar writing structure and sound.

Where do you guys see yourselves in the next five years?

This is funny as our five-year goal is where we are now. I hope we are a well-established household name in Australian Country Music and a crowd favourite.  We will just keep pushing forward and doing our thing. I guess we will find out …

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Eight Second Ride is reportedly a band not-to-be-missed. See below for their upcoming tour dates and visit their website for more information.

1st December – Australian Stock Horse Sale – Dalby, QLD

31st December – Smithton Tall Timbers Rodeo – Smithton, TAS – w/ The Wolfe Brothers

19th January – Southgate Inn – Tamworth, NSW
21st January – Imperial Hotel – Tamworth, NSW
23rd January – Imperial Hotel – Tamworth, NSW
24th January – Fan Zone – Tamworth, NSW
25th January – Imperial Hotel – Tamworth, NSW

17th – 19th May – Toowoomba B&S Festival – Toowoomba, QLD (w/ Hurricane Fall)