The Finch Cycle On the Making Of ‘Mt. Pilot’
What was the initial spark or idea that led to the creation of 'Mt. Pilot?'
This is the first album I have ever made. Up to this point I had only ever made EPs. So, the process of creating enough material for an ‘album’ was one that took most of 2023. In terms of an idea – I really just wanted to create something that stayed true to the music I love, but at the same time, attempting to go a little more on the heavier and darker side. I hope to do another album, which will hopefully be more brutal than this one. The cover and title of this album are a shout out to the beautiful area I now call home. The North-East of Victoria, Australia, is a stunning region, surrounded by mountains and wineries. I liked the idea of naming the album after one of these mountains, I chose to name this album after Mt. Pilot, mainly because whenever I drive on the highway going north to our nearest city, I see the turn-off sign for Mt. Pilot, and always think about how it is a weird name for a mountain.
Were there any memorable or standout moments during the recording sessions for 'Mt. Pilot?'
“Parents and Friends” is the stand out for me – unlike the other tracks, I had a very clear idea of what I wanted this to sound like, and was quite happy that it came out as intended. Often, music happens and the journey changes and builds it, and it can be actually difficult to create something that meets a prior conceived vision – so this one track met my expectations (for once!). I think Mike’s drumming and Brendan’s haunting trombone is what makes this album – their contributions are memorable and are standouts.
Which song(s) from the album do you think best represents your artistic vision?
In terms of my vision for the future, I think the tracks “Sarah Tone In,” “James Squared” and “Diesel Hands” are signposting where I would like this to go in the future. I have been listening to a lot of Coastlands, The Ocean and Russian Circles in the last year, and I really like the brutality of their music. Living in Australia is hard in terms of seeing international bands, as it is very expensive for bands to tour here. I was very lucky that I got to see both Russian Circles and The Ocean in Melbourne in the last few months. I have a dream of being able to fly to the US, to see Coastlands play!
Are there any specific themes or messages that you aim to convey through your music?
This is a tough one, as I don’t have any lyrical content that drives any sort of narrative. The only connection is with the music itself, and to a lesser extent, the name of each song. I dedicate each song to something in my life – either my kids, or significant moments or experiences. I think if I could possibly get people to nod their heads while listening to this music, I would be blown away!
How do you continuously grow and evolve as an artist?
I think you change as you experience life. The music I created in my 20s is not the same as what I create now, in my early 40s. The drive and passion to create have never changes, but influences and experiences have. My tastes in music have become much more refined over the years, and I have a steady diet of post rock, post metal and emo, and on occasion, post hardcore – and I hope that these influences shape and challenge my musical creation in the future.