Interview by CHRIS MARTIN

SIR THOMAS is not your conventional band. Built around the two keyboard setup of Kitt Byfield and Chris de Groot, the guitar-less four piece is bringing a fresh sound to Perth audiences.

“It’s almost classically inspired, in a way,” explains drummer Callum Moncrieff. “Some of the sounds of Steve Reich and Philip Glass are part of our sound. We write with quite repetitive figures, which change with the harmony and the lead keyboard.”

The absence of a guitarist came about surprisingly naturally, according to Moncrieff. “Kitt and I studied percussion at WAAPA but he wrote a lot of solo stuff on piano. He played it to me and asked if I could play some drums on it. Then Melanie (Hall, bass) came into the picture and that’s where the band started. We started rehearsing with Chris in March this year.”

The addition of de Groot has radically changed the band’s sound. “Chris has added that extra part to the band’s sound, whether it be a string pad underneath what Kitt’s playing or a glockenspiel melody. He’s completed his Masters in composition so he thinks like a film composer.”

The band’s unusual setup has created some challenges, one being getting a good live sound. Moncrieff claims that most venues aren’t compatible with the band’s sound because of the nature of it’s compositions. “The venues we can play at would be venues that aren’t cover band oriented or heavy, like Mojo’s or Kulcha. The Norfolk Basement’s good as well. More acoustically driven venues are what we’re looking for. In Perth, a lot of venues have that boomy sound, and the piano doesn’t sound clear. Nothing against the sound engineers, but we wanted more control over the live sound. I did a gig earlier this year at the courtyard at the Fremantle Arts Centre and there was a really nice ambience to the venue. By doing a gig there we can use our own sound equipment. We don’t want the subtleties or our music to get lost in the mix.”

Sir Thomas play the Fremantle Arts Centre on Friday the 8^th October at 7:30pm!

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