Auckland two-piece Carb on Carb are one of my perennial favourites, and it's a pleasure to see them returning to Dunedin to celebrate the release of their self-titled debut album.
The album, released digitally and on risograph-printed CD in February before tour dates in Australia and Asia, saw guitarist/vocalist Nicole Gaffney and drummer James Stuteley taking a healthy step back to focus on writing and recording.
The result, according to them, is a debut album that defines the core of Carb on Carb: charting a shift towards '90s emo/pop punk, without losing their other, older influences.
''We specifically went more hi-fi this time around, with really clear vocals,'' Stuteley said from Auckland.
''It's what the songs demanded and we were ready for everything to be clearer. We feel good about it. We've had some really positive feedback from people we really respect, and it's the album we wanted to make. Kinda where Carb on Carb has been heading from the start.
''In terms of songwriting, I think we had a better idea of what we were aiming for and enthusiastic about,'' Stuteley continues.
''It totally is a redefinition of our sound, and also Nicole's voice. Because we were there for the whole development of the new songs, it wasn't news to us that we were putting out an emo/pop punk record, but I think it surprised some people how much of a shift it was towards that and away from what we used to be. And somewhere between the last EP and the album, Nicole's voice has gotten stronger, both sonically and lyrically.''
While their sound may have changed, the focus on touring hasn't.
Their recent experience touring through Australia and Asia continues a tradition Stuteley once described as their ''crux'', being in an actively touring and exploring band.
''[The recent tour] went great,'' Stuteley says.
''So much fun, and seems to have got the album out to new fans, which is kinda the point right? People were super-nice and appreciative this tour, and we came out of it feeling really positive.
''[It was our] first time in Malaysia, [we] played in Singapore once in 2013. Highlights: getting to see and participate in the Malaysian music scene [very supportive and active and punk] and Malaysia in general, making lots of new friends in Australia, enjoying tour life.
"Lowlights: seeing palm oil plantations and trash everywhere in Malaysia, budgeting.''
Later this year the pair will make their first visit to the US, something they have been working towards for a number of years.
''We're playing Fest in Gainesville, Florida,'' Stuteley said.
''Its a biggish punk-rock festival, but basically the premier one for emo bands. We are so very stoked to be playing it. I'm booking a tour leading up to it at the moment.''
Catch them at Chick's Hotel on Friday.
The gig
• Carb on Carb self-titled album release show, Friday, May 15, Chick's Hotel, Port Chalmers, with support from Shunkan and Males. $10 on the door from 8.30.
The Chick's Hotel Magic Bus leaves Countdown Central at 8.30pm, the University of Otago library at 8.35pm, returning to town after the show.
Stream the album at carboncarb.bandcamp.com/
