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A three-piece live disco outfit from Australia’s city of churches?
Meet the Swiss, made up of Sid, Tony and Luke – a legit Adelaide disco act, the self-proclaimed “real deal, wading through an insurmountable wash of pretenders” are on their way to Melbourne.
The Swiss are leading a burgeoning disco resurgence in Australia. With snappy drums, synthesized strings, danceable punchy bass and dizzy pops, their music is catchy, chilled and ferociously infectious. Their ethos: ”We live, only to make you dance.”
The past 18 months has seen the band: snapped up by Modular (the home of Tame Impala, Cut Copy and The Presets); creating hits in the studio with whiz kid producer Donnie Sloan (Empire of the Sun, Sneaky Sound System); supporting Ladyhawke on her national tour; and providing backing band duties for Empire of the Sun’s Luke Steele, right around the world.
So when I tried to get in touch with the boys for a quick chat about their upcoming visit to Melbourne for Parklife, I had some trouble tracking them down. Luckily I managed to nab five minutes of their time somewhere between LA and Brooklyn.
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The term disco is often misused and there are few, if any bands, that are doing what you guys are doing right now in Aus. So what brought about your interest in disco and the formation of The Swiss?
We really want to play (fl)acid jazz but no one pays for an acid jazz band to play… yet. But no honestly, we’ve been playing disco for ages, it just got cool recently. I guess we’ll become dorks again when it goes out of fashion.
So it’s Luke on synth, Tony on drums and Sid on bass. Do you ever switch it up?
There’s some percussion on stage so everyone has a crack at that. We all make music on our own too. But yeah, in The Swiss it’s one of the few things that are pretty tightly regimented.
You’ve caught the attention of some well-respected music folk like Aeroplane and Sinden. Does the success of these guys inspire you to work harder?
Yeah it’s really good to hear praise from people whose music we love. It would be even more inspiring if it translated into record sales.
Is there any musician (past or present) that truly inspires you to continue doing what you do?
Sid kind of idolises Arthur Russel. Tony is into Mr. Oizo and Luke finds inspiration in Arnie.
You have been touring around the US for a week or so now, LA, Philly, Brooklyn…What has the reception been like? Any crazy groupies in tow?
Yeah there’s this one girl, no wait we can’t tell you that. Oh and Sam Sparro. But that groupie relationship works both ways.
What’s on your ipod playlists as you trek across the US?
Beats In Space podcasts, Steely Dan, Discovery, Homework, Boys Noize, Donna Summer, Shit Robot, Horse Meat Disco Vol 2, Das Moth, Hidden Cat
Luke Steele requested you for his backing band for last years Parklife festival. Did he coerce you into wearing some of his costumes on stage?
Yeah we’re still touring with him and still wearing costumes.
I heard a rumour that you may have a hand in producing the next Empire of the Sun album. True or false?
False
This year at Parklife, you’re going it on your own, no backing, just The Swiss headlining their own stage. What can we expect?
Lots of dancing and maybe some guest appearances.
Where are we likely to find you hanging out when in town for Parklife?
Obviously the laneway cafes. Is Third Class still around?
