Turtle Skull are a four-piece band serving up a monolithic dose of psych-doom-pop. Since forming in 2017, they’ve honed an experiential blend of warm melodies and ethereal vocal harmonies over cell-bursting riffs and motorik beats.
With three successful single tours under their belt and a rabid, Turtle Skull have just launched their latest album, ‘Being Here’ and are set to embark on a national tour soon, so be sure to watch this space.
Dean McLeod from the band took time to chat with me about all things Turtle Skull and a music festival I have literally bought tickets to since hearing about it.
First up, can you tell me a bit about Turtle Skull – how you came about and where you’re at now?
Believe it or not, we started out by making a record! I felt inspired after travelling and had some ideas for a few songs, so I asked a few friends to come for a weekend of recording, with no pressure or expectations. We ended up with a record (our first self-titled album) and were really excited about it, so we started playing shows. Fast forward to now, we just released our third record, have toured all over the place, have a new lineup, and are always looking forward to more shows and writing more songs!
What got you into music initially?
For me it was growing up in a household of music appreciators (my parents) who loved putting records on in the evening and sitting around and listening. Fond memories.
Are there any local bands or musicians who inspire you? If not, where/who else do you gain inspiration from?
The local extended Red Belly Records and Messy Fuzz crew are killing it right now. Basically, it’s a bunch of local bands and the extended community putting on loads of good shows and releasing epic music. But of course, I pull inspiration from everywhere. Global psych bands, deep cut vinyl grooves, immersive art festivals like Dark Mofo, other small-scale events in Australia, live stream gigs like KEXP or Tiny Desk…there is so much out there!
Tell me about your most memorable gig
It has to be ‘Camp A Low Hum’ in NZ. We were invited to play at the 10-year anniversary of this festival that has a cult following and is well known by anyone who has attended as the best festival they’ve been to (us included). We played four times over two weekends, saw some of the best bands and artists we’ve ever seen and discovered what it means to be part of a vast network of artists and music appreciators communing in an inclusive and safe space. Unbelievably rewarding, humbling and inspiring.
What do you love about the Northern Rivers music scene?
Community, renegade gigs, DIY weirdness 🙂
More about Turtle Skull…
‘Short and Sweet’ is your backstage pass to NSW’s Northern Rivers Music Scene, inspired by BayFM’s Ange Kent host of Northern Rivers Music Box and music journalist, Prudence Clark, from Off the Record.