Electro Boogie Encounter: Tear Council's Electro Boogie Encounter interview

Headed by none other than Matt Van Schie (Van She / Du Tonc), Tear Council is not just an advisory body on tear control, but a full body performance authority. After having previously collaborated in 2009 with Michael Di Francesco (Touch Sensitive) to write “Journey” – from Van Schie’s “Balmy Nights” EP - the pair now join forces yet again to bring you Tear Council – a project described by Van Schie as an outlet for his “more emotional outpourings”. Taking you back to the rhythm of the 80s and “Drive”-esque memories from summer days past. Check our interview.

WHEN AND HOW DID YOU MEET?

We met the day Van She started. We (Van She) needed a synth man and Nick knew Michael.

HOW DID EVERYTHING START?

We began doing Tear Council style tracks when we were both in Van She, about 5 years ago. The first one was Journey, which ended up going on Matt Van Schie's Balmy Nights EP. Since then we've started other projects - Du Tonc and Touch Sensitive. But the yearning to put out some Tear Council tracks never died, so we decided to pursue it.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO CREATE TEAR COUNCIL?

We both had a natural affiliation for the New Romantic vibes. And the music we wrote together didn't seem appropriate for our other projects, so we started something new.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOUR MUSIC?

Nu Romantic (Nu disco meets New Romantic).

WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?

The Reels, Kazino, Savage, Suicide.

WHAT IS YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?

It usually starts with a beat and then chords. Then if a good vocal melody can come from it, we polish it up and finish it.

WHAT DO YOU USE TO MAKE YOUR TRACKS? WHAT IS YOUR SET UP LIKE ON STAGE?

We usually use a mix of Ableton and Pro Tools to write our music. We're yet to go live but we foresee a three-piece set up with MPC beats and synths played by Michael, main vocals and guitar from Matt, and a female backing singer.

DO YOU PREFER DJ SETS OR LIVE PERFORMANCES?

Live.

WE’RE SEEING A MODULAR SYNTHESIZERS REBIRTH IN THE LAST YEARS, ARE YOU MODULAR ENTHUSIASTS?

No, not yet. It seems like a can of worms that I’m afraid to open. I’ve seen what it does to people (as far as the obsession goes) and can see how easy it would be to get lost in them. So maybe one day - it does look fun though.

AUSTRALIA IS ONE OF THE HOTTEST PLACES FOR NEW MUSIC IN THE RECENT YEARS. WHO ARE YOURS FAVOURITE AUSSIE ARTISTS ?

The Reels, Midnight to Monaco, Ice House, The Bee Gees, Oscar Key Sung, Andras Fox, Seekae, Cut Copy.

HOW DOES THE PLACE YOU LIVE IN, INFLUENCE YOUR MUSIC?

Being trapped on an island definitely tends to give our music that tropical, summer glow.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE PLACES TO PLAY?

Mexico and Columbia are pretty fun. LA is always a blast too.

WHAT IS THE FUNNIEST AND WEIRDEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO YOU AT A GIG?

Watching a band member get held up against a wall with a taser gun pointed to the back of his head. Cops are tops! We were just unloading after gig, probably having a loud conversation, and some undercover police officer decided to interrupt us.

WHAT ARE YOUR DREAMS? YOUR REASON FOR LIVING?

We're goose bump chasers. Once you write a track that gives you goose bumps you just want to write more and more. Also, we like to have fun, that's very important.