Words by Jonathan Stout
Within the past few years, Australia has risen in prominence as the leading exporters of modern psych rock, and just to drive the point home, Babe Rainbow has returned with Slipper imp and shakaerator (p(doom) records), a shimmering collection, bursting at the seams with good vibes and a sunny disposition. Although the songs of the release are filled with unique arrangements, the band actually took a back to basics approach in terms of refraining from working with collaborators.
To record, the band took over a massive warehouse on an old banana farm where they could work alongside friend and producer Timon Martin. Although they experiment with many styles throughout the record, they’re still able to maintain a looseness that isn’t sloppy but isn’t suffocatingly tight either. In effect, they maintain a comfortable understanding with the listener. This comfortable understanding, paired with sunny melodies, makes Slipper imp and shakaerator the perfect beach soundtrack, so make sure to keep it close as summer rolls in!
Off Shelf: There seems to be a great deal of exceptional psych rock coming out of Australia over the past few years. What’s in the water over there inspiring all these trippy jams?
Angus Dowling: The weather while we were writing and recording Slipper imp was pretty dam good for growing stuff. Plenty of nice rain through the winter when it’s usually dry. Easy to have Psych rock picnics!
OS: You all got your start as teens, working together at Tropical Fruit World and listening to old Nuggets compilations. I personally love those comps, and I was wondering if there were any bands/songs in particular that had a lasting impact upon the development of the Babe Rainbow sound?
AD: The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band.
OS: What was the inspiration for the ‘back to basics’ approach for Slipper imp and shakaerator? Do you plan to do more collaborative albums again in the future?
AD: Spending more time on demos was the plan and it allowed the songs to grow well. It created a happy garden of songs. We have no solid current plans for a collaboration, but we’re definitely keen on it!
OS: You mentioned in the press release that ‘An idea develops together outside but it doesn’t take its wings until you take it into the studio.’ Were there any songs that drastically transformed from the rehearsal stage to the recording stage?
AD: “What Is Ashwagandha” definitely had a fair few variations. I think it started as a chilled acoustic vibe with an mbira playing a melody. I should dig out the voice memo!
OS: How did you find the big banana warehouse you used as your recording location and how did it become a consideration for recording? Was it transformed into a studio previously or made so strictly for the production of this album?
AD: It’s our really old friends place. He built it himself and then had to rebuild after a massive flood. He’s a dear brother and the vibe was beautiful, week in week out.
OS: You cover a lot of musical ground on Slipper imp and shakaerator, pivoting between genres depending on the muse for that composition. Were there any records from other artists that collectively inspired the band during the making of this album?
AD: Country Joe and the Fish, Allessi Brothers, Bananagun, Stereolab, O & The Mo, Four Tet, Orb and Pond.
OS: How do you think this album stacks up next to the other releases in your discography? What’s the biggest difference between it and your previous album, 2022’s The Organic Band?
AD: From creational point of view, there was more time spent on demos for this album, which I reckon allowed for healthier growth.
OS: What do you think has kept the creative spirit so strong among your band members for so long? Do you see that changing or faltering in the future?
AD: Surfing, veggies and mad adventures!
OS: So, it’s no secret that things in the U.S. are a bit ‘weird’ nowadays, to put it lightly. Political unrest, percolating class warfare, a government edging closer to totalitarianism, etc. What does it feel like to tour in the States nowadays? Can these cultural changes be felt at all?
AD: To be honest, we’re just cruising over there. We just get to hang out with the awesome people that come to the shows and have been in such good spirits that we haven’t noticed any deflation on account of Donald Trumpet. We love the enthusiasm and good vibes from the punters! COVID seems to have had a detrimental effect on people going to live music but I feel it’s coming home now in a good way!
OS: The music industry has become more and more difficult for many artists and musicians to flourish- from high overhead costs of touring, low streaming payouts, pressure to be content creators, etc. What keeps you inspired to continue to be creative in this current atmosphere?
AD: Well, we’ve made it our job and we enjoy it thoroughly. Continuing to find inspiring music helps for the creativity and all the elders around that dropped us knowledge helps!
OS: How does the rest of 2025 look for Babe Rainbow? Any events or tours you’d like to mention?
AD: Epic run in the States in August, then we head to Europe in September. We’re still waiting for the run sheet for that part. We’ll probably spend June and July doing some set prep for acoustic and ambient sets that we’ll be playing at the Gizzard festival in Colorado!