Words and interview by Erin Eddy
The Go Set are veterans of the Aussie music scene with a career spanning 20 years and the infusion of traditional Celtic folk music weaved into their sound not only sets them apart but helps them reach a wider audience than the average punk rock band.
Their high-energy live performances can be enjoyed at pubs and clubs, but they have also been known to inject a healthy dose of rock and roll into the line-up of a folk festival or two during their time, too.
It's only fitting that a band which features mandolin, bagpipes and tin whistle releases its new album on Saint Patrick’s Day.
The Warriors Beneath Us is the eighth studio album by the band. Writing and recording an album through the pandemic was a blessing in disguise for The Go Set.
“The one advantage that we had is the massive luxury of time,” Justin Keenan (vocals, guitar) explains. "The breathing space that was created by having to tackle songwriting remotely gave them the ability to really refine the songs, and showed them what they were capable of doing themselves, rather than spending time on the clock in a recording studio."
“What we realised is that we got really, really good at making recordings without ever being in the same spot,” he continued, “as frustrating as it was at the time, our pre-production process was significantly more thorough. Now I know moving forward that we’ll certainly get through the writing phase and pre-production phase without actually even bothering to get together.”
While distance played a part in a productive way for songwriting, being unable to play live was something Justin said he really missed.
“We took it for granted. We were playing so much,” he says, “We were sitting on a bus in Europe for over a month, every day we were playing; You kind of just take it for granted that you’re going to be able to do this forever or until you’re sick of it and don’t want to do it anymore. But when someone takes it away and says not only can you not play music, but you can’t hang out together anymore either, no wonder a lot of artists’ mental health went through the floor.”
The Go Set are celebrating the release of their new record with a spate of tour dates all over the country beginning from March 31.
Justin spent time talking with HEAVY about writing music during lockdowns, the changes he’s seen in the music industry over the last 20 years and his eagerness to get back out doing what he loves most – performing. Listen to the interview in full here and be sure to check out thegoset.com for a list of the band’s tour dates.