Shannon and the Clams…Just Splendourful
After six studio albums and nearly as many tours of Australia, Shannon & The Clams have a huge catalogue of killer tunes which make for killer live shows. Love Police Touring have gifted us Shannon & The Clams return to Australia this July for appearances on the Love Police Stage at Splendour in the Grass as well as headline shows happening in Melbourne, Sydney and Wollongong. The bands will be showcasing their latest album ‘Year of the Spider’ which was reordered in Nashville just before the American lockdown’s started. Before the shows kick off this week we got the chance to ask Keyboardist Will Sprott about the ‘Year of the Spider’, playing festivals like Splendour in Australia, and what punters can expect from ‘The Clams’ live experience.
Welcome back to Australia, how many trips does this make? What is the appeal of touring here?
Will: This will be my fourth time in Australia—second time with the Clams. Shannon Cody came out here at least once before I was in the band. For me the appeal of touring there is the people. I have found that Australians in general are really funny people who are good at hilarious jokes. Our friend Eric Moore is filling in on drums this tour & he is a genuine Australian human so I’m stoked to have him along & get to hang out & see everything through his eyes.
You are here to play 4 shows , what are you expecting from an Australian show and what can fans anticipate from the Shannon & The Clams live experience?
Will: We’re playing five shows. I will not cross the planet for anything less than five shows. Australian shows are a rare treat for us so I’m sure they will feel extra magic. I wish we toured there more because I love it. The Clams live experience is hopefully a big cathartic joyful party-type experience. Someone called it a prom on acid. It’s old music refracted through a rainbow prism
“Imagine some punks built a time machine & ravaged around in the ‘50s-’80s. We’re time pirates”
For those that haven’t heard your music before , how do you describe your sound?
Will: My favorite simple description is weird oldies. Imagine some punks built a time machine & ravaged around in the ‘50s-’80s. We’re time pirates.
Your tour will showcase your sixth studio album Year of the Spider Tell us about the new album?
Will: We recorded that album in February 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee just before America locked down for Covid. The title of the album is a reference to 2019, which was a particularly hellacious year for Shannon. Little did we know about all the fun stuff that was just on the horizon. It’s the second record we’ve recorded with Dan Auerbach at his studio, Easy Eye Sound. We love working there. He has a ton of cool old keyboards organ for me to play stack up weird sounds. I think it’s the most lush sounding Clams album we’ve been trying to bring some of that larger sound to the live show.
Is Year of the Spider continuation of your last album ‘Onion’ or an evolution?
Will: Both I think. It’s a continuation in that we recorded at the same studio with the same producer & engineer using a lot of the same tools but it’s an evolution in that I think we pushed out the edges of what people think of as our band’s sound & recorded some songs that expanded our world a lot.
“ I see the spider as the internet & 2020 was the year the spider wrapped everyone up in her big web & sucked the blood out of their confused little brains”
What does this album mean to you? What do you hope fans take away from listening to it?
Will: The song “Year of the Spider” already existed before Covid hit but we didn’t name the record until we were all locked down waiting to be let out of our quarantine lairs. When the idea of naming the record that came up, it felt like the obvious right choice. It just fits. I think Shannon had in mind some kind of non-existent zodiacal connotation when she came up with that but the secret reason I love the title is because I see the spider as the internet & 2020 was the year the spider wrapped everyone up in her big web & sucked the blood out of their confused little brains. Most songs come from a place of pain but we’re always hoping we’re able to morph that into a jolly good time for us & the fans.
What does the writing /creative process look like for you?
Will: Historically for this band usually Cody & Shannon bring song ideas to the rest of the band & we try them out & see how they grow. There’s a lot of editing & flowering & adapting in the rehearsal & recording phases.
You are here to also play Splendour in the Grass, what can fans anticipate from the Shannon & The Clams live experience?
Will: Big ol’ Americans playing fun songs!
“I’ve heard nothing but good things about Splendour in the Grass. Can’t wait!”
Splendour in the Grass is one of the country's biggest and longest running festivals, will this be your first time playing an Australian festival? Are you excited to try it Aussie style?
Will: Last time we were there we played Golden Plains. That festival was so good. We played early & then just got to hang out & enjoy the rest of the bands & the sunset. I remember hanging out with my buddies in King Gizzard & watching Marlon Williams & shaking my boot in the air. I’ve heard nothing but good things about Splendour in the Grass. Can’t wait!
What's your Favourite thing about touring and being on the road?
Will: Hmmm. Definitely the playing music part but also all the people you meet & water you swim in & food you eat & beautiful places you get to see.
What's the worst part about touring and being on the road?
Will: Lately it’s just been leaving home because I have a three year old & he is very funny.
Who do you credit as your musical influences?
Will: I don’t even know anymore. So much sound has flowed through my head. The last couple years I’ve been really into Johann Sebastian Bach, Mort Garson & Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou. Those are probably who I’ve listened to most recently.
What was the first album or song you remember buying or impacting your life?
Will: Thriller by Michael Jackson for sure. That record was huge for me when I was three. Faith by George Michael was also a big one. I went to his concert with my whole family when I was six & we listened to that record a lot. The three tapes in my dad’s car were Full Moon Fever by Tom Petty, Rumours by Fleetwood Mac & Forever Your Girl by Paula Abdul. He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince was the first tape I ever got myself. I loved that one. Weird Al’s Off the Deep End was my first CD. That was cataclysmically important to me at that time.
Where was the first Shannon & The Clams gig? Was it a success or flop?
Will: I wasn’t there but from what I understand it was Shannon playing solo at an open mic night in Oakland somewhere.
If you weren’t a musician what else would you be doing now ?
Will: I’ve always loved to draw. Hopefully drawing.
What’s been the highlight so far in your career personally? And why?
Will: Hmmmm….. Tough question! So many options swirling through my brain. I like when things feel like they are falling apart & then they work out great. There’s a lot of that in the music biz. I’m going to leave it vague like that.
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is it they do that keeps your world turning?
Will: Alisa Preisler our booking agent & manager. She really drives our whole ship. Without her we’d be at home eating spaghetti out of a can.
What's next for the band? What can fans look forward to?
Will: We’ve been looking forward to these Australia dates for a long time. After that we have a bunch of scattered festival dates scattered around North America then the plan is to buckle down & record a new record.
SHANNON & THE CLAMS AUSTRALIAN TOUR - JULY 2022
Thu 21 – WESTWOOD, MELBOURNE
+ BAD BANGS
- SOLD OUT
Fri 22 – THE CORNER, MELBOURNE
+ BAD BANGS, HOT TUBS TIME MACHINE, IMPERIAL LEATHER, DJ ANNALIESE
- TIX
Sun 24 – SPLENDOUR IN THE GRASS, BYRON BAY
Wed 27 – LA LA LA’S, WOLLONGONG
+ LUKE SPOOK, DROP OFFS - TIX
Thu 28 – MARY’S UNDERGROUND, SYDNEY (w/ Jeff The Brotherhood) - TIX
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
For further information - https://www.lovepolice.com.au/tours2022/shannonandtheclams