#156 Darlinghurst
Jason and Matt from the hit Australian country band have a chat with Rae Leigh about how they got to where they are today. Family, connection, songwriting and their future aspects in the film industry. They have had a #1 Country Album and #1 Australian Artist Country Album 2021 Nominee Australian Country Music Awards | New Talent of the Year
Darlinghurst is a new Melbourne based four-piece that’s redefining Australian country music. Consisting of Jason Resch, Pagan Newman, Cassie Leopold and Matt Darvidis, all four members share vocal responsibilities, blending together in sumptuous harmonies to create a fifth voice - Darlinghurst. With all four members combining their different musical influences and experiences, Darlinghurst have created a fresh sound in the Australian country sphere that’s as accessible as it is unique.
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Transcript
Rae Leigh: Welcome to a, Songwriter Tryst I've gotten Matt and jason from the band Darlinghurst. A welcome and thank you for joining me.
Matt Darvidis: thank you for having
Jason Resch: Thanks Ray.
Rae Leigh: I'm looking forward to it. And you guys sound like a lot of fun already just by simply getting set up. So let's just start. I haven't done that many podcasts where I've talked to two different people at the same time.
So you guys are going to have to choose who goes first and how this conversation
Jason Resch: We'll try. We'll try not to talk over each
Matt Darvidis: Yeah, we're really trying. Yeah.
Rae Leigh: That'd be rude, so let's not do that. Okay. So who wants to start tell us, who are you and where do you come from?
Matt Darvidis: No. Thanks mate. So we are Matt and Jason from Darlinghurst. We are based in Victoria, which is a bit confusing for a lot of people because Darlinghurst is a name of a suburb in Sydney. We're, we're located in Victoria. So there's four of us, may Jace, Cassie and pagan. We've been together for. Oh, for years now, it's hard to keep track with all the lockdowns and everything. but we've been together for a while.
We've just released our brand new self-titled album, which, we're pretty wrapped with. And, you know, we've been waiting for this day for a long time now. And, we're excited that we were able to relieve.
Rae Leigh: It's a, it's a big thing and you guys have just done it so well, with an album, how did you guys get together? Four years ago? What was the catalyst for Darlinghurst and why did you call it after a suburb in Sydney?
Jason Resch: Wait, wait, wait. We got to together through a mutual producer called Pete Dacey. he sort of knew all of us, I guess sort of separately, in, in the past that I guess like I was working with Pete at the time.
Pete knew Cassie from a previous project that they worked on. And I think Matt, you did your, your, your work experience at his studio or something like that, is that right?
Something like, yeah.
So Pete's, I've paid he's been a way of all of us, over the years, anyways, when he sorta got long story short, when he started to sort of get the impression that we're all looking for, an original project, to do, he sort of kind of open.
So to set us up in a room, just to see what would happen, I guess I would sort of react to each other and all that. So anyways, yeah, we did that and, and, yeah, we all got on, so well, and yeah, that's pretty much how it started. In the end, the, the name of the thing came from, a movie script.
Cassie was writing a little while ago, cold darlinghurst. yeah. So we've, we, when she mentioned that we took, yeah, we was like, oh, can we use that name and hopefully be in the movie too?
Rae Leigh: Yeah. So you will elect us as well, or you just,
Jason Resch: No,
Matt Darvidis: no, just, just Cassie. She's done a lot of film stuff and, we're not yet, but, maybe that could be something we could do is as well, Jace.
Jason Resch: Well, we've tried to do that in the video clips. And I liked the real hard Fabio sort of looks at the camera that it's never really worked.
Matt Darvidis: It doesn't feel very
Rae Leigh: Oh, I think you do. All right.
It takes some getting used to being in front of the camera. I think you guys do really well, And it,
so it sounds like you had like a blind date essentially with smartest, just to sort of see how you'd write together. Do you guys all write the songs together or how does that work?
Jason Resch: Yeah, we all write the songs together. It's quite a collective, process for us. Just day we'll just put it into a pot, steer it into a pot and, just see what happens, and we've had some collaborations with. With Jack and Ruby from the band Daisey. So there was a handful of songs off That yeah. That we, co-wrote with them, which was amazing and the great songwriters in their own. Right. Yeah, it's Just a big collective pot. That's how I sum it up in a sentence.
Rae Leigh: I think it's beautiful. I think it's good to see people collaborating and supporting each other and lifting each other up. And my first impression of you was like the Australian country version of that.
Matt Darvidis: I don't think, I don't think you're the only one, to be honest.
Rae Leigh: but you have such a beautiful way of singing and harmonizing with each other. And it does ring off that vibe and it could just be the fact that there's two male and two female vocals.
Jason Resch: Yeah, it could be that it's just like, look, we love Amber, but it's not something I guess we've gone out and sort of done that. Yeah. I dunno. It's just the, you know, the first one, right. I guess that's sort of said that, but we'll, we'll take it. I guess. I, youknow,
Rae Leigh: And it's not a bad thing to be like into, one of the biggest bands in the world. That's, you don't arrive if that's what people are saying. You're like, I got someone told me in, in country music that, I sounded like Beyonce, wasn't a great, it was it.
Jason Resch: Yeah, but that's I
Rae Leigh: yeah, I don't think she was saying it was country. I think she was just saying I'm not country, but like in a nice way. Okay. So tell me how, like, what, what your goal is for your, your songwriting. And can we go back to maybe how you guys, as individuals started and I want to get to know you guys a little bit more, cause you're the ones on the call as songwriters. What was the inspiration? Just to get into music in the first place?
Matt Darvidis: Yeah. So for me, I, I grew up in a musical family, so I was always surrounded by, all different, instruments and vocals and stuff. And, that was something that I wanted to pursue pretty early on in life. And I don't know, for some reason, I just, it felt like it was a really great way to express myself.
And I always remember, you'd be sitting that cliche, but sitting around a campfire and everyone's Jimmy Barnes or play a cover and stuff. And they never actually knew any covers. Cause whenever I'd try and learn a cover, I'd always try and come up with my own sort of my own thing and always wanted to write and express myself through music.
It was an early age for me.
I think, well,
Jace, what about you?
Jason Resch: Yeah, mine's sort of started early age too. It's just, I guess I, the songwriting sort of thing came up. When I started, , I think I started listening to Billy Joe. And when I started to realize that he wrote his own song. And things like that, like, it just sort of started from there. And then I was a massive Elvis fan growing up.
And when I was reading, like all the, the, the album slaves and all that, and I'm like, oh, it's just always thinking who's a LIBOR installer. Is it like a company? Is it, and you sort of just get curious from that. So that's where it sort of
started for me. And since then, it's just, you just not, artists and yeah.
Things just sort of fall into place in a sense. Just to, yeah, but I'll say Billy Joel, that was, that was my first
year,
Matt Darvidis: And the gales all said they've been in a variety of original bands as well. They're really great songwriters as well. The fact that we all do. Right.
And we all right.
Quite
different differently, really.
Like what Jason was saying, it's we put it all into puppet, every everyone's, different parts and different ideas that they're quite different.
But then when they come
together, form something
quite,
unique.
Rae Leigh: Yeah, I think that's the beautiful thing about car routing is that you do kind of get a little taste of everyone and, That is what's unique about it, just like each of you are unique yourselves. You get to put that into your music and see how it comes out. I'm curious though, because one of the biggest things I find, especially in Australia and I've learnt also in other cultures, is that the arts, isn't necessarily considered a career path when you're in high school.
You know, it's
Matt Darvidis: that
Rae Leigh: that journey of being passionate about music. , in high school or as a kid, and then telling, you know, your parents or your careers counselor at school, that you want to get into music as a profession, that can be a difficult conversation. What was that like for you guys with family? And that transition of this is what we're going to do, or this is what I want to
Jason Resch: Well, I think it's for, I guess, for all of us in the band, I'm pretty sure it'd be safe to say on behalf of like F F our parents and family, friends, and all that. They've been very supportive of the whole thing since day one, you know? So it's, yeah, I think, yeah, it's probably not. A, you know, your, your usual sort of, yeah.
Career path or thing that,
but, it's a labor of love in a sense, and that's why we do what we do, you know? So I think that's, yeah, that's just my sort of take on it, but, yeah, we've everyone in the, in the band-aid family has been very, very supportive.
Matt Darvidis: Yeah. I was fortunate too, because my parents,
Yeah. They're they're singers themselves and they've, they're professional musicians. So they, they didn't really have a leg to stand on. So
if the, yeah, but I'm not. Yeah, like Jason was saying, my parents are extremely supportive of me and, whatever I chose to do that we're going to be, you know, behind me.
Rae Leigh: That's all.
Matt Darvidis: But it is, it is tricky when you're telling people at school and stuff and you're aspiring to be a musician. They're like, ah, you sure you don't want to get a real job. It's like, but you know, you do have, I think every musician has.
That doubt in their
head, whether they're pursuing something that's actually going to be a career or not.
But I think when you have that, that wants and passion,
I think you just, you end up just having to make it, make it work. And you know
Rae Leigh: have a choice
Matt Darvidis: exactly. And it, it is hard. There's a lot of, ups and downs and you just have to ride it out
and yeah, because you love it so much. You're going to continue to do it anyway.
Rae Leigh: Hmm.
Jason Resch: be, it can be done though. It definitely can be done,
All this stuff, but it's yeah, it's just like anything though. Nothing's really guaranteed in a sense, really. So you might as well.
Yeah.
Rae Leigh: But You're enjoying it
Like, looks like on the
outside that you guys are having
fun, you know? And I feel like it wouldn't really matter if you'd
been
number one on the Irish huts or if no one listened to it, it looks like you guys have just genuinely had a lot of fun and you're doing what you love.
And that's seems that comes across to me anyway, as the most important thing, I think that's really beautiful.
Jason Resch: absolutely. I think look getting the number ones and all that is great, but in all that, it's great to have that sort of,
Yeah. But it's, the, the number one thing for us is, you get driven by yeah. By the thing that you, that you're passionate for. That's the number one thing for us is,
is to just try and, you know, just.
Mike is, you know, when musicians make his great music and rod is great songs, is his weekend something that we're proud of,
Rae Leigh: that's beautiful.
Jason Resch: yeah.
Matt Darvidis: I think too that, you know, the process is so long
and you know, you get all those awards and the,
you reach those destinations, but, they're all, they're always quick things and you're always
striving for the next thing. And, we think it's really, really important to enjoy the process. And I think if you are enjoying the process, achieve better outcomes anyway.
Rae Leigh: That's absolutely right. And the
awards and stuff is, is nice. I think, I think someone told me, what does it mean when you win an award on one of
these podcasts? And they said, it simply means
you
can charge more
or something like that. I think, but it was America. And now talking about like the Grammys and stuff, but, it was a really, it was the best way. I think I've, I've found them putting it is just having that validation and, knowing that you've worked hard to get where.
Matt Darvidis: Exactly.
Rae Leigh: Yeah. When you are writing songs or you're like, you're working on songs for projects that you guys want to do as a band , and the Darlinghurst brand, is there like a message or a core kind of goal behind what you want to communicate and what, vibes and messages you want to put into, into the Ethisphere, into your fans and what you want them to take away from your music.
Jason Resch: Look, I guess there's always, you know, different themes or subjects that, you know, when we're writing a song like you obviously there's, songs can be sort of influenced by certain things or experiences, but.
Rae Leigh: Yeah.
Jason Resch: The
main thing, I guess for us is just to, just to be honest with it, with ourselves, with it first and, and that, yeah, that's pretty much the same that since day one it's been that because, when we first all got together and were trying to think of what we're going to, w w what sort of stuff we can do, we just found to get.
What sort of music we're going to, it's going to come at. But the first thing we just
sort of
decided, I Was just like, just, you know,
just being honest, being
ourselves and see what happens and, yeah. And so far, it's worked well and, yeah, we'll just keep, continue to do that really.
Rae Leigh: Was it always going to be country? Like it was it that was not an option or.
Jason Resch: I think it's now I think that the country element of it was always going to be in there just because of, again, as influences, Cassie, and pagan, they've sang together for, for years and they've covered a lot of grants, including country Mets mats with the folk, background United.
So that sort of leans towards that sort of stuff anyways, in the sense. And, and, , and I've, yeah, I've always been in pop music. Growing up on older country music and living in Nashville for four years, that sort of all sort
of blends
in
if you think about like, yeah, just all your experiences sort of blends in there.
So I think that country elements always was going to be there. I guess it always will be in there, just cause it how we are.
Rae Leigh: Why were you living in Nashville for four years?
Jason Resch: I took a plane there and
now I went, I went there. I went there after, I was living in the, in, in England for four years. Then I moved over to Nashville. I was just sort of following gut instinct, to be honest.
And, and, yeah, just,
At the time I was rediscovering
My love for
country music and
and yeah. Just moved out, moved out there and just took everything in, out
the release. Yeah.
Rae Leigh: beautiful inspirational place.
Jason Resch: absolutely is. It's wonderful.
Rae Leigh: And you guys have goals to be able to go into her over there and have your music heard outside of this.
Matt Darvidis: Yeah, definitely. I think the plan was to hopefully head over to Nashville last year, but, , obviously with COVID and everything, I was mad at it a little bit hard, but, no, it's definitely a goal of ours is to get there. And I think, what's J what's that bar
called Jason. I think it's the only reason
you want us to go over there is to go to
this bar.
Jason Resch: well, well
it's
half the reason, like, but it's art. It's called Robert's Western world. It's the it's it's the greatest, it's one of the greatest bonds. It's one of my favorite places in the world. Like to be honest, like, yeah. He's, it is amazing.
Rae Leigh: I went there in 2019
and I
honestly, I mean,
I loved it, but I did not. I thought I went to just about every, but obviously you
can't
get to all of
them.
Jason Resch: I was,
Rae Leigh: many, what was that one?
Jason Resch: it was, a few bass Dan from Tutsis
on the same side,
but it's just all like just the, like the
traditional sort
of country music was applied in there. So all the, all the oldest stuff and w w we probably shouldn't get into it because I'll, I'll just keep talking
about it. I
Rae Leigh: you've still got over it. but that's
cool. All right. I want to, I'll ask you about co-writing then. Because that, that is sort of something that Is elusive to me and, and a lot of people, , the collaboration process, how do you guys approach it? And what do you think is really important when, when collaborating on songwriting?
Jason Resch: Look, I think it comes back to it's all comes down to, I guess, relationships and dynamics, I think. And I think, you know, when you find two. People that
you sort of feel comfortable with and run had the
same on the same page with things. That's sort of just falls into place, to be honest, I think like that, yeah, let's put that in a
sense.
Matt Darvidis: I think, yeah, I think it's really important to, to be a good listener and, you know,
really give the time to every idea because even if it's, you know, not it may or may not be
like, that's the. But there'll be things in an idea that might lead to other, other parts as well. So I think just accepting every idea and working out how taking the time to work on that.
I think really can manifest to something great. So I think working with people well, like working, you know, in a group with any,
any situation, you need to be
able to
work together and, you know, really respect everyone's ideas. Allow for a comfortable environment. So people, so everyone feels comfortable to express their ideas as well.
Rae Leigh: I think that's, that's really good advice and it doesn't come naturally to everyone.
Matt Darvidis: No, absolutely not. But out, I think that's where we're fortunate in the band is that we, like you said, it looks like we're having a lot of fun because we actually are. And that really, helps in the writing process because we do feel
comforted. around
each other. And, yeah, we feel
comfortable to be able to express our ideas and, and feeling so
Rae Leigh: That's good. And do you have any issues with, I guess, creative, corals around like, is it always the four of you when you're riding or because I find I find more than
three, quite overwhelming. so
I'm
curious.
Jason Resch: Now we'll get, I think every look, every sort of song, it's, it can start from one sort of idea, but by the time we were about to enter the studio, it's, it's all run sort of
through us in our own sort of way, so yeah. So now it can start off as like, one person running or two at two of us and then, but we all, yeah, we all just.
Yeah. Jump, jump up.
Rae Leigh: yeah.
no, I get you. Cool. All right.
Matt Darvidis: yeah, we we started riding with four, four people that will all of us on zoom and Skype and stuff. , which, which we thought would be a great idea, but with all the delay and everyone talking over each other
proved to be quite difficult. But,
that's why, because we all get along
with each other. We might, you know, I might do a writing session with pagan or Jace with Cassie and, then with.
Yeah, we put it all
together and
then work, work on it together
and see what comes out So,
Rae Leigh: , sounds like the best way to do it. What would you say the best advice is that you've ever had given during this industry or, starting up your band and releasing your music? Is there anything that sort of stuck out for you as something that's really helped you make important decisions?
Jason Resch: Oh,
there's heaps. There's hidden other, there is this there's heaps. There's heaps. Look, my look, my, my personal one is just, it's not really, it's sort of, not really a music sort of thing, but it's just like, just to be, just to be happy with just the feel.
Matt Darvidis: I don't know.
Jason Resch: Is it pieces much as you can with things?
Yeah.
I don't know. Yeah. Had to explain it, but that's the most important
thing to me anyways, that sort
of
thing, but I don't know how to really sum it up in a quote or anything like that, but, yeah. Cause yeah, let's do that. That best fish was best fish. That's that's my, that's where I get my inspiration.
Rae Leigh: yeah, I'm just singing. I'm just singing. I'm saying the fish singing on the wall don't want
to do Okay.
Matt Darvidis: I think for me, well, like I
said, my, parents are really, really supportive. But they were, they were always like, whatever you do, absolutely love it and do your best at it. And just, that there's a lot of noise and opinions around. But if it's something that you really feel.
And,
You taste that
feeling because something great can, can happen through that. So, T it's important to take people's advice, but really listen to your intuition and follow what you're feeling rather than, you know, leading someone else's life.
Rae Leigh: Yeah, it can be a hard thing to learn, to
trust
yourself
and trust your
gut.
Especially like, if for me, when I first started, definitely felt like everyone else knew what they were
doing, you know, It's like when you're a kid, you just trust the adults, they know what they're doing, and then you become an adult and you're like, actually adults have no idea what
Matt Darvidis: Yeah,
Rae Leigh: it feels the same in the music industry.
Like when I first started, I just trusted everyone else, all the producers, because you know, they'd been in the industry for so long and I just didn't listen to my own body and what I wanted.
Yeah. Yeah. I think the more and more of being
in it, it's like,
actually I don't like that. Or, you know, and you're trusting yourself.
It can be, it's a growing process,
Matt Darvidis: I think so too. And, I was talking to, a lady the other day and she was saying, so like she reads energies and stuff, and she was saying that it certainly five years ago that I actually learned to listen to
myself and I'm in a situation
where I, you know, I can act. He wa you know what I'm saying and what I want to follow.
And, , so it might not happen straight away, but I think if you continue to work on that, I think everyone does achieve that eventually.
Yeah.
Rae Leigh: Well, we hope
so, but it's an, it's an individual
journey
and Yeah, you just never know. And,
the only
person you
can control is yourself. And if you want that, then you'll get that. And I
think that's beautiful that do, do you feel like what she said was about, right, that you kind of, there was a moment for you
that
that started to change
Matt Darvidis: absolutely. I think, Because, yeah. It, everything in it's, life's, quite tricky and to, to actually find what you wanted, whether it's a career or the type of life you wanna live. It's quite hard with all the, all the noise around and even you having all these thoughts and stuff. It's really hard to actually just sit down and really think about what you're feeling, which.
That's probably the
best thing anyone can do is actually sit down with themselves, which COVID and all the lockdowns and stuff I think has allowed for, to actually just sit with
yourself without all the distractions and actually
listen to, listen to your truth. So, yeah,
Rae Leigh: I agree. I was thinking that when you were saying that I've often thought at the beginning, that everyone's stopping for a few months was actually probably except for construction and health industry people, but know all the essential workers didn't get
this
break. But that break of being able to go hang on a second.
Am I happy with what I'm doing with my life? Or am I sort of on autopilot? You
know?
Matt Darvidis: Is a, it's quite a confronting thing too. And not many people like to do that. But I think it's extremely beneficial to do
that.
Rae Leigh: How did you guys cope with it all? Like being so young in the
industry
as a, as a group in
original group and then this happening.
Matt Darvidis: What.
Rae Leigh: What was your process? What was your thought
pattern?
Jason Resch: Well, I guess it was just to look at, for us, it was just to keep, just to keep the mind busy and focused, you know, so we wrote, we wrote every day, kept in touch with each other every day, obviously with our families as well. But yeah, I guess,
Music wise, it was
you hate just, just doing the best we can with the
situation
as good as possible.
You know? So yeah, it was cause we had the time and stuff. It's just, it was just songwriting and drinking coffee.
It was good.
Matt Darvidis: a lot of gum. I'm glad you said coffee.
Rae Leigh: is healthier than
Jason Resch: Yeah.
no, but yeah. Yeah.
Rae Leigh: I thought you were gonna say whiskey.
Matt Darvidis: Well that too.
Jason Resch: end of the end of the night, but
yeah, it's a no, but it's, I think that's just, yeah. it's just making best of the situation really.
And that's all I think all of us can, can do really.
Matt Darvidis: yeah.
Rae Leigh: I think
your, , your
courage song should definitely be coffee and
whiskey.
Matt Darvidis: Like a country. So.
Rae Leigh: it sounds like a country looked down Sonia.
All
right. This is a question that I asked to every.
Essentially at the end of the podcast and it is based around your inspiration. So you
can take
in turns with
it, however you want to go.
But if you could co-write with anyone in the
world
living or dead, who would it be and why?
Matt Darvidis: Whoa tricky. For me, I'd probably say Paul Simon, , I think his so diverse each album here releases, he's still got his core sound. Though he does, he's not scared to, you know, branch out and incorporate different, you know, different styles and different ways of writing. And, I think he, yeah, mine would definitely be pulse time.
I think he's an incredible lyricist as well. So I think it'd be great to work with.
Jason Resch: Mon I guess Billy Joe.
Matt Darvidis: Yeah,
Jason Resch: But
that may be a bit Bacharach is another one that I
find very, I'd love to just sort of sit in the room
with him and
just sort of see how he
comes up with his ideas and everything
But yeah, I guess Billy Jo
that's that's my, yeah.
Rae Leigh: Awesome. Well, that's the end of my official questions and thank you for your patience and sharing so openly about, you know, how you guys got together and, and what your process is and everything like that. It's going to help hopefully inspire and encourage all the songwriters and artists and fans that are listening in, who wanted to get to know you guys a little bit better and what you're doing.
Can you tell us, you know, now that you've released the album and you've had so much success, w what are your plans for the future?
Jason Resch: Oh, I think the thing just to get in the same room together first,
Rae Leigh: Is that actually been booked in? You guys got a date for that yet?
Jason Resch: I think with, I think we're probably still a week off, I guess.
Matt Darvidis: It's a bit, it's a bit tricky at the moment. Cause Cassie, uh, she's,
she's, lives in a border town. So she's in new south Wales, and the borders are still shut at the moment we're in Victoria. So,
As soon as they opened the border, we'll be heading there and
rehearsing. And I think
next year, A bunch of gigs lined up. And it looks as though things are opening and
that they'll go ahead. So,
, I think just again the same room and start rehearsing. Cause we haven't rehearsed in a while,
Yeah. We've gotta start rehearsing for these
gigs.
Jason Resch: Yeah.
Rae Leigh: get your, your upper
Matt Darvidis: Exactly. Right.
Jason Resch: Oh,
Matt Darvidis: we've been working on our dance moves. Haven't we guys.
Rae Leigh: Yeah. Can anyone say that anywhere? Like, which was your favorite social media platform?
Matt Darvidis: We're across all social media platforms, but mainly on Facebook and instagram, which is down under Darlinghurst band. You can also find out, when all our gigs are and all that, on our website, which is www.darlinghearst-band.com dot a U.
Rae Leigh: Great. Well, I'm going to put a description of the podcast and all the links to you guys so that people can go support. You, listen to your music, come to your live shows. I'll definitely be at the gold coast Braze one, hopefully I'll, you know, I'll get to play at the festival with you guys. We could all hang out.
Yeah, just keep doing what you're doing and well done for being so resilient and creative through the last few years, it's been a challenging time for everyone. And I appreciate your positivity and the fun that you're having. That's beautiful to watch and I hope to see more of it
Matt Darvidis: Awesome. Thank you so much. And we look forward to having a coffee and a whiskey that get low.
Rae Leigh: all we have to and write the song. Okay. All right.
Jason Resch: Ray. Thank you.
