Gold is a seriously accurate name for this poignant track. Following an expressive piano intro that showcases Rya Park’s exquisite vocal, Gold swoops into gear, evocative of influences such as Mumford & Sons and Kita Alexander. Euphoric and vibrant, percussive elements drive the folky arrangement and precise vocal harmonies propel the choruses into the atmosphere. Tempus Sun’s keyboardist Grant Hardisty couldn’t be happier with the single, beaming, “The track is about exactly what the title suggests, moments of euphoria and bliss that just want to be relived again and again. It’s remembering those unparalleled happy moments with that golden tinge of nostalgia that can make you forget all your worries and stresses in a hazy daydream. It’s those summer nights that last with a sense of timelessness, a reflection upon a memory that you’d give anything to revisit, those times with friends that extend from a couple of hours to an entire day. It’s also about love with a slightly bitter twist, but it’s equally about light, warmth and all things Gold.”
The accompanying clip for Gold encapsulates the nostalgic vibe of the track through a retro lens; as though shot through an Instagram filter, the clip showcases some seriously cute candid moments between lovers, friends and families alike. The sun is ever-present, happiness glows off the screen and in a world that’s often so hard to handle, the clip for Gold is a welcome reminder that there is still honest goodness to be found. Grant reflects on the concept behind the clip, “Our overarching inspiration was pure joy and we wanted to capture a time we could escape to, and I think Gold can evoke those individual memories of times we all hold dear, be it of a lost loved one, an old flame or simply a time with your friends. The film clip was absolutely about capturing raw and natural emotion, simple times in life that you wish could be bottled. As Missy Higgins perfectly puts it, ‘seems those ordinary days are the ones that last’ - and so we wanted to try to almost film people not acting, but simply living.”
The upcoming EP is full to bursting with standout songwriting, thoughtful, lush arrangements and stunning vocal harmonies. Produced by Tom Larkin (Bodyjar, The Getaway Plan), Tempus Sun have managed to evoke their many influences – which include genres as far-reaching as classical, metal, and jazz-fusion – and funnel them into a concise, considered collection of folk-rock songs, many of which will remind the listener of early Boy & Bear and Mumford and Sons. Thrilled with the result, Grant explains, “It was such a massive learning experience for us, going through the process of pre-production, production and post-production. Recording at Studios in the City, we spent 6 solid days straight, building the layers from the ground up until they resembled – and then surpassed – our imaginings. It’s a very hard thing putting your trust in another’s hands, especially when they are dealing with your baby. In handing ourselves over to the professionals, it was hard to measure to what extend we should stick to our guns in some cases or take on their suggestions, but everyone made this process so welcoming.”
Well-deserved winners of 2016’s Melbourne Music Bank competition, Tempus Sun have gratefully reaped the rewards which have enabled them to propel their careers forward like they never could have imagined. Out of hundreds of entries and thousands of public votes, the group took out the top prize which included the EP recording and mixing process, press photos, publicity, radio plugging and much more. Grant enthuses, “Winning Bank of Melbourne’s Melbourne Music Bank was the most exhilarating experience of my life. We entered it on a whim, with an optimistic ‘why not?’ attitude, but we never honestly considered that we’d be a shot. I remember the call so vividly… I had to leave class to answer and hear the ridiculous news that we had made the Top 12!”
TEMPUS SUN EAST COAST TOUR
FRI 25 AUG | THE MILK FACTORY, BRIS
SAT 26 AUG | BRIGHTON UP BAR, SYD
FRI 1 SEP | THE EVELYN HOTEL, MEL
