Metropolis met with Louie Swain, Patrick Hetherington and Jules Crommelin from Berlin-based Australian band Parcels before their show in Tokyo on January 24 at Shibuya’s WWW. The three frontmen opened up about their world tour and Japanese audiences.

Metropolis: How did you meet and when did the band start to take shape?

Louie Swain: I met Patrick when I was 12 in high school and started up our first band and we have been playing together ever since. We met the other members along the way. We moved to Berlin as a band.

Jules Crommelin: I didn’t get into many bands when I was young, but Louie was in a band pretty early. I started with a metal band when I was 15, then I met Patrick and Louie doing folk music, so I made a big leap from metal to folk.

M: Why did you move to Berlin?

LS: When we finished high school, we wanted to move to Europe. Berlin seemed the next decision for us. It was four years ago when we moved there, started off with having to have a job and a little bit of creating. We eventually were able to tour then got too busy to work.

M: How did you enjoy the world tours over the past few years?

Patrick Hetherington: Crazy. We had so much travelling and went to so many different places. We were just trying to play a few shows in Berlin and suddenly got a huge amount of shows. It’s been exciting and the more we are touring the more I enjoy it and feel comfortable with it but at the same time it gets very tiring.

M:Do you think this global experience will affect your music?

JC: Hard to say. We never know what’s going to happen. We’ve done lots and lots of shows this year. We organically spread the album in some way. We’re gonna make more music while touring. Not focusing on them is kind of a go.

M: Are you guys making a new album now?

JC: Not currently, just touring. We are looking forward to starting it next month.

PH: I really cannot wait. We are sort of getting into it.

M: How would you describe the Japanese audience?

JC: I’ve never been more nervous in my life when we first played in Japan. We came out on the stage, we could hear a pin drop. Everyone was so quiet and intensely listening to us. I thought it was cool because it’s obviously not about socialising or drinking. It’s so rare.

M: Are you possibly coming back to Japan again this year?

PH: Not likely at the moment. But we are trying to come more often. I heard a lot about Japanese festivals so we would like to play at festivals such as Fuji Rock.

M: In another interview, you mentioned your love of fashion — especially from the 70’s.

Do you like Japanese fashion culture?

JC: Yes I love it. I’m really disappointed we couldn’t go vintage shopping this time.

M: Which bands inspired the Parcels’ sound?

JC: I really enjoyed classic stuff like Michael Jackson, The Doobie Brothers, The Beach Boys and other great 60’s sounds.

M: Do you have any favorite Japanese artists?

PH: Kikagakumoyou. It would be great if we can play with them. And we’d also love to play in other cities in Japan.

M: Do you have any other city in Japan you would like to visit?

JC: I haven’t discovered the country yet. I would love to come back soon and give myself time to explore if possible!