Graham Reid | | <1 min read
One of Us
The alt.folk Wax Eye are singer Ella McCool-Reay and her father Steve Reay (of Vor-Stellen) who deliver a very seductive self-titled debut: five songs acoustic-framed songs with bassist Jared Johanson (Subliminals, Vor-Stellen) and writer/trumpeter Marco Scott.
Erring towards a melodic take on drone-folk's mesmerising repetition with gentle harmonies and subtle electronics, Wax Eye hit a beguiling point between folk, minimalism and pop. And by the final song So Much More have moved into that motorik world of Vor-Stellen which we have recommended.
It's the kind of collection which deserves attention so we thought Ella could answer some questions for us and we would post a couple of tracks to throw a light on their small but fascinating corner of the local landscape.
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Erik Satie. Gymnopedie no. 1. My parents played a CD for me to sleep to when I was a kid, but I had pet tadpoles and they seemed to really enjoy it so I would stay awake watching them instead.
Your first role models in music were . . .
My family - cousins, dad, auntie.
The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear are . . .
“The Moon” by The Microphones
“IS THIS HELL (Pt 1).” By L.A. Salami
“Dark” by Daffodils
Any interesting, valuable or just plain strange musical memorabilia at home...
Flying Nun 10th anniversary playing cards? My cousin gave them to me.
The best book on music or musicians you have read is . . .
Most recent I read was “Absolutely on Music” by Haruki Murakami interviewing the Conductor Seji Ozawa. Made me wish I understood literally anything about classical music.
If you could get on stage with anyone it would be?
I don’t want to get on stage
The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include…).
Fazerdaze “Break” on vinyl. And most recent downloads include “Naja Naja” EP by a duo called the same name. It came out in 2022 and is just super cool.
The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .
“Titanic Rising” album cover by Weyes Blood, out of respect.
You are allowed just one tattoo, and it is of . . .
A mouse
David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's all we've got . . .” You would spend them where and doing what?
Learning things, anywhere.
And finally, in the nature of press conferences in Japan, “Can you tell me please why this is your best album ever?”
It’s the only one
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You can hear and buy the Wax Eye collection at bandcamp here
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