Unsigned Spotlight: Observist
Observist is an up and coming metalcore act based out of Melbourne. Comprising members with many years of collective experience, they are set to make a big impression on the Australian music scene
Please list all of your band members and their roles in the band.
Chris Conroy - Vocals
Kye Blomeley - Guitar
Leigh Robinson - Drums
Cade Griffiths - Guitar
For starters, what bands were you guys a part of prior to Observist? How long has the band been around?
All of us have been in several projects over the years until we all eventually came together and launched Observist last year.
Kye and Cade were previously in a band called Earth Alone
Leigh played in Bury The Kings and Acheron au
Kye and Chris have played music together since early 2017 in the previous iteration of the band. Chris had an internet project called World Vs One
Kye also has an internet project called Weeping Hollow
What’s the origin of that name and have you changed the band’s name before?
Observist was a name that got pitched for a band Kye was in previously that didn't get used. He suggested the name for this project and everyone liked it. The name is up for interpretation of the listener as everyone identifies with music in their own way. The band was previously under a different alias and we did go through a long discussion on choosing a new one before we settled.
Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs and do you think these topics will change over time?
Kye is our primary songwriter but it is of course a collaborative effort when it comes to performing and finalising songs. As they get written we play them together and refine anything that doesn't sit well in a live setting. At the moment lyrically the songs have been written by Chris but we all input whether or not a phrase or sentence could be worded differently to suit a track.
The main themes we've explored in previous songs have been a sense of belonging, self acceptance, ideologies of expectations with most of the end theme being;be who you want to be not who someone wants you to be but also don't be afraid to seek help if need be.
In terms of changing over time we're definitely looking into exploring out of our usual comfort zone and thought process during future writing both musically and lyrically
What bands are currently inspiring the music that you’re making?
The main inspirational bands for us would probably be Northlane, Loathe, Allt, Lune and Vildhjarta. We tend to draw influence from individual aspects of each of these bands and funnel it into our sound.
Inspiration for me personally (Chris) has always been a lot of Melodic metalcore bands such as Being As An Ocean, Sierra, La Dispute ect ect and that probably showcases here and there in my style. All those bands always deliver with such emphasis and passion in their tracks and that's something I try to bring to table as well.
Was there a particular band/artist or concert that inspired you to start a band?
When Northlane did a regional tour in maybe 2017 or 2018 they played in ballarat with Void of Vision. That show really put a perspective of the kind of music I wanted to play and what I wanted to do, it really consolidated a shift in my whole approach to music up to where we are now with the release of "Human" our latest single (kye)
What do you do to prepare for a show? Any flexing, exercises, ect …
Before every show we have a basic pre show warm up where we all stretch out together and then play through 2 songs together acoustically to get warmed up and locked in together as a band before we step onto stage. We learnt this from our band coach Steven Cannatelli and it's been extremely helpful to us.
What has been the biggest highlight of the band’s career so far?
The two biggest highlights for us as a band has to be playing our first ever show with one of our favourite bands Alpha Wolf, then going on to playing with The Gloom In The Corner at a bucket list venue 170 Russell in Melbourne. Stepping onto that stage was a surreal moment for everyone
If you could tour with any bands, past or present, who would they be and why?
(Cade) Loathe would be amazing, we just all love their music and just because… Loathe
(Kye) Humanity's Last Breath and/or Vildjharta, they have been a huge inspiration for us over the last couple of years, playing a show with HLB would be unreal
Northlane because they're Australian metalcore royalty and it would be such a privilege to do so.
(Chris) Compared to the others my dream bands to tour with pretty much fall under the bands I'm inspired by, Being As An Ocean, Sierra, Lune but also the heavy hitters like Thy Art is Murder, Northlane. If need be even though it's not our style I would make us create a beatdown track just for a chance to share the stage with Traitors.
(Leigh) For me it would be Void of Vision, Monuments, Thornhill and Justice for the damned
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Listen to our new track "Human", streaming everywhere. Watch the music video on YouTube. It's extremely cool and took a whole lot of work to get made.