Vancouver Island’s Neighbourly Drops New Vibey Single “Java Fever”
Vancouver Island-based band, Neighbourly has unveiled their new single, “Java Fever.” This is the final taste before the band releases their forthcoming, self-titled album on October 13th via Earth Libraries.
This full-length project emphasizes each member’s strengths as songwriters, with each contributing two tracks, resulting in a total of eight songs. Approaching the album, the group had the intention of fully exploring what it means to be neighbourly. This debut album highlights the various eclectic influences within the group.
Despite having a concept in mind, Neighbourly didn’t want to limit themselves when it came to the process of recording the songs. Some songs evolved collaboratively within the group, while others were written naturally by individual members.
The band engineered the record themselves, and each song was produced by its respective writer. This project serves as a centerpiece showcasing the band’s growth over the past year. Mixing and mastering credits go to Latham Reader, who continues to support other artists in the Vancouver Island scene.
Formerly known as SPEAK EASY, this four-piece band (guitarist/vocalist Oliver Sandberg, percussionist Scott Sparrow, guitarist/vocalist Latham Reader, and bassist/vocalist Lauren Giorgio) has been captivating listeners with their playful and laid-back tones. Their journey began with the release of several DIY projects, including two EPs, Demo Daze and (There’s No Place Like) 1330, and their full-length album, Rainbow River.
After their touring efforts were suspended in 2020, Neighbourly felt the need for evolution and transitioned into a budding, photosynthesized version of experimental funk, indie pop, and psychedelia. Their track, “Follow Us” signaled a change in style for the group, with a desire to make people dance. “Java Fever” is a result of Neighbourly’s collaborative efforts, written by the band’s drummer, Scott Sparrow.
Sparrow writes:
“With a demo on hand in my DAW, I brought Java Fever to the group with an emphasis on the bassline. That is the key to the groove on this track, and after a week of jamming on it, we knew we were ready to replace the programmed drums with the live feel.”
Playing together, the band recorded a take that captured the tail end of their summer tightness. With few percussive overdubs, and again some minimal lyrics guided by bassist Lauren Giorgio’s melody, the track was set to become one of their grooviest live songs.
Listen to “Java Fever” below and learn more about Neighbourly via our Five Questions With segment.
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hey 🙂 we are Neighbourly, a four-piece psych fusion group based on Vancouver Island. We consist of four multi-instrumentalist songwriters: Latham Reader, Lauren Giorgio, Oliver Sandberg, and Scott Sparrow.
Tell us a bit about your most recent release.
“Java Fever” is a creation by Scott Sparrow, who brought the track to the group with a focus on the bassline. After a week of jamming together, we were ready to replace the demo that Scott had originally made with programmed drums, aiming to give it a more lively feel. We added some percussive overdubs and incorporated minimal lyrics guided by a melody from Lauren. This collaborative effort made “Java Fever” one of our most enjoyable tracks to perform live.
Where do you tend to pull inspiration from when writing?
It is a mixed bag. Each of us contributes to all aspects of a track’s production, resulting in a diverse range of influences. For songs we individually write, we allow the songwriter to take on the role of producer, directing the vibe of the track. In the case of “Java Fever,” written by Scott, the inspiration comes from music that revolves around the bassline, so the track is anchored around the melody played by the bass.
Do you have any upcoming shows you’d like to tell us about?
During the colder months, we typically focus on recording, so we don’t have any shows currently scheduled. However, we have an inside scoop to share: a show is in the works in Victoria with our label mates, Mother Sun.
What’s your goal for 2023?
Our primary goal for 2023 was to release our debut album, which is set for October 13th under Earth Libraries, and we’re thrilled to say that we’ve achieved that. But, in all seriousness, by the end of the year, we aim to produce our next album with the help of a talented producer friend from our local scene and beyond who’s doing some exciting things. As always, we want to continue fostering a neighbourly approach to our creative process.