"CAT POWER"
by Mark Rayner, Inpress 27-9-2000


Ex-Brisbanites Minimum Chips have finally released the follow-up to 1997's Swish, an EP by the name of Freckles. "Most of the songs are about cats," singer Nicole tells Mark Rayner.

"I can quote someone here," warns vocalist Nicole Thibault, discussing her band's union with Melbourne's own Trifekta Records. "Sometimes you're walking along the street and you feel like a hamburger..." "Except we're all vegetarians," interjects drummer Ian Wadley. "Yeah well, a vegetarian hamburger," continues Nicole unabashed. "But the hamburger shop's closed, so you're walking along and you see a cake shop, so you have a cake instead." There is a silence for a few seconds whilst guitarist Julian Patterson shoots a confused look to Nicole. "That doesn't even make sense."

Cakes, vegetarian hamburgers and nonsensical takes aside, Minimum Chips are finally able to sit back and bask in the afterglow of their long awaited second EP, Freckles. It's a release that's been an arduous and drawn-out process, even by their laidback standards. They began recording it in early 1999, spending a month or perhaps a week in the studio (depending on who you talk to, then three months attempting to get their masters back due to record company wrangling. When they were finally returned bass, trombone and organ were added, setting the scene for an imminent release. Their further misfortune struck as their record company ran out of funds. Trifekta Records, home of Melbourne indie darlings Gersey and Sodastream, who promptly stepped in, liked what they heard and offered to release the album.

Add these trouble to the gradual relocation of all members from Brisbane and it may partially explain the three-year break between Freckles and 1997's widely acclaimed Swish EP. "Moving down here was a bit of a hiccup," explains Ian. "We haven't been writing or recording as much as we would have liked." That's not to say there haven;t been some benefits in the move though, particularly in terms of the sheer number of venues in Melbourne and the opportunity to play to new audiences that brings.

Despite the trials, the wait has definitely been worth it. Eight tracks of blissed-out feline dreamscapes, equal parts indie rock and post-cabaret grooves with soaring melodies and a vibe that can be easy to fall into yet difficult to pin down. So I give the band a go. "We're rough yet smooth," they state, free associating together, "slow yet fast, straight yet wiggly, catchy yet hallucinogenic, incoherant and sleep inducing." It's a disparate sound that has evolved over time, leading to offhand comparisons to the gently absurdity of the likes of Broadcast and Stereolab (who they've toured with). But Nicole sees the evolution as occurring somewhat closer to home. "Over the years we've become more competent, we've learnt to play our instruments better and the songs have become more complicated."

And then there's the instrument swapping. Casual perusal of the Reckles sleev reveals each member sharing multiple instrument duties which they reveal as an important component of their sound. "We sound different depending on who is playing what live," explains Julian. This laissez faire approach to playing also extends to the Minimum Chips philosophy on songwriting. "We write songs when we're practicing, in theory, but we don't really," admits Nicole sheepishly. "Normally someone will bring in part of song and then we'll try and arrange it as a band." This approach proves its worth on Freckles. Whilst retaining the trademark Minimum Chips charm, it also possesses a welcome dosage of variation and experimentation.

Also interesting on Freckles are Nicole's moody yet light vocals, often making the lyrics difficult to distinguish yet somehow adding to the band's mysterious allure. "I don't really go for anything in particular," ponders Nicole. "Most of the songs are about cats. Arsene is a cat, so is Freckles, and Bouncing Boy With a Bubble is a kitten."

The lyrics, though often repetitive, appear to take a back seat to the overall mood and eloquence of each track. This is particularly evident on the album opener, Bouncing Boy with a Bubble, with its interlocking harmonies and angelic vocals. "We wanted to meld the vocals to the music," reflects Nicole. "Words aren't a big important part, its not likie we're Bob Dylan or Johnny Rotten. They're pretty shrouded."

So with tribulations of Freckles finally behind them, Minimum Chips - ever the gluttons for punishment - are hoping to head back into the studio in the next couple of weeks, but this time they've taken precautions. "Maybe it'll be that album we've been talking about for five years," offers Julian eagerly. "It's back to home recording on an eight track reel to reel and then maybe some computer stuff as well."

Minimum Chips launch Freckle at the Punters Club this Thursday 28th with Little Ugly Girls. They also play an Amnesty International Asylum in Music benefit with Underground Lovers, Snout and Chuck Jenkins at the Hi Fi Bar on Friday 13th October. Freckles is out now through Trifekta Records.