With their captivating synth hooks and infectious lyrics, Grafton Primary have taken the Australian music scene by storm in recent years. The trio, consisting of Robbie Mudrazija and brothers Josh and Ben Garden, recently performed at the Uni Bar to fans of their electro-noir beats. 

Tyne McConnon caught up with vocalist, Josh, to explore the band’s rise to fame and his relationship with music.

T: How did Grafton form?

JG: Ben and I were basically producing electronic music separately, doing our own thing. Ben was more studio-production based … while I got more into production and more interested in writing songs. We started sending a few things to each other and got together.

T: What is it like working with your brother?

JG: It is the best and worst really. Best [because] we both kind of love each other and we grew up together, so we have the same beliefs. Also I guess there is a sense of someone you have that bond with. We read each other’s minds. Worst as we really have different personalities so it’s a tricky working dynamic. It contributes to the music, however. You can both have separate ideas and put them together.

T: Have there ever been major sibling feuds or disagreements when you have been performing, or compiling an album?

JG: Not anything serious. Nothing newsworthy; no storming out of the room. There has been some tensions and disagreements, and angry emails; we don’t really do anger face-to-face very well. We brood and stew over it and then one of us will crack and say something. Constantly there are some tensions. But this is not a problem, as we know how to draw the line as adults. We would end the band if it got too bad.

T: What has been your favourite gig in Tassie so far?

JG: Falls was amazing; a good crowd and vibe. We had to fly out straight away, I wish we had stayed longer! Syrup was also great. We were disappointed that one [show] was cancelled. We got down to Hobart, got to the club, starting setting gear up and then honestly my voice had gone, I had to go straight to hospital.  However, the one show that we did play was pretty insane. [There were] no barriers on the first night. There was [only] a wall of security guards [between us and the crowd].

T: Do you indulge in the ‘partying’ side of the industry?

JG: Sometimes I’m too tired to dance and I actually miss it in a way. But you’re human and you have responsibilities. I now have a different pace to life than I used to have and for me this is a really positive step … In my early 20’s I did loads of that and I had a mad time as people should get out and experience life … [But] at the moment I want to do something different. Priorities have changed with age. I still party and still dance, but don’t feel like I want to get messed up as my head is in a good place at the moment, I can get a high off the music and dancing alone. I now have the feeling I’m achieving what I want to achieve in my life.

T: Has this change in perspective changed your music?

JG: I have changed, but I have always been philosophical and poetic. Maybe I’m more [focussed] now on what I’m writing lyrically, there is more happiness, contentment and joy ... I am in love and have been for a few years now, and will be for a long time, and this has changed my perspective on a lot of things … Personal life impacts upon your music and I don’t want to keep them separate.

It’s a tiring [job] and pushes emotional buttons more than other jobs. If you work in an office your work is more about earning money not your personal project.

T: What comes first; lyrics or sound?

JG: The sound normally comes first. I don’t like fitting music around words. I don’t like making a melody to fit words I have put down. The words are made to fit a melody. Also when there is a melody in my head the feeling of the music gives you an idea for the words.

T: Favourite song to play at the moment?

JG: It depends on the crowd … [They usually like] new songs or reworked old ones.

T: Any particular song that you would love to remix?            

JG: Not off the top of my head, however, I have been listing to music that you wouldn’t think about remixing. This includes a lot of hip-hop and soul music but I would feel bad about remixing this.

T: If you were not in Grafton Primary where would you be?

JG: If I hadn’t done this, I probably would have gone into hip-hop. I [always] say I have got to get round to doing some hip-hop. However, it’s hard to dedicate to it, as it’s a music genre that you would need to dedicate a whole lifestyle choice. Well that’s the vibe I get. You would need to be in a certain headspace to rhyme and re-program your brain to work in that sphere.

T: What can we see from Grafton in the future?

JG: I’m not exactly sure. The band will still be happening. But I’ll be a bit upset if [we are] still doing the same thing in a year. We want to keep pushing ourselves as producers and performers. In a year, my life will be really different, but who knows what will happen.

I’m at the point where I feel like I’m in charge of my life and anything could happen. I love doing this and I’m dedicated to doing it. But I’m dedicated to life mostly and there are other things in life [other] than this. Your life isn’t limited to one thing and you are never stuck to one thing.

By Tyne McConnon