From Locals To Legends: The Artists That Inspired Nice Biscuit's New EP

With their newest EP Passing Over hitting shelves recently, Nick Cavendish and Billie Star of Brisbane psych outfit Nice Biscuit gave us a rundown of some of their favourite and most influential musicians that have informed their latest musical endeavour.

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King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard

Nick - These guys don’t really need an introduction. We’ve been fans of these guys for so, so long and constantly marvel at their musicianship, energy and productivity. When we were starting out, they were a great example of pursuing a path that just feels right for the band and breaking down our assumptions of the music industry e.g “you should only put out one album every couple of years.”

Stereolab

Nick - We are all fans of this band, but for different and ever changing reasons. I recently went back and listened to their first full length record Peng! and it's still so good - it could be released now and be so current. I’d say Stereolab inspires us, above all, to try weird stuff and experiment while we are writing and in the studio.

Mildlife

Billie - So many things to be inspired about with this band. Playing with them and getting to know them has been such a pleasure - both their music and the way they carry themselves as a group have been great inspirations for us. They don’t fit into one genre at all - floating between the worlds of electronic/dance, jazz and psych. I love the way they create space and time to really explore a groove and how they converse between synth (Kevin), guitar (Adam) and bass (Tom) by switching who is leading the groove. The song Passing Over has many nods to Mildlife and we actually played it live for the first time when we supported them at the Tivoli - the opportunity of getting to play to a room of Mildlife fans drove us to create this one. I have just started playing a mini synth keyboard in the last year and have been motivated by Kevin’s insanely catchy synth melodies - what other band has the whole crowd singing along to the synth part? 

The Flamingo Jones 

Billie - We are constantly inspired by our friends in the Meanjin (Brisbane) music scene and really they are the ones who most directly influence the music we make. Watching The Flamingo Jones always pushes us to make more jammy, groovy music. Their energy is electric and fun and silly and we love them. Frontman Johnny Mort is one of the most underrated visionary musicians in Bris and produces so much amazing music - you all aren’t ready for what they have in store. Plus seeing Eva playing tambourine and capturing the audience with her focus and skill, not to mention her always top tier outfits, is a sight to behold. 

The Family Jordan

Billie - These guys have written so many beautiful albums, paving the way in the Brisbane music scene well before the biccies were a twinkle in our eyes. I remember watching Family Jordan when I first moved to Bris 7 years ago and being so captured by their live show - they really do have that family feel when they play, Jordan weaves beautiful stories within his melodies while Sam adds his effortlessly amazing lead guitar and Kelly shreds on her Violin/Keyboard. I was inspired by them then to start creating music and now even more so to keep going, we feel so lucky to know these incredible musicians! Passing Over EP was greatly influenced by country/folk - we've all been delving into listening to this style of music a lot more, especially in the past year - their latest album Big Grass has been spinning in our homes nonstop. 

Passing Over is available for streaming now. Nice Biscuit are also set to play the 2021 QMusic Valley Fiesta, 28 - 30 October. For all the info, head over to theGuide.