Editor: @nwangerd
Disclaimer: This article was written under the influence of alcohol and with a slightly buzzing ear, so please bear with me if the content seems a bit disjointed or nonsensical at times.
I've already taken three solo trips this year - to Tokyo, Dubai, and now Perth.
Perth is the largest city in Western Australia, and despite its psychological distance, it's only a 5-hour flight from Singapore. Plus, it's in the same time zone (GMT+8).
I came to Perth for a very specific reason - to catch a concert by one of my favorite bands, Pond. That's why my trip was only 3 days long. Personally, I think solo trips can get boring if they're too long.
As some of you may know from our first article, I'm a huge fan of neo-psychedelic rock music. The band I came to see, Pond, is from Perth and fits right into this genre.
I'm writing this article from a cafe in Perth, where I've been based for the past two days. Now, I'm going to write about the band, their music, and this city, based on my fragmented experiences over the past 2 days.
1. Fremantle, Perth
July is winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and Perth's temperature in July was chillier than I expected. The rain made it feel even colder. I knew the weather was going to be like this, but I still wish I could've seen Perth's beautiful sunset and daytime in the spring season.
I didn't come to Perth for its natural beauty, though. I came for the concert. Perth is a city that can't be left out when talking about neo-psychedelic rock in the 2000s. Some of the genre's most active bands, like Tame Impala, Pond, and GUM, were born from this city.
It's interesting to note that these bands are closely connected. For example, Pond's lead vocalist Nick Allbrook used to be a touring member of Tame Impala until 2013. Kevin Parker, the mastermind behind Tame Impala, produced music for Pond until 2020. Jay Watson, Pond's drummer, is also a full-time member of Tame Impala and leads another psychedelic rock project called GUM.
Perth's management label, Spinning Top, is also based in Fremantle, Perth. This label manages all the bands I mentioned earlier.
That's why Fremantle, a small port city of Perth, felt so vibrant and dynamic. The used bookstores and vinyl shops were full of character, and the local brewery and cafes were amazing. The live music venues were also impressive.
Here are some places I visited:
- Mills Records: This vinyl shop had an amazing selection of neo-psychedelic records. I picked up two rare Pond albums that I couldn't find anywhere in Asia.
- DaRawNature Studio Gallery: This cafe & art space has an incredible interior that feels like you're in Morocco. The coffee is great, but I'm not exactly a connoisseur. This place is actually where I'm writing this article from.
- Strange Company: This bar, located at the center of Fremantle, serves up delicious cocktails and finger food, and it's open late.
- The Gallery Store by Head2Sole: This high-end streetwear store has a great selection of sneakers and Japanese brands, located at the center of Perth downtown. Prices are not really competitive to those in Korea, though.
- Alfred’s Pizzeria: This pizzeria has a rock 'n' roll vibe, with a killer selection of local beers and delicious pies.
2. Pond & Concert
Now, onto the main event – Pond's concert. I've been listening to their music nonstop since I arrived in Perth, and I was stoked to catch them live.
Tame Impala's debut album Innerspeaker was a global hit, and around that time, Pond (which shared three members with Tame Impala) released their 4th studio album, which was their first global release.
I discovered Pond through their 2017 album The Weather, which is still one of my favorites. The album's highlight is "The Edge of the World Pt. 2", which I first heard on a beach in Vancouver, watching the sunset. Other tracks like "The Weather" and "Sweep Me Off My Feet" are great intro tracks for new listeners.
Pond has released 10 studio albums, and their latest one is just as good. The album features tracks like "The Edge of the World Pt. 3" (which I've been listening to nonstop).
But the real highlight of the concert was when they played tracks from their 2013 album Hobo Rocket. These tracks feature some of Pond's most experimental work, with extended guitar riffs and hypnotic synths. Tracks like "Aloneaflameaflower" and "Giant Tortoise" were mesmerizing live. Those tracks were strategically placed in the latter half of the concert setlist, igniting the atmosphere to sweltering heights.
As I write this, I'm still buzzing from the concert, or maybe it’s the beer I just had. Perth, the city of psychedelic rock, has stolen my heart. And who knows? Maybe this is what it means to be young and free.