SINGLE REVIEW: RHUS QUARTET - ‘CUDMIRRAH’
If the ocean could sing to us, sweeping and soaring and heaving, it would sound like ‘Cudmirrah’; the newly released single from inner northern nu-jazz and funk groovers Rhus Quartet.
Ahead of their debut festival appearance at 2 degrees, Rhus Quartet invites us into an endless and hopefully deliciously warm summer with ‘Cudmirrah’. This track conjures imagery of all things aestival; elongated twilights, peeling skin, the murmur of cicadas, burnt feet on hot tarmac, ceaseless fun, and a good smattering of holiday bliss.
It’s a serene wall of sound that is both peaceful and invigorating. It evokes similarities to ambient giants Brian Eno and Martin Rev, yet imbued with a healthy dose of chill groove and psychedelia.
The Rhus Quartet is comprised of keyboardist and synth player Lachie, drummer Tom, bass guitarist Amar and lead guitarist Hughie, all pals from the hazy days of residential college who relish making music together.
‘Cudmirrah’ is the first single from the band’s eventual four-track EP. The boys are aiming for each band member to write a song, whether that be the foundation or the whole kit and caboodle. However, shared experimentation will always be the priority going forward.
Alongside this tune serving as the ideal soundtrack to lead us into a hotly anticipated summer, the meticulous and thorough writing process conducted by the boys is even more impressive.
Lachie came to the boys with an initial demo for the track that was simply him drumming his hands on his lap, which then transformed into him writing the harmony and song structure by using a jazz composition theory that bases different chords all around one particular note. This is what we hear in the main piano motif of the song; the same note repeating over and over.
‘We then shift between two similar chords for the latter half of the song. We build around that and develop and contrast different textures with Hughie’s guitar and my synthesisers,’ Lachie said. Amar’s bass and Tom’s drumming simultaneously mix up different time signatures and rhythms.
The remainder of the writing process evolved as innately collaborative. ‘We found what works best is that everyone brings something to the table,’ Amar said. Different ideas create a melting pot for the boys to experiment with, whilst always aiming for fun and enjoyment in the educational and challenging writing process.
‘We’re not trying to be the next hip group or release the next hit single…we’re just trying to make music that we enjoy and hopefully everyone else will enjoy,’ Amar said.
For guitarist Hughie, Larry Carlton’s volume swell sounds often reminiscent of a whale call - on brand for ‘Cudmirrah’ - and Tom Misch’s lead lines acted as a major inspiration for his contributions to the track.
It’s easy to hear how Hughie derived inspiration from Mr Misch, as his guitar solo in ‘Cudmirrah’ almost sounds like a synthesiser through his zealous use of the pedal. He also dabbled in fast tremolo sounds, as heard in ‘A Change is Gonna Come’, a track by the soul titan Otis Redding.
Tom recalled how receptive the quartet was to Lachie’s demo right from the start as the song was rife with the potential to be uniquely smooth and slow. They were interested in crafting something that was not overly complicated, yet still packed with interest and intrigue for the listener.
In contributing his flavour to the track, Tom was inspired by poly-rhythmic ideas, used by the likes of revered Tool drummer Danny Carry - an object of fervent hero-worship in Tom’s eyes - and The Dave Brubeck Quartet - another powerful foursome - particularly in their song ‘Take Five’.
Poly-rhythms involve more than one measure occurring at the same time, as exemplified by overlaying an odd time signature over an even time signature where they would match up every couple of bars.
‘I accented the high-hat playing the normal rhythm and tried playing a standard rock beat over - and it actually sounded really cool!’ Tom told me.
Amar played along with Tom, but then Hughie and Lachie maintained the original rhythm, which is what creates the track’s unique sound. There seems to be a lot occurring at once yet subtly - it’s not chaotic or overwhelming for the listener. This was the desired intention, as Tom confirmed that it ‘picks up and goes somewhere without actually changing in an obvious way.’
Tom also alluded to how the unique and non-linear flow of ‘Cudmirrah' mirrors the readjusting of perspectives that can often come after introspective reflection in an emotional rut. The unexpected musical journey of the song may symbolise how we have the power to step back from a situation and attempt to ascertain a different outlook.
The song starts in a certain way and then there’s a big gap in the middle where it chills out…this can be where you take the time to change your focus and perspective,’ Tom said.
He explained how the remainder of the track sees the quartet go back and forth between the old and new groove, which he sees as representing the importance of acknowledging the power of emotion at a certain moment, yet knowing that you can go somewhere else as well. The track almost finishes at the beginning, slowly and gently coming to a close.
In terms of conceptual inspiration, ‘Cudmirrah' holds major significance for Lachie. Cudmirrah is an idyllic coastal town nestled just below Sussex Inlet on the south coast of New South Wales. It translates as ‘home of the swans’, in the local Indigenous language. His family has visited the spot ever since he can remember, and he hoped to communicate the serene atmosphere of the town through the track.
I’d recommend listening to this track with headphones for the full immersive experience - and preferably whilst sprawled on a hot sandy beach, salt crystallising on your skin, the sun high and the sky deep and blue, with hopefully a beer in arm’s reach. Or if not - a good friend to share the day with will surely suffice.
The band would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which they are so fortunate to be inspired by and create music on. They pay respects to elders past, present, and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.
You can find ‘Cudmirrah’ on Spotify and BandCamp.
https://rhusquartet.bandcamp.com/track/cudmirrah
Photographer: Adam Shepherd