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The Temper Trap

This rock band from Melbourne is Australia’s premier musical export of the past year.

Adam Baidawi caught up with bassist Jonny Aherne

PHOTOGRAPHY PEROU

Their single, “Sweet Disposition”, has become a worldwide anthem, gaining airplay in AflTV ads and on Sky Sports, and even appearing on the soundtrack of the indie film (500) Days of Summer. And their debut album, Conditions, lived up to the hype. Throw in four ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) nods and a slot at the Australia-wide Big Day Out 2010 music festival, and The Temper Trap is one act worth keeping an eye – and an ear – out for.

YOU GUYS HAVE HAD A HUGE YEAR. ARE YOUR HEADS STILL SPINNING?

There have definitely been some surreal moments where you go, “How did that happen?” Seeing our song in the charts next to some of those monster acts is certainly one of them. You realise it’s reaching a lot of people.

TELL ME ABOUT THE PROCESS OF WRITING THE ALBUM IN MELBOURNE.

We had a little studio in an old church building that we used for band practice and we ended up spending quite a lot of time there. There was a big delay while waiting to record the album – it kept getting pushed back. Looking back, I’m glad it did as we wouldn’t have had a couple of the songs had we recorded earlier. Those late additions really made the record what it is.

BEING THAT IT’S A DEBUT ALBUM, WERE THERE ANY DISGREEMENTS ON WHICH TRACKS WOULD MAKE THE FINAL CUT?

We were all quite stubborn. There are different songs you get attached to. We all had to let go of our ideas to some extent, But in the end there was a healthy balance of how each band member hoped the record would turn out.

AFTER BEING TOGETHER FOR MORE THAN FOUR YEARS, WAS IT A RELIEF TO FINALLY HAVE YOUR DEBUT CD OUT THERE?

Definitely. My mum was getting worried that I was wasting my time! It’s great. Worth the wait and dedication. We’re truly in a blessed position.

FINALLY, WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE NOW?

We’re touring nonstop in 2010. It’s going to be all guns blazing for the whole year.

Visit www.thetempertrap.net for details of upcoming shows