Melbourne six-piece band Forest Falls combine folk, indie and pop in alluring, delicate, evocative songs. Their sound is laden with inviting chants, dynamic arrangements and soaring lead vocals. The band has just a released a new single, Heavy Hearted Girl as well as a wonderful video to express its themes. Forest Falls also have a new EP set for release in early 2015 – produced and engineered by Wayne Connolly. Guitarist Gabe Federico-Matthews tells us a bit about the band and himself in this profile.
What was your first guitar?
There’s a photo floating around from my childhood of me playing a toy guitar. I’m rocking out pantless in Kangol. That particular axe only had three notes, or buttons, but I maintain that’s where the magic started.
What’s your main guitar now?
It’s a USA Fender Stratocaster 60th anniversary edition. Three-tone sunburst with the rosewood fretboard and a maple neck. It also has a diamond implanted in the headstock which at age fifteen gave me some serious street cred. Now that I’m older I kind of just want to hock it.
Through what amp and why?
Fender Twin Reverb – it’s such a great sounding amp, especially playing the Strat through it. When I can get away with it I enjoying playing straight through the amp rather than using loads of pedals.
Which pedals are your standards?
Well, when it’s called for Jon, is gracious enough to lend me his G-system and all that’s attached to it. It’s pretty solid/overwhelming (haha). It’s made up of a TC Electronics G-system for effects, the 1975 Proco Rat light overdrive, Love Pedal Eternity overdrive, Love Pedal White Dragon Fuzz.
Most memorable gig?
Maybe it’s just the recency effect shining through but our last show at Beav’s Bar in Geelong was really special for me. My fam’s from Ocean Grove and so it’s about as close to “home” as we get. It was pretty much a full house, super laid back with couches and lots of friends and family there – I hope we get down that way again soon.
Worst stage nightmare?
I pretty much lived an onstage nightmare a couple shows ago. We were in the last chorus of the last song of our set and my mind just kind of drifted. Lucy, Shaun and I were singing a harmony behind Jon’s lead vocal. In the arrangement all the instruments cut out and we sing accapella for four bars… except, because I was daydreaming, I sang for four bars plus an extra note. It wasn’t even a note really, I sort of “quacked”. It was hilarious but I’ll definitely be keeping my head in the game from now on.
Album that changed your life?
Stars – In Our Bedroom After The War. I freaking love this album it’s so diverse and theatrical. There are so many stories being told but so few cliches. Stars made me think differently about music and lyrics and about what’s deemed good and bad. Before listening to this band I let other people dictate to me what was good and bad but now I’ll listen to whatever I want – even if it’s Nick Jonas.
What gigs are coming up in the next few months?
There’s a lot in the pipeline. We’re liaising with the Harbour Agency and will be doing some shows with Canadian band, Paper Lions. We haven’t locked in shows for our EP release but that will be happening in Feb/March 2015. We’ll keep you posted.
A guitar tip for the kids?
Learn how to play Wheatus – Teenage Dirtbag. I’m not even kidding.