Since their first gig as a Splendour In The Grass support act all those years ago, Sydney trio Art vs Science have become something of a phenomenon in Australian dance music circles. But even as they tour their hyped second album Off The Edge Of The Earth, they still remember their roots.

“Yes, we still play Parlez Vous Francais at our live shows” drummer Dan Williams tells ripitup.com.au. Contemporary music is ever-evolving, and the band have faced some hurdles along the way – it’s something that’s been instrumental in making Art vs Science the band they are today.

One example is the band’s role in the #keepsydneyopen rallies, along with the release of a song You’ve Got To Stop protesting the laws. “Jim wrote the song about six months ago in response to the laws’ introduction, which saw a bunch of venues close down. It was a massive bummer. A lot of people in Sydney have gotten behind it, especially musicians who are directly affected.”

He says that playing live gigs in small Sydney venues helped the Art vs Science team build their sound and following. “For us, we’re more established, but for a new band, DJ residencies and gigs here and there are the best ways to build your fanbase as well as your sound. It makes it so much harder for up and coming bands to make an impact and it kills the night life because not as many people are going out.”

It’s not the first time Art vs Science have spoken up about issues they are passionate about. In the past, members of Art vs Science have been vocal opponents of sniffer dogs at festivals. “It’s important for anyone to speak out if things are wrong. Musicians are in a privileged position because we have plenty of ears.”

As Williams reflects on the elements which hinder live music setting, he notes “It’s also nice to have a constructive debate about it instead of naysaying. For example, at the rallies, many of the speakers were more than just ‘lock out laws suck! we can’t party anymore!’, it was more talking about ideas to reduce the violence and then also keep our night life alive. I feel like there is a better way to address the violence than locking us out.”

Williams says Art vs Science are all just closet nerds playing in an electronic rock band .“We were drums, guitar and a keyboard and we would mostly record songs in one go and have it recorded on tape. And that was done, no second takes”. It was only after the release of their ARIA winning debut album, The Experiment, that the members suddenly became more invested in producing music themselves.

Off The Edge of the Earth is their latest foray into the multi faceted genre that is electronic music. While it was released late last year, the band have only recently found the time to tour the thing. Art vs Science live gigs are always utterly ridiculous, with brash, loud sounds and plenty of jumping around. Williams insists this is to make up for the lack of physical activity elsewhere in their lives. Longtime fans can expect dance floor staples such as Flippers alongside cuts from the new album that Williams’ bandmates have been preparing. “[The] other Dan and Jim have been doing the production rehearsals, trying to simplify things and make it sound right”.

The new album documents the progress of how Art vs Science have refined their sound with a new direction that was accessible but also conceptually ambitious. “We never sat down and said ‘we’re gonna make a space album’. We thought it was an interesting aesthetic and then sat down and wrote it and then came up with this.”

Art vs Science play the Gov on Friday, March 4, tickets via Fancy a chance to win dinner with the guys before Friday’s gig? Find out how to enter here.

ART VS SCIENCE OFF THE EDGE OF THE EARTH TOUR

Thursday, March 3 -Uni Bar, Wollongong
Friday, March 4 – The Gov, Adelaide
Saturday, March 5 – March, Capitol, Perth
Wednesday, March 9 – Barwon Club, Geelong
Thursday, March 10 – Karova Lounge, Ballarat
Friday, March 11 – 170 Russell, Melbourne
Saturday, March 12 – The Metro, Sydney
Wednesday March 16 – Transit Bar, Canberra
Friday March 18 – Spotted Cow, Toowoomba
Saturday March 19 – The Triffid, Brisbane

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