In our interview with Clancy Davidson (Guitar, Vocals) and Hannah Coakley (Bass, Backing Vocals) from up-and-coming Perth indie 4-piece act smol fish (with Josephine Offer on Keys and Catherine Zoller on Drums), we had the opportunity to delve into the depths of their musical influences, explore their highly anticipated showcase at Bigsound, and discuss their recent partnership with the indie label, Sidequest.

IN: For those unfamiliar with smol fish, how would you describe the unique sound and the diverse range of influences that inspire your music?

smol fish: When listening to a Smol Fish track you can expect to hear; kooky synths, jangly guitars and pretty melodies that get personal through our approach to writing. We love creating in the space between sweetness and more heavy influences. It is fun for us to really own our cuteness and work with it as a strength. Some long-standing influences of ours have been Frankie Cosmos and Stella Donnelly. With this upcoming EP, we are exploring more of a rock sound with a strong Girlpool influence coming through.

IN: You’ve been picked to perform at Bigsound in Brisbane later in the year. While this presents an exciting opportunity for the band, performing in a showcase environment can also be nerve-wracking for many artists. How do you manage any nerves leading up to such events, and do you have a specific approach planned for the showcase?

smol fish: We fight our nerves by staying excited! Hyping each other up in the lead-up to such a huge event keeps things fun! We’re playing lots of WA shows before heading to Bigsound, this is helping us feel super comfy with our set.

IN: As we navigate our "post-pandemic" world, the costs and logistical challenges of being a touring musician have significantly increased. How have you gone tackling and adapting to these new challenges in order to continue pursuing your musical journey?

smol fish: Being based in Perth definitely comes with its own set of financial challenges when it comes to touring, it’s just so far away from everything! I think it's safe to say it hasn’t been easy but with the help of grant funding for the previous tour we did and a joint savings account we’ve made it work thus far.

IN: I’ve been enjoying hearing the development of Smol Fish’s sound on the latest single, "Big Love,". Could you share the inspiration behind this track and give us a glimpse into your writing process?

smol fish (Clancy): Thank you! Big Love came about because I was messing around with alternate guitar tunings. To me, this tuning had a reflective / nostalgic energy but also this impactful edge to them. I found that this really influenced the content of the lyrics. I write about nurturing my most important connections or coming to terms with letting them go.

IN: "Big Love" marks your first release in collaboration with Perth record label Sidequest. How has this partnership changed your experience of releasing music, compared to your previous self-releases?

smol fish: Working with Sidequest has been HUGE. We all feel super lucky to have them on board! We’ve never been the best at the logistical side of releasing music, so working with Sidequest has given us the space to focus on creating. It’s clear that they really value the Perth music community, which creates this beautiful feeling of mutual respect and care. It really means so much to have people on board who are just as excited about this project as we are!

IN: Looking ahead to the next 12 months, what are your aspirations, goals, and dreams for Smol Fish? How do you envision your growth and artistic progression during this period?

smol fish: We’d love to get some tour support slots, start working on new music and expand our audience. We are always growing and changing and feel that this new direction for smol fish is reinvigorating the whole project. Next stop…THE WORLD

Big Love is streaming on all major platforms now