FOUR ARIAs and two Artisan Awards, Best Cover Art, Best Video (My People), Producer of the Year, Best Dance Release, Best Group and the much coveted Album of the Year. Who would have thought that Sydney's The Presets would rival ARIA princess Gabrielle Cilmi? YasSays.com chats to Julian Hamilton, half of the duo dance powerhouse, who proved anything is possible, even when dressed like a puppet on acid.
"To be honest the whole ARIA things hasn't really sunk in. It was such a terrifying night that flew by so quickly. We didn't get a much of a chance to savor it up. In true Presets style, they didn't have much time to let it sink in, as they to jet off to Europe to finish up their sold out tour. "I'm sure we will be sitting on a beach this summer, back home and it will hit us. Then we'll have a couple of beers and really enjoy it."
Just a few years ago, The Presets were sitting pretty. Their debut album Beams was picking up a fair bit of radio play and their tour schedule was packed with international dates which were often selling out. All efforts were focused on building a solid and loyal fan base and the hugely awaited sophomore release was slowly pushed to the back burner, but not forgotten. After a few months of solid work in the studio, the highly acclaimed Apolcalypso was born - next came the costume people are still gossiping about.
They won't be forgotten, those massive head pieces that splashed with colour and intricate detail. It's easily become an icon of the 2008 Aria's. Primary reaction inspired confused reactions but once it clicked that it was intended to challenge all mental conceptions of fashion, it just became awesome- all within the first 45 second impression. "We have been a major fan of Sydney fashion label Romance Was Born so we asked them to do some costumes for us. It turns out they have been waiting to make a head piece from that monster for years and had not found an act to carry it. Finally The Presets came along."
After Beams, the duo toured relentlessly but often found inspiration while on the road. Even with a the inspiration and rabidly growing fan base The Presets weren't focusing on creating a colossal mainstream hit packed album. "ARIA awards were really far away from our realm of prediction. We knew The Presets fans would like what we do because they already liked what we did, but had no idea that it go to number one and platinum."
Fortunately there won't be a three year wait for the next installment from these electro superstars. "We are going back to the states early next year and then another Australian tour, and but then we will have a little break and then buckle down again and start making music." Although there hasn't been a conscious decision to get some substantial ideas down on paper, it's coming. "When you are on the tour bus and looking out the window for five hours, there are little ideas zooming around our subconscious but we just haven't had the time to sit down yank them out."
Their relentless touring has paid off, not only at home but in the United States as well. "We seem to always be there [The United States]. Every show on the last tour with Cut Copy sold out. The record has gone really commercial in Australia, people who have never heard us before are listening to us and commercial radio is playing it so people are buying it but it hasn't gone as commercial in America because it such a massive market."
The Presets owned 2008, but as West Australian's and Julian are aware it wasn't without it's hurdles. In July The Presets regretfully had to reschedule a block of dates on their Australian tour, including two in Fremantle. "I was really crook. I had bronchitis and it was shocking. I have been sick before where you take a few cold pills and battle through it. This was different. My voice- nothing was coming out. I couldn't sing. It was just a combination of exhaustion and being rundown."
Hamilton is feeling much better these days, but is pretty keen to get back to Sydney. "We don't love touring overseas, it fun to do the shows but it's hard being away from our loved ones. We always look forward to coming home especially for the summer. We even have some time off." With a playful tone, Hamilton gushed further about his plans for the summer, "I am happiest when I am sitting in my backyard in the sun with a cup of tea."
