Dropper - YOUR FACE SAYS IT ALL Review and Interview
Dropper are a Pōneke-based power-pop three-piece that combines pop songwriting with guitar-driven rock music. Earlier this month, Dropper released their debut single, YOUR FACE SAYS IT ALL, on streaming services to a much-deserved positive reception. It’s clear that they have their sound figured out, and you can just hear their chemistry over the song. At just under 3 minutes, the song does not mess around starting immediately with vocals and building it up to bring their indie rock sound by the end of it. I did really appreciate the guitar performances on this track, and the different layers complimented each other well. An overall great debut for Dropper, and they have set themselves up well for another incredible release whenever the time may come. Go check the song out now on Spotify!
I also got the chance to interview them about the band and the song:
Tell us a bit about yourselves; How did the band come together and form?
“I (Jude) went into the studio to record the final Bleeding Star EP ‘Sympathy’ in December 2023. River, alongside Arran Cargill-Brown recorded and produced the body of work. I made an immediate musical connection with them both. Otis Hill - Bleeding Star’s guitar player and co writer had been battling cancer for the past year and a bit and as his condition worsened we needed someone to step in to play the remaining shows we had booked. River felt like the right person for the job as he understood the situation and had a lot of love for the music and wanted to do Otis and the band justice. After Otis’s passing Bleeding Star came to its natural conclusion but there were still a good batch of songs in the bank. During that time River had helped write what we thought was to be the next Bleeding Star release. We didn't know they would become the songs for a new band entirely. The band name ‘Dropper’ is a nod to the Bleeding Star album and it felt right to acknowledge the past and move on with new. Soon after we started looking for band members to give life to the new songs. Long story short Flinn Bellam hopped on bass and Walter Martin got behind the kit, started practicing and got right into the Massey studios.”
What is the band’s process look like for writing songs
“I tend to write and record into my Zoom 8 track and get “skeletons” of the songs and then bring them to River to make them more interesting. River is not only an amazing musician but a great arranger. He will workshop the vocal melodies and lyrics with me. After that we bring the songs to practice. I'll show Walter the basics of the song and we are off from there.”
Most of your members are also involved with other bands/projects. How do you guys manage the workload between the various bands?
“Each project has its own vision and purpose. Dropper is a common focus, but all the different bands play important roles. Walter plays drums for performance artists American Muscle which has its own crazy mythology. River fronts Debt Club and is an amazing songwriter in his own right. I play drums with Scramble 204 and sometimes I get the call for Eveline Breaker. Each band has a space carved out in any given week. It can be exhausting at times juggling all the commitments but music making is rewarding. I suppose we can’t find a way to say no to good things.”
You guys recently released your debut single “YOUR FACE SAYS IT ALL”: What has the reception been like with your audience?
“So far so good. People seem to really like it!”
What was the main story or theme of the song?
“It’s hard to say, some of it is personal and hard to explain. I think its best people give it their own meaning.”
You had a single release show to celebrate: How was the reception and the other bands that joined you?
“The show was great fun. We ran the show at Dom Polski which used to be the spot for running all ages hall shows in 2021-2022 when we were in highschool. I wanted to do a throwback to how we used the run things. The line up was carefully selected as Bleeding Star used to play with Mudgoose all the time, and Half/Angel is the latest project of Everett Parker who used to play in bands at those ealry shows too. The reception from the audience was great and the show went exactly as planned. It was great to see old friends and new faces as well!”
What’s next for Dropper (A new release, or any upcoming shows)
“We will be putting out more singles in the foreseeable future which we are very excited about. Unsure of a release date but there will be something soon. We have an album that will be out this year, we're looking forward to putting it out. We are all very proud of it. We also have another Wellington artist featuring on one of the songs which is great. We’re very excited to show people!!”
As for shows we have a handful coming up -
29th May - The Lemonheads @ Meow
7th June - JUNKFEST in AKL
19th June at Valhalla with MUDGOOSE
And more to come
Anyone that you would like to thank for this new single?
“Besides the band, Arran Cargill-Brown, Andrew Savage who we couldn't have done it without!”
Go check out Dropper on Instagram to keep up with what they are doing next!