Regardless of my best efforts, I am not a member of Denver electro-post-punk band Breathe Carolina. Because of this, I felt that an article based on the duo would probably be better fleshed out by interviewing lead singer Dave Schmitt.

Having just got back from a tour of Japan and with Australia’s Soundwave festival looming, Schmitt is understandably in the Breath Carolina zone. The band has never been to Australia and the guys are apparently buzzing at the prospect.

‘We can’t wait to just see a lot of bands we’re friends with again, check out the scenery.’

The festival is far from the bands first, though it is arguably one of the biggest line ups the guys have been a part of. Playing under such big wigs as Iron Maiden, Slayer, Queens of the Stone Age and Rob Zombie as well as sharing a stage with genre partners I See Stars and Every Ave, there’s plenty of anticipation and nerves running rampant.

‘To be honest, the band I’m most looking forward to seeing is Staring Line. We’ve played festivals with them before but missed them last time around. I’ve really wanted to see them.’

On the back of 2009’s Hello Fascination, Breath Carolina will be paying special attention to making their live show something worth seeing.

‘We really try and make the shows interesting, there’s a lot of stuff you’ll miss just listening to the albums. We’ve got dance interludes between songs and we mix things around a bit.’

The journey from unknown to dance interludes at Soundwave has been a relatively short one for the duo, having released 2 albums and an EP since 2008 with another studio effort expected in 2011.

‘We’ve been playing live shows for a while, a month and a half after our first track was online we were playing sold out shows.’

The track in question, released on Myspace, received over 900 plays in its first night. If this wasn’t proof enough that Breathe Carolina’s fans are an avid bunch, a Youtube search for song Birds and the Bee’s reveals a comment-versation between strangers on the many reasons the track will be the song they next make love to.

‘I didn’t know that, there’s a lot of good devotion.’ Schmitt says after a burst of laughter.

With a third album on the horizon, many questions spring to mind, such as what is to be expected.

‘We’ve been working with (producer) Ian Kirkpatrick who we’ve not worked with before. He’s super laid back and really helps us get into focus. It’ll still be pop, but also a bit heavier.’

The writing process, Schmitt explains, is very much a Dave and (vocalist and guitarist) Kyle arrangement.

‘We were both in bands, and ended up living together. I already had song written at home so it kind of went from there.’

So, any thoughts on expanding the core members?

‘We tour with a full band, so it’s a complete show, but neither we nor the label really think we need to expand. It’s just us and it works that way.’

A buzz on the line and sudden announcement that I had one minute left announced my job done and Dave’s glorious freedom.

‘Really looking forward to getting down that way, thanks man. See you guys soon.’


By Levi Dobbie