We had a chat with Charles Rushworth A.K.A Greenwave Beth about his inspiration and forthcoming debut EP.

Charles Rushworth is having a busy 2018. On top of releasing a debut album as the frontman for much loved Sydney indie four-piece Flowertruck, he’s also put out the second single to his electro project Greenwave Beth and played a bunch of shows in between (he’s currently playing a run of gigs in Japan) – not too shabby considering it’s only May.

After catching the attention of our earholes back in 2017 with the first single off his upcoming debut EP People In Agony, the hypnotic ‘Make Up,’ he’s just released ‘Love And Property’ which is equally as energetic and compelling.

Get familiar with Greenwave Beth below and prepare yourself for People In Agony which will be released June 8.

Tell us about the origins of Greenwave Beth?

I bought a MPC 1000 from ebay a couple of years ago. Figured out I could compensate for my lack of talent on the keyboard by midi sequencing through it into a microkorg. If that sounds too technical imagine a pianola. You get lots of time to write the sheet music and when it’s time to play it all live the machine plays it perfectly. I’d never had so much control over my own music before.

What’s the name about?

It was my first word(s).

Can you explain the title of your forthcoming debut People In Agony?

We transform ourselves into very curious things to avoid pain. Soft parts turned hard,weak spots covered up or extenuated. You can almost dodge it entirely but then something like a relative’s baby crying at night will paralyse you.

Who were some of the biggest influences on the EP?

Anohni’s record Hopelessness really shook me. How she takes personal accountability for such global problems like climate change is inspiring.

Can you sum up the EP in a few words?

Age old modern problems

You’ve said that you spent a lot of time reading whilst writing some of these songs, what sort of things were you reading? How did that influence your music?

I was reading The Plains by Gerald Murnane, some of Peter Carey’s short stories, to The Island by Randolph Stow. I think it helped me take a more metaphysical approach to my songwriting.

What sort of freedoms do you have doing Greenwave Beth that you don’t get in Flowertruck?

There’s no time limit on anything or any huge expectation for meeting anyone’s standards. I get to write and play lots of weird music and not have to worry if anyone likes it.

The music is a lot more dancey than Flowertruck, do you see Greenwave Beth suiting the pub or club better?

I play in pubs a lot because I like the dissonance. I’d love an opportunity to play in places that aren’t focused on entertainment/alcohol as much. Maybe a wake or a high school.

Aesthetically, ‘Make up’ was such an interesting video, is the art/design elements of Greenwave Beth important for you? What inspires this side of the project?

You can thank Rudy Zverina for that, he worked his arse off making that happen. I try to stay focused on the live show/recordings.

What’s happening for the rest of the year for Greenwave Beth?

We’re heading to Japan next week for a few shows and then I want to get tucked into making an album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_KOWNAAhiQ

Greenwave Beth’s People In Agony will be out June 8.