Set to arrive back in the country in just under a month for Parklife, just after they played at Splendour in the Grass this year, we chatted to Xavier Bacash & Lionel Towers - aka Gypsy and the Cat. We discuss Splendour and all that is to come for this up and coming duo - who recently relocated to the UK.

You’ve been down here for a pretty whirlwind couple of weeks – how’s it all been going?

Xavier: All finished now! We’re heading back to England today.

Lionel: Supposedly! Our passports haven’t arrived yet!

So you played Splendour last weekend, which I’m still recovering from – how was your experience?

Lionel: Yeah we really liked it. It was awesome.

Had you done it before as punters?

Lionel: No! It was the first Splendour experience for both of us.

Xavier: I haven’t been to many music festivals...

You’re certainly changing that now!

Xavier: Yeah yeah.

You’ve got Parklife when you’re back here in September / October.

Xavier: Parklife should be sweet. We’re playing a bit later in the day.

Yeah you were pretty much first up at Splendour.

Xavier: It was great though, there were a good thousand there towards the end of the set.

Lionel: Did you make it out?

No, I was still asleep I think *laughs*

Lionel: Yeah I bet!

Xavier: What was it like with the whole sleeping thing? Cause music started at 11 didn’t it?

Yeah, but it would also go until 4 in the morning – at least – it was essentially a non-stop experience!

Xavier: I guess when you’re fucked up you can sleep just about anywhere.

So when you’re back to the UK tomorrow, what’s the plan? Will you be touring?

Xavier: Yeah, but not really allowed to say anything about it! We might have a cool little support lined up.

Lionel: And a few of our own shows as well.

Xavier: But I mean we’re back (to Australia) so quickly.

And you had some good supports while you were here as well.

Xavier: Yeah!

Lionel: Foals, Strokes...

You don’t get much bigger than that this time of year!

Xavier: The Strokes was mindblowing.

Lionel: It’s weird though, because their music is more targeted towards the edgier side.

Was it difficult to connect with the crowd?

Lionel: The Strokes show was actually a lot easier than the Foals show.

Xavier: The Foals Melbourne crowd was like... can you please wear tighter jeans and shave half your head off? And possibly paint your nails black... and then I’ll clap. Which is annoying. People in Melbourne... it’s more of a fashion thing to be there I think. They weren’t listening to music. I mean I’m the type of guy who could listen to anyone. I quite like that new Lady Gaga single, Alejandro, for one. Music’s music. It’s disappointing when people do that. Because I think at the end of the day, people like support bands. I mean I like support bands. The guys that supported us last night, Jinja Safari were awesome.

Lionel: Yeah they’re cool.

Are Melbourne crowds part of the reason you’ve moved to the UK? Was it hard to get a stronghold in your hometown?

Lionel: No, not at all, we just left because we signed to a record label.

Xavier: Well we left to get signed. It’s sort of like the dream thing – all bands The Temper Trap, Empire of the Sun, had success but then they went overseas to get an international record deal. Sometimes people think a local deal goes all around the world... sometimes it’s true, but most of the time it’s just one territory, and it’s not even released elsewhere. So we thought let’s go the other way around. If we’re successful there, then hopefully Australia will accept us, too.

And you’ve found them to be accepting?

Xavier: Yeah, they’ve been great. We’ve only released a little 7” of 300 copies. But it’s been great. NME have been really nice to us.

Lionel: Yeah the reception’s good over there.

How do the crowds compare?

Lionel: Well we’ve only done two shows so far....

Xavier: ... at the single launch the crowds were awesome. And then we were back here for this tour.

So how long have you been over there for?

Xavier: About 5 months. We’ve had a lot of stuff to do in that time... mixing the record and getting the band together.

You’re a duo but you play as a four piece now – where did you find the extra guys?

Lionel: Well the drummer was our musical director, and they were doing the Lily Allen gig. And supposedly she quit music, and so he needed a new gig, and he liked our music, and so he offered to drum for us. And we’re like, yes – definitely!

Xavier: And he and Wayne used to play in The Streets together.

Lionel: So he brought Wayne on board to play bass, and we got their tech as well.

Looking back to 2008 when you formed in Melbourne, what was the catalyst that brought you together to make music?

Lionel: There was no real catalyst at all. It just happened and came together.

Xavier: He was doing his thing with someone else, I was doing mine – so it sort of wasn’t meant to happen. That guy’s probably pissed off now!

Lionel: No, he’s not!

Xavier: I’m kidding! Yeah so we just started writing together and the songs came, so we just ran with it.

Lionel: This was a side project for me, and now it’s somehow overtaking it.

Does the other project remain?

Lionel: Well it’s something that ... well, maybe.

Xavier: If he gets time.

Lionel: Yeah, that’s what I mean. I won’t look at it for a good while, and by then I probably will be interested in doing something else. But it was a good idea!

When I watch you guys live I really get the feeling of listening to the music my parents were playing for me while I was growing up. Are there similar influences for you here?

Lionel: Absolutely.

Xavier: Well my brother introduced me to Jeff Buckley, and he’s my biggest influence I would say. And my dad slugs out the Hendrix and the Beatles... I hate the Beatles.

Lionel: Yeah my parents influences aren’t really the same as mine... although my Dad is a heavy Who fan, and I love the Who, but they’re not my biggest influence.

Xavier: I guess we just listened to a lot of music and learnt from all those classic acts... Toto, Tears for Fears...

Lionel: We discovered them more ourselves.

I even heard a bit of Supertramp in there...

Both: Supertramp!

Xavier: Someone else said Supertramp, but I don’t really know their stuff! We’re just trying to pull out that classic feel.

Don't miss Gypsy & The Cat when they return to Australia for Parklife!