Lets start with the sleeve, an inspiring offering in its own right. Presented in a hand-knitted sleeve, with rudimentary blue stitching holding the whole sockette together, I found myself commenting on-air recently that this accoutrement was “Very Melbourne” only to then think about guerrilla knitters adorning bicycle railings and lamp posts around Perth and Sydney. Sorry Melbourne – no monopoly on quirky knitted apparel, after all.
The sleeve itself features intricate drawings screen-printed onto fabric depicting the fall of Ferdinand Magellan, and on the other side, some wolves from the collective folk-(un)consciousness. A great deal of work for a release, for Cameron Potts and Jade McInally’s Alpine Areas label. Potts, drummer for Cuba is Japan, wanted to release musical artefacts that were unique and collectable. He’s certainly achieved this aim, The Conflict at Mactan/ Pigafetta’s Dream certainly stands out from the rest of the near-obsolete vinyl spiny things in my collection.
Taking their inspiration for debut album Canvas, due out in October, from Magellan’s epic first circumnavigation of the world in 1519-22. “Pigafetta’s Dream” relates some part of the adventure from the viewpoint of a young Italian merchant who maintained a precise diary of events. Epic, from the opening strummed chords and subtly drawling violin, clear and emotional vocals sketch out his dream, or is it a waking reality? A meshing of understated guitar, drums and the aforementioned violin, (summoning up the spirit of The Dirty Three), allows some space to remain around Darcy Pimblett’s enigmatic vocals. Why fill in the blanks? As with much decent art, Cuba is Japan allow their subtle retelling to inhabit different psychological frames for each listener and iteration.
Canvas is divided between vocal “rock” tunes and heroic, instrumental soundtrack moments, so it seems fitting that this taster showcases these predominant modes employed by the three piece. “The Conflict at Mactan” sketches out the tensions and righteousness of Western civilisation a pure religious mania that led to the death of Magellan on the shores of the Philippines, at the hands of non-too-receptive natives. Sounding somewhat Proggy at times (quite a cool thing in these days of Goblin worship. Fortunately a Yes rehabilitation isn’t on the horizon, as of yet), the band builds tension with piano, violin and propulsive drumming. The action is furious; tribal drums build and break as the lifeblood of the circumnavigating baptiser drains onto the sand.
This 7″ references multiple streams of independent and dare I say, more mainstream, Rock orientated sounds from the past thirty years. Cuba is Japan ably demonstrate that in the hands of accomplished musicians, gripping historical inspirations can be reinterpreted for a new generation of voyagers (plus the odd wizened captain). Here they allow their own creativity to shine forth, whilst relating tales as old as humanity. Limited to 150 copies, you can pick up a copy of the 7″ here.
Oliver Laing
