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“I have had too many people tell me to pack it in and get a ‘real job’ and I’m glad that I didn’t listen to them.” A talk with Panama

“Really good songs will last and be meaningful for people for decades and I guess it’s definitely still possible to write really damn good songs.”

Since watching the rad road trip video created by Lauren Engel and that was accompanied by this very catchy tune Always by Panama, I couldn´t get this track out of my mind anymore. And neither did I want that. Panama are Jarrah McCleary und Tim Commandeur, an Australian music duo, that know how to bring into being music that will make you feel bright and light-headed.  And leave you with deep thoughts because of their poetic and meaningful lyrics. We had a chat with Jarrah about their current single Jungle,  about the sense of loss for moments that had passed him by, and the surreal sense of elatedness after a gig.

 

Life without music would be…

Like… watching a horror movie without the sound. It would certainly lose a dimension.

Panama used to have more band members and now it´s “just” two of you, right? What happened?

Yeah, I think at one point Panama got up to six people when we were touring. It was great in some aspects. Every night on the road felt like a party but that was also the problem. It just got a bit tired after a while, or… I got a bit tired. Now that it has gone from six to two I have to say I much prefer touring with a smaller party. Things are much more relaxed. Plus now the person at excess baggage doesn’t give me such a hard time, and, for that I’m thankful.

I love the video to your new song Jungle. ( and the song as well of course) Tell us about the story and idea for the clip. I know it was realized by Fabian Rottger & Vivien Weyrauch at A Nice Idea Everyday, who are based in Berlin…

Well I didn’t come up for the concept to the clip or the previous clips. That was all Fabian and Vivien. I was keen to keep the continuity from the previous clips we had worked on together. I guess you could call the latest clip a prequel of sorts. I love what they have done because they make subtle hints throughout ‘Jungle’ that it relates to ‘It’s Not Over’ and ‘Always’ and then the tie it all together in the end.

 

 

The story behind the song? You said in an interview “I’d say it’s a bit of a slow burner. I tend to write emotional songs and this one’s pretty special to me.” I am curious to hear more about your songwriting process?

My songwriting always comes from an emotional place in some way, shape or form. The piano is pretty integral to my song writing process. It was the first instrument I ever learned and it’s like riding a bike or driving a car for me, an extension of myself. I’ll scribble down a bunch of lyrics as I’m playing some chords on the piano. Usually I’ll start with chords that are interesting or highly simplistic. From there I’ll keep reworking the lyrics until they become clearer and more meaningful to the idea that I want to convey.

“And you, such a fearless soul.” Is one of my favourite sentences out of your lyrics ( from the song Always) It has such a strong meaning to me, symbolizing an attitude I´d like to keep throughout my life. Can you quote one of your favourite lines out of your songs and what it means to you?

Thanks. That means a lot that they resonate with you. Probably my favourite lyrics come from ‘It’s not over’- ‘and there’s a party going on somewhere near tonight you said you wish you were younger so you could make mistakes again’. Those lyrics are really meaningful for me because they reflect a time when I realized that my life was moving in a more serious and grown up direction and I felt a sense of loss for moments that had passed me by. I tend to write some lyrics as I hear them from past conversations I’ve had or from others and that particular lyric comes from one such discussion.
‘Always’ has quite a few sentences that hit home for me too, such as: ‘disarmed me by words and broke my mould’ and ‘deep down you say I’m a coward when it comes to love’. These lyrics are practically a follow up to the ideas expressed in ‘It’s not over’ as they describe a turning point that I had made in my life and my satisfaction with it.

 

Panama_Presspic-(2)

 

Your personal musical hero of all time?

I’m a bit of a screen music nut so I’d have to say that Hans Zimmer would be up there for me. I remember sitting in the movie theatre watching ‘Inception’ and being totally blown away by the low brass tones that he had composed. I also love Cliff Martinez’ score in ‘Drive’. The blend of nostalgic and futuristic sounds in that film were awe-inspiring.

We nowadays have more options to be creative, but at the same time with the masses of people starting bands and all it also has become harder for each one to stand out and endure. Do you think that it´s still possible nowadays to last over centuries as an artist and is that something you are aiming for?

I don’t know if any artist really sets out to create work that will last the test of time. I mean, even just pondering that would be too overwhelming an idea to comprehend. I think that music really just encapsulates the time period in which it is written. That’s why a lot of it stands the test of time because people enjoy the nostalgia and the ability to feel like they are connected to older memories or experiencing the feeling of a bygone era. Really good songs will last and be meaningful for people for decades and I guess it’s definitely still possible to write really damn good songs. Yes, technology has made it easier for people to find exposure but not everyone is writing chart-topping hits.

Before a live show you need to…

Drink lots of room temperature water- it helps get my vocal chords ready for singing. I also try and not get too nervous, which is why I tend to like to sit alone and just chill out for a bit. I have been described as a bit of a pacer before shows so I find it’s really important to find time to compose myself. It’s funny how nerves really never seem to go away.

After a live show you feel like…

I feel the opposite of before the show for sure! I usually always feel super confident, and if it’s been a really amazing show, I have an incredibly surreal sense of elatedness. Like I’m on the most natural high all of time. The only problem is, the adrenalin keeps me up and awake for a really long time so I’ve been known to have a few nights with no sleep when I’m on a particularly busy tour.

3 things you cannot live without…

A piano, my fiancé (and her cooking, most importantly) and a computer.

One important fact that you learned about the music industry in your career so far ( and that you didn’t expect before)…

Stick it out if you’re passionate about what you do. I have had too many people tell me to pack it in and get a ‘real job’ and I’m glad that I didn’t listen to them. I’ve definitely had some ups and downs in my career but I could never see myself doing anything else. I also never thought that I could start again after previous bands folded but things just seem to keep working out. Also, surrounding yourself with awesome people to help you make it all happen is really important too.

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Hello from Berlin! I love freedom, travelling, long train rides, Stefan Zweig books, cats, colours, writing postcards, music, and movies à la Woody Allen and Wes Anderson. What makes me really happy is the seaside, sunrises and sunsets and having lots of time!

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