Racing talk their new EP, The Bass

Racing's Ed Knowles: "I like when music feels a bit dishevelled, broken; not so perfect." Photo / Florence Noble

Four years after local legends The Checks wrapped things up with their third album, Deadly Summer Sway, the talents of frontmen Ed Knowles and Sven Pettersen resurfaced in the form of Racing; an energetic indie rock project formed with Sherpa's Daniel Barrett and Space Creeps' Izaak Houston.

Racing began to make waves on the local indie scene, garnering a new generation of music lovers who frequented Auckland music venues such as Whammy and The King's Arms. The Racing moniker was described as a return from hiatus for the ex-Checks members - but for Knowles, it was more of a continuation.

"We just kept writing, Sven and I - for us there was no cut-off point. But I guess for other people, you forget that the people in those bars at that time now have kids, and the people who are now in those bars were doing third-form homework at that time."

Two years on from Racing's debut, a desire to keep releasing music has resulted in a new four-track EP, called The Bass. The EP weaves a more synth-layered, danceable sound together with the same grunge sensibilities that Knowles and Pettersen have built a career out of, which Knowles says is born out of a devotion to keeping crowds elated and create a thrilling live experience.

"My old band was always about the gigs. It was always about having fun, and we have that in mind - giving people a break from whatever, and just coming along and having a dance and having fun.

"I think these tunes are built for that. It's what we have in mind when we're writing; how can we turn people on and get something going? Music seems so minimal and sterile at the moment, and I think it needs a bit of beer spilt on it. I like when music feels a bit dishevelled, broken; not so perfect.

"I want people to be transported by the music - taken somewhere, into an aesthetic. That's what big bands do. You never think, 'Oh what's the time?' You're in a place. You're sucked in."

The Bass is just a taste of what's to come from Racing, with a full-length album on the horizon. For now, they're celebrating the release of The Bass with a nationwide tour - and with the live element so central to their philosophy, Knowles says there'll be a focus on authenticity over perfection.

"I don't try construct things too much... I just like to get up there and leave it on the field. Let it burn if it burns; just get on stage and see what happens. That's what I like about it. You can't really control it."

LOWDOWN:
Who: Racing
What: Electronic-infused alternative rock
Latest release: Single If Only from The Bass EP, due August 25

Racing are going on tour to celebrate the release of The Bass:

Fri Sept 15: Totara St. Mount Maunganui
Sat Sept 16: Cabana, Napier
Thurs Sept 21: ReFuel, Dunedin
Fri Sept 22: Darkroom, Christchurch
Fri Sept 29: Kings Arms, Auckland
Sat Sept 30: Yot Club, Raglan
Fri Oct 6: Lucky Bar, Whanganui
Sat Oct 7: Meow, Wellington