Radarmaker
| Company type | Indie rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2000 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Perth , Australia |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
| Website | radarmaker |
Radarmaker was an Australian indie rock ensemble originating from Perth, Western Australia, active between 2000 and 2009. By 2003, the group consisted of Wendi Graham, Warwick Hall, Noah Norton, and Adam Trainer, all contributing equally to songwriting and playing multiple instruments. Their recordings were produced by local talent Trevor Bryan Cotton, who also joined them on stage as a drummer or bassist. The band’s first full-length album, Drawn Like Spires, debuted in 2006.
History
Established in Perth in January 2000, Radarmaker began as an acoustic indie rock trio featuring Wendi Graham (guitar, drums, bass, vocals), Warwick Hall (guitar, glockenspiel, bass, vocals), and Adam Trainer (guitar, drums, bass, vocals). The band’s name was inspired by the track "Radar Maker" by Mogwai from their 1997 release Mogwai Young Team. Their initial single "Play" (2002), collaboratively written by Graham, Hall, and Trainer, enjoyed frequent rotation on RTRFM.
Noah Norton (formerly of Quasiplex) joined the lineup late in 2002 as a fourth member handling guitar, drums, bass, and vocals. After fifteen months working with producer Trevor Bryan Cotton, they unveiled the five-track EP Aristocracy and the Horse in May 2005. Critics lauded the EP for its stark and evocative sonic landscapes. The music video for "Arm Versus Fiery Antenna," directed by Norton, received nominations at both the West Australian Music Industry Awards (WAMI) and West Australian Screen Awards (WASA), along with airtime on the program rage. Songs such as "Hurstville 1928" and "Atlas Shrugged" were featured on RTRFM and national youth broadcaster Triple J’s Soundlab segment.
The recording sessions for their debut album Drawn Like Spires commenced in July 2005 at Shogun Studios with producer Cotton. Its release was postponed until July 2006 to include additional compositions. The album was mastered by Neil Rabinowitz and characterized by dB Magazine as a collection of subtle yet eerie tracks blending indie rock with post-rock elements. WAMI recognized it as an impressive debut that presented hauntingly rich instrumental textures. The video for "Stop Being a Wanker," directed by Norton and edited by Graham, was aired on rage.
In early 2007, Trainer took a gap year to travel across Europe; during this time Radarmaker performed as a trio consisting of Graham, Hall, and Norton. Upon his return, the band planned to focus on extensive live performances and new material development, with aspirations to tour Australia's eastern states as well as Spain and possibly record in Japan. Nevertheless, the group dissolved in 2009. Following the split, Graham and Norton formed the duo Balthazar while Trainer embarked on solo projects exploring noise music. In 2016, Radarmaker briefly reunited as a four-member band for RTRFM’s "In the Pines" event held at the Somerville Auditorium of the University of Western Australia.
Albums
- Drawn Like Spires (8 July 2006)
- "Balthazaar"
- "Shallow Socialites (Battle the Axe)"
- "Clodhopper"
- "Gary Oldman"
- "Matabo Elektrwerkzeuge"
- "Squibbon"
- "Sashegyi"
- "Stop being a Wanker"
- "Domovoi"
- "Toaster"
- "Whoop Tuffet"
- "Ogden's Cormorant"
- "Trees of Greenland"
Extended plays
- Aristocracy and the Horse (released 6 May 2005)
- "Atlas Shrugged"
- "Arm versus Fiery Antenna"
- "Deliquesce"
- "Rusalka"
- "Hurstville 1928"
Singles
- "Play" (2002)
Influences
The band's name, Radarmaker, is inspired by the song "Radar Maker" by Mogwai, although their musical impact diminished as time passed. Other significant inspirations include Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo, and Do Make Say Think. While the track "Atlas Shrugged" might suggest a connection to Ayn Rand's novel, founder Graham has openly criticized the book.
Members
- Wendi Graham – guitar, drums, bass, vocals, glockenspiel, ebow (active 2000–2009)
- Warwick Hall – guitar, glockenspiel, bass, vocals (active 2000–2009)
- Adam Trainer – guitar, drums, bass, vocals, glockenspiel (active 2000–2007 and 2008–2009)
- Noah Norton – guitar, drums, bass, vocals (active 2002–2009)
Touring members
- Trevor Bryan Cotton – drums, bass (touring member 2005–2006)
See also
External links
- Archived official website: radarmaker.com (accessed 16 January 2024)
- AMO Artist profile – Radarmaker
- Triple J Unearthed Artist profile – Radarmaker
- Interview featured in First Past the Post