Category: Interviews

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Josh Belz of Starlight Theatre

Starlight Theatre have earned a strong following in their home state of Queensland, and now they’re ready to show the rest of the country what they can do. I recently caught up with the band’s bass guitarist Josh Belz to chat about the band’s debut EP, True Love Stories Never Have Happy Endings, life on the road, and the power of the internet.

You’re currently touring all around the country. What’s the crowd response been like?
It’s been great. It’s always nice to go into the other states and play for our fans that aren’t in Brisbane. It’s always a blast catching up with friends and to have the chance to communicate our music to a different group of people. We play in Queensland and Northern New South Wales a far bit, so to go to places like Melbourne, Sydney and Newcastle it is always a nice change.

What do you love about performing live?
The spontaneity of it. You can plan a set and think you have everything organised, but when you’re playing live anything can happen. I love the vibe you get off the crowd and the realness of a live show. You’re really putting everything out there and saying “This is us, take it or leave it!”

I read that you would love your concerts to be an experience as opposed to just another rock show. How do you try to make that happen?
We try to create a real atmosphere with our songs and our sounds. We have really worked hard over the last few months trying to create something unique. Hopefully so when the crowd walks away, they’re saying ‘Wow, that was different’. We really want the night to be more than ‘we’re the band’, ‘you’re the crowd’.

Have you got any tour stories you can share with me?
Ha ha, so many. However an easy one is our drummer, Paul, has this thing that when we are on tour, he loves to sample Roadhouse Hot Boxes. Some of the crumbed sausages and hash browns look like they have been living in the box for days. Not recommended, but every tour he loves it. Weird right? But what can you do?

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Thomas Murphy of The Bloodpoets

The Bloodpoets are one of my favourite new bands on the scene, thanks to their energetic live shows and eclectic gem of a debut, Polarity. I recently caught up with the band’s lead vocalist and founder Thomas Murphy to chat about the album, life on the road, and all things music.

Your debut album Polarity has just been released. For those who haven’t heard of you before, how would you describe it?
I would describe it as a bit of a journey. Kind of like a day. The beginning of the album is vibrant and exciting, the type of thing you can leave on at a party. The final section is more diverse and interesting with songs that are a bit more emotionally intense, and finally the relief of “My Paradise” which is basically the going to bed song! Pretty much put this album on 45 minutes before bed at full blast.

Polarity is such an eclectic album. What bands are you listening to at the moment?
I am listening to Muse quite a bit just because I support their experimentation and diversity. I see it as a positive reinforcement that I can continue to release in that fashion and still aim for success. Also listening to old Radiohead and as always Beatles and The Cure

I saw you supporting The Badloves last month, and I was really impressed by the way you won over the mostly middle-aged crowd. How do you approach a show like that, where everyone is keen to see a headliner whose music is so different to your own?
We find the feel of the headliner and try and match it as best we can so people can have an ideal night. They expect to have a colourful sonic experience, so it’d suck if we rocked and ruined that preconception of the night out. We did throw in Borderline just to entertain the younger people. We did the same for The Whitlams though at the Tivoli and copped a bit of flack for being samey and uneventful. So we’re just learning to be a support, we should’ve rocked Whitlams, but we didn’t rock Badloves and it was fine. Just depends on the crowd on the night.

You’re currently on tour to support the album. What do you love about being on stage?
I love the idea that I know what is coming. I know what songs the crowd is there for and will react to, so I get this awesome anticipation of knowing that the room is going to explode in the next song, and I use the song previous to it to prepare for it. It’s an art in itself, and it’s much more intense and risky.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Scott Von Ryper of The Black Ryder

The Black Ryder’s debut album Buy the Ticket, Take the Ride is a revelation, with Aimee Nash’s haunting vocals and reverb saturated guitars creating tunes that are intensely moody and mysterious tunes. Ahead of its release on November 6 I caught up with one half of the duo, Scott Von Ryper, to chat about the album, collaborating with his famous friends, and his fierce resolve to hang on to those indie roots.

You and Aimee were both in The Morning After Girls. Why did you decide to break away from such a successful group and do something different?
I think it was just a case of people being together for a long period of time, and some degree of relationships breaking down, etc. After we came back to Australia, after a long period of time overseas, it was just some relationship issues which broke the band apart. I don’t want to get into any more depth than that, but it wasn’t a decision like “Hey, we’ve got our own thing going on.” There were a lot of other things at play. I guess we were just lucky in the fact that when that happened we had already started messing around with some stuff, Aimee and I, and we kind of launched straight into it.

How does it feel working as a duo rather than part of a much larger band?
That I have to say feels pretty good. There are so many great things in terms of the recording process in a project like The Black Ryder. It’s a kind of studio project with Aimee and I, and we sort of get other people involved when we feel like it’s appropriate. To have that kind of sense of control, and also immediacy to do things musically and whatever you’re doing. To only have two people to discuss things with, to make a decision on what you’re going to do, just makes things so much easier.

Having said that, it’s also really great to work with other people as we have in The Black Ryder. Sometimes that’s been in the studio and sometimes that’s been remotely. People that have contributed to the album have sometimes never been to our studio, and we’ve simply moved a track back and forth between here and overseas, and stuff got recorded overseas. Also the live thing as well. Aimee and I really enjoy playing with other people in the live scene, and those people becoming part of what we do live. To some degree I guess we get the best of both worlds.

You mentioned that you recorded the CD with friends from Brian Jonestown Massacre, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and a host of other bands. What did this collaborative approach bring to your sound?
I guess it developed our sound because the band, The Black Ryder, was so new that we were still experimenting in so many areas on this album anyway. At the same time we were both learning certain instruments that we weren’t playing that well beforehand. So it definitely brought a different element to the sound to have other people working on that. Ricky [Maymi] from The Jonestown Massacre was probably the earliest person we started working with. He was staying at the house for a period of time when we started recording the album. So he was not only great to have musically as a part of the project; he was a great support in terms of driving us and giving us confidence that we were doing something good and that we should feel good about what we were doing.

As things progressed later on we had other people involved; Graham Bonnar who used to play drums in Swervedriver was in the country and wanted to put some drums down. And that was actually really great. That was one of the few things we did outside our own studio. It was great to have some drums on there.

And also, right at the end of the project, Peter [Hayes] from Black Rebel came and put some stuff down. That was more at the end of the process, and really that stuff was more or less icing on the cake for me. We already had an album that we were pretty much mixing, that we’d kind of finished to some degree. We were simply talking about doing a few small things. And then we ended up putting a lot of quite significant parts on that he did. One was a duet that he ended up doing with Aimee. We really didn’t think about doing that until he heard the song and thought that he should put some vocals down.

So I guess the short answer is that the start with Ricky was incredibly crucial to what we were doing. It really helped develop the wall of sound that we had, and then at the end with Peter was really the icing on the cake.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Leena

Singer-songwriter Leena seems to be impressing all the right people. Since releasing her EP Mean Old Clock, she’s scored support slots with Live frontman Ed Kowalcyzk, Paul Dempsey, and now Tim Finn. I recently caught up with this exciting new talent to chat about the EP, those tours, and her nomadic existence.

Your new EP Mean Old Clock is quite eclectic. Who are your own musical heroes?
Josh Homme, The Beatles, Nine Inch Nails, Bruce Springsteen and Crowded House. An eclectic bunch themselves. The things that draw them together are great melodies and good songs, that is what it’s all about for me.

You recorded this EP through sessions Josh Pyke, Joe Chiccarelli, and Mike Daly. How did working with so many different producers influence your sound?
I have a really particular taste in melodies and arrangement and chose the producers to fit that. I think rather than influencing my sound, they helped me to translate what I heard in my head into something tangible for people to hear and hopefully be moved by. Joe had a way of really getting inside the song and feeling what I had felt when I wrote it, then he translated it to the rest of the band. It was exciting and humbling to see how someone at that level works, just by feel, not by catering to radio or a label.

I recently saw you perform with Ed Kowalcyzk, and you’re currently touring with Paul Dempsey. What do you learn when touring with such massive artists?
I always remember to keep my eyes open when I do these kind of shows. As the opener, you are always feeling a little out of your comfort zone. When people like Paul and Ed go out of their way to make me feel welcome, it’s something you never forget.

On a musical level, when I was touring with Rufus Wainwright, he warmed up for two hours every night. It was a bit of a wake up call to me, that even people in his position have to work hard and practice to be the best they can for their audience.

How do you win over a crowd who’s there to see the headliner?
I try to create a real connection with the audience, to thank them for giving me a chance and play the best I can. I really enjoy the challenge and am always rewarded with fantastic crowds. I’m not one of those acts that play at the audience. Songs are intensely personal things that the audience needs to feel a part of. That sometimes means telling a story about the song or just looking people in the eye and being completely honest in the delivery.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Damien Leith

2006 Australian Idol winner Damien Leith is back with his brand new album, Remember June, a CD already has the industry buzzing. I caught up with Damien today to chat about the album which he calls “a labour of love,” his new novel, and why he’s itching to get on the road.

I heard you say that creating Remember June is the proudest you’ve been since winning Idol. What is it about this album that’s really excited you?I think really the biggest thing about this album is that right from the onset, I had a concept that I wanted to work off, and everything I did towards making the album, towards writing it, stuck entirely to that concept all the way through. So the whole album hasn’t been swayed either way by thinking “I might need this sort of song” or “I might need that sort of song.” It’s just an album which I personally really wanted to make. Thanks to Sony I got to do that. It’s kind of a labour of love in a way, this album.

Your new single “To Get To You” has a bit of a pop-rock feel, which is something we haven’t really heard from you before. Is that indicative of the other songs we’ll hear on Remember June?
It is. You know, the album’s got a story from start to end. It’s got an intro and it’s got an outro. And to have a story, it’s definitely allowed us to have more up-tempo stuff on the album. But at the same time, I’ve still got some slower songs. But I think overall the sound of the album is big; it’s a big epic or anthemy sort of sound throughout the entire album. So even if it’s a slow song, it’s a big slow song.

So it [“To Get You To”] gives you a taste of the album, but there are some really intimate songs on there which I think are even stronger. They’re probably the stronger songs.

It was produced by Stuart Crichton, who’s worked with the Pet Shop Boys, Kylie Minogue, and so many other big names. What was he like to work with?
He was fantastic. There’s a couple of co-writes with him as well. We did the song “Forgive, Forget” with him and a mate of his, Blair [McKichan] from the UK. He’s not only an amazing producer but he’s an incredible writer as well.

We’ve become really good friends as a result of it as well. We’ve continued to write more and more songs together. He’s just a genius. I can’t get over how quickly he works. He makes a decision and he goes for it. There’s no second-guessing. He just goes for it. I was in awe of the way he works.

It’s been three years since you won Australian Idol. How do you feel about that experience looking back?
To be perfectly honest, for one thing it seems like a long, long time away. The last few years have been so busy with so many different things going on that it seems like a long, long time ago. But I have to say I have no regrets about my time on Idol. Without it I wouldn’t be talking to you today. I would never have broken through.

I think at that stage I was at a turning point in my life where I had to decide: family commitments and work and all the rest, or am I going to give this one more shot. I’d been chasing it for years and years and years, it had been all the usual stuff of demos and gigging here, there, and everywhere for years and years.

It’s not 100% profit-driving, and it does have a negativity associated with it as well, but overall I’m grateful for having been involved.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Grace Bawden

At the age of 16, Grace Bawden has done more than many of us achieve in a lifetime. She made it to the finals of Australia’s Got Talent, she was a soloist at World Youth Day, and on September 18, her debut album Gifts of Grace will hit stores. I caught up with this talented teen to chat about the CD, her upcoming tour, and how music has changed her life.

You’ve been performing professionally since your early teens. Did you ever imagine doing anything else but singing?
Actually, I wanted to be a pharmacist, but singing is something I have always wanted to do. But I didn’t take it seriously until I was about 11 when I started winning competitions and getting solo roles in choirs.

You were a part of Australia’s Got Talent last year. What was it like to be part of that show?
It was awesome. I had the best time. There was a lot of pressure and hard work now when I look back on it, but it was exciting at the same time because I wanted to prove myself and show people a side of me that they hadn’t seen before. I was never able to sing opera or classical in public like that before and then I was given that wonderful opportunity. I really will never forget the fun or the show and having my family together. I was also great meeting so many other wonderfully talented contestants. I’m still good friends with quite a few of them and we support each others careers. I really hope I get to perform with them again one day.

How important was the exposure that program gave you?
Extremely important, even though in Australia the exposure is minimal compared with, say, the US or UK, but without a major label behind you, that kind of exposure is almost impossible to get for any artist. Because I only got one go at it, we had to put a lot of thought into choosing the right songs to make the right impact with the audience. The grand final song really let me find my more creative side I hadn’t been able to explore, but I’ve been writing more songs since.

You’re about to release your debut album Gifts of Grace. How exciting is that?
I’m still pinching myself and can’t believe it’s real. But I have many wonderful people around me making it all happen and wanting to be a part of the project. It really is overwhelming and I just want to show people they haven’t seen the best of me yet. My producer, Audius Mtawirira, his business partner, Jamie Huber, and our investors have really given me this big break and I am deeply grateful for all their hard work and faith in my talent. It’s hard for a young girl from Adelaide to get that kind of opportunity or recognition and none of this would be happening if it wasn’t for the tremendous people around me offering their own time, help and advice. I really feel blessed.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Gin Wigmore

Australia has a habit of adopting talented Kiwis. Think Evermore, Neil and Tim Finn, and Russell Crowe. Now there’s another name to add to the list: Gin Wigmore. I caught up with this exciting singer-songwriter ahead of the release of her debut album, Holy Smoke.

You’re from New Zealand, but you’re spending a lot of time in Australia these days. Are you starting to feel like a local?
Yeah definitely, I have a really awesome bunch of Aussie mates here which I reckon makes life feel like home pretty quickly. I’m still yet to be on first name basis with my convenience store-man, so when that happens I reckon I will be as local as it comes!

What do you miss about New Zealand when you’re here in Australia?
My family, friends and the New Zealand Crunchie bars. They are just not the same here; they go all crumbly, nowhere near as good as Kiwi-made.

You’re about to release your debut album Holy Smoke. What can you tell me about it?
It’s got a lot of spirit. Holy Smoke is a real adventure so get listening ASAP!

You worked on the album with Mike Elizondo, who’s produced so many amazing records. What did he bring to your sound?
Excitement and a real punchiness. He has got a great ear for knowing what sounds commercial yet still keeping intact the heart and soul of what makes a song intriguing and fresh.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A With Teddy from Heartbreak Club

Heartbreak Club is back, with a new single ‘Are You Leaving Me?’ hitting stores in September and their debut album on the way. To celebrate, the lads will give their fans a sneak peek of the new songs at shows around the country. I recently caught up with the band’s lead singer to chat about the tour, the single, and what comes next.

You’re heading back on the road again to promote your new single and forthcoming album. Are you looking forward to road testing your new material?
Actually, we road-tested the new material before we went into the studio with a regional mini-tour of places we didn’t make it to on our last national tour. The experience was really beneficial as we got a lot of feedback (both directly from fans, and also from general reception and spontaneous reactions). We felt that having already bounced the songs off of a live audience we could arrange them appropriately in the studio, rather than record the album first and then regret the arrangements if/when people thought they sucked.

The short answer however is we’re absolutely champing at the bit, as it were, to get back on the road an tour the new material

You’re touring for a massive nine weeks this time. How on earth do you amuse yourself travelling all over the country for that long?
You know, I really don’t know how to quantify that fully! I mean, the nine-weeks-on-road thing says it all. Are we stupid? Are we stubborn? (Probably a little of column A, a little of column B). Playing a good show to a responsive crowd is always ‘enough amusement.’ That and each tour we do, we try and get to at least a couple of places we’ve never played or been before.

What do you miss most when you’re on the road for an extended period?
Depends what kind of travelling we’re doing, but usually it’s in a van, so we miss our own beds and not having to constantly have the aroma of dudes around you.

You’re playing plenty of capital cities and regional centres in that time. Are there any places you’re particularly excited about visiting?
We’re headed to Townsville and Cairns, which is the furthest north we’re been before, so that’s grouse. Also, regional Victoria we haven’t explored enough of yet, so I’m looking forward to the Warrnambool gig.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Hot Little Hands' James Harvey

Hot Little Hands aren’t a band who likes to stand still. Fresh from their run in the Toohey’s Extra Dry uncharTED competition, the band are now touring around the country to promote their debut album Dynamite in Black and White. The band’s drummer James Harvey took time out of his busy schedule to chat to me about the CD, life on the road, and their unique sound.

You’re about to start your Australian tour. Are you looking forward to getting back in front of local audiences?
Yeah we love it! Australia’s so massive and so each city we play in is so different – it’s great!

You recently played some shows in New Zealand. How did the crowds over there respond to your music?
New Zealand was very kind to us indeed! The audiences went nuts – and as far as we know they hadn’t heard much if any of our music before. We might even be playing the Rhythm and Vines festival over the New Years period!

This is a bit of a blink-and-you’ll miss it tour. Are there any plans to get out and play some regional dates later this year?
Hopefully. We do love playing regional shows – again it’s so different each place. Fingers crossed we will get to but we’re also hoping to record a new album soon so we’ll have to see.

There’s a lot of travelling involved in getting to all those capital cities. How do you amuse yourself on the road?
I’d like to say we knit up a storm … but that would be a lie. There’s lots of loud music listening and Frisbee inside the airports until we get told off … and then sneak a few more throws in before they come back.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A With Jebediah's Brett Mitchell

As a teen growing up in Australia, the songs of Jebediah formed the soundtrack of my senior high school years. Songs like “Leaving Home” and “Animal” were all over radio, but after four big albums the band packed it all in. Kevin Mitchell reinvented himself as Bob Evans, and it seemed these Aussie rockers were destined to become but a memory.

Thankfully the band has realised there’s a lot more rock left in them. They’re back together, recording a new album and playing some big shows, including next month’s Blueprint festival. I recently caught up with the band’s drummer Brett Mitchell to chat about what it’s like to be back.

You’ve taken a lengthy break from the music scene. What inspired you to get back out there?
We’ve pretty much always been keen to keep it rolling as circumstances permit. Kev has his Bob Evans commitments, Ness is finishing up a degree and Chris and I both have full time jobs. Also Kev is living in Melbourne now. So between all those things if we get offered a show or start feeling itchy to do a small run of dates, we’ll arrange it. Basically it’s a hobby now that we will be able to indulge in sporadically, as long as everybody is still prepared to make the time for it. I hope this situation continues for a long time.

Is anything different for the band this time around?
I think it’s one of those things in life that will always feel the same on an emotional level – although the physical side changes a bit – we’re not in our twenties anymore. So yes there are differences to do with time and money, and perhaps we have to work harder to prepare for live shows, but apart from that it’s not changed much. I do think you appreciate fun stuff more when there are other things in your life to provide a contrast!

How have the crowds reacted to your return?
You would have to ask them! It seems pretty positive though. I guess that some of the audience are enjoying it on more of a nostalgic level which is fine by us.

Why did you want to be a part of the upcoming Blueprint festival?
Because we were asked! Shows like this will be a rarity for us now so we will always appreciate the opportunity to be involved – it’s a privilege really. The lineup is very cool and quite eclectic. One of the most difficult aspects for us now is working out which songs to include in the set.

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