You might not know the name Georgia Fair, but chances are you’ve been humming along to their new song “Picture Frames,” which provides the soundtrack for the current Big M flavoured milk ad. I caught up with one half of the talented duo, Jordan Wilson, to chat about the band’s new self-titled EP, their big upcoming tours, and his favourite Sunday afternoon tipple.
You’ve just released your debut EP. What can you tell me about it?
It just came out on Friday. We spent about a month, on and off, recording it and had a really good time. It’s got some new songs and some old songs on there so hopefully that turns out.
People might have heard your song “Picture Frames” on the new Big M advertisement. How did it feel to see your song on the TV for the first time?
It’s pretty exciting. The first time I saw it it was a bit of a shock. I wasn’t actually expecting it. It was after the footy actually, after my team won. So it was a pretty good day.
You’ve managed to score some massive supporting gigs for Kate Miller-Heidke and Whitley in the coming months. Are you fans of their music?
Yeah, definitely. Ben and I both love their music so we’re happy to be supporting them next month. It’ll be a good tour.
Busy times supporting both artists I suppose too.
They’re sort of interlinking I think, so we’re managing to fit it in. We’re really happy we got to do both of them. There was a chance we’d only be able to do one, so this is good.
What do you love about being on stage?
I guess it’s definitely an adrenalin rush. The main thing is that I love playing our songs to people getting in the zone. It feels really natural playing our songs, especially the new ones.
How have the crowds been responding to your music?
Really good. The whole EP started with us playing full instrumentation with a band and stuff, but with the last couple of shows and this upcoming tour we’ve been getting acoustic, just by ourselves. So that’s a really good challenge, with the crowd and stuff. But we’ve found they’ve been pretty responsive and we’ve been playing some good shows. They’ve been listening and haven’t been too hard.
You’ve just been signed to Sony. How does it feel to have that big label representation?
It’s really good. There are a few stigmas with major labels, but what we’ve got is a lot of support from them. They’re really good at working for us, and I just think it’s a great opportunity so we’re going to take it.
It’s a good way to get yourselves out there and get your music heard I suppose.
For sure. They’ve got a lot of avenues, so I guess it’s up to us now to make the music and do that bit.
You met your bandmate Ben [Riley] in the early years of high school. Now few friendships even last through high school, let along beyond. What’s your secret?
I don’t know. We spend a lot of time together, and then we know when we’ve got to spend some time apart I guess. I think music definitely keeps us together. We’ve definitely got some chemistry when it comes to songwriting. And we can just relax and go have a beer together, get outside of the music if we need to. I guess it’s just being chilled.
I heard that you bonded over your father’s record collections, which contained stuff like Simon & Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, and Crosby Stills Nash and Young. I’d guess that wasn’t what most of your peers were listening to. What was it about that old school music which excited you?
I guess my father, like Ben’s father, that’s just what we were thrust into I guess at first. That’s what started it. And then when I got a little bit older I guess it was really familiar to me. Then I went out hunting more and more of this sort of music. I guess being a singer-songwriter I’ve always been drawn to that sort of music. We love harmonies. So I think that I was just drawn to it, after having it thrust in my face!
I’ve heard your music described as perfect for Sunday afternoon drinks. What’s your drink of choice for a Sunday afternoon?
I’m a beer man. Love my Tooheys New. I love to be patriotic to my state. But I also don’t mind a cheeky scotch.
Many people would have heard your song but don’t know much about you. What’s one thing we all need to know about Georgia Fair?
I guess that we’re both just fun-loving guys. We’re pretty approachable. If you want to come see a show, come up and have a yarn. We just love making music and we plan to do it for a long time in the future.
After this run of tour dates, what’s next for Georgia Fair?
We’ve got the Peats Ridge Festival, and then there are a couple of shows that we don’t know if we’re getting yet. But other than that we’re going to keep writing. We’re always writing, so planning for the new record I guess.
Georgia Fair’s debut EP is in stores now. You can see the band at the following shows in the coming months.
23 October 2009 – Supper Club, Darlinghurst
13 November 2009 – QPAC, Brisbane (with Kate Miller-Heidke)
15 November 2009 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle (with Kate Miller-Heidke)
20 November 2009 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney (with Kate Miller-Heidke)
22 November 2009 – Penrith Leagues (with Kate Miller-Heidke)
23 November 2009 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla (with Whitley)
24 November 2009 – Heritage Hotel, Wollongong (with Whitley)
25 November 2009 – ANU Bar, Canberra (with Whitley)
27 November 2009 – Newcastle Leagues Club (with Whitley)
28 November 2009 – The Forum, Melbourne, Victoria (with Kate Miller-Heidke)
29 December 2009 – Peats Ridge Festival, Glenworth Valley
Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia