Category: Interviews

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Owl Eyes

Australian audiences were first introduced to Brooke Addamo as a fresh-faced teen on Australian Idol. She’s done some growing up since then, and adopted the stage name Owl Eyes. With the release of her debut EP Faces, it’s time to reacquaint yourself with this talented young singer-songwriter. I caught up with her recently to chat about her stage persona, Faces, and her upcoming launch shows.

It’s not so common for a solo performer to take a stage name. What was behind that decision for you?
I decided to go with a stage name to separate myself from my normal self. Having a different name helps you create a stage persona and let’s you be more creative.

And why Owl Eyes?
I feel owls are such a good representation of my music; it’s that combination of light and darkness, pop music with some substance behind it. Among many other reasons I choose it after going through some of my favourite songs and came across Devendra Banhart’s “Owl Eyes,” and it just sounded right to me.

If local audiences think you look familiar it may be because they spotted you on Australian Idol. How was that experience for you?
Australian Idol was fine. I mean I was 17 at the time, so it was a good experience for me to go through. It really did make me realise what I didn’t want to be and made me a stronger person in the decisions I make. I feel it actually makes me work harder because people have these preconceived ideas of what I am so I have to constantly prove myself as a serious artist but when good things happen I’m more grateful because I know how hard I worked, so it all balances out in the end.

There can be a bit of a stigma around appearing on a talent show like that, particularly when you’re a songwriter with independent leanings. Did you feel that, and if so how did you overcome it?
I have felt that at times but I have been pretty fortunate that once people hear my music they kind of discard the stigma and judge me purely on what they hear. The fact that I didn’t go very far on the show has actually benefited me in the long run and similar artists have set good precedents and I think people are more forgiving towards artists like myself and see it more as an awkward teenage stage or a learning curve, rather then something that defines the artist.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Ingrid Michaelson

New York’s Ingrid Michaelson has shared the stage with the likes of Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews Band, and Keane, and next month she’ll bring her original brand of acoustic power-pop to Australia for the first time. Before she packed her bags for the land Down Under I caught up with her to chat about her upcoming shows, the importance of MySpace, and love of the ukelele.

I know this is your first time touring Australia. Have you ever visited here before? And what are you looking forward to about your stay?
I have never been to Australia. I have always wanted to go but it is so far that it seems impossible. So I am delighted that my work is allowing me to see this amazing place that I have only heard about.

You’re playing a different city each night. Will you have any time for sightseeing while you’re here?
We have one day off in Melbourne. I have to do some research to find out where I should go!

You live in New York, which is such an intense city. How do you think you’ll adjust to our laid back Australian attitude?
I live in New York but I can turn off the “intensity” when needed. I look forward to experiencing this laid back atmosphere! Maybe I will even bring some home with me.

While you’ve created some real buzz back home, you haven’t released any music here in Australia. How would you describe your sound to people who aren’t in the know?
I’m not even in the know! I never know how to explain my own music. Poppy? Folky? Ingridy?

What can Australian fans expect when they come to see you live?
I love playing music and singing but I also love making people laugh. Hopefully my sense of humour will come across.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Ghostboy with Golden Virtues

Queensland’s Ghostboy with Golden Virtues are preparing to unleash their unique brand of punk cabaret on Sydney audiences for the first time this month.I caught up with the band ahead of these historic performances to chat about their new album, their love of theatre, and pushing musical boundaries.

You’ve got a really interesting band name. Where did it come from?
Ghostboy was first diagnosed by performance art rock influenza in 2005, and this is the name the W.H.O. gave to his disorder (no man/all spirit). Golden Virtues were a band unto themselves when the two met and then became casual then full time lovers in 2006. Are main virtue: let the art fall to see if it can fly.

You’ve recently released your new album Enter. What can you tell me about it?
Enter has been described as having a “calculated savagery”, as “wonderfully malevolent ghoul rock” “cabaret-from-hell” and as “spooky rockabilly.” Our songwriting is very visceral; the music both muscular and heartfelt, the lyrics direct and unsettling. The idea of this album was to explore the different aspects of sex, gender and relationships, including interpreting Iggy Pop’s “Sister Midnight” and Serge Gainsbourg’s “Je t’aime … moi non plus”. We are launching the second single “Love Me” while we are in Sydney @ The Supper Club in Darlinghurst (it is released digitally Sat 18th Sept).

As such a theatrical band, how do you approach capturing your energy in the studio?
We were very keen to replicate the aesthetic and moods of our stage set-up and live show in order to inhabit the songs in the studio, inspired by some of the recording approaches of Tony Visconti with Bowie and Eno with just about everyone he worked with. This included me being handcuffed and surrounded by mannequins and art porn shots while doing the vocal takes for the song “If I Were a Rock”n”Roll Girlfriend,” with a stage mic plugged direct into a guitar amp.

Your band combines elements of punk and cabaret, which is so unusual. Where did your interest in cabaret come from?
I have always been drawn to acts of the 70s like Alice Cooper and David Bowie, whose stages were an invitation to enter a “world” for the duration of the show while they became their “other” e.g. The Thin White Duke. I also love the way Iggy Pop has this performance art element to his work, the drama and narrative arcs of Mikelangelo & the Black Sea Gentlemen, and the live work of cabaret performers such as Taylor Mac. The idea grew of setting all of this in a cabaret context including throwing in trad & non-trad cabaret covers, such as Jaques Brel and Katy Perry, in order to stretch the form and see what can made of cabaret when you approach it with a punk/performance art aesthetic.

You’re going to play Sydney for the first time this month. Are you looking forward to getting in front of the crowds there?

Yes, the whole gang is very excited. It is a chance for us to play to new and unknown audiences as our main following is in Brisbane and Melbourne. As it is our first dates with Sydney audiences, we hope they buy us flowers, be sweet yet demanding, dance with intent, drink to impress, bring their mother and her best friend, and remember our name.
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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Brook Newton

Brook Newton is the latest country music hopeful to earn a place in the Telstra Road to Tamworth finals, after taking out the Adelaide heats last weekend. I caught up with Brook to chat about his time in the competition, his love of acoustic folk music, and why he’s got a lot to thank his best mate for.

Congratulations for winning the Adelaide heat of the Telstra Road to Tamworth competition. What was it like to be part of the competition?
To tell you the truth it was unbelievable! Its hard to explain, other than I had this goofy smile I couldn’t wipe off my face for the next 24 hours.

My close mate entered me in the Adelaide heat for more musical exposure, thinking I wouldn’t get in it, or else seeing as I live more than 400km from the city I could have gone in the digital heat. But as it turned out I did make it through. So we loaded up the car for the LONG 12 hour drive!

I must say, I tried to research you and could only come up with a lot of information about a blonde American model! So tell me, when did you get into music and what have you done before this competition?
Haha, nope definitely not me! My ‘manager’ has now created me a Facebook music page, so you can check that out.

Well I first picked up an axe at the age of 13 and from that moment I couldn’t put it down. I have recorded and created my own tunes but still in the process of learning how it all works. Currently play as part of a local band called ‘3 guys a girl and a band’ we have all been together for around four years, performing at pubs around the district and the occasional wedding or birthday bash.

During this year I entered many music competitions but haven’t got this far through. Firstly there was ‘Search for a Singer’ which is held in Port Lincoln over the January long weekend, I made it through to the top 6 for that, great experience. Another was my audition for The X Factor, where my friend and I flew over to Adelaide arriving 4 hours early and still where number 56 in line! That would have been the most nerve racking! Turned out I wasn’t what they were looking for. But all these were small stepping stones for where I am now.

You mentioned that you travelled for 12 hours to be part of the competition. What was it about Telstra Road to Tamworth that made you so determined to be a part of it?
Yes, a very long 12 hours! My Dad has always been a country music fan and has encouraged me every year to go to the festival and put my name forward. This year seemed like the right time to enter the competition and one thing has led to another.

I heard that you played some Ben Harper and Xavier Rudd, which is a bit different to the straight country music that the competition is known for. What is it you love about that laid back folk sound?
It’s just easy listening music that you can come home from a long day and relax to. Also my love for acoustic instruments has lead me into folk, country and music like Xavier Rudd and Ben Harper.

Can you see yourself making that kind of music in the future?
The music I will create and have created is influenced from these artists but has my own twist to it as well.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Nikki Jenson

Nikki Jenson, or Nikki J as she’s known on stage,  is the latest young hopeful on the way to country music stardom with the help of the Telstra Road to Tamworth competition. I recently caught up with the Queensland girl who’s just taken out the Cairns heat to chat about the competition, her love of country music, and the dreams she has for her musical career.

You just won the Cairns heat of the Telstra Road to Tamworth. What was it like to be part of that competition?
It was a bit of a whirlwind on the day. The wet weather meant a last minute venue change from the lovely esplanade to a little hotel conference room, which made the process a lot more intimate and daunting. But it was such a great experience to see how much talent there is in North Queensland and see what Telstra are doing for the development of music in Australia. It ended up being a very fun day win or lose, and obviously I was incredibly stoked to win.

I hear that you were stunned to win the Cairns competition. Why was it such a surprise to you?
Well I am only very new to performing my own songs and the songwriting game. So as each person got up I became more nervous because they were just SO good, and I was just thinking the whole thing would at least be really good experience for me. I thought one of the others would win it for sure. So when they announced my name I was just genuinely shocked, but very very happy. This is one of the first serious steps I’ve taken with my own music and I was really excited to that I was successful.

I believe you’ve only just returned to performing and songwriting. What inspired you to get back to it?
All the time while I was at university I was singing on and off but all my other music fell away as I was busy pursuing my “real job.” All that time I felt a massive void and longing for music, so I promised myself that when I moved away for work that I would pick up a guitar and try to start writing. I moved into a gorgeous one-bedroom apartment right on the water at Clifton Beach, and I have to say that location combined with the big life change was very conducive to creativity.

After your break from music, what inspired you to get back out in front of people in this competition?
There is a guy named Terry Doyle who runs a singer/songwriter night at a place called Mondo’s here in Cairns. I had heard about him, so went along to watch and he made me play him one of my songs, and he immediately made me get up on stage and play. I have been going back every week since pretty much and and every time you learn something different, he is very good with feedback and encouraging, so I suppose that along with some pushing from friends helped me get in front of people.
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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Dan Webb

Singer-songwriter Dan Webb is preparing to load up the van and get out on the road to support his new EP Hyperspace Clearance. But before he does I caught up with Dan to chat about the tour, the EP, and his love of the keys.

You’re touring along the east coast next month. Are you looking forward to getting out on the road?
I’m not gonna lie – it’s been hard organising this tour, but I am really looking forward to playing these shows. Myband members have been on holiday overseas for a few months so I’ve used that time to develop some new songs. I’ve never performed outside Melbourne so it’s really exciting.

This tour is in support of your new EP Hyperspace Clearance. What can you tell me about it?
I really set out to prove a point on my first EP. It was quite heavy compared to this new one. Capitulation was all about showing people that you can play rock music without relying on guitar. Hyperspace Clearance is taking that same concept but taking it to a whole new level by experimenting with some other styles and genres. It’s an EP with a focused direction, tied together by the theme of travel.

You produced this EP yourself. Why was that important for you?
I wanted to head back to the same studio with the same team of people and see if we could make something that sounded completely different to my first EP. I like setting myself challenges. I had a clear idea of which instruments and microphones I wanted to use and so I wanted to have as much of a creative input as possible.

What’s it like being on the other side of the musical desk?
I have to say straight up that the whole project wouldn’t have been possible without my engineer Matt Voigt. He’s responsible for all of the mixing and he did a really great job. I might be able to give directions, make suggestions and requests but at the end of the day, I can’t make a good recording without a talented engineer.

This is your second EP. How do you think you’ve grown since the recording of the first one?
I feel like I’m developing as a songwriter and I’m becoming a bit more confident and adventurous when it comes to writing songs. I was able to take more risks on this EP as a result. I wanted to explore a few different styles and approaches this time round. I recorded clavinet on a track called “Weekends” for example; it’s only there for a few bars but it’s really funky!

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with The Checks’ Callum Martin

The Checks have conquered their native New Zealand, and now they have their sights set on Oz. I recently caught up with the band’s guitarist Callum Martin to chat about their upcoming Aussie tour, their new album Alice by the Moon, and what he loves about Oz.


You had a mini tour here in April. What made you want to come back so soon?
We enjoyed the seafood so much that we booked flights as soon as we got home! Regardless of outcome, we’ve always wanted to release an album in Australia, we think this one could go down well with you guys.

You’ve enjoyed real success in your native New Zealand. What’s inspired you to try and crack the Australian market?
It’s the closest country to us and Australia seems like a natural step in our direction as a band.

You’re about to tour Australia next month to support the release of your album Alice by the Moon. Why are we going to love it?
Because you’ve never seen a rock band do it the way we do. Ed really looks great on stage and Sven is bound to melt your face off!

You’ve got shows all the country. Is there anywhere in particular you’re looking forward to seeing?
We have some mates in Melbourne who we’re quite keen to catch up with. I always enjoy that city.

You’ve got some time between your Melbourne and Brisbane shows. Are you planning on doing any sightseeing?
Well we’ll have to see; I’d really like to see Ed wrestle a croc! The wildlife in Oz has always been a draw card for me anyway.
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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Breaking Orbit

Breaking Orbit kick off their tour tonight to support the release of their new single “My Direction.” But before they took to the stage I caught up with the progressive rock act to talk about life on the road, their forthcoming album, and cover songs.

You’ve toured around the country with Cog, Dead Letter Circus and MM9 this year. How did those experiences prepare you for your own headline shows?
Dylan: Playing with those bands has been such a great learning experience. You get to see bands that have done this thing for such a long time that it becomes natural to them. You get to experience their ups and downs and
learn more about this music industry, which can be so rewarding but so challenging at the same time. In the same way, we have had a blast hanging with them and we are forever grateful that they allowed us exposure to their audiences. It has really help sculpt our fanbase around the nation.

Matt: They are bands that we have been fans of and watched develop over the years, along with taken some influence from, so it was great actually sharing the stage with them and getting the overwhelming response we got from their crowds.

Tyson: The opportunity to share the stage with Australian musicians who, within our own genre, have driven us both as individuals and as a band was awesome. Exposure to that level of production has provided us with a great basis to build and mould our own identity.

You’re earning a real reputation as a must see live act. What do you think it is about your live shows that resonate with audiences?
Dylan: I think mostly it’s about the energy and positivity. We really enjoy what we do on stage, and we’ve often received reviews commenting on the smiles that are always visible when we are on stage. We have a pretty active stage presence also, and I think the thing that most audience members relate too and really enjoy are the moments where the drums and percussion are played. There is just something about drums that everyone can relate to, and I think that tribal aspect of our live show is really a big highlight for a lot of the audience.

Matt: Definitely the positive energy we generate on stage. Anyone that has experienced one of our shows, can see that we are having the time of our lives up there, and it tends to rub off on the crowd. We work hard to get our songs and performance to the level it is at, so when we are up there its SHOWTIME!

Tyson: I guess we try and communicate with our audience using as much raw tribal energy to develop our own style and stage presence.

You recently headlined Progfest, which had such an interesting concept for a festival. What was it like to be a part of this event which showcased bands that push the envelope?
Dylan: It was fantastic. We also performed at this festival when it was in Sydney in 2009, and it was definitely one of the best shows we did that year. The vibe is great and the audience is massively appreciative because they are generally open to music that challenges them, whether that is sonically, rhythmically or stylistically. The best part is that we get to experience some of the best local and Australian bands in our favourite genre of music!

Tyson: Always a blast. The vibe at a festival like that means that you have the opportunity to share ideas with a whole lot of other musicians and punters in a real proactive and cohesive environment.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Ryan Murphy

Melbourne based singer-songwriter Ryan Murphy is making waves in the music industry with his new outfit the Lion and Ryan. I caught up with Ryan ahead of the band’s upcoming residency at The Wesley-Anne to chat about his love for his adopted home, his new band, and his plans for the future.

You’re preparing to take up residency at The Wesley-Anne. How do you approach those kinds of shows to ensure they stay fresh, despite being in the same venue at the same time each week?
That’s the challenge I guess. The idea of a residency is that your following builds each week, but people aren’t going to keep coming back to the same gig week in week out. It will just be a case of playing new material every show, and making the performances unique. My live shows have a lot of improvisation, whether it be musically or just mucking around between songs, so hopefully people come back.

These shows are a bit of a warm-up to a full-scale tour later this year. Do you enjoy life on the road or do you prefer to stay in one place?
At this stage in my life I prefer life on the road. I’m a very uncommitted person so living day to day comes very natural to me. Someday when I decide to settle down a little I guess life on the road could take its toll, but for now I just want every day to be a new adventure!

You’re earning a real reputation as a must see live act. What do you think it is about your live shows that resonate with audiences?
Hmm, well I hope its because I’m reasonable at what I do [laughs]. People seem to enjoy how relaxed I am on stage. Making a room turn around and listen is something that comes over time, but years of performing in front of strangers, basically telling them my secrets every night, has given me the confidence to know that audiences want to see me be myself, which should be easy.

The Lion and Ryan is your latest band. What does it feel like as a singer-songwriter to start playing with a bunch of new guys?
It’s a great feeling sharing the stage with other musicians! Especially for me after so much time spent playing solo. Playing in different situations with different people is the best way to improve, plus it gives the songs more dynamics which makes them more effective.

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Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Q & A with Scott Mellis

You might not have heard of ex-pat Scott Mellis, but this talented Aussie muso is making some serious waves overseas. I recently caught up with Scott to chat about his time abroad, his forthcoming album, and what it’s like to be back home.

You’re back in Australia after spending much of the year abroad. What’s it like to be back on home soil?
It’s great to be back for a little bit and catch up with my friends again. Coming back is always really good for gaining perspective on what’s going on because when you are travelling or overseas you can get caught up in the new surroundings and be distracted from your priorities.

Many locals may not be familiar with your music, so how would you describe it?
I am inspired by so many different things ranging from writers like Milan Kundera and George Orwell and artists like Etta James, Jeff Lynne, The Doors and Django Reinghart, personal experiences and the environment around me.

You topped the Triple J Unearthed charts in 2009. How important was that in opening doors for you?
Being voted at the top of that chart was proof that we had genuine underground support from our fans and that we did not have to rely on industry politics to make noise. However it did not open any doors within the industry. I think partly because the record at the time was a bootleg and was recorded live.

You’ve supported some massive acts overseas including Jason Mraz, Tom Morello, and Jeff Martin. What have you learnt being a part of their shows?
Playing with these guys at their L.A. shows I imagine would be different to doing it in Australia as Jason Mraz and Tom Morello both live in L.A. and it’s kinda like their hometown shows. I found them to be really genuine and humble people that love what they do and I think to be appreciative and grateful to do this is the most important thing.

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