1. What was the first band you saw live?
The Culture Club in 1984. This was the first band I went to see – with my mum! I was obsessed by Boy George at the time and was primed for the show of a lifetime. I stood on my seat for most of the performance and danced along to all their hits – Boy George’s forward roll in I’ll Tumble for Ya was a highlight !!
2. What’d you learn from them?
Crazy as it sounds I think I learnt and melody and songs from Culture Club in my formative years…the music still stands up today I think. I learnt to stick to your guns no matter how bad you get hassled! In a sea of wacko jacko fans in year 4 I wasn’t too popular liking Boy George…but I did go to an end of year party dressed as him, just to stick it to the haters.
3. Got any pre-gig rituals?
I like to have some whisky to loosen the vocal chords a bit, plus it also relaxes me. I tend to go into silent mode a few hours before a show so it snaps me out of that…people learn quick not to talk to me before a show, I’m not very responsive at that point.
4. What do you think is the most important issue affecting music in NSW is today?
The whole live performance thing just doesn’t seemt to go away in NSW … Pubs have so many rules and regs to deal with that it becomes a battle ground having bands go on…and subsequently bands feel pressured to bring in megabucks for a pub everytime they play..it’s not really a good environment to perform in. Hopefully recent law changes can open up more spaces to live music and provide a place for artists to learn and hone their craft.
5. If you weren’t a musician what do you think you’d be doing?
Well, like 90% of indie musicians I work a day job so this question is a bit hard to answer! If I didn’t have music to keep me occupied I’d probably be reading alot more, I’d probably go to the beach alot more and relax! As I take my chosen art really seriously I spend alot of time obsessing over it…its probably really unhealthy mentally.
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