“Australia’s PJ Harvey…possessing the punch of Cat Power and the wise words of Joni Mitchell” (Courier Mail)
Lucie Thorne as one of the most striking lyricists and voices of Australian Contemporary song. Her latest releas, ‘Black Across the Field’ has garnered extraordinary attention from the country’s leading critics, including being awarded ‘Best Roots Album of 2009‘ in the Sydney Morning Herald, and has just been short listed for the prestigious Australian Music Prize for her 5th release Black Across the Field.
1. What was the first band you saw live? What’d you learn from them?
I remember going to an acapella concert with my parents when I was quite young, and being really moved by the beauty of all those voices together…I can clearly remember standing up the back of the room, my whole body goose-bumped, swimming in the gorgeousness of human voices in harmony…
The first big show I went to was a few years later – Bob Dylan at the Launceston Silverdome in the early nineties. It was an amazing experience, although it was famously difficult/controversial. (He was not in his prime that time round, in fact it wasn’t clear he knew which way was the front of the stage let alone where he was etc)
3. Got any pre-gig rituals?
After all these years I still get a pretty serious attack of the nerves before most shows, so, I tend to hide away and do quiet vocal warm-ups, and maybe a few push ups (?!) to focus that adrenalin (and, ah, also due to the butterflies, and to the constant amusement of my band and touring comrades, I tend to go to th dunny a lot directly before a show, though I don’t suppose that really counts as a ‘ritual’ does it?!).
4. What do you think is the most important issue affecting music in NSW is today?
Broadly speaking I reckon the music community is in a pretty healthy place right now. There’s certainly a lot of great music being made. And although in some ways its getting more viable to independently record and tour, a little bit of funding support goes a long way for indie artists. Especially if you’re trying to tour a band. Or get that bit of extra cash together to promote a release. So it would be great to see an increase in funding opportunities for new and emerging contemporary music…
5. If you weren’t a musician what do you think you’d be doing?
I can’t imagine not having music in the middle of my life, its what drives and sustains me. But sometimes I daydream about a quieter (/saner?) life where I kept this whole music-making thing more to myself though…and ah, maybe being a grocer? or a librarian…?
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