As the only girl in cult surf band The Val Dusty Experiment, Rosie Sutherland provided a sweetness to their raw folk-rock sound. Now she has her own band Rosie and The Thorns and her distinctive edge is coming to the fore.
You might almost get the sound if Lucinda Williams sang with Band of Horses or Cat Power fronted Crowded House. Rosie carves her own territory with honest lyrics, ringing melodies and addictive choruses.
Their debut album ‘Crazy Talk’ is out now on the independent Mixmasters Records and they play east coast venues and festivals. Their music video ‘Get Sweet’ screened in September at the New York Surf Film Festival.
1. What was the first band you saw live?
My Dad on harmonica in our lounge room, jamming with friends. The first band I saw was Bob Fox and Stu Luckley at the Newcastle Folk Festival – I think it was 1979, which means I was just an embryo at the time(!). Their music mesmerised me – the droning bass riffs, dark yet pretty melodies and their beautiful celtic harmonies.
2. What’d you learn from them?
That melody and emotion reaction are intertwined. That the simplest combination of notes can cause a profound and beautiful feeling to rise up within you!
3. Got any pre-gig rituals?
A drink of water from the hot tap. Sometimes a nip of JD, no ice. And, always, a last-minute trip to the loo…
4. What do you think the most important issue affecting artists in NSW is today?
Finding venues that will book original bands. There are some great venues we have found, just not one in every town! No, we won’t play Khe Sanh or Eye of the Tiger… although we do do a sweet cover of a Beach Boys song!
5. If you weren’t a musician, what do you reckon you’d be doing?
Making films for other people’s music.