Blonde On Blonde just played Musexpo in LA, Tell us your highlights and lowlights of your trip?
We played a show in las Vegas and the support band covered one of our songs. That was pretty mind blowing that a band on the other side of the world likes your music enough to cover it. Our showcase at musexpo was one of the best we have ever done. The whole experience was incredible and we hope to go back to the states in the new year.
As far as low lights go, Duckboi and I decided to take a few days off after the tour and drive to Mexico. Crossing the border was one of the scariest experiences of my life. Everybody we met thought we were insane to go to Mexico.
Blonde On Blonde are a 5 piece, do you have one main songwriter or is it a collective effort?
It started off with me writing all the music and recording demos and then taking it to the band but lately we have made an effort to write together and it’s been amazing.
‘Act 1’ is your latest single, how would you describe this track to someone who had never heard your music before?
It’s pretty true to our sound, but I think it’s sonically very pleasing. We went a little left of centre with guitar tones and the overall mastering is not conventional, but we wanted to do something different. There are a lot of classic elements to it, the main riff that formed the song is my attempt at writing a rolling stones track.
What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
My dad has been a musician all his life so I always assumed I would go into the family business. My first show was at a hotel in Jindabyne where I grew up, I was about 14. We had to transport all the gear by skidoo, and when we got there we had to take the grills off the speakers to get all the snow out of them.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
Twin cinema by The New Pornographers. The first record by the morning after girls. Red spencer, Oceanics and royal blood from the gold coast. But always a lot of Joni Mitchell and Neil young
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
We have a little huddle before we go on stage and discuss any last minute adjustments to the set. And then we all scream “don’t fuck it up” and Zara and I slap each other in the face.
If you could curate your own festival, where would it be, who would be on the bill, how many people would you let in and what features would it have?
On the bill we would have My Bloody Valentine, rat cat, the boys, John Farnham, future of the left, Violent Soho, Giants of Science, and maybe Jay-Z if there is money left in the budget. It would be held out at our friends farm near Stanthrope, and there would be no drink tickets, and maybe circus animals.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
Somebody asked me this other other day, I would say Paul kelly. I would just sit there listening to him play and ask him questions about his songs. I doubt a lot of writing would get done.
What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?
Romantic encounters
You’ve played a few shows around Australia; do you have a particular venue or city that you hold a special place for in your heart? If so tell us why.
There is a bar in Coffs Harbour called the Hoey Moey which I absolute love. We did a tour with dead letter circus a few years ago and I was so worried the crowed would hate us, but we played one of the best shows of our lives and they went nuts. It was a real turning point for the group as far as our performance goes. So Coffs Harbour for sure! We also love playing at. X and y in Brisbane, it’s our home away from home.
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
Our new single is ‘Act 1’ and you can download it for free on Unearthed – http://www.triplejunearthed.com/Artists/View.aspx?artistid=18591
Our tour dates:
Friday August 31 @ The Espy – Melbourne
Saturday September 1 @ Yah Yah’s – Melbourne
Friday September 7 @ Alhambra Lounge – Brisbane
Friday September 14 @ The Spotted Cow – Toowoomba
