Sure we’ve heard about you before, but we think it’s time for Tone Deaf to get to know you a little better. Slip in to something comfortable while we put on some music, pour us a couple of drinks and turn the lights down low. So, tell us about yourselves…Who are you – who who? We really wanna know….
Who are you and what do you do in your act?
I’m David Cuthbertson, I write the songs. I play keys, sing, make vocal loops and trigger samples live. In the studio I do pretty much everything… from hitting drums to recording, editing, mixing and mastering. I think they call it self-production.
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
I’m the youngest in my family so it was more stealing from my older sisters than my parents. I do remember cranking the soundtrack to Platoon at a very early age, the tune of Merle Haggard ‘Okie from Muskogee’ sticks in my mind. The Hits Of Summer ‘88 was one of my favourite steals from my sisters, they also got me into early Ben Folds Five stuff and pretty much all the music I listened to as a kid. I was never cool in school.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
Radiohead King of Limbs and In Rainbows. Still. Once I like something, I tend to like it a lot.
‘Home taping is killing the music business was the catch-cry of the record industry in the 1970s, but it managed to survive until now. What do you think is the difference between mates taping copies of friend’s records back in the 80s and 90s and file sharing now?
To me it’s essential, music is designed to be shared. I don’t see any real differences except the technology used. From an industry point of view it’s important to try and generate income, but as an artist our core business is creating and sharing our music. I try to focus on the core business.
You must answer this question honestly or we steal your rider. What was the first gig you went to? Where was it and what was the venue?
My dad took me to see John Farnham at Melbourne Park (now called Rod Laver Arena).
What’s your favourite site to download music from and do you ever pay for it? Can we find any of your releases there?
Yes I pay for it. Would be a bit rude not to. iTunes is just so dash darn easy. Our music is up there, including our new single ‘Shiver’. BandCamp is a cracker too.
What artist made you want to pick up an instrument and/or sing?
I suppose many and varied. I played piano from a very young age. I started singing right at the end of high school. Amanda Palmer was an inspiration with her words ‘Sing for the people who told you that you couldn’t sing.”
Have you ever been arrested?
No. Allegedly.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
Not really, I try to remember to warm up my vocals so I don’t drop a lung on the first verse. That and I like to have bare feet on stage. That’s a double edged sword in some of the sticky carpeted stages like the Espy…
What’s been your most outrageous rider request?
We don’t tend to make outrageous requests. Maybe we aren’t rock and roll enough?
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
There is a few! I’m currently emailing a bunch of guys and girls to come and put some tracks on the next Animators record. One such artist, Lucas Tarranto [Gotye] – is an amazing bass player who I hope to work with a lot on this forthcoming record.
If we are talking in a little less reality (and for that matter a little less Australian) then I’d go with Liam Finn, one of my most admired artists today. That man does music with energy built right in. He would be amazing to work with!
Right, let’s get really intimate. Tell us what releases you have that we can listen to with the lights down low, or even better, where we can see you play in person next.
We have just released a mini-EP called Dualis on iTunes. Here’s the film clip.
Our next show is Thursday 24th November at The East Brunswick Club. We are having a launch party with special guests Eliza Hull Band and The Neighbourhood Youth. Live visuals, guest vocalists, the whole kit.
