Hi, I’m Melinda. I drink too much coffee and play music in a little band called The Falls. I like reading and being on the road and would like to grow a veggie garden one day when I’m not on the road so much.
What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
All I have ever wanted to do is play music. This was evident to mother who often recounts how at age 2 I wanted to play the violin… lord knows where I got the idea from…I was 2! Without her realising it, I think my grandmother was probably the most instrumental person in my life in developing my absolute infatuation with music. My happiest childhood memories are of lazy afternoons watching Singing In The Rain ad nauseam and dancing around her living room to old records – we’d always put on ‘Day trip to Bangor’.
People can see you at the Open Air Cinema soon, what’s your favourite movie?
Annie Hall – for Diane Keaton’s style and Woody Allen’s neurosis.
Do you have a favourite movie soundtrack?
Broken Flowers – sometimes I put it on in my headphones as my imaginary life soundtrack. The first few tracks are great for strutting.
Your music is very personal and closely reflects your relationship with one another, is it ever difficult performing these songs live?
Singing these songs with each other and to each other can be really hard. The songs are so deeply personal that they often stir up emotions when you least expect it. It makes performing a very raw and honest experience.
Having had such a busy 2012, and already lots on for this year, what are your expectations for the year?
Last year really was amazing – but also a little bit crazy! What I love (and hate) about my life at the moment is that it is almost impossible to predict what is around the next corner. It is a series of unexpected opportunities and adventures. This year, we have been invited to showcase at SXSW in Austin (Texas) and Canadian Music week in Toronto. It is such a huge opportunity for us to be included in the line-up for these events and it will be exciting to see what comes from this incredible international exposure. I guess right now, I’m just gonna focus on the one thing I can control, writing music, and wait and see what the rest of this year holds!
With the critical success of your debut EP ‘Hollywood’, are there plans for a full album? When can we expect it?
We are writing a lot at the moment and slowly putting together our debut album. Our debut EP was such a defining piece of work for us that we want the album to be just as significant. We are taking our time now to craft the songs and look forward to finally putting it out there. We’ll be heading into the studio in April when we get back from North America and will definitely be releasing something in the coming months, although you might have to wait a little bit longer for the album.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
I get really nervous before we play and have to pee a lot. It’s kind of a ritual. Does that count?
Which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with?
Nick Cave. He was the first Australian artist whom I truly fell in love with and am enamoured with as much today as when I first discovered him. He is an artist who’s depth of creativity is truly inspiring.
What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?
An indie film by Lena Dunham or your next break-up.
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them? [Feel include links, dates, album titles etc.]
The Falls debut EP ‘Hollywood’ is out now on iTunes and available from thefalls.bandcamp.com
You can catch us next at:
SAT 9 FEB Bondi Openair Cinema SYDNEY, NSW
THURS 28 FEB Ellington Jazz Club PERTH, WA
MARCH 1–4 Nannup Music Festival NANNUP, WA
MARCH 12-17 SXSW AUSTIN, TEXAS
MARCH 19-24 CMW TORONTO, ONTARIO
For more information on the Open Air Cinema go to: openaircinemas.com.au
