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?

My name is Andre. I sing and play guitar in khancoban.

‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parents’ record collection and why?

My parents were into classical music in the main. I still have a copy of the Essential Beatles, the first side of which had their early, poppier moments and the second side had their more experimental later stuff. It wasn’t until I was eighteen or so that I listened to the second side and realised that The Beatles were more than a (really good) pop band.

What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?

On heavy rotation right now are Implodes, Townes Van Zandt, Reigning Sound, Kurt Vile, The Native Cats, Tim Hecker, Josh T. Pearson and I’m finally getting into Wu-Tang Clan.

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‘Home taping is killing the music business’ was the catch-cry of the record industry in the 1970s and 1980s, 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?

Well it happens on a much larger scale now! But I think in essence it is much the same. No doubt that sharing leads people to discovering new music, which is always a good thing. The hope is that they might pay for some of what they find. I make a point of buying off the little guy (band, label, store) first.

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?

I really don’t remember! Jemima, our drummer is next to me and she says her first was the B-52s at The Glasshouse!

What’s your favourite site to download music from and do you ever pay for it? Can we find any of your releases there?

I think if bands/labels have sense they should offer their music for download at a pretty low price. The fact that a lot of musicians just go through iTunes is pretty silly when iTunes charges so much for something that is quite disposable and will be copied so easily. Bandcamp is pretty good I think, where musicians can charge whatever they want or make their music free. Our label (Departed Sounds) is selling the digital copy of our record for half the cost of what iTunes would for a better quality version.

What artist made you want to pick up an instrument and/or sing?

Two early bands for me were Fugazi and Sonic Youth. The intensity and beauty had a big affect on me.

Have you ever been arrested?

No but somehow I was still threatened with ‘juvie’ once.

Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?

I generally don’t talk to anyone before a gig. I DO like to hug our bass player Lucas a lot. I have a strange quirk of placing around ten plectrums at my feet before a show.

Supposing you were to be playing sold out stadiums on your next tour, what outrageous rider requests would you submit?

FOOD! It’s often a strange combination of a lot of waiting around and not having time to go and eat before a gig. Something to do as well – a trampoline I think would be the ultimate. And kittens, lots of kittens.

Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?

I would love to learn a lot more about electronic/processed music. I love listening to music like this but have absolutely no idea how people manage it. Someone like Lawrence English could teach me a lot I think. I’m not sure what I would bring to the table though!

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. Naturally, don’t forget to give us the link to your Facebook fan page too.

Our new album is called Arches Over The Sun. It is released on August 12 on LP, CD and MP3 through Departed Sounds/Other Tongues. In the meantime you can listen to a bunch of songs from it on our bandcamp page.

We’re doing a tour in support of the album:
Friday August 12 – The X&Y Bar, Brisbane w/ Mr. Maps & Anonymeye
Saturday August 13 (evening) – Brisbane Powerhouse solo show w/ Ben Salter & Jeremy Neale
Sunday August 14 (afternoon) – Brisbane Powerhouse w/ Cascadeer
Thursday August 18 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne w/ The Orbweavers & Ildiko
Friday August 26 – Petersham Bowling Club, Sydney w/ Kid Cornered & Caitlin Park
Saturday August 27 – The Front, Canberra w/ Matt McBeath
Saturday September 3 – Grace Emily, Adelaide w/ Mountbatten
All details and more on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/khancoban.band

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