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.
Who are you and what do you do in your act?
I’m Sime, I play rhythm guitar. I’m also the backup backing vocalist if the other four members don’t want to do it.
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
Recently I raided my olds collection. Found some really great stuff like Fleetwood Mac, Bob Marley, The Beatles and The Beach Boys. All fantastic stuff.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
Love The Beatles?
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I really like the James Blake album, I think it is the best album of the year so far. I also like the new Kanye West, Beach House, Ariel Pink and Strokes albums. Representing Australia, I think that Tame Impala and The Holidays have made great albums.
‘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?
I think with taping a little more effort went into it, therefore you tended to value it more, and you definitely wanted the music otherwise you wouldn’t have wasted your time taping it. You probably would have had a kick of the footy or something.
With file sharing I think music has become a lot more disposable. People will download the album and if it doesn’t grab them straight away they will right click and delete. I think this is sad, because a lot of the time my favourite albums are the ones that I don’t like so much at first.
I read once that Robert Smith from the Cure only ever has 10 albums in his collection at once, then when he gets sick of one he gets rid of it and replaces it. I like this idea. So now I never have more than 446,000 in my collection.
Obviously there is the flip side to the file sharing argument. It is great for small bands like us to get heard. Without free downloads we would be no where.
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?
It was Chocolate Starfish. They were playing on the Yarrawonga (a small town on the NSW and VIC border) Foreshore. I thought it was great. Not so much because of the band, but the fireworks at the finish.
What’s your favourite site to download music from and do you ever pay for it? Can we find any of your releases there?
Yeah I definitely pay for it. I like iTunes. If I like and album I really tend do go buy it on vinyl. I think it is just really good to have the physical product. You can find our first single ‘In The Summer’ on iTunes. On June the 3rd you will also be able to buy our debut EP ‘Not Just Friends’.
What artist made you want to pick up an instrument and/or sing?
Daniel Johns. Silverchair are a fantastic band and they got better and better with age. John Frusciante was also a massive influence on me when I was growing up. I use to try and play along to every lick on Blood Sugar Sex Magik.
Have you ever been arrested?
Yep for triple murder. Just a joke. I did get locked up for fake fighting with one of my best mates one night in my home town. The Cops were on a rampage that night, when I got into the cell it was quite funny because two of my other good mates were already locked up. It ended up being a really fun night.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
Not particularly. I just make sure I get a couple of beers into me. Sometimes I deliberate for minutes as to what beer I should drink.
What’s been your most outrageous rider request?
We are not really at the stage of requesting riders just yet. If we get there though, I’m going to request a highlights reel of Gary Ablett Senior’s career.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
As mentioned above I think Daniel Johns would be great. As would Kevin Parker from Tame Impala. Luke Steele and The Avalanches guys are also another couple that come to mind. All these artists have done some groundbreaking stuff in my opinion.
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.
As mentioned above our debut EP ‘Not Just Friends’ will be released on Friday June 3rd. On that same night we will be having our launch at the Ding Dong Lounge in the City (Melbourne). We hope everyone can come to this because we have a really special night planned. We are also supporting the Red Riders in their farewell shows. The Melbourne show is at the Northcote Social Club on Friday June 17th, then the Sydney show is at the Oxford Arts Factory on Saturday June 18th. We can’t wait for these.
We will be going on an East Coast tour to launch the EP throughout August.
We’ve also got a double pass to the Ding Dong show this Friday night for a reader to win, as well as a copy of Loon Lake’s EP Not Just Friends which will be waiting at the door for the winner. Just head over to www.tonedeaf.com.au/win/ to enter!
