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 Jess and I play guitar, write and sing (Lalala!! ) in pop/folk/rock band Secondhand Heart
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parents’ record collection and why?
Then there was Abbey Road, I grew up with my folks always playing it and I always listened and loved their clever arrangements and smooth harmonies, mum found out I took it. Dad saw it as a parting gift. Mum wanted it back.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
Baths, Lykke Li, Radiohead, Bon Iver and as always a little bit of Jeff Buckley to wake me up in the morning
‘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?
There is so much music available now because of accessibility to record with home studios, most people want their music listened to so sharing is caring depending on where someone is at with their music. Music holds its value though, if you hear something good you want to pay for it because we all know to well about the struggling artist complex.
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?
Hmm, I remember as a kid going to one of my dad’s blues gigs St Andrews and falling asleep under one of the tables and waking up smelling like smoke and sticky beer at. Classy! Now if I were to tell you about my first cd purchase it’s very likely I would not tell you how Peter Andre wooed me with ‘mysterious girl’. I was young. Don’t hate me.
What’s your favourite site to download music from and do you ever pay for it? Can we find any of your releases there?
Unearthed or soundcloud, I love finding new bands and discovering what Australian musos are up to, we have such lush musical fields on our doorstep! We’re up on both ☺
What artist made you want to pick up an instrument and/or sing?
Truthfully? When I was in high school I faked a sickie, no one was home and I was channel surfing… Seasame street, ‘Elmo’s world’ was on, do you know what day it was? Music day! Elmo picked up the guitar and I thought heck you know what if a furry red puppet with no fingers can play I should give it a shot! I never looked back…
Have you ever been arrested?
Nope
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
My boyfriend travelled to Turkey last year and bought a handmade wool necklace from this old lady in a market, I realised I wear it every time now. Good gig karma.
Supposing you were to be playing sold out stadiums on your next tour, what outrageous rider requests would you submit?
Plane tickets for our overseas friends to come watch us, ah me wouldn’t that be the life?
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
Sarah Blasko, she’s such a beautiful songwriter and I’ve loved everything she has brought out.
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.
We’ll be playing at the Grace Darling Hotel to launch our EP on the 26 August, which will be then followed by shows at Karova Lounge in Ballarat on the 9th September and the National Hotel in Geelong on the 10th. You can check us out at www.facebook.com/secondhandheartband or www.soundcloud.com/secondhandheartband
