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?
Natalie Foster – the front lady of Tully & The Thief – I sing my arse off and write songs.
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
I think I burnt a copy of Ted Hawkins and Nick Cave from my Dad when I was younger – he would have noticed if they were gone for more that an hour! … Otherwise I stole all of my mums vinyls last year because I bought myself a record player that I didn’t actually get to work until a few weeks ago. There’s a lot of Elton John in there.
What’s on heavy rotation on your iPod right now?
My iPod got stolen at the start of the year and I lost my iPhone a week ago so I’m rotating CDs in my car. Menomena, Local Natives, Born Ruffians, Delta Spirit and Doves.
‘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 more bands are probably getting recognition from it to be honest. Just making a lot less money and not reaching a level of “mania”.
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 think it was The Vasco Era at Apollo Bay Music Festival… I remember getting really excited because we could hear the music coming through the car windows so my parents dropped my brother and I off and we watched them from the outside of the marquee because we didn’t have our tickets yet.
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 don’t have a credit card so I rarely buy music online. Besides, without something to play them on… it’s easier to buy CDs! But Soundcloud is good and I don’t feel like I’m stealing because the bands have put it up there themselves. And as a matter of fact, you can find some Tully & The Thief toonz at www.soundcloud.com/tullyandthethief.
What artist made you want to pick up an instrument and/or sing?
My Dad (and all those 90’s pop stars that I refuse to name) made me want to sing, Brand New made me want to write and my auntie made me realise I wanted to perform.
Have you ever been arrested?
No. But I saw someone get thrown into the back of a divvy van last week if that has any relevance.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
I do my hair and then get about 5 drinks varying from water to beer to scotch and put them near the front of stage.
What’s been your most outrageous rider request?
I’ll let you know when I am in the position to request something.
Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with? Tell us why?
Maybe Glenn Richards from Augie March – He’s a great songwriter!
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 recorded over May so we should have something to release later on in the year. But we’re playing every Monday night in June at The Evelyn Hotel with a whole lot of great supports including Tehachapi, Francolin, Sleep Decade and Secondhand Heart. $10 Jugs and donation entry.
