We recently caught up with Melbourne Alternative Pop songwriter
Oliver Downes to discuss his latest album release The Wheel and much more.
1. Who are you and why are you here?
I’m Oliver Downes and I’m here because I’ve just released my second album, ‘The Wheel’
2. How long have you been writing music?
I wrote my first little bits and pieces when I was a kid – I must’ve been 9 or 10. My first piano teacher encouraged me to write and I went through a phase of having something new to show him every couple of weeks. I didn’t really start trying to write songs until I was in my 20s though, playing in a band with a few mates and just sparking off each other’s ideas. Since then I’ve just kept at it.
3. Congrats on the release of your new album ‘The Wheel’! How have fans reacted to the record so far?
Thanks! I’ve had some very rosy feedback from quite a few people which has been nice. One person who supported my Pozible campaign last year sent me a message telling me that she’d listened to it seven times in a day which made me pretty happy.
4. What is your personal favourite song from ‘The Wheel’?
That’s a hard choice. I think the album has the best songs I’ve written on it. Probably ‘A Minor Place’ though – it’s a mid-album ballad which I feels as though came together perfectly. I reckon ‘Cellophane’ is a ripper too.
5. What would be your dream line-up to play with?
I’m pretty happy with my current band! You throw a stone in Melbourne and odds are you’ll hit an amazing young musician – I’m hugely blessed to have the support of a wonderful group of them
6. What motivates you to write music?
Inner compulsion. I just get ideas for music and then have to find a way to manifest them or I go a bit batty.
7. Any tips for upcoming Australian musicians?
Don’t try to sound like anyone other than yourself.
8. What do you have planned for the rest of 2019?
Well, my girlfriend just gave birth to our daughter, so that’ll probably keep me pretty busy! We launched ‘The Wheel’ in April with gigs in Melbourne, Sydney and a couple of other spots – I’m keen to do some more gigs a little later in the year and hopefully the odd festival spot too. Til then I’m going back into writing mode in between changing nappies. I reckon album number 3 is probably going to be a collection of love songs.
