Hi Sophie can you let us know a little about yourself as a musician? When did you discover your love for music? How long have you been in the industry?

Hi Dave. I’ve been playing music since early high school when I ditched my piano lessons (which I enjoyed but never really felt super inspired by) for impromptu guitar lessons with my big sister, ten years my senior. I’ve now gone onto inherit her beloved Maton acoustic guitar which she bought with the money she earned as a Coles checkout chick… at some point she figured I’d get more use out of it and it sounded a little better under my fingertips. In 2003 I heard The Waifs’ album Up All Night and that turned me onto all things folk-roots in a big way. I started songwriting around the age of 15 and snuck into many local singer-songwriter gigs, Clare Bowditch at the Corner Hotel is one that springs to mind. Since then I played a bit in late high school, had many jams with people on my travels and have just gotten a bit more serious about it in the last two years or so. I’m now 22 year-old newcomer and I’d say this EP will be my first real foray into the music industry.

Who are members of Little Wise and what are their roles?

I play acoustic guitar and banjo and when I play solo I also do a little harmonica, mandolin and stomp box. Then there’s Megan Bernard on her famous baby-blue strat and Miguel Rios on acoustic guitar, slide and mandolin. Megan and Miguel (or Meg and Mig as I like to call them) are fabulous singer-songwriters in their own right. The rhythm section is made up on Conrad Tracey on drums and Arlene Fletcher on double and electric bass.

How long have Little Wise been playing together? Can you tell us how you originally formed? Where did your name come from?

Little Wise was initially an acoustic duo, I used to play around Melbourne with another guy on second guitar and backing vocals. The name comes from the literal meaning of my name, reversed in order; Sophie coming from the Greek word for Wisdom and Klein meaning small or little in German and Yiddish. Coincidently, I happen to be pretty small in stature too! The formation of the full Little Wise band was a fairly recent event, it happened only in the last month or so, following the recording of the EP.

How would you describe your sound?

Warm folk-roots with the melodic sensibility of pop music.

Who are your influences?

The Waifs, Bob Dylan, Paul Kelly, The Beatles, Neil Young, Ani Difranco, Gillan Welch, Ryan Adams, Angus & Julia Stone, Rosie Burgess Trio.

Have you had many gigs recently?

Recently we haven’t had many gigs because we’ve been focusing on recording and rehearsing. Aside from the upcoming launch, we’re playing a show on May 12 in Ballarat, on 17 August at Martians Café in Deans Marsh and 18 Aug at The Loft in Warrnambool. I’m sure there’ll be plenty more to come for 2012 though.

You’re about to have a gig to launch your EP, what have you got planned for the night and what can people expect to see/hear on the night?

We have two fabulous supports. Lauren Glezer is a good friend with a soulful, husky voice and a very honest, beautiful songwriting style. Lauren and I are in a songwriters’ collective together and she’s the sort of performer you just can’t take your eyes off. Lauren and I are planning on doing a song or two together on the night. Then there’s Oh! Pep. One of the members, Paddy Montgomery, lives at the house in Brunswick where I recorded the EP. He played mandolin on the song “Home” and bazuki on “Growing Old”.

Then Little Wise will be playing a set which will include all the songs from the EP and more. It will be the official launch of the full Little Wise band, so people who know the tunes will be surprised by the way our sound has been transformed. People who haven’t heard the music before can expect lush sounds and sensitive arrangements, storytelling songs and my new band’s impressive musicianship.

If you could share a stage with any band in the world who would you choose?

This is a tricky one because all the bands that come to mind would leave me shaking in my boots and unable to perform… But I’d have to say The Waifs. Hopefully I’d play it cool enough to keep it together! I just have such a deep love and connection to their music.

What are your career highlights so far?

Supporting the Rosie Burgess Trio a couple of times last year; even though Rosie’s a good friend, I have an enormous amount of respect for her music and as such it was a great honor.  Recording the EP with producer Aurora Jane was definitely a big highlight, as is launching it with the full band.

If a crowd comes to see Little Wise perform live what will they go away remembering?

People usually remember the banjo. It’s a relatively quirky instrument, even though it has gained a lot of popularity in the last few years with bands like Mumford & Sons hitting the scene. I’m not even a great banjo picker or anything… I play it more like a guitar really. But people always comment and remember it.

I think people also go away remembering my voice, perhaps some lyrics that resonated with them and sometimes my height, being very short, is a point of interest to people too.

You’ve just about to release a new EP. What can people expect to hear on it?

The Moments of Clarity is my debut EP, and as such is a collection of new and old songs. There’s a lot of variety style-wise on it. The title track is more of a hooky folk-pop song that slowly swells and builds slowly throughout the song. Home is folky with mandolin and an athmospheric 5 part trombone section. Then there’s Ride Now which is more of a blues-rock tune which takes some people by surprise a little. Growing Old is a sort of Beatles-meets REM- meets The Waifs with a quirky sort of bazuki part that gives it a bit of a world music edge. The final track Red Guitar is a lot roomier, moodier and mystical than the rest of the record, it’s probably clear that it was produced by someone else, Joel Witenberg.

What was the process like recording the EP?

The recording process was a big learning curve for me. Prior to that, I hadn’t really had any studio experience. It was amazing getting to work with Jane (Aurora Jane), she has decades of experience and she knew exactly how to nurture me in the process. The recording environment was very relaxed, it was all done in Aurora Jane’s Brunswick bungalow out the back of a blue house filled with many musician house-mates. It was summer time and there’s a beautiful garden there with banana trees and a pond, which provided a good environment for breaks, eating delicious meals and getting the creative juices flowing. Jane and her housemates (and their many musician guests) were nothing but encouraging and inspiring.

Because I didn’t have a band that stage, I was lucky enough to have some excellent musician friends I could call on to make guest appearances on the record. These included Alex Burkoy (Tinpan Orange) on bass, Sam Lohs (Fruit, RBT) on drums and backing vocals, Rosie Burgess (RBT) ripped out a gutsy harmonica solo on Ride Now, Jude Perl played keys, Lou Cumming (Poco La Pax) played trombone and Paddy Montgomery played mandolin and bazuki. Jane played a lot of instruments too. Because the songs had never been played as a full band before, we had to use a lot of imagination, adding the parts layer by layer.

Where do you hope Little Wise ends up in 2012? What are you short term goals? What are your long term goals?

In the short term I hope to get as many people as possible to the album launch and I’d like to get the band playing as tight as possible.

Long term I’d love to play some festivals and do some touring. There’s a possibility of a small tour later this year so keep your ears and eyes out for it!

Where do you play live so people can come to see you?

So far Little Wise has played at venues such as the Wesley Anne, 303, Gershwin Room and other live music venues around Melbourne. People should catch our launch at the Curtin on the 30^th and the other shows out of Melbourne mentioned above. There’ll be plenty more shows around Melbourne this year.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about Little Wise?

The EP will be available for purchase online via bandcamp, at gigs, and from selected stores including Pure Pop Records- St Kilda, Readings- Malvern and Carlton stores, Sunflower Bookshop Elsternwick.

We’re searching for someone to make a high quality video recording on the night of the launch.. if you know anyone who can help us out, let us know! Thanks!

Do you have a website people can check out?

Follow us on

FB: facebook.com/LittleWiseMusic

Twitter: LittleWiseMusic

Hear music on bandcamp: littlewise.bandcamp.com

Website: www.littlewise.com.au

Dave Griffiths

Firstly Liz, thanks for agreeing to do this, I’ll start by asking about your new album, Warm In The Darkness, what can people expect to hear on it?

This album is a full band album, very different to my stripped back, solo album Tides of Time released a couple of years ago. The songs are quite poppy and there are lots of guitars, a horn section, backing vocals and keys as well

What influenced you while writing for it? What was the process like putting it together?

I always draw from a lot of influences; from people around me, stories I hear, things I’ve read. I think being on the road a lot has topped up the inspiration bank a fair bit because I’ve come across people and situations I usually would never have met or experienced. That helps you to view the world from different perspectives as a writer.

You’re touring to promote the album, what do you love about touring, what do you hate?

I love the travel aspect; seeing different places and the constant movement which, although sometimes tiring, is also for the most part energising for me. I hate losing the keys to the hire van which I did recently. Not good.

Do you still get nervous before shows? Any pre-stage rituals?

I do get nervous, yes. I’m more nervous before some gigs than others but there doesn’t seem to be any pattern to that nervousness, it’s quite random. I try and get a little bit of time (even if it’s only a couple of minutes) completely to myself before I go on stage to gather my thoughts and think about what I’m about to do. But apart from that I don’t have any rituals, no.

You’ve played at some pretty big festivals recently…do you prefer big festival shows or intimate pub shows?

It depends on the atmosphere at the time. Sometimes a smaller group of people in a smaller space can generate a much bigger and more inspiring energy than a big crowd at a festival venue and sometimes the opposite is true. That’s one of the great and elusive things about live music. Every situation is different and every gig has the potential to be something really special.

Would you have to say that the Sydney Opera House was one of the best venues you have ever played at?

I toured with Eric Bibb playing solo supports for him a couple of years ago. I got to play at some beautiful old theatres like the Enmore in Sydney and the Palais in Melbourne. The acoustics in those places are amazing. The Opera House was definitely up there though, yeah!

You’ve toured with the likes of Mia Dyson and Ash Grunwald but if you could choose to share the stage with any artist/band in the world who would you choose and why?

I’d love to play with Bonnie Raitt. I have so much respect for her as a guitar player particularly.

How has earning the Music Career Building Grant from Arts Victoria helped you out?

It helped me to make an album without the full on pressures of trying to fund it completely myself. That allowed me to put all of my energy into the creative processes.

What was your reaction when you first heard that you had won it?

Very happy and somewhat surprised. I had to read it a couple of times!

So where to next for Liz Stringer? What are your short term goals? What are your long term goals?

Short term goals are to tour the album and try and get it to a wider audience than my previous albums. Long term I’d like to get back to Germany (where I used to live) to start playing more regularly over in Europe.

Where will people be able to pick up copies of Warm In The Darkness from?

Copies are available from my website (www.lizstringer.com), the Vitamin Records website (www.vitamin.net.au) and from most music shops. The record is also available on iTunes along with all my other releases.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about Liz Stringer?

I’ll let my music do the talking, I think!

Do you have a website people can check out?

www.lizstringer.com

Liz Stringer’s Tour Dates are as follows:

Thurs 12 April, 2012 – Readings Books & Music St Kilda, St Kilda, VIC
6.30pm In-store (free)
Fri 13 April @ Basement Discs, Melbourne, VIC, 12:30pm In-store (free)
Fri 13 April @ I Dream a Highway, Northcote, VIC, 6pm In-store (free)
Sat 14 April @- Pure Pop Records, St Kilda VIC, 6pm In-store (free)
20-22 April – Apollo Bay Music Festival, Apollo Bay, VIC
www.apollobaymusicfestival.com
Thurs 26 April @ Republic Bar, Hobart, TAS , 9pm $10 at the door
www.republicbar.com With special guest Van Walker
Fri 27 April @ Red Hot Music, Devonport, TAS , 7.30pm, $25 door; ticket bookings via RED HOT MUSIC Ph (03)64242286 or (03)64249816
With special guest Van Walker
Sat 28 April @ Wheatsheaf Hotel, Thebarton, SA, 9pm $15 at the door With special guest Van Walker
Thurs 3 May @ ANU Bar, Canberra, ACT 8pm $15 at the door, www.anuunion.com.au With special guest Van Walker and Julia & The Deep Sea Sirens
Fri 4 May @ Grand Junction Hotel, Maitland, NSW 8:30pm Free entry.
With special guest Van Walker
Sat 5 May @ Camelot Lounge, Marrickville, NSW 7:30pm $20
www.camelotlounge.com With special guest Liz Martin
Sun 6 May @ Yours And Owls, Wollongong, NSW 7pm $15
www.yoursandowls.com.au With special guest Jeremy Edwards and
Julianne Henry
Fri 11 May @ Mullum Music Presents, @ The Bowlo, Mullumbimby, NSW $15
www.mullummusic.com Support : TBA
Sat 12 May @ No. 5 Church St, Bellingen, NSW 8:30pm $12
With special guest Van Walker
Fri 18 May @ Railway Express, Parap, NT 8:30pm $20
www.railwayexpress.org With special guest Van Walker
Sat 19 May @ Five Rivers Medicine Show – The Hoochery, Kununurra, WA
Tix $50 from the Hoochery and The Kununurra Visitors Centre
Fri 25 May @ Five Rivers Medicine Show – The Boab Inn, Derby, WA Tix $50+bf from the Boab Inn and the Derby Visitors Centre
Sat 26 May @ Five Rivers Medicine Show – Divers Tavern, Broome WA,
Tix $35+bf from Divers Tavern and Chunes of Broome
Thurs 31 May @ Fly By Night – Fly Trap, Fremantle, WA 7pm Pre-sale $18.50 inc BF. Door $23.50 inc BF www.flybynight.org With special guest Van Walker
Fri 1 June @ Indie Bar, Scarborough, WA 8:30pm $10 at the door
With special guests Van Walker, Miche Suite
Sun 3 June @ Redcliffe on Murray, Pinjarra, WA Afternoon, Free entry
With special guest Van Walker
Fri 8 June @ Lyonville Hall, Lyonville, VIC 8pm $15 www.trybooking.com/BHKB With special guest Van Walker
Sun 10 June @ Corner Hotel – QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY EVE
MELBOURNE LAUNCH, Richmond, VIC
$20+bf www.cornerhotel.com With special guest TBA
Fri 22 June @ Caravan Music Club, Oakleigh, VIC, 8pm $27 + BF (reserved seat), $22 + BF (GA), $25 (door) www.caravanmusic.com.au Support : Van Walker
Sat 23 June @ Meeniyan Town Hall, Meeniyan, VIC 8pm $25 members & concession, $30 full price www.lyrebirdartscouncil.com.au Support : Van Walker

Dave Griffiths

Okay let’s ask the big question first… true or false that the name of your band actually comes from a ‘term’ used for monkey penises? If true, how the hell did that come about?

True. James Feros, our lead guitarist, was watching a documentary on proboscis monkeys from Borneo. If you look down at the male’s nether regions you’ll certainly discover a phallus that resembles a red rocket. We all found this to be the perfect name for our band.

The lost couple of years has been epic for you guys, what has been the highlight for you?

I guess the biggest highlight so far was playing with Tumbleweed and You am I at last years Reclink Cup.  Playing The Birthday Party songs as our homage to Nick Cave is a fond memory.

Did you have to pinch yourself when you saw your clip on the legendary ‘Rage’? Did you stay up to see it on TV?

The director of the clip “Rupert Porter” and myself were at a party. Rage just so happened to be on in the background so we had a peak. To be honest it was a tad surreal and ridiculous. I don’t think one can ever get used to seeing themselves on the screen. It’s like when you hear your voice being recorded, most people hate the sound of their own voice. It’s very similar when you see yourself, you kind of want to just look away.

So tell us about your new EP, ‘Ham’… what can people expect to hear on it?

I think the main drive of “Ham” is a Rock N Roll that doesn’t hold back.. It’s fast, relentless and drives like a teenager going for a joy ride.

What was influencing you as you were writing it? What was the process like putting it together?

The biggest change in our approach to this EP was the fact that everyone in the band was delivering a chunk of themselves in the writing process. In the first album it was mainly the two James and myself writing all our songs. This time round everyone was involved and that can definitely be heard on “Ham”.  I think it sounds richer and has more of a spicy flavour to it.

I’ve heard that the EP will be available on USB stick at some venues… what was the thoughts behind releasing it that way?

The EP will be on a limited issue of Red Rocket USB sticks. We’ve made 250 and will be selling them at our launch at The Northcote Social Club on the 11^th May. It will also be available on iTunes. We made the decision to release it this way because frankly we are over the sound of digital. We recorded the songs digitally so we thought we might as well release it digitally. CDs are so on the way out.  We only want to record to tape and print on vinyl from now on( of course we will release everything on digital format as well). The sound is much warmer for the kind of music we play.  At least with these rocket USBs we are actually giving our punters something useful. After loading our songs they can wipe them and use the stick whichever way they see fit. Feels great to finally give something that is practical.

So where to next for the Red Rockets Of Borneo? Where do you hope to end up in 2012? What are you short term goals? What are your long term goals?

Our lead guitarist, James Feros is going overseas for about four months at the end of July so our main objective is to start working on our second album before he goes. We recently built a sound studio and are very keen to attack our new material. I think festivals are the key for us and we will endeavor to get ourselves out amongst the crowds towards the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013. I think due to our strong bond as a band and friends, Red Rockets of Borneo will be around for a long time yet.

Where do you play live so people can come to see you?

We’ve been playing live at many venues around Melbourne for the past two years. After our launch on Friday, the next show is a fundraiser for Toll/Coles Somerton workers put on by the National Union of Workers at Trades Hall on the 8^th June. I think we have gigs coming up at ‘Yah Yahs’, ‘The Tote’ and hopefully at ‘The Old Bar’ once again. I guess we’ll be aiming to gig as much as we can before the talented Mr Feros says Bon Voyage.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about the Red Rockets Of Borneo?

I think the main thing to know about Red Rockets of Borneo is that we are an incredibly fun live band. We don’t hold back and are always having a great time on stage. We’re close friends and this is extremely obvious when you see us performing.

Do you have a website people can check out?

Our website is coming soon to computers near you. But in the meantime you can check out our bandcamp page… redrocketsofborneo.bandcamp.com

Dave Griffiths

Luke can you let us know a little about yourself as a musician? When did you discover your love for music? How long have you been in the industry

I have been playing music for about 18 years and active in the industry for about 6 years. I have played guitar for pop group “Scarlett Belle”, Reigan Derry, The Perfect Revolution, Adam Katz, and dozens of emerging singers. I have also completed 2 national tours with The Perfect Revolution and supported the likes of Gyroscope, Juke Kartel, The Butterfly Effect, Tame Impala and Bag Raiders. I released my first EP “Seasons” in 2010, the success of which lead me to actively pursue a solo career. Since making that decision in September 2011 I have began work on my new record “Here and Now” which was released in March and followed by a national tour.

How long have you been playing with your current live band?

As a group we have played together since the beginning of this tour.

Tim Hamblin (Drums) – we have played together since the first day I went solo

Ben Kershaw (Bass/Guitars) – plays with “The Perfect Revolution” so we have played music together for about 6 years. He came on board with this project in preparation for the “Here and Now” Tour

Jackson Barclay – has come on board for the Melbourne and Adelaide legs of this tour due to the unavailability of my regular guitarist

How would you describe your sound?

Acoustic driven pop. It draws upon influences from rock, country, blues and pop music but consistently maintains the featured role of the acoustic guitar.

Who are your influences?

John Mayer, Colbie Caillat, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts

Have you had many gigs recently?

I began the “Here and Now” Tour on 31^st March and have played almost every day since, doubling up on several of them.

You recently did a whole bunch of shows in the U.S. can you describe what that is like?

The USA was amazing. My favourite place to perform was definitely Memphis. There is such a rich culture of music there that is truly inspiring. I also loved playing in Nashville and LA.

If you could share a stage with any band in the world who would you choose?

John Mayer hands down

You’re just embarking on your ‘Here And Now’ Tour, are you nervous?

Yeah I suppose there are a few nerves there, not so much about playing, but rather the response I’ll get from playing these new songs to new people around the country.

You’re doing a gig in Beaconsfield in Victoria, are you looking forward to it? Why are you looking forward to it?

I am so pumped about coming to Beaconsfield. I have never been there before and have already been swamped by people saying they are excited for me to come down. I understand that is also shares that rich love of music that I described before so I am very excited to party with the folks from Beaconsfield.

You’re also doing some school visits… what do you normally do at these visits?

With school visits there are two focuses. Obviously I am trying to promote the new music, but for me it is also about inspiring young people who have a passion for music or who may have never given it a second thought. Growing up I played in church with a couple of guys who recently won a bunch of ARIA’s, and they gave me that same inspiration that I hope to bring to students at every school I visit.

What are your career highlights so far?

Playing at Easterfest in Toowoomba has definitely been a highlight as it is one of the biggest festivals in Australia. Launching my EP to my home crowd was also pretty amazing.

If a crowd comes to see Luke Robinson perform live what will they go away remembering?

One huge party.

You’ve just released a new EP. What can people expect to hear on it?

People can expect to hear me, where I am at the moment in my life. There are good times and bad times but always an attitude of looking forward through any situation. There will be loud songs and soft songs and everything inbetween.

What was the process like recording the EP?

One of the best experiences of my life. We pretty much went into lockdown for a week and the creative juices just started flowing. I felt like we discovered not only the songs, but the sound that is Luke Robinson at present.

Where do you hope Luke Robinson ends up in 2012? What are you short term goals? What are your long term goals?

My biggest goal is simply that my music is exposed to as many people as possible, and they it impacts each of them personally.

I am also hoping to return to the USA later this year to tour with some good friends of mine.

Where do you play live so people can come to see you?

I am performing all over Australia as part of this tour. All dates are available on my website.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about Luke Robinson?

My brand new single: New Year, New Place is available on iTunes and the video clip can be viewed on Youtube.

Do you have a website people can check out?

www.lukerobinsonsound.com

www.facebook.com/lukerobinsonsound

Twitter: @LukeRSound

Luke Robinson is peforming one show in Victoria (at Beaconsfield) as part of ‘Here And Now Tour’. The concet is being held at Lighthouse (in BBC), cnr Old Princes Highway & Desmond Court, Beaconsfield. This is a free event but there is a door list operating on the night so if you would like a double pass just contact subculturemedia@yahoo.com or ring 0401810437.

Dave Griffiths

Hi guys can you tell us the names of the members of Waverley and what are their roles?

- Darius Papak: VOX & Guitar – Daniel Papak: Guitar & VOX – Lee Daniel: Drums – Andrew McManus: Bass

How long have Waverley been playing together? Can you tell us how you originally formed? Where did your name come from?

In it’s current form, Waverley have been playing together for around a year and a bit. Brothers Daniel & Darius have always been writing together, and originally formed Waverley a few years back because we wanted to actually ‘play’ together. We’d always been in separate bands, though we wrote heaps of music together, so it seemed the obvious next step. The name Waverley.. Well seeing all our favorite bands stole all our favorite names, we settled for the suburb we wrote our first EP in. It rolls off the tongue and it has sentiment, even if it’s bitter haha..

How would you describe your sound?

High Energy Grunge Rock

Who are your influences?

A few of each of our influences would be Osker, The Who, Jebediah, Nirvana, Local H, and Violent Soho – But shit, I mean, we just like everything.

Have you had many gigs recently?

Not as many as we’d like while we’ve been preparing for each launch, but we’re ramping it up as soon as the albums out. Can’t fuckin wait to play more shows!

If you could share a stage with any band in the world who would you choose?

I’m a sucker for my favorite band, it wouldn’t fit entirely but I’m gonna have to say (if they were all still around) The Beatles.

What are your career highlights so far?

Recording this album, making our film clips and the two single launches so far. It’s just been fuckin fun, and it’s amazing to see people getting into it.

If a crowd comes to see Waverley perform live what will they go away remembering?

That was intense.

You’re about to release a new album. What can people expect to hear on it?

A lot of raw emotion. A good blend of Rock, Grunge and even a hint of Punk we listened to growin up and lovin music through the 90′s. It’s intense to play it so I’d say it’s intense to listen to it, but most of all there’s just a lot of ‘real’ shit.

What was the process like recording the album?

With a line up change prior to the recording of the album, we spent a bit of time getting to know each others styles and changing up the songs to be something we were all pumped about. That was fun and an amazing experience. Recording was a shorter process but working with the Hothouse Audio guys Craig & Jez is a breeze, they have their shit down-pat. Especially working with Jez, he has a knack for knowin exactly what your saying you want no matter how shitty you explain it.. I can’t wait to work with him again.

Are you nervous about the album’s release?

Yes and no.. These things are always a bit nerve racking especially releasing an album independently. It can cost a bit of money and you put your heart and soul into it, but in so many ways no too. We’re all fuckin happy with the way the album has turned out, and that alone is a major and important part of the process. There’s nothing worse than getting to the end of a recording process to not be happy with what you end up with.

Where do you hope Waverley ends up in 2012? What are you short term goals? What are your long term goals?

Playing shit loads of shows and makin people just connect with our music. As for the long term, we just wanna be able to keep doin it, releasing albums and playing shows to people who wanna listen. We have a lot more we wanna say and portray. The only thing better than writing a song that ‘feels right’ and portrays exactly what you wanted to say, is hearing someone else say ‘That’s exactly how I feel’.

Where do you play live so people can come to see you?

All around. Being based in Melbourne we mostly play in Melbourne, and we tend to frequent bars and pubs in the inner city suburbs. Yah Yah’s – The Brunswick Hotel – Noise Bar, places like that. But once the albums out we intend to play anywhere and everywhere. We’re releasing the Album at the Empress Hotel on the 30^th March.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about Waverley?

We’re just four dudes, four good friends, we love making and playing music, we’re real, and between the four of us we’ve been through and seen all the same shit everyone else has, so it doesn’t matter if you’re seein us live or listening to our record, we’re gonna make you feel feelings.

Do you have a website people can check out?

You can get to all our websites through www.waverleyband.com

Dave Griffiths

Hi guys can you tell us the names of the members of Briscoe and what are their roles are?

Bart – guitar and vocals,

Dave – Bass,

Kate – keys and vocals,

Jacob – guitar and vocals,

Dee Dee – synth and percussion and vocals,

Ross – drums

How long have Briscoe been playing together? Can you tell us how you originally formed? Where did your name come from?

We’ve been together since late 2010. I was playing drums in a band called Kid Confucius until we split in April of that year, and Briscoe coalesced from of a bunch of newly homeless songs and some great friends I was playing with in another band called Dusker. I think the original intention was just to record songs myself, throw them up online and never gig, meaning I wouldn’t have to actually learn to play guitar or sing. But my ambition for the band grew as the months went by and I ended up thinking that it was a chicken-shit attitude never to stand on stage in judgment alongside your art.

How would you describe your sound?

Pop/rock/country/soul, heavy on the harmonies, bit of synth, bit of grit, getting better all the time.

Who are your influences?

Beck, Bowie, the Beatles, Springsteen, Neil Young, Marvin Gaye, LCD Soundsystem, Wilco… pretty much old bastards

Have you had many gigs recently?

We’ve just finished a run of shows in support of our first single, Animal. They were our first ever shows and they were well received which is a massive relief. I was totally confident in the other guys but I’d never played guitar or fronted a band on stage before, and after a year and a half of working our arses off on the record and in the rehearsal room, a lot of anxious pressure built up behind the gigs. Up until that first show it felt a bit like having built a house without inspecting the foundation structure. The slab seems ok though, you should come check it out.

If you could share a stage with any band in the world who would you choose?

I just asked Dee and she said “Sufjan, obviously”. That’s about right.

What are your career highlights so far?

Well in Briscoe, the highlight would probably have been the Sydney Animal launch at GoodGod Small Club where we played with The Ray Mann Three. The venue is a winner, the crowd was so excellent and tRM3 were great as always. To tell you the truth I have real trouble remembering anything specific about our actual shows, they’re complete blurs of sweat and lights and sound. I just come away with a feeling and that one felt really good.

If a crowd comes to see Briscoe perform live what will they go away remembering?

Hopefully they’ll remember the songs, or bits of them at least. Though we have been doing a pretty sweet cover and we get a lot of “hey that song was effing awesome, yeah that was my favourite”. Ha! Half funny, half demoralizing.

You’ve just released ‘Animal’. For those who haven’t already heard it what can they expect to hear when they give it a listen?

A lament, a slow build then an alt-country explosion.

Caz & The Doctor at Triple J have been showing love for ‘Animal’ how did you first feel when you heard the praise? Does it feel like a dream that you are getting radio play?

It’s definitely nice of them to take the time to write about the song and we appreciate it, but I’m no more excited than when my brother says he loves the song. It’s so easy to let your expectations get out of control in this game when you get a little recognition, so this time around I’m just trying to make sure that WE are happy with the music. If that can be enough, you’re cheering.

In terms of radio, I don’t think the Js have actually played us yet so in that sense it does feel like a dream but I heard it on FBi the other day while I was stuck behind a really slow driver and it definitely zenned me out.

 What was the process like recording your new stuff?

My most recent experiences recording with Kid Confucius were big productions in big studios with a lot of people having their say on the final product. I was keen to keep this record on the self-produced home studio vibe. We recorded pretty much everything at my place onto a laptop with a couple of excursions to friends’ pianos. Then when I realised my computer wasn’t powerful enough to deal with so many tracks, we took it all to Luke Bertoz at Zapata Studios in Coogee to mix it. He did some magic stuff with the songs.

Are you nervous about the album’s release later this year?

I’m not nervous at all.

 Where do you hope Briscoe ends up in 2012? What are you short term goals? What are your long term goals?

Personally I just want to play live as much as possible and as far and as wide as possible, and that means being able to break even which is hard. I hope that by the end of the year, we are widely enough known and well enough regarded that we can play tons of shows all around Australia that’ll pay for themselves. Long-term is as above, replacing “Australia” with “the world”.

Where do you play live so people can come to see you?

We’re on a little hiatus but will be back in May playing plenty of east coast dates so keep an eye on the Facething and the blog

 Is there anything else you would like people to know about Briscoe?

If you like Animal you can get it on iTunes.

Do you have a website people can check out?

briscoeinyourears.blogspot.com

Dave Griffiths

Kira can you let us know a little about yourself as a musician? When did you discover your love for music? How long have you been in the industry

I’ve always loved music. I was writing songs on my first little, two-octave Casio when I was 3 or 4….I was also making mud pies around that time too. I suppose I could’ve been a baker, there’s probably more money in it.

Who are members of The Bruise and what are their roles?

There’s Chas on the kit, Jamieson on the bass and Geordie on guitar, however, their roles in the band extend far beyond the instruments they play. For instance, they’re really good at telling me when to stop drinking.

How long have The Bruise been playing together? Can you tell us how you originally formed? Where did your name come from?

Well I’ve been saying ‘two years’ for about a year now…so I suppose it’s probably three. I held some “Bachelorette” style auditions for the band soon after I realised I couldn’t play more than one instrument at a time.

It took us a really long time to find a name that we could all agree on. The Bruise started as a joke after a mispronunciation of the word ‘blues’, and by comparison it was the best. People often ask if it’s “The Bros” with a bad imitation NZ accent. I sometimes wonder how stupid people think I actually am.

How would you describe your sound?

People like to use the (Diva) meets (Band) approach.  ”Amy Winehouse meets Sonic Youth”

We’re heading away from the sound people probably know of us to experiment with different tones, rhythms, textures, techniques and writing styles. In the end, I suppose we’re a mash-up, a meeting place for our respective tastes and influences.

Someone once said we were like a ‘musical argument’. That seems apt.

Who are your influences?

Well obviously I’m influenced by the great divas: Etta, Aretha, Ella, Nina, Billie, Ruth and the list goes on. Our collective influences though are a little more contemporary…. Radiohead, Grizzly Bear, Portishead, The National, Dangermouse, Leonard Cohen, The Bad Seeds, Angelo Badalamenti, Jeff Buckley, Mark Ronson, The Arctic Monkeys, Battles, Bjork, The Drones, PJ Harvey, The White Stripes, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs… and Peter Combe.

Have you had many gigs recently?

It feels like we’re always gigging. Last year we did a ‘residency tour’ which went over about six months and clocked up some serious kms on our car. This year, we’re scaling it back a bit to give us more time in the studio.

If you could share a stage with any band in the world who would you choose?

Weird Al.

What are your career highlights so far?

We just released our first film clip. That’s a milestone for me.

If a crowd comes to see Kira Puru & The Bruise perform live what will they go away remembering?

If you’re a good alcoholic, you won’t remember any of it.

You’ve just released a new single. What can people expect to hear on it?

We spent a little more time and money on this one. We’ve moved forth from the ‘gritty’ and ‘live’ thing that we did on the last EP and went for a slicker sound. The boys sing on it too….they have lovely singing voices.

What was the process like recording the single?

We recorded it with Mark Opitz at 301 in Sydney. The studio is big and shiny and intimidating…but it’s a great room, Mark was great and the guys from 301 are excellent to work with. The Jezabels were upstairs recording their current album and Matt Corby was out the back doing his latest EP. There was also a lot of ping-pong played in the courtyard.

Where do you hope Kira Puru & The Bruise ends up in 2012? What are you short term goals? What are your long term goals?

You sound like my manager. We’re hoping to get overseas at some point. We’re always keen to play festivals. My most important goal right now is working on the next release. We’re spending a lot of time writing and arranging the new songs and I’m excited to see how they’ll end up. The anticipation leading up to recording is sickening. Right now we’re motivated by making good music that we can stand by, that’s my long and short term goal.

Where do you play live so people can come to see you?

We’re playing at the Tote on March 30 for the ‘When All Your Love is Not Enough’ tour. You can ‘like’ our facebook to get regular updates on where we’ll be.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about Kira Puru & The Bruise?

I’d like to dispel that rumour that we’re Freemasons.

Do you have a website people can check out?

facebook.com/kirapuruandthebruise

myspace.com/kirapurumusic

triplejunearthed.com/kpandthebruise

Dave Griffiths

The Gracemakers Kent Morris and Tiffany Kommedal   first single Blanket has been released to radio last week. The track has been lifted off their previous four track self titled release- an Ep that has been a year in the making.
‘We set about writing songs without having any idea of how they would sound stylistically. Tiffany (Kommedal) drives the content of the songs lyrically as well as emotional and I work on guitar duties.’
‘It really is a good song-writing relationship. We click really well on what a  song should be about and how it should be structured. It’s always been that way with us from when we first started working together,’ he explains.
Kent has been involved in writing music for TV, film and other performers, what has he enjoyed the most? He thought for a moment and was unable to go to either corner. Music is the appeal, whatever genre he is writing for.
He has crossed referenced so many styles, rock, folk, electronica, I wondered about Folk?
Was he just getting that bit older and it suited his personality?
‘That was the style that really suited Tiff’s songs I found it really quite different and challenging.’
Have you had to buy some beads to fit in with the folk image?
“Yes and no.’ (He laughs).
When you write music do you write it in silence?
‘How else do you write it?”
I ventured people tick, people hum, people click, people slap guitars.
‘I love silence. Silence is the go. The best time for me to write music is when there is silence.’
So what is the best environment for you to write music? A comfy chair, sitting under a tree, sitting on the edge of your bed?
‘The comfy chair would have to be the way to go for me.’
Being a “folk” guy would your chair be blue?
‘It’s actually an old Chinese, wooden bench with rough branch legs. It’s really beautiful.’
As an Indigenous arts officer, Kent is currently curator of the Confined 4 exhibition  on display at The Gallery, St Kilda Town Hall from February 8 to March 7. that features artworks from Indigenous prisoners in Victoria’s prisons.
Travelling to eleven of Victoria’s prisons Kent was able to source the stunning artwork for the exhibition.
What were the greatest juxstapositions in selecting work? Was he expecting angry paintings of red and black,  or did you get a painting of delicate skill from some-one in gaol for murdering someone?
‘One of the things that really hit me was the richness and power of Aboriginal culture. One of the things that really surprised me was the ingenuity of many of the artists, in often such confining environments.
Who surprised you the most?
‘There was one guy there with a history of social isolation, he’d lost his family connections, he’d been adopted, he was really alone, when I saw him he was coping other people’s artwork. I wanted him to work on his own. Develop he own styles.  happened to be back months later and I saw this most stunning piece of work. It was a work featuring the faces of elders, all in black on this vivid yellow background. It was sensational!’
What is the age range of the artists?
“From eighteen up to 60 years fo age.
‘Will there be anyone coming out of prison who will now be able to make a career as an artist?
Definitely. There is a huge potential for some of the fellows who are out to make a success of it!’
What’s the secret to all this energy of yours?
‘Dry organic figs.’

Blanket and The Gracemakers EP are now available on iTunes.

www.facebook.com/thegracemakers | www.myspace.com/thegracemakers

Peter Sutton

Hi Paul, thanks for taking the time to do this. Can you tell us a little about yourself as a musician and who the members of The Mayblooms and what are their roles?

I fronted an Alt Country/Rock band for the last 5 years called ‘Cooper Street Exit’  and am now embarking on a record with a bunch of different musos who are ‘The Mayblooms’. The guys are made up of members from bands such as a punk rock band called ‘Waverley’, an ambient prog/folk outfit called ‘Autumn Gray’, my brother, and couple of guys from bands of yesteryear.

How long have you been playing together? Can you tell us how you originally formed? Where did your name come from?

The Mayblooms as a band are less than twelve months old. As musicians, we’ve all wanted to play together for years but didn’t have the right project for it. It was when I decided I wanted to record a solo album post ‘Cooper Street Exit’ that we realised it would most likely work. As far as the name goes, The Mayblooms was taken from The Hawthorn football club. Before 1943, they were known as the Mayblooms and supposedly changed their name because it was a bit ‘soft’. But I’m for all things soft, so we claimed it.

How would you describe your sound?

The whole point of the solo record was to throw any ideas of what style I wanted to sound like out the window. Naturally through the recording process though, we found a cohesive sound that though diverse, fits nicely together as a whole. Davin (producer) and myself really wanted to make our own version of Augie March’s ‘Sunset studies’. And while we would never say we’ve made something as stunningly beautiful as Sunset Studies, it was a great yardstick. Mix Augie March’s Ambiance  with Ryan Adams’ Alt Countryness and you’ll find something like the Mayblooms.

Who are your influences?

I unfortunately don’t have that uber cool rock story where I can tell you I was brought up on nothing but Beatles and Stones records. I only ever listened to my first Beatles record at the age of 21. There was two options in our house. Creedence Clearwater revival or Cliff Richard Circa 1986. Although I can hear the meld of these two acts in my music, it would be people I discovered later in life like Nick Drake, Whiskeytown and Tom Waits that make me keep wanna making music interesting.

Have you had many gigs recently?

We have been super quiet on the gigging front while we’ve been making the record. When you rehearse, you wanna know what you are rehearsing for. If you have too many gigs on the calender you end up trying to focus on making an interesting show rather than focusing on how things should sound on the record. So we really didn’t want to play while making. We have the single launch on Feb 3^rd at the Wesley Anne in Melbourne. After that, im gonna take some time to play interstate and get away for a bit.

If you could share a stage with any band in the world who would you choose?

I’d say Ron Sexsmith, but sharing a stage with him makes you not count at all. That guy is so good live the audience would have long forgotten about who was on before hand. Put me on tour with Wilco. I’ll be happy watching those guys every night.

What are your career highlight so far?

This being a new project, the highlight would have to be hearing the Single blast back through the monitors at Sing Sing studios, right after the mixing process. It sounded tops. More people should have rooms in their houses dedicated to music. But overall, when playing in my previous band ‘Cooper Street Exit’ we built up a reputation as a rocking live band. Whenever we would book a show at The Tote in Collingwood, it would be like a reunion. Everyone knew if it was at The Tote and Cooper Street Exit were playing, it was going to be a great night. They were fun.

If a crowd comes to see Paul McManus & The Mayblooms perform live what will they go away remembering?

Probably not much after all the drinks consumed. For the few that do remember the night, I’d hope they’d like the sincerity of the performance. There’s no following trends to please the people of the latest fad. It’s a bunch of guys playing their music and being super grateful for having people watching it. So I’d say that. And maybe the three part harmonies at the end of ‘Stalled’.

You’re just about to release a new Album. What can people expect to hear on it?

We went for the idea of a mini album. 8 songs. Nothing too long. Moments that reek of Nostalgia, Depression and Sunshine. There’s some sections that sound as delicate as a Neil young Record, and some that are as epic as a Coldplay Crowd Pleaser. The vibe feels as if your walking down a sunny country road, hungover after a night on amphetamines and alcohol. Pleasant, but disconnected.

What was the process like putting together the Album?

Extremely relaxing. We recorded the majority of it live to Analogue tape over a six month period. It was nice to space it out over that time so there was no looking at the clock  then watching your wallet empty because of studio fees. Everyone was in such a rad mind state to record the songs. No one was in a shit period of their lives where their dog had just died or their partner had just left them for someone else. The Hardest part was deciding the tracking order.

Are you nervous about the launch?

Extremely. We are putting final touches on the live show, and being the first one that’s more than just me playing acoustic, I’m very nervous, but oh so excited to be back on the horse that I’d felt I’d fallen off of. That being playing as part of a band.

Where do you hope Paul McManus & The Mayblooms end up in 2012? What are you short term goals? What are your long term goals?

Exactly where we are right now. Enthusiastic and excited about the future. Sure, I’d love the album to do well, be the face of rolling stone and be playing every major festival, but you never know how things will plan out. So short term goals are where its at. Right after the launch in Melbourne, we’ll be heading round Australia, playing and promoting for the album release. There’s also another project of home recordings myself and some friends are working on. Ideally. I don’t wanna be working for the man.

Where do you play live so people can come to see you?

The Wesley Anne in Northcote on Feb 3^rd. The Brunswick hotel on Feb 11^th for a fundraiser ‘The Lighthouse Foundation’ are putting on, and then interstate and regional Victoria. More details to come on those.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about your music?

It sounds great stoned.

Do you have a website people can check out?

www.paul-mcmanus.com

Dave Griffiths

Who are members of The Pretty Littles and what are their roles?

Dave Griffiths