So Ollie tell us a little about yourself as a musician? How long have you been playing? What bands/artists have you played with in the past?
I started playing Tuba when I was eight, but I’ve been singing and playing guitar for about four years now. I toured through the U.S for six months in 2010, and was lucky enough to tour Australia with Michael Buble in 2011. That year I also opened for Rai Thistlethwayte, Hank Marvin (The Shadows) and The Black Sorrow’s and was recently voted ‘Australia’s Best Busker’ by mX & VOX Magazine.
How did you get involved in music?
My dear mother told me to learn an instrument in primary school so I picked up Tuba. I later realised that this instrument does not get you laid, so I started singing and playing guitar.
How would you describe your sound?
I’d say it’s a little bit of everything but if I have to put it in a genre, I would say it sounds like folk/alternative country and soft rock.
Who are your influences?
Ryan Adams, Jackson Browne, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, David Gray & Kurt Diercke
Are you exited or nervous about your upcoming tour?
Really excited! There’s nothing better than being on the road.
If you could share a stage with any band/artist in the world who would you choose?
Ryan Adams.
What are your career highlights so far?
Playing at ‘The Bitter End’ in New York City, touring Australia with Michael Buble and just recently being voted ‘Australia’s Best Busker’.
If a crowd comes to see you perform live what will they go away remembering?
My hair.
What do you enjoy about touring? What don’t you like?
I enjoy travelling across the country and playing shows to new people every night. The only thing I don’t like is the hangover that I wake up to most mornings…
You’re about to release a new EP titled ‘Moving On’ what can you tell us about it? What can people expect to hear on it? Tell us a little about the process of putting it together.
I recorded the EP live with pianist Kurt Diercke and Producer Sean Carey at Trackdown Studio’s in Sydney. Kurt plays keys and guitar with me on the road so we basically just walked in to the studio and hit the record button. We decided to make it an acoustic EP (acoustic guitars, piano, strings & vocals) because we wanted the CD to replicate what we are doing as a live act. The EP is available on iTunes or you can come to a show and get a copy from us
Where do you hope you end up in 2012? What are you short term goals? What are your long term goals?
Short term goals are to keep touring the country and making new fans. Long term goals are to not die from malnutrition and to use the major prize from the busking comp and record an album at Studio’s 301.
Aside from your tour is there anywhere you play regularly so people can come and see you?
I tend to play in my hometown (Newcastle) as much as possible at places like Lizotte’s and The Great Northern Hotel. I also play in Sydney pretty regularly too.
Is there anything else you would like people to know about you and your music?
Im 6″ 6′ I’ve got blonde hair, blue eyes and I like short to mid-range walks through the jungle…
Do you have a website people can check out?
www.olliebrown.com
Don’t miss The Firetree and Ollie Brown as they criss-cross the country and perform at a venue near you this Summer :
Thursday 12th January, 2012
Armidale Club, 91 Beardy Street,Armidale, NSW
Free entry Doors open : 8pm.
Friday 20th January 2012
Mars Hill Cafe, 331 Church Street,Parramatta, NSW
$10 Tickets at the door. Doors open : 8pm
Supports : Caitlin Harnett
Saturday 21st January 2012
Carrington Hotel, 47 Katoomba Street, Katoomba, NSW
$10 Tickets at the door. Doors open : 9pm
Friday 27th January 2012
Oxford Arts Factory, 38-46 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst,
Sydney, NSW
Free entry, Doors open : 8pm
Supports : Mardi Pannan
Friday 3rd February ,2012
Yours And Owls, 95a Crown Street, Wollongong, NSW
$8 tickets at the door. Doors open : 8pm
Supports : Bennie James
Saturday 4th February 2012
Front Gallery, 1 Wattle Palce, Lyneham, Canberra, ACT
$10 tickets at the door. Doors open : 8pm
Thursday 23rd February 2012
The Empress Hotel, 714 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy North VIC
$10 Tickets at the door.
Times & supports TBC
Saturday 25th February, 2012
Bended Elbow, 69 Yarra Street, Geelong, VIC
$10 tickets at the door.
Times & supports TBC
Sunday 4th March, 2012
Gleneg Surf Club, The Foreshore, Glenelg, SA
Free entry. Doors open : 5:30pm