Category Archives: Interview

Q&A with Tom West – Traveller & Fortune

Traveller & Fortune are touring in support of their latest single “Little Plastic People”, including a slot at BIGSOUND Live 2012. Tom West took time out for Life Music Media.

:: What track changed your life ::
Probably any number of songs by Ben Harper back in the day.

:: What is your favourite Album ::
Frengers by a Danish band called Mew

:: Name a band or artist we should checkout ::
Mew! Apparently not many people know of them

:: Favourite Quote ::
To be or not to be….. nah!

:: When on tour, you can’t live without ::
Internet

:: When you think of Australia, you think ::
Home… and kangaroos I suppose
Continue reading Q&A with Tom West – Traveller & Fortune →

Interview

Interview with Andrew Spraggon – Sola Rosa

Sola Rosa are embarking on their first tour of Australia since 2010, playing coast to coast (including a stop at BIGSOUND 2012) in support of their new album Low and Behold, High and Beyond. Andrew Spraggon (Production, Keys, Percussion, Gadgets) of Sola Rosa took time out with Life Music Media.

:: What track changed your life ::
Too many to mention really.

:: What is your favourite Album ::
I have a few classic fav’s like Marvin Gayes ‘I Want You’ but I prefer to listen to new stuff as often as possible.

:: Name a band or artist we should checkout ::
Tall Black Guy. He’s my fav producer right now.

:: Favourite Quote ::
“The trick is to have a career and have a family. It’s like having two dogs that hate each other and you have to take them for a walk every night.” – Tom Waits

:: When on tour, you can’t live without ::
The occasional decent meal and eye masks, headphones and a neck pillow. Sleeping on the plane and in the van is impossible without them.

:: When you think of Australia, you think ::
Heat, good food, Coopers Sparkling Ale, Beaches, Nick Cave, good stand up comedy, great music festivals.

:: Worst thing to happen to music is ::
Commercial radio.
Continue reading Interview with Andrew Spraggon – Sola Rosa →

Interview

Interview with James Roden – The City Lights

We caught up with James Roden of The City Lights as they prepare for the launch of their new album ‘I Just Got To Believe’ this September with shows in Sydney and Brisbane.

:: What track changed your life ::
In The City by The Jam.

:: What is your favourite Album ::
Exile on Main Street by The Rolling Stones

:: Name a band or artist we should checkout ::
For younger cats, please see The Sunnyboys at Meredith Festival this year. They were incredible at Dig It Up. For older dudes, please see The Straight Arrows or Royal Headache.

:: Favourite Quote ::
Christopher Hitchens in relation to religion and the supernatural – “”That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence.””

:: When on tour, you can’t live without ::
Comedies on DVD. Non-fiction Books. Beer. Laughs. Phone.

:: When you think of Australia, you think ::
Fantastic animals. Incredible natural beauty. Some beautiful buildings that are always under threat from ‘developers’. A clash between those that appreciate Australia and being alive and those that want to exploit its resources, its animals and its people. But we are lucky to have a stable democracy given how insanely destructive and petty human beings can be. So in short, I think of the beach and that makes me smile.
Continue reading Interview with James Roden – The City Lights →

Interview

Interview with Andrew Levy – The Brand New Heavies

Interview: Stuart Blythe
Legendary British soul funk pioneers The Brand New Heavies return to Australia this September *2012*, playing intimate venues in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The Brand New Heavies’ bassist Andrew Levy chats to LifeMusicMedia.com

 
 
LMM: Hi Andrew, you’ll be performing in Australia this September. What can we expect from your shows?

Andrew: Australia can expect a High Gloss performances from the funk/soul band that delivers like a rock band. A taste of some new material too…. Don’t worry all the hits you know and love will be on the set list as usual!
 
 
LMM: Do you have any special memories of past Australian visits?
Continue reading Interview with Andrew Levy – The Brand New Heavies →

Interview, Stuart Blythe

Interview with MIA DYSON

Interview by Stuart Blythe
After three years in the US, Mia Dyson returns to Australia with her new album “The Moment”. We caught up with Mia as she prepares to kick off her national tour.


LMM: You’ve spent the last few years in the US, how was that experience?

MIA: It was everything from exhilarating, inspiring, adventurous, to lonely, scary, challenging. I have done a lot of growing up having been away from my comfortable, familiar Australian life.
 
 
LMM: For the uninitiated, how do you describe your sound/music?

MIA: Rock and roll, bit bluesy bit country sometimes, bit soul— a very concise description!
 
 
LMM: I understand a fan funding campaign help get your new album “The Moment” up an running?
Continue reading Interview with MIA DYSON →

Interview, Stuart Blythe

Interview with Elliot Margin – The Rubens

Interview by Carl Dziunka
With a couple of successful singles under their belt, and a national tour about to kick off, we chat with Elliott Margin of THE RUBENS.

LMM: Having a group formed with your siblings, is there much rivalry between you?

Elliot: No not at all. Having spent our whole lives together we understand each other really well, what makes each of us tick. We’re great at knowing when to stick the knife in and when to back off.
 
 
LMM: What are the major influences for your music?
Continue reading Interview with Elliot Margin – The Rubens →

Carl Dziunka, Interview

Interview with Charles Wall (aka Bobby Alu) – OKA

Interview by Wanda De Verelle-Hill
OKA will be playing at the brilliant reggae, soul and dub event Island Vibe Festival 2012 on Stradbroke Island this October. We caught up with OKA’s Charles Wall for a chat…

LMM: How is your tour of Canada going?

Charles: EPIC – quite hectic but loving every bit of it. The weather has been perfect. We’ve managed to fly all over the country.
 
 
LMM: What is the music scene like over there?

Charles: It’s rich. There’s a lot of festivals in the summer. Canadians really make the most of their warm weather. So many different bands from all over the world hit North America. There’s a good vibe around with all the quality & different music.
 
  Continue reading Interview with Charles Wall (aka Bobby Alu) – OKA →

Interview, Island Vibe Festival, Wanda Hill

Interview: Mat. McHugh – The Beautiful Girls

Interview by Stuart Blythe
Currently on his “An Evening With The Beautiful Girls” ten-year anniversary tour, Mat. McHugh took time out with Life Music Media.

LMM: You’re currently on your “An Evening With The Beautiful Girls” ten-year anniversary tour.
How’s the tour been so far?

Mat. McHugh: It’s been ok. 3 shows in. I’ve been trying to get my head back in the game. I haven’t played TBG songs for a little while so it’s all about getting the groove back at the moment.
 
 
LMM: It’s the ten-year anniversary tour but also a farewell to The Beautiful Girls moniker and stepping out as Mat. McHugh. Frightening or natural artistic progression?
Continue reading Interview: Mat. McHugh – The Beautiful Girls →

Interview, Stuart Blythe

Interview: Peter Hunt – Kooii

Interview by Wanda De Verelle-Hill
Kooii will be playing at the brilliant reggae, soul and dub event Island Vibe Festival 2012 on Stradbroke Island this October. We caught up with Kooii’s Peter Hunt (vocalist) for a chat…

LMM: I love your Afro beat/funk sound and can’t wait to get up and dance with you at Island Vibe. Do you have any new songs or a new album coming out that you will be playing at the festival this year?

Peter: We’ll be releasing an EP with a few new songs that we recorded at the Tanuki lounge. There’ll hopefully be a few remixes as well, done by friends, of songs from our first two albums.
 
 
Continue reading Interview: Peter Hunt – Kooii →

Interview, Island Vibe Festival, Wanda Hill

Interview : Ingrid Michaelson

Interview by Robert Pugsley
With Ingrid Michaelson visiting our shores for her sophomore tour this September *2012*, our Robert Pugsley asked Ingrid about her new album, television and what lies ahead.

LMM: So tell me about your new album Human Again – the writing process, the recording process, working with David Kahne and what you think of the final product?

Ingrid: David Kahne pushed me to really sing. He asked me why I never sang the way I sing live on recordings. It really sparked something in me and inspired me to write songs that vocally opened me up. And that in turn allowed me to open up in all other ways too. I am very proud of Human Again. I feel like I wanted to do something bolder and stronger and I did.
 
 
LMM: Human Again has charted well and has received positive reviews, E Weekly etc so are you happy with the reception it has received?

Ingrid: I try not to put too much value in reviews, positive or negative. I just want the people who buy my records and come to my shows to love it.
Continue reading Interview : Ingrid Michaelson →

Interview, Robert Pugsley

Interview with Red Revolver ahead of the 4 Walls Festival

LMM: Tell us a little about Red Revolver?

Red Revolver is a young Rock n Roll trio from Brisbane. Our sound is a mixture of many styles and has been described as ‘controlled chaos’. Red Revolver was started with a desire to get people dancing again, which makes our shows fun and energetic.
 
 
LMM: How would you describe your music?
Continue reading Interview with Red Revolver ahead of the 4 Walls Festival →

Interview, Quickies, Stuart Blythe

Interview with The Vernons ahead of the 4 Walls Festival

LMM: Tell us a little about The Vernons?

The Vernons officially formed in May 2011 with 3 members (Jonny, Andrew, James) from the Gold Coast, and one from Brisbane (Elliot). Jonny Nyst (Lead Singer) had been playing acoustic originals for a few years around the Gold Coast area, and the other members of the band came from playing covers gigs on the Gold Coast for our friends. When an opportunity came for Jonny to play an originals gig with a band, we all leapt at the chance, and The Vernons were born. Since then, we have been slowly picking up momentum, playing shows in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, and just recently Sydney.
 
 
LMM: How would you describe your music?
Continue reading Interview with The Vernons ahead of the 4 Walls Festival →

Interview, Quickies, Stuart Blythe

Interview with Bandito Folk ahead of the 4 Walls Festival

Bandito Folk chat with Life Music Media ahead of the 4 Walls Festival.


LMM: Tell us a little about Bandito Folk?

We have been togther for about 18 months, we all met doing music at QUT. Also we have taken Samba Dance Classes together for 15 of those months, which has helped us bond and become good mates. We have recently finished tracking our debut EP which is currently being mixed, this should be available in a few months. We have played at Brisbane Festival Speigletent in 2011, and will be again in 2012. In the last 12 months we have played at Zoo, Powerhouse and Black Bear Lodge, we are looking to do a tour to launch our upcoming EP around Nov-Dec 2012. You can check out our music through Facebook, Youtube and Triple J Unearthed.
 
 
LMM: How would you describe your music?

Epic Indie Folk
 
 
LMM: You’re playing at the 4 Walls Festival in August, are you looking forward to that?
Continue reading Interview with Bandito Folk ahead of the 4 Walls Festival →

Interview, Quickies, Stuart Blythe

Interview with Logan Bell – Katchafire

Katchafire lead vocalist Logan Bell takes time out with Life Music Media.

LMM: You’ve just completed a massive headline tour of the USA, playing quite a few iconic venues. How was that experience?

Logan Bell: The boys have been touring the USA quite hard for the last 7 years, and it has exploded, reggae scene in the USA is huge, our sound has been excepted among Americans and it’s really started to be noticed. We have sold out iconic venues such as The House Of Blues, headlined festivals like the Orange County Fair, and Sierra Nevada festival… All really big shows and amazing experiences!
 
 
LMM: I understand that a documentary is in the making?
Continue reading Interview with Logan Bell – Katchafire →

Interview, Stuart Blythe

Interview: Blu Avenue

Interview by Stuart Blythe
LMM: You’ve recently released your debut album “Sounds From The Escape”
Can you tell us about the song-writing and recording process?

Blu Avenue: We wanted Sounds from the Escape to try and be cohesive and yet have each song tell their own story. The songs themselves were all created at different times and we allowed each one time to evolve into what they became on the album. We gave them a taste of being played live as well as practicing them to get the songs to what they became. Honestly, some of them are still evolving even after recording them!

For us, as far as actually recording the songs, we wanted the sound of the album to emulate how we sound live as much as we could. We wanted the listener to hear our music and to see us live and be able to enjoy the music because it sounds like the album. So with that we set out to keep the sound as organic as possible. We really feel the album is a true representation of our live sound which is what we set out to do!
 
 
LMM: Your first single “Skydown” is getting rotation. For the uninitiated, how do you describe your sound

Blu Avenue: It is really hard for us to put a label on our sound. When you think of a certain genre tag you have an assumption of it will sound like. We love dynamics in our music and having the songs tell stories. For the new fans we normally say we are a progressive band but even then it’s hard for us to call it that! Our songs take different paths dependent on where each song takes us.
Continue reading Interview: Blu Avenue →

Interview, Stuart Blythe