It’s time we introduced you to the terrible two-some touring our shores, well they’re not so terrible actually, they’re quite wonderful. Both masters of their genre we had a quick chat to the musicians about pairing up on tour and how they get along.
Hi Dan, thanks for chatting to us, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?
Hello! I am actually feeling pretty good, a little bit hungover… Just got in the clear of a lingering throat thing. Garlic is the answer! I’m in a Hostel in Canberra, it’s freezing. We had a cool show at The Front Gallery last night as a part of our Autumn 2015 Tour and now we’ve got a couple of days off.
In 2012 you actually taught yourself the recording process, was that a tricky thing to master?
Yes, it was. Technically, it is very difficult, but once you get some results and become familiar with the process, the hardest thing actually becomes the time sharing between the creative and analytical sides of your brain. ‘Does this guitar part work’? vs ‘How do I make it sound great’? Is the constant conversation.
Are you glad you spent the time doing it, so that now you can ensure an even more hands on approach to your releases?
Absolutely, for an independent artist I feel it is essential to know how to record yourself semi-professionally. Money is often an obstacle and if you can eliminate just one aspect of the many financial demands it’s a liberating feeling.
So you’re on your east coast tour with Steve Grady this month, how would you describe Steve in three words?
Indelible, frugal and comical
And how did you two first come across each other?
We met at QUT in Brisbane doing a music course. We just seemed to share the same musical instincts, and initially we really taught each other a fair bit – we still do, of course but back then we were pretty green. Steve didn’t know much about folk or country music and I knew little about pop music.
What sort of difference does touring with Steve make to your performances/demeanour?
It seems to spur on a healthy competitiveness – which only ever makes the music better in my opinion. We get up and play together at the end of each other’s sets, people seem to dig it.
I read that ‘I’ll Live and I’ll Die’ is less autobiographical than your past tracks, does that then make it easier to perform live?
It does lend a certain emotional freedom, in which I can almost get more emotional. Because I’ve created the characters I can allow myself to get inside it without feeling too exposed or self-conscious.
You’ve spoke of the move from Brissie to Melb as a challenging one, are you glad you took the risk?
Definitely! I miss Brisbane for a lot of reasons, but the Melbourne music scene has been really good to me so far. I didn’t really mean to move, it just so happened I tumbled down there with my girlfriend – who was the one who really wanted to go.
Thanks again for the chat, any last words of wisdom you’d like to share?
Keep an eye out for my new album coming out in August!
Hey Steve, thanks for chatting to Forte, how are you and what are you up to at the moment?
Slightly hungover, we just woke up at the YHA in Canberra after playing a show at The Front Gallery last night. Great little cafe/venue
I saw a few days ago you shared a picture of a little ‘cottage by the sea’, are you someone who really takes joy in the little things in life?
As a musician living on the road, you do tend to take joy out of the little things. It’s the little things which provide most of our inspiration for songs and art. Plus the ‘cottage by the sea’ just looked cool!
Congratulations on the EP launch last week as well, is it nice to officially have it out into the world?
Anyone who has made an album/EP would know the relief and feeling you have once you finally put it out. A lot of work and mental stamina goes into making an actual music product. I’m happy it’s out of my hands now.
You’ve partnered up with Dan Parsons again for the tour for it, what was the idea behind getting back together?
I don’t know many other singer songwriters who are willing to tour. Most of them have full time jobs. But really, Dan and I have been good mates for a long time and we both love playing music together. It’s like he “finishes my sentences” in a musical sort of way…
And you toured together back in 2011, did you learn a lot about each other over that time? Any annoying habits we should know of?
Well Dan has a notoriously short attention span, so that makes it difficult 🙂 Plus he eats a lot. We’re having a competition this time of ‘who can put on the most amount of weight on tour’ – he’s winning.
How would you describe Dan in three words?
Ineffable, indescribable and mystical.
Kasey Chambers has often mentioned you as one of her favourite Australian artists, and she even covered your track ‘She Waits ‘Till I’m Asleep’, what did you think of her version of the track?
I love it. First of all it’s crazy to hear Kasey sing one of your own songs. But that song was obviously written about a girl, so it was cool to hear a woman sing it. I never play it but it’s one of my favourites.
You’re quite known as well for your organic approach to music, having played over 300 gigs, do you really enjoy the process of getting to see people face-to-face and hearing what they say about your music?
I just figure if you’re a singer-songwriter you should be working, aka “gigging”. I enjoy the approach, and touring is a great way to meet new people, collect stories, make fans and a great way to see Australia. Dan and I make a habit of if we see a sign while we’re driving which looks cool, we’ll go and see it. Yesterday we checked out the Bradman Museum in Bowral. Such a beautiful looking town.
Thanks again for chatting with us, is there anything else you’d like to add before we finish up?
Drink lots of water and watch our clip about the health benefits of eating garlic on my Facebook page.
When & Where: The Workers Club, Melbourne – May 21 & Babushka Bar, Ballarat – May 22
