So a friend of mine, a very talented bass player, is studying music in Sydney. She recently had an assignment where she had to interview a music industry person and I was very flattered that she thought of me. I thought I'd post a copy of the interview.
Interview Questions – Ashleigh Southam
1.) How did you become involved in music?
My first memories of music are being fascinated by my fathers LP collection. The people on the covers and the song titles and then what was inside. I was drawn to these things and the act of sitting and listening to the records.
2.) Your instruments are piano, guitar and vocals – how long have you been working at each?
Piano I have been working on for 18 years, Guitar, about 12 and Vocals are relatively young still, about 5 years.
3.) Who are your greatest influences – and why?
I love Nina Simone, for her aguish. I love Bob Dylan for his originality. I love Leonard Cohen for his poetry. Bach for his melodies, Bill Evans for his harmonies and anyone else who performs with their soul.
4.) Are there any other artists (i.e. non-musicians), people, places or anything else that influences and inspires your work?
I love Charles Bukowski’s poetry. Jean Micheal Basquiat’s Paintings are amazing. John Irvings stories, he marries tragedy and comedy so closely it’s brilliant. My Family influences me. My partner is amazing. I am inspired by people close to me and also people who I’ve only ever read about. I love stillness and silence, you can learn a lot about yourself when it’s quiet.
5.) You’ve been in Melbourne for well over a year now – what prompted the move there?
My girlfriend got into the musical Guys and Dolls and as part of her contract we were given accommodation in the middle of town. Seemed like sweet deal, rent free in the middle of Melbourne. Had a lot of time to write without worrying about rent!
6.) How have you found the music scene in Melbourne to be in comparison to Sydney and Christchurch?
There is definitely more going on here. It’s very competitive. There is also a great appreciation for original live music. Sydney has a really great live music scene with lots of good bands but I do feel more of camaraderie between musicians here. Christchurch has a wonderful pool of talented musos and I have many musician friends there. I believe you can make your music in any city, good music is good music regardless of region.
7.) You worked with a variety of musicians on the album. Was this intentional or just circumstantial given you have lived in several different locations over the last few years?
It was more circumstantial I think. The album came about rather by accident. There were several recordings we had made in Christchurch which were originally intended to be an EP release. They were great recordings but they sat on my hard drive for some time. Then there was some rehearsing that went on with different musicians in Sydney playing some of the songs off the original recording and some extras. So I decided to record those as well. Then I sort of thought, well, I have this collection of really great recordings, why don’t I put it together on an album. I re-recorded all the vocals in my friends studio in Christchurch to give it some consistency, then had it mixed and mastered here in Melbourne. I’m very proud of the outcome. It’s a great achievement.
8.) How do you approach the songwriting process? i.e. how do you come up with ideas?
Idea’s come from everywhere. I carry note books with me always to jot down lyrical ideas or phrases and thoughts. There are always musical ideas that come out of practicing and spending time on my instruments. Usually sounds that my ears want to hear, some chord progression or melody, and I work on it until my ears are satisfied. Then put it together. Some songs come out completely formed and others sit around for months or even years before they find a home.
9.) What was it like working with such a variety of people on your first album?
It’s always a great pleasure working with other talented musicians. I’m constantly amazed at how every musician will bring their own personality into songs. Every person I’ve worked with comes to their instrument in their own unique way. I’m flattered when people are willing to work hard on material that I’ve composed.
10.) When did you sign to Amphead Music? How have you found the experience to be given they have quite a few contacts with labels, retailers and distribute a wide variety of material?
I signed with Amphead in about August of last year. The deal I have with them is just a distribution deal. So their contacts and things, although are great, won’t really help me unless I’m out there hustling and gigging myself. When you do something like make an album and try to get it out there and available, you quickly learn about the actual music industry. So many musicians I think are naïve about the actual business side. It’s a tough industry and it eats up a lot of good musicians and bands. You have to be realistic about it. We’re all sold on the stories of our favourite bands success and their signings to this or that label. But, ultimately, it’s an industry and revolves around profits, like any other industry. So it’s important to enjoy the music you make and that you feel passionate about it.
11.) How do you feel about the industry in its current state? i.e. the live music scene, digital downloads and the changing nature of the music industry?
I definitely think the industry is in a massive state of flux. It won’t ever go back to the way it was 10years ago, the way record companies probably want it to, or the way they’re trying to protect right now. The bottom line is, people can get recorded music for free now, how can you ask someone to pay for something when they know they can get it free? Change isn’t always bad. Personally I think bands will have to tour more and revenues will be made up that way. Which I think is a good thing. It’s one thing to sound good on a recording, it’s something else to sound good live. Live is where it’s at. There are alternative ways to make money, but the traditional way of selling albums is on its way out.
12.) Best gig? What and where?
I once played as a session keyboardist for the Beach Boys tour in New Zealand, we did a gig to about 5,000 people.
Another memorable one was at the Artichoke café. I think I played for about 2 and half hours straight. I was completely involved in what I was doing I didn’t notice time passing. It’s nice the way its set up there where I could do that.
13.) Worst gig? What and where?
I’ve had several gigs where I’ve played to the bar staff. But even during those I find a way to get something out of the music. I usually end up improvising a lot more or trying things I wouldn’t normally.
14.) What has been the highlight of your career to date?
Well, that’s hard to say having a relatively quiet career so far, but I would say the people I get to meet and play music with. Sharing the tunes.
15.) You recently made a comment about ‘9 days of shooting straight up 17 hr days.’ What’s that about – have you been working on films lately?
That was for an independent film I was acting in filmed in New Zealand. It’s called “Pawn Shop” and it features a lot of Christchurch musicians including songs from myself. I have a good friend who’s a director and writer who lives in Christchurch. His idea was to shoot a small film with a simple plot and include some of the talented musicians he and I both know. It’s a great little film and should be out by the end of the year. But we had very little time to do everything so they were long days. Interesting things happen to your brain when you’re sleep deprived.
16.) You have again teamed up with some new musicians. Is this a permanent line up?
Originally the idea was to keep it sort free for them to come and go if they wanted. But recently we discussed things and they seem to be in it for long haul. We’re making some really interesting exciting sounds at the moment and I’m really happy with how it’s coming along.
17.) What are the plans for your current band? Will there be a follow up album anytime soon?
At the moment we’ve just the to the point where the songs are rehearsed up and we’re now about to start gigging around Melbourne. Ultimately it would be good if we could get management on board. Then they can do what they do best, and we can do what we do best. We have to prove ourselves first though. We’re definitely looking at recording an EP in the not too distance future. I’m also recording some quartet scores I’ve composed in a few weeks. There is nothing like hearing bowed instruments playing together on something you’ve composed. It’s an amazing sound and experience
