HIGH FIDELITY MOMENT With Darryl Bailey, EMI Music Australia’s Director of Publicity and Promotions.

August 11th, 2011

1. Driving down the Gateway Motorway with Paul Kelly in the backseat of my car rehearsing some cover versions of songs that he was about to perform at the ABC. “Long May You Run”, “By The Time I Get To Phoenix”, “Me & Bobby McGee” and an original “They Thought I Was Asleep” thrown in for good measure. How could anything I hear in my car again top that. Best look was when I went through the toll gates to pay.

2. Sitting around a table in a Brisbane hotel with Neil & Tim Finn during their “Everyone Is Here” Finn Brothers tour. We were waiting for a journalist to arrive so the brothers Finn decide to write their set list for the evenings show. Where to start…..and where to finish! Just watching Neil write them down was something I will never forget. Tim got in “Shark Attack” for that night which was amazing.

3. I was lucky enough to be invited into the backstage area for The Rolling Stones Forty Licks tour. They have this set up called The Shebeen Lounge which is just a fancy catering room….with everything you could possibly want! I was walking along the bain marie’s serving up my plate with Charlie Watts right behind me. I came to the chicken breast…..one left…..what should I do. I had the spinach cannelloni instead. I think he appreciated it.

4. Every time Grant McLennan dropped into the office was always a moment for me. He loved to raid the CD cupboard for new releases. His appetite for new music was ferocious. Robert Forster said that Grant was his best sounding board for new music because he would filter out all the crap.

5. Hanging with Katy Perry’s Mum and Dad in Cleveland Ohio the week her single “I Kissed A Girl” went #1 on the Billboard chart. After a day of promo with Katy and then standing side of stage at her Van Warped performance (yep…..Katy played Vans Warped) and watching the crowd go nuts when she launched into the song I thought, it’s not every day you get to be this close to a bit of pop culture history.

3 MINUTES AND 52 SECONDS WITH… Melissa Tickle from Little Scout

August 11th, 2011

Indie darlings Little Scout have almost been part of the furniture around Brisbane for years now and have finally dropped their debut album Take Your Light featuring the first single ‘We Are Walking Out’. Rather than grilling the band about production techniques and songwriting styles, we’ve got the stuff that really matters from singer Melissa Tickle.Who? Mel from Little Scout // City you call home? Brisbane. // Favourite cafe in the world? Flamingo in Fortitude Valley.// Favourite Little Scout composition of all time? We Are Walking Out – it’s fun to sneak a 5/4 time signature onto the radio. // Dream collaboration? Jeff Tweedy, Kate Bush, Elton John, David Bowie, Regine… and Little Scout would obviously be fainting. // Can you tell a lot about a person by their bedclothes? I’ve never really thought about it. // What about you? Why I never! I’m not telling. // What inspires you? Peoples bedclothes. If not playing a gig where can we find you? At home with my housemates watching Eddie Izzard and cooking feasts, practicing or out watching live music.// I’m buying drinks, what’s your poison? A decent glass of wine or a manhattan. Or a beer.// Last movie you saw? THE LION KING! We watched the American version where Zazu has his own song… it’s not a great song. // Any good? Amazing. The best. // Best record right now? Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest. It has been my favourite for about 8 months now. I’ve tried to move on, but right now I’m still processing. // One song to guarantee a private car sing-along? Benny and the Jets. // Favourite Beatle? All of the above. // Cyndi or Madonna? Kate Bush. // One band – old or new – you’d murder to play for? The Flaming Lips, so I can dress up as a human size alien or Alice in Wonderland or a donut. Whatever Wayne decides, you know? // Scrunch or fold? Not fussy. // Guilty pleasure of late? I don’t want to eat anything but Palak Paneer, raita and naan bread. // Tell us one odd thing we don’t know? Shem Allen from Skinny Jean is teaching me to shred on guitar. // What are you doing after answering these questions? Going to eat palak paneer. And all of the naan breads. // What’s on your rider? Gin, pineapple juice, beer and soft drinks. And puppies. // Lollies or chocolate? Chocolate. Unless there’s pop rocks around, because then I’d have to say pop rocks. // You and the bf are breaking up, which one record do you fight for? Cap’n Geech & The Shrimp Shack Shooters by Cap’n Geech & the Shrimp Shack Shooters. // Most embarrassing stage moment? Accidental flash. Don’t ask. // Most diva-like demand recently? I want my own microphone. Damn it. Who am I Katy Perry? // Last time you did the Macarena? Two days ago with my best friend Lyndal. // The world’s ending, what do you do? Everything, immediately. // Tea or coffee? Coffee. // Favourite shower song? Oh My Sweet Carolina – Ryan Adams. // Who did you want to be when you grew up? A ballerina. // Last thing you stole? A pen. I gave it back // Cartoon character? Timon and Pumba. // Best Christmas present ever received as a child? Toy pony. Received Christmas 2010 from my very funny Mum and Dad. // Favourite place in the world that’s not home? New York City. // Song most likely to get you onto the dance floor? New York State of Mind – Jay-Z feat Alicia Keys. // Life changing record? Ryan Adams – Heartbreaker. // Love or lust? Depends on who we’re talking about. // One apprehension about your album? We were too afraid to include a saxaphone solo. Toto weren’t afraid. Famous last words? Knowing me something incoherent and underwhelming.

A High Fidelity Moment: My Top Five String Arrangements In Songs

June 16th, 2011

According to my parents, for my 5th birthday, all I wanted was a violin. Twelve years later, seven grades down, I put my violin away and it hasn’t surfaced since. I am very partial to a song with a solid string arrangement which I think can be loosely attributed to my lengthy association with the violin. With that in mind, I give you My Top Five String Arrangements In Songs. (ND)

3 MINUTES AND 52 SECONDS WITH CHILDREN COLLIDE

June 16th, 2011

Who? Heath Crawley City you call home? Melbourne Dream collaboration? Brian Eno Can you tell a lot about a person by their bedclothes? I know every detail about a person by the shoes on their feet. Only when the shoes have worked, have I desired to assess bed clothes What about you? Pony mask I’m buying drinks, what’s your poison? Jump stiddy, fresh lime Best record right now? Mission of Burma – “Vs” Favourite Beatle? George Cyndi or Madonna? Cyndi Guilty pleasure of late? So… I collect doilies Tell us one odd thing we don’t know. Due to the moons gravitational pull, you weigh less when it’s directly overhead What are you doing after answering these questions? City bound Lollies or chocolate? Chocolate coated lollies Most diva-like demand recently? Asked for my macaroons to be wrapped separately so the colours didn’t mix Last thing you stole? A glance Cartoon character? Mr Magoo Favourite place in the world that’s not home? Paris Song most likely to get you onto the dance floor? The Cramps – “What’s inside a girl?” Life changing record? Will Oldham – “Joya” Love or lust? Love

A High Fidelity Moment: My Top 5 Songs Not To Be Sung In Singapore (AK):

June 3rd, 2011

1. Sexy MF – Prince
2. It’s a Motherfucker – Eels
3. Blankest Year – Nada Surf
4. Dan Kelly & the Alpha Males – Drunk on election night
5. Asshole – Denis Leary

Honourable mentions:
Regurgitator – I Will Lick Your Arsehole

3 MINUTES AND 52 SECONDS WITH KEVIN MITCHELL – JEBEDIAH

June 3rd, 2011

Who? Kevin Mitchell City you call home? Melbourne and Perth.  Sorry, I have two. Favourite coffee spot in the world? Barcelona Favourite Kevin Mitchell composition of all time? Too many good ones to pick a favourite Dream collaboration? John Lennon or Kurt Cobain Can you tell a lot about a person by their bedclothes? No What about you? Maybe What inspires you? Love, Memories, Booze, Drugs, Dreams, Friends, Music, Art, Movies, Longing, Sadness If not playing a gig where can we find you? At home doing press I’m buying drinks, what’s your poison? An expensive and fruity cocktail Last movie you saw? True Grit Any good? Fantastic One song to guarantee a private car sing-along? You’ve Changed – Sia Favourite Beatle? John Cyndi or Madonna? Cyndi Guilty pleasure of late? No guilt in pleasure Tell us one odd thing we don’t know? I flex my toes in my sleep.  So does my brother. What are you doing after answering these questions? Going to bed What’s on your band rider? Jamesons, Vodka, Beer, Bottle of Shiraz, Fruit, Meats Lollies or chocolate? Lollies You and the gf are breaking up, which one record do you fight for? Josh Rouse – Nashville Most embarrassing stage moment? Inviting kids on stage who vomited when my back was turned and I knelt down in their vomit to play a shit guitar solo. Most diva-like demand recently? Sudafed – the old school type Last time you did the Macarena? Never.  Don’t even know what it is.  A dance obviously but don’t know what kind. Favourite shower song? Make them up Who did you want to be when you grew up? A Journalist or a professional distance runner Last thing you stole? Someone’s drink Cartoon character? Shaggy Favourite place in the world that’s not home? Paris Song most likely to get you onto the dance floor? You’ve Changed – Sia Life changing record? Nirvana – In Utero Love or lust? Love One apprehension about the forthcoming tour? Sampling the triggers.