3 Minutes and 52 Seconds with Loon Lake

August 30th, 2012

Currently in the middle of their own national tour that has included sell-out shows in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Adelaide, we are very happy to announce that Loon Lake will be supporting Ball Park Music on their Museum Tour this coming October. With a few songs that have been going gangbusters over on the js (‘Bad to Me’ and ‘Cherry Lips’ anyone?), Loon Lake are very much the flavour of the month right now.

Before stepping out on stage to launch Loon Lake’s new EP Thirty Three, guitarist Sime Nolan took a spare 3 minutes and 52 seconds to fill us in on his true loves: surfing and drinking beer – oh and playing a bit of guitar too.

Who? Sime Nolan.  What do you do? Play guitar in Loon Lake, and also teach little tackers music.  City you call home? Melbourne.  The best thing about being you right now? I get holidays in three weeks, where I’ll do nothing but surf, beach, watch footy, drink and eat.  Tea or coffee? Tea. Life changing record? The Strokes: Is This It.  Dream collaboration? Julian Casablancas.  What inspires you? People, stories, family, friends, laughter, and life.  If not playing a gig where can we find you? I like to surf, go to the footy, and hang with my family and friends. But most of the time I’m at work, working for the man.  I’m buying drinks, what’s your poison? Beer – XXXX, Carlton Draught, MB.  Best record right now? Frank Ocean: channel ORANGE.  One song to guarantee a private car sing-along? Robbie Williams: ‘Angels’ – YouTube that ‘Live at Knebworth’ – I challenge you to find a bigger sing-along.  Childhood crush? Kate Moss.  Coolest person in your phonebook? My old man – Tez.  Which band would you die to play for, if not your own? The Beatles.  Favourite, quirky possession? Golf shot scoring watch.  Scrunch or fold? Scrunch.  Guilty pleasure? Dim Sims.  First gig? Chocolate Starfish – Yarrawonga Foreshore. Fireworks scared the shit out of me. First record? I remember having Blood Sugar Sex Magik on tape – dunno if I brought it, or my older bros did though? Anyway that’s one of my first albums I really got into.  There’s a mini, five-band festival at yours, who’s playing? I’m gonna go with five I’m really digging right now: Frank Ocean, The Weeknd, Drake, The xx, Kurt Vile and Royal Headache.  Tell us one odd thing we don’t know? My uncle Mick Nolan played in the 1975 North Melbourne premiership side. He spent most of his after football life in Brisbane.  Two minute noodles, Mac & Cheese or baked beans on toast? Cheese on toast – there is no meal as simple, cost effective and tasty as cheese on toast.  Worst. Movie. Ever? Going to go with one I watched a couple of nights ago – Margaret. I got told it was good by reliable sources but I couldn’t stand it. The lead role character drove me insane. Probably not the worst ever though.  You and the other half are breaking up, which one record do you fight for? Amy Winehouse: Back To Black.  It’s Christmas Eve – Die Hard or Home Alone? Die Hard.  What’s on your rider? Heaps of beer – as many slabs as we can get, but usually we never get enough. Riders are a real mystery to me, sometimes they are there, sometimes they aren’t.  Most diva-like demand? More beer.  Most embarrassing stage moment? Broke two strings on two different guitars within two songs. Said to the audience ‘I’m having a c*** of a time up here’. Realised after I had said it, what actually came out my mouth. Sincerely apologize to that audience.  The world’s ending and Denzel Washington is nowhere in sight – what do you do? I have a mate who makes music under the name ‘denzal squashington’ so I would call him.  Favourite cafe anywhere? Breadline – Moonee Ponds – Super sandwhiches. Kouta eats there everyday.  If you could be any cartoon character, what would it be? Homer.  Favourite shower croon? The opening horn line to Move on Up’. Has there ever been a more danceable melody written?  When I grow up, I want to be….? Retired on the coast – I’ll wake up go for a surf, come home have a big breaky, read the paper, go for another surf, eat lunch, go for dusk surf, then have a couple of cans and watch the cricket or footy – whatever season. Do it again tomorrow.  Song most likely to get you onto the dance floor? As said above – ‘Move on Up’ by Curtis Mayfield.  Favourite composition of your own? Weird question. This is probably most suited to Sam as he is the chief songwriter in our group. But yeah of Loon Lake it would be our song called ‘The Week’. But of my own it is called ‘Memory Lane’, most likely it will never be heard by anyone but my girlfriend and I.  What are you doing after answering these questions? Cooking dinner.  When your baby, when your baby smiles at you, you go to….. Yep the best city I have ever been to. Rio. I love that joint. I would love to be sitting on Ipanema beach right now. They bring cold cans to you. Don’t even have to move.

The Mucho Tapedeck with Hunting Grounds

August 16th, 2012

After a few weeks off, the Mucho Tapedeck is back with a vengeance this week with Hunting Grounds stepping up as guest programmers. We gave them the mission to create the best tour playlist OF ALL TIME. Programmed from sunrise to sunset, you can go take a listen to it HERE.

3 Minutes and 52 Seconds with ALPINE

August 16th, 2012

We’ve got a pretty massive band-crush at the moment, and it’s on the one and only ALPINE from Melbourne. Their debut album, A is for Alpine, is making us feel good in all the right places. Have you heard it yet?? They’ve just started their epic A is for Alpine Tour so if you’re loving the album just as much as we are, make sure you get along to one of their shows.

Co-frontwoman Lou James took 3 minutes and 52 seconds before curling up in bed to share with us her hopes, dreams, and two thirds of a super-cool person’s phone number.

Who? LOU!!!!  What do you do? I sing and dance in ALPINE, and occasionally rock out on the tambourine, triangle and cow bell! Yep, I’m making them cool again!  City you call home? Melbourne, Australia.  The best thing about being you right now? Having the nickname Balloon.  Tea or coffee? I work in a tea store, so in order to avoid getting fired (shhhhh), Tea!!!!  Life changing record? Kate Bush: Hounds of Love.  Dream collaboration? Kate Bush and Bjork.  What inspires you? Laughter.  If not playing a gig where can we find you? Waving to you from across the street.  I’m buying drinks, what’s your poison? WHISKEY, DOUBLE WHISKEY, WHISKEY, STRAIGHT VODKA ON THE ROCKS.  One song to guarantee a private car sing-along? Lil’ Wayne (Flying Lotus remix): ‘Millionaire’.  Childhood crush? Most of the male Disney characters…is that disturbing?  Number of the coolest person in your mobile? 0404 543 SHHHHHHH  Roulette, cards, pokies – red or black? Oh no, I don’t gamble!!!!  Which band would you die to play for, if not your own? Blur.  Favourite, quirky possession? A blue blow up chair that is not blown up and is rather dusty.  Scrunch or fold? What the frig does that mean? Sounds dirty!  Guilty pleasure? Cheesecake!!  Earliest musical memory? Going to Pantomimes when four or five years old when I grew up in London.  First gig? HAHA Kylie Minogue at Rod Laver when I was in year 5.  First record? Spice Girls: Spice Up Your Life. Ginger Spice was my favourite, but she was the slutty one wasn’t she? Perhaps not a good role model for such a young age?  There’s a mini, five-band festival at yours, who’s playing? Fleet Foxes, Pulp, Crystal Stilts, Lauryn Hill and Portishead.  Tell us about an instrument or favourite piece of gear you’re currently geeking out about… Phoebe and I really want to invest into a vocal loop pedal!  Tell us one odd thing about you we don’t know?  I have a short tongue – I blame the womb!  Two minute noodles, Mac & Cheese or baked beans on toast? Two minute noodles, especially Migoreng!  Worst. Movie. Ever? Scary Movie…making me cringe thinking about it.  You and the other half are breaking up, which one record do you fight for? Joanna Newsom: Have One on Me.  It’s Christmas eve – Die Hard or Home Alone? Home Alone, he was such a little rascal wasn’t he?!  What’s on your rider? A masseuse for post show. Whiskey for pre- and post show. A hammock for pre-show naps.  Most diva-like demand? I once yelled to a fan “WHERE ARE YOU FROM?!” I didn’t mean to seem patronising, but it was a really loud venue. To this day I still get paid out from the rest of band about it.  Most embarrassing stage moment? There are two moments that come equal first: (1) Forgetting my percussion instruments when we opened for The Jezabels. I ran off stage mid song and I think everyone though I’d had a break down. Whoops! (2) Oh and asking for more feedback instead of foldback.  The world’s ending and Denzel Washington is no where in sight – what do you do? Dial directory services for his number immediately!  Favourite cafe anywhere? Atomica Fitzroy, in Melbourne.  Favourite shower croon? Lately it’s been an oldie: Del Shannon: ‘Runaway’.  You’re throwing a dinner party and can invite anybody, who do you choose? Ricky Gervais and Graham Norton would be a right crack up!  When I grow up, I want to be….? Young at heart and living in the moment.  Song most likely to get you onto the dance floor? LMFAO: ‘Party Rock Anthem’.  Favourite composition of your own? Favourite ALPINE song would be ‘Softsides’.  One apprehension about your album? That people won’t smile when they listen to it.  The best thing that’s ever been said about you? “She’s got loads of dimples and kind of looks Chinese”.  What are you doing after answering these questions? Reading my book in bed. It’s night time. Thanks! Goodbye!

3 Minutes 52 Seconds with Cub Scouts

August 2nd, 2012

Cub Scouts are the indie pop darlings we’ve all come to love. They’ve toured nationally both alone and with Ball Park Music, YesYou and Pluto Jonze and had two smashing singles receive mass triple j love even before releasing their debut EP – which is due out soon (we hope!).

We quickly nabbed singer Tim Nelson on his lunch break to chat about Aqua, Miike Snow and his crush on a Disney Princess.

Who? Tim Nelson.  What do you do? Play and write for Cub Scouts.  City you call home? Brisbane.  The best thing about being you right now? We’ve got our debut EP coming out soon, so looking forward to that is probably the best and worst thing about being me right now…  Tea or coffee? Coffee.  Life changing record? Aqua: Aquarium. As ridiculous as this album is, I listened to it as a 7 year old and decided that I wanted to pursue music.  Dream collaboration? Jamie XX or the guys from Miike Snow.  What inspires you? Animals! Also, lots of people, whether that’s a good thing for them or not.  If not playing a gig where can we find you? Working in a lab, making retainers.  I’m buying drinks, what’s your poison? Everything.  Best record right now? I’m still thoroughly enjoying Lana Del Rey: Born To Die.  One song to guarantee a private car sing-along? Beyonce: ‘Love On Top’.  Childhood crush? Belle from Beauty and the Beast.  Coolest person you’ve ever met? Leslie Feist. She just came up and started talking to Andy and I backstage at Laneway, she’s amazing.  Which band would you die to play for, if not your own? Miike Snow.  Favourite, quirky possession? Himalayan salt lamp. It makes a mess but it looks nice.  Guilty pleasure? Himalayan salt lamp.  First gig? Scandal’us in King George Square. I was 10.  First record? Aqua: Doctor Jones.  There’s a mini, five-band festival at yours, who’s playing? Robyn, Lana Del Rey, Beyonce, The XX, and hey let’s invite Ricki Lee Coulter – Australia’s favourite Idol.  Tell us one odd thing we don’t know? I was born with two thumbs on my right hand. I’m disgusting.  Two minute noodles, Mac & Cheese or baked beans on toast? Can I starve instead?  Worst. Movie. Ever? Anything with Katherine Heigl.  You and the other half are breaking up, which one record do you fight for? The XX.  It’s Christmas eve – Die Hard or Home Alone? Home Alone.  What’s on your rider? Gluten free chips for our coeliac Sam, low carb beer, cider and a sushi/sashimi platter – although we’re yet to actually receive that.  Most embarrassing stage moment? The audience not detecting my sarcasm and thinking I’m a huge dickhead. I think it happens every single time we play.  The world’s ending and Denzel Washington is nowhere in sight – what do you do? Get in contact with the next best black person – Marcia Hines.  Favourite cafe anywhere? New Day Rising in Melbourne is pretty great.  If you could be any cartoon character, what would it be? Beast, so that I could get Belle.  Favourite shower croon? Toto: ‘Africa’.  Fantasy dinner party includes…? Just me and Lana Del Rey.  Song most likely to get you onto the dance floor? Britney: ‘Trip To Your Heart’.  Favourite composition of your own? Probably a song called ‘Light Me Up’ which is going to be on our EP. It’s one of the only songs I’ve written about a completely pleasant experience.  One apprehension about your album? Our album is a long way off, but for our EP that’s coming out soon, it’s normal to worry that it won’t live up to people’s expectations.  What are you doing after answering these questions? Makin’ retainers.  When your baby, when your baby smiles at you, you go to….. bed.

3 Minutes 52 Seconds with Oh Mercy

July 12th, 2012

Oh Mercy have been very busy of late – recording sophomore album Deep Heat in the States and even more recently filming the clip for ‘Drums’ which included A LOT of glitter.

A few weeks back Alexander took time out from recording the album at the Family Farm studio in Portland, OR to answer a few hairy questions.

Who? Alexander Gow.  What do you do? Write songs.  City you call home? Melbourne.  The best thing about being you right now? Got to drive around America for a few months.  Tea or coffee? Coffee.  Life changing record? Born Sandy Devotional - The Triffids.  Dream collaboration? Mick Jones.  What inspires you? Listening to Jorge Ben.  If not playing a gig where can we find you? Sleeping.  I’m buying drinks, what’s your poison? Beer.  Best record right now? Tapper Zukie – Man Ah Warrior.  One song to guarantee a private car sing-along? ’Fisherman’s Blues’ by The Waterboys.  Childhood crush? Dioramas.  Skrillex? I don’t know what this means.  Roulette, cards, pokies – red or black? Neither.  Which band would you die to play for, if not your own? Kieran Ryan’s band.  Favourite, quirky possession? An original print of the teenage Triffids.  Scrunch or fold?  I don’t understand.. Guilty pleasure? Sodomy.  There’s a mini, five-band festival at yours, who’s playing? Panics, Kieran Ryan, Slow Dancer, Teeth & Tongue and Jack Ladder.  Tell us one odd thing we don’t know? I don’t like sitting in cafes.  Two minute noodles, Mac & Cheese or baked beans on toast? Beans on toast.  Worst. Movie. Ever? I don’t like most movies, hard to pick one.  You and the other half are breaking up, which one record do you fight for? Jorge Ben – Forca Bruta.  It’s Christmas eve – Die Hard or Home Alone? Home Alone. I actually really like that one.  What’s on your rider? Beer and fruit.  Most diva-like demand? Fruit.  Most embarrassing stage moment? Being too intoxicated to remove my jacket gracefully at the Tote. It took about 60 seconds.  The world’s ending and Denzel Washington is no where in sight – what do you do? Have a beer in the shower.  Favourite cafe anywhere? Starbucks Melbourne CBD.  Favourite shower croon? I don’t get this one either… When I grow up, I want to be….? An archaeologist.  Song most likely to get you onto the dance floor? ‘Gimme Little Sign’ – Brenton Wood.  Favourite composition of your own? ‘Deep Heat’, the song.  One apprehension about your album? I don’t have any.  What are you doing after answering these questions? Going to brush my hair.  When your baby, when your baby smiles at you, you go to….. This is the fourth question I haven’t understood.

3 MINUTES AND 52 SECONDS WITH MILLIONS

June 28th, 2012

Millions must be feeling about a million bucks right now (sorry, had to do it). They’ve just put out their first EP, they’re of the headliners for 4 Walls Festival, they’re playing BIGSOUND Live AND they’re about to hit the road for the EP Launch Tour to End All EP Launch Tours. Guitarist Ted Tilbrook took some time out from playing guitars and cards to spend 3 minutes and 52 seconds with us.

Who? Ted.  What do you do? Play guitar in Millions, table sport champion, card shark and phone worker.  City you call home? Brisbane/London.  The best thing about being you right now? I just got my cast off and I got some eBay packages today.  Tea or coffee? Either.  Life changing record? Probably Up the Bracket by The Libertines. It pretty much made me want to be in a band from that point on at age 14.  Dream collaboration? I would love for James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem to produce a Millions album.  What inspires you? Probably the thing that inspires me most is when I hear a song that instantly connects with me and I think what can I take from this song to make one of my own songs better.  If not playing a gig where can we find you? At home probably playing pool and watching a HBO series of some sort.  I’m buying drinks, what’s your poison? I’m a pretty big beer guy, so any type of beer except XXXX Bitter.  Best record right now? Really frothing on the new Walkmen record, they never disappoint. Also really vibing Clams Casino’s instrumental mixtapes. He has produced for a lot of rappers we like but when you just hear the tracks themselves you really appreciate what he does, there’s so much detail.  One song to guarantee a private car sing-along? ‘Let’s Spend the Night Together’ – Rolling Stones.  Childhood crush? When I was like 7 or whatever I used to think the girl from that movie Matilda was alright.  Skrillex? Not a fan.  Roulette, cards, pokies – red or black? Cards, we actually play a lot of cards when we are in the tour van, it’s a really good and competitive way to pass time.  Which band would you die to play for, if not your own? I wouldn’t really want to play in a band that I really like because I would feel weird like I was ruining it.. like Davey Lane. but if i had to choose I would love to wield axes with Keith Richards in The Rolling Stones.  Favourite, quirky possession? Wooden chess set my Grandad gave me.  Scrunch or fold? Fold.  Guilty pleasure? FIFA.  There’s a mini, five-band festival at yours, who’s playing? Dune Rats, Gung Ho, Last Dinosaurs, The Rolling Stones and the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders playing ‘Call Me Maybe’. What a party.  Tell us one odd thing we don’t know? We heard one of the dudes from New Navy used to be in jail.  Two minute noodles, Mac & Cheese or baked beans on toast? Mac & Cheese fo sho, actually eating some Coles Mac & Cheese right now.  Worst. Movie. Ever? The Dictator. You and the other half are breaking up, which one record do you fight for? Rubber Soul - The Beatles. It’s Christmas eve – Die Hard or Home Alone? Home Alone, no questions. it has Joe Pesci in it. What’s on your rider? 1 x carton of James Squire, 1x bottle of assorted spirit, food platter, 12 Red Bull, 24 water, carton of juice, assorted soft drink. We’ve got that rider fully 3 times in our career. Needless to say they were great nights.  Most diva-like demand? Only boutique beers.  Most embarrassing stage moment? Probably a time when a pedal or lead fucked up and it took ages to fix.  The world’s ending and Denzel Washington is nowhere in sight – what do you do? Find Jason Statham.  Favourite cafe anywhere? Green in Brunswick.  Favourite shower croon? I have never shower crooned, I just focus on relaxing in the shower. When I grow up, I want to be….? Hopefully a baller.  Song most likely to get you onto the dance floor? ‘Time to get away’ by LCD Soundsystem.  Favourite composition of your own? New, unnamed song we’ve made.  One apprehension about your album? Delays will make it not come for years.  What are you doing after answering these questions? Rehearsing.  When your baby, when your baby smiles at you, you go to….. Rio di Janeiro.