1. Growing Up

[I remember] the old fella strumming Roy Orbison and Elvis tunes, with high eyebrows and a quiet confidence in his voice. At least for the first half of the song [laughs]! We had occasional music nights and were encouraged to play instruments, but it wasn’t a thick fabric in our lives as it is for me now. As a young teeanger, I got in a garage band and found ’90s grunge and rock. That sparked my passion and led to me picking up the guitar for the first time. Creativity and songwriting happened much later, though.

2. Inspirations

For the liberation in their vocal styles I am a big fan of Robert Plant and Jim Morrison. For his deep connection to music and life-long commitment to his art, B.B. King. For their incredible songwriting, Bernard Fanning and Desmond Child. For his onstage improvisation which I believe ultimately gave him the edge, Jimi Hendrix. For the truth in his lyrics, Eddie Vedder.

3. Your Band

Reg Leayr (Regotron) likes to slap fat strings. We met when I needed a bass player for a charity concert in 2013 and it just worked. Antonio Alvarez is on sax; he’s a talented fella, great at improvising and adds a great presence. Todd Orchard is the classic rock drummer we have been waiting for! He’s just got amongst it. To this point, I have been the songwriter, with the band adding their flavours. I love writing music; it amazes me. Based on the how much the band are spontaneously creating onstage, I’m sure we will write together soon as well.

4. The Music You Make

Bluesy rock, roots and a taste of funk – each style has its place as a medium to express the waves of emotion that make us human, and we love to explore. From the raw and overwhelming new beginning to an evolution into spiritual consciousness, our two releases Phoenix Rising (2012) and our recent release The Awakening represent two very different chapters.

5. Music, Right Here, Right Now

I find the music scene a very interesting beast. Since the album sales/online streaming transition, artists’ budgets are tight and so only the lean muscle musicians remain. The live show is what it’s all about, which works just fine for us, ’cause that’s what we love. The long-term venues with a good reputation seem to be going solid, but there seem to be venues falling off the scene when the punters don’t get off the iPhones and get out to live shows. Small festivals are happening everywhere, as are backyard gigs, and that’s awesome.

The Awakening is out now independently and they’re playing Frankie’s Pizzaon Thursday November 26.

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