Let's start with an ice-breaker.How would you define ‘folk music’?
‘Folk music’ to me is an honest kind of genre where it’s more about a general feel you're trying to put out with the music, rather than being too technically refined, or clinical with the sound. Of course, other people would have a completely different definition of ‘folk music’, I guess I can only talk about what I make and call ‘folk’.
Describe the style of your music. Which artists usually influence your sound?
My style changes a lot. I picked up the trumpet when I was ten and have been playing pretty much ever since. I have learned a lot of instruments in that time that have influenced my song writing, so I guess that’s where I start when trying to describe it. It’s very rhythmical, with a bit of a focus on intertwining polyrhythms between the instruments and riffs.
Zach Condon from Beirut is probably my big influence at the moment. For the past three years or so I’ve been heavily into Romanian folk and gypsy music, and I think he’s one of the only artists around right now making the bridge between gypsy and pop effectively.
How did Lion Island start up?
Well, I started writing the particular songs about six months ago with a big band in mind. I had recorded all the basic instrumental parts on my own in my studio, with the intent on showing them to musicians, and hopefully get a few on board. I started calling around and it just exploded… before I knew it we had nine members and gigs in the pipeline.
Just out of curiosity, where’d you come up with the name?
Well me and my partner’s family went on this little holiday to Byron Bay while I was just starting to get solid on the idea of starting a band. I was asking people to join the project, but I didn’t have a name for it yet. I wanted something that would express my passion and drive for getting serious about song writing, as well as something solid and earthy. I’m a Leo, as is my partner, and I guess that has something to do with it. We were all kicking a few ideas around on this holiday, and I guess Lion Island just seemed to have a nice flow to it. A friend of mine (and others in the band) passed away shortly after our holiday to Byron. That he was part of the naming is very important to me, and I think has only strengthened us along the way.
As well as contributing lead vocals, you also play the accordion, organ, ukulele, and trumpet. How did you become acquainted with all these different instruments?
Well I started with the trumpet 16 years ago, playing in local brass bands with my brother in WA. The piano-accordion came about pretty recently when I ran into one in a music store after deciding that I wanted to pick up a new instrument.
Why not just the guitar or piano like everyone else?
Well I have a guitar, and used to own an electric, but I guess I just began to discover new sounds that aren’t as common. The ukulele for me is far more rhythmical that a guitar, and I enjoy the challenge of the piano-accordion.
Which instrument is your favourite to play?
Right now it’s the tenor-ukulele, with the trumpet as an all-time favourite close second.
How do you feel about the general Brisbane music scene? Is it flourishing or floundering?
Hmmm, that’s a tough one. I think it goes up and down pretty steadily. I would say it’s on a bit of a downer at the moment. But then again, I’m not going out as much as I used to.
A lot of local unsigned bands have adopted a diy approach to getting their music noticed. What are you thoughts on musical independence?
I think it’s important not to rely on other people to get yourself noticed. I think it’s very important for there to be bands that are getting themselves out there, playing live shows and doing a bit of their own distribution at gigs. I’m so over the rock-star dream, and I find it wins my heart more if I can walk up to a band I see play wonderful music live, shake their hands, and buy a CD.
Lion Island recently gained a feature artist spotlight on the Triple J Unearthed home page for “I’ll Take You Down”. Congratulations!
Thanks :)
What was the inspiration or meaning behind the song?
Hmmm, I guess the song has a lot to do with where I’m at right now in my life and my relationship with my partner. I’m very lucky, but I’ve had a lot of problems (like everyone), and in a way the song talks about that dark force below the surface of the everyday that seems to rise up every now and then to shift us out of the comfort zone. Depression, sadness, addiction, need… all that stuff.
I understand that Lion Island will be doing a gig with Mt. Augustus soon, which I may add are an awesome band also on Unearthed. How did that come about?
Well I’ve known Cam from Mt. Augustus for a while. I used to be the sound guy at Ric’s in the Valley where they played on a number of occasions, and Cam, who also runs Incremental Records, is the recording engineer for our first EP. They needed a support for a gig at Blackstar Café, and we were just at the right place at the right time. We’re also doing another gig with Mt Augustus, Big Strong Brute and Joel Saunders at Browning street studios on the 27th of June.
How valuable do you feel Triple J Unearthed is to the emerging music community?
I think Triple J Unearthed is a great resource for emerging bands. It’s free and a good link to get your music heard by a wider community.
Could Unearthed be just another commercial marketing product of ‘the man’?
Well I guess Triple J is a bit ambiguous like that… I think there are a lot of radio stations out there that are far more commercial.
Just to give the readers a bit of background, you’re contributing a handful of songs to a QUT original musical-theatre production called Little Worlds of Love, written by Sam Green. What are your plans for the music?
Yeah. Well there’s going to be about five songs that have (so far) been loosely composed. My plan is to get all the musicians to contribute to the songs as we rehearse up to the play, adding their own touch but keeping a basic structure in mind. The songs are about love, and the story line behind the play.
What instruments are we going to see on stage during these pieces?
Piano-accordion, violin, trumpet, ukulele, 12 string guitar, bass, drums and a bit of harmonizing vocal melodies.
As the title suggests, all elements surrounding the plot of the production focus on the theme of ‘love’. Is this a topic you usually write about? How do you aim to translate the concept into song for Little Worlds of Love?
Hmmm, I think these days in my lyrics, I’m trying to create a visual atmosphere that can be likened to the whimsical, passionate, and love. Rather than just communicating an emotion… I think there’s going to be an interesting cross-over.
Finally, where do you see yourself musically in five years time?
If I’m still making music that makes people feel good, and I can still pay the rent, I’ll be happy...
Lion Island will be playing alongside Mt Augustus on May 29th at the Blackstar Café on Vulture Street, West End. If you miss the gig, or find yourself craving more, you can also catch the two bands, as well as Big Strong Brute and Joel Saunders serenading the masses at Browning Street Studios on the 27th of June.
Little Worlds of Love will be touring as part of the Our Handful of Fragments showcase on July 31st at Visible Ink (6pm) and August 8th at the Redcliffe Cultural Centre (6pm)
http://www.myspace.com/lionisland
http://www.triplejunearthed.com/lionisland
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