INTERVIEW: Reece Mastin

AN INTERVIEW WITH
REECE MASTIN

Let’s start with the new single Rebel and the Reason. It’s been described to have more of an edgier, rock-laden sound than your previous songs. Why did you decide to change you up sound?
     It’s always been something that I’ve wanted to do. I’ve always wanted to get the set that we do live into the studio and get it done properly. So yeah, I think it’s kind of a bit of touring and what I’ve always wanted to do.


Was there some nervousness in changing your sound?
     Yeah, absolutely. There was always doubt but the vibe we got from the tour we thought that they were digging that sound so we took a risk but there’s definitely still nerves there. We’ve already tried a couple of the tracks out on the road . We’ve played one of them for about two years and “Rebel” we’ve been playing for about a year now as well. But we just seem to try them out on the road and we’ve changed [the songs] a little bit since we first wrote them but they sound good.

INTERVIEW: Brooke McClymont

L to R: Sam, Brooke, Tiggy and Mollie. Image from: http://babymonitorsdirect.com.au

AN INTERVIEW WITH
Brooke McClymont

Brooke McClymont is one third of the award-winning country trio, The McClymonts along with her two sisters Sam and Mollie. Currently on their Forever Begins Tonight tour and promoting their fourth studio album Here’s To You & I, I spoke to Brooke about song writing, keeping it in the family and being on the road.

How is the Forever Begins Tonight tour going?
Oh my gosh, it's going amazing. We've been touring since July last year but at the beginning of this year we decided to name it the Forever Begins Tonight tour clearly this is because the song just came out - it's our new single - and it just felt like we do do it forever and we haven't stopped. We wrap up the tour around mid-May but with a few festivals still up our sleeve throughout the end of the year.

INTERVIEW: Musician Damien Leith

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Damien Leith

Damien Leith first came onto our radar taking out the title of Australian Idol back in 2006. It's been almost a decade since - and this ARIA-winner sure has been busy recording a total of 7 studio albums and publishing 2 novels. This month saw Damien release his 8th studio album Songs From Ireland - which is just that.

Congrats on the new album, Songs From Ireland. Why did you decide to record this kind of album this time around?
     I’ve been meaning to record an album like this for a very long time. A number of years ago I wrote a play called The Parting Glass for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and that show features a lot of these songs – seeing the reaction the music got was definitely the catalyst for recording this album.

INTERVIEW: musician Amber Lawrence

AN INTERVIEW WITH
Amber Lawrence

Firstly, congratulations on your Female Artist of the Year win at the Golden Guitars and CMC Female Oz Artist of The Year . Is it true what they say that it's an honour just to be nominated or are winners truly grinners?

     Thank you very much! That was amazing! It's both actually. It's really an honour to be nominated but winning is pretty cool as well.

Is winning a fan-voted award are better than winning industry award?
     To be honest, I wouldn't want to hand back either. The Golden Guitars has a lot of prestige and history associated with it [so] it's an honour to be part of history. And then, of course, fan-voted is crazy-exciting because what the fans say, that's what matters - that's what keeps our career going. I am extremely excited that enough fans wanted me to win that award.

INTERVIEW: Leo Sayer

 

Photo taken by Me during his 2009 concert tour

AN INTERVIEW WITH
Leo Sayer

Leo Sayer has a career that has spanned over four decades. He's written for artists such as Roger Daltrey, Dolly Parton and Tina Turner, and had numerous classic hits such as the Grammy Award winning You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, When I Need You and More Than I Can Say. With the new tour and album Restless Years, I spoke to Leo about touring the country, competing with DJs and the importance of powerful songwriting.

Hi Leo. How's touring going?
     It's all going really well. I'm on the Restless Years tour and this is Day 17 we're here in Dubbo. I'm doing the New South Wales lot now then into Queensland and then finally Hobart.

INTERVIEW: Grand Illusionist, Cosentino

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Cosentino

Having been awarded the prestigious honour of being named Magician of the Year in 2013 by the International Magicians Society, New York (the International Merlin award) and with 4 prime-time specials under his belt having aired in over 40 countries; Australia's favourite performer Cosentino returns with his new live show Twisted Reality - which promises to deliver his signature blend of street magic, grand illusion and death-defying escapes with dance and humour.

INTERVIEW: Adam Brand

AN INTERVIEW WITH

ADAM BRAND

Adam Brand is one of Australia's most loved and recognizable country music artists. The 12-time Golden Guitar winner is heading to Thredbo to headline the Snowy Mountains Country Music Festival this month. 

What can people expect from your show at Snowy Mountains Country Music Festival?
     It's actually my very first time playing at Thredbo at the Snowy Mountains. I know they've had a lot of festivals down there before, you know [the] CMC festival?, but for some reason or another, I was always away or on tour or something when those festivals were happening. So I'm really excited about going there. My shows are always high energy. [When] we walk off the stage, there's nothing left in the gas tank - put it that way. We're going to give it our everything! 
     My show is, obviously, I've got the new album out My Side Of The Street so there's a few of those new songs in there but I definitely play songs ranging from my very first album, which came out in 98, and songs off every each album through the years. So what can they can expect is a pretty broad cross section of songs spanning my ten albums.

INTERVIEW: Morgan Evans

AN INTERVIEW WITH 

Morgan Evans 

I firstly just wanted to congratulate you on your possible Logie nomination.
     It's pretty funny! I think it's funny anyway. I think it's awesome but it's funny! It's a huge deal. It's something that's never even crossed my mind. A friend of mine took a photo of the Sydney Morning Herald article when they announced it and texted it to me. I consider myself a musician and I do the TV stuff for the Country Music Channel obviously but I always considered it in a musical-way rather than a TV-way, I guess.

INTERVIEW: Craig Heath

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Craig Heath

Front-man of rock-group Velvet City, Craig Heath is set to release his first solo single off his recently launched own label, Global Records. His first single All Because Of You featuring Rick Springfield, was co-written with Keith Urban and Monty Powell is out this March.


On His Solo Music: "I don't think it's country. It has the full banjo and the twang with a crossover with a bit of pop in it. A lot of the records done these days in Nashville are rock and pop so I think it's country/pop with rock elements in it."

On Working With Rick Springfield: "[It was] very enjoyable. He's been through his ups and downs so it was just a really great, nice experience. He's just a really nice down to Earth guy. When cutting the song, I just sounded like it deserved to be a duo. We sent it to Rick and he loved it. He put his voice on there and it just sounded great together. Rick's voice suited my voice quite well and I think it's turned out really well." 

On His Solo Ambitions: "I've always gravitated towards that kind of writing - you know, from the heart. Nashville, their motto is 'three cords and the truth' and if you can make a song stand up by just sitting there playing it on an acoustic guitar then you know its good without adding all the bits and the production and trying a bunch of stuff to make it sound like a good song."


On Being Pigeon-Holed: "I mean it is country for sure, but I think the songs have got potential to cross over into pop. I think Australia finds it difficult and like to pigeon-hole it straight away. It's very different here than in America. It's slowly catching on here, I think."

On What We Can Expect From His Upcoming Album: "More of the same good wholesome songs. The old school way. You know, good songs that make sense from start to finish. They have a meaning, they go somewhere. They say something. You want to be taken on the emotional journey and also the physical. You want to feel good, you want to cruise along in the car and be excited, or you want to cry to it, you can do that as well. You know, I think its about having that connection. If someone gets something out of it  that gets them through a period or a time or something in their life or they can feel that someone else is relating to the experiences that they've been going through then, I'm happy."

On Upcoming Tour Dates: "There's some dates booked in already. We're playing some acoustic shows. We're just starting to book shows now. The Breslin Gallery is booked for April 19th, Sunday afternoon acoustic session. And there's some concerts in the park that Glen Eira Council puts on so we're doing some shows there. Hunter and Collectors played the last one."

On Velvet City: "I come from a rock background. I grew up listening to Metallica. I was in a Metallica cover band - hard rock. Velvet City was pretty much my songs and my thing any way I put a band around it and packaged it up that way. I just wanted to do the band thing for a while and have that three musketeers feeling. And felt like you know, have a good group of people together and play with great artists which all of those guys are very talented in their own right."

On McKinnon Hotel: "It's a great spot isn't it? Where we first started playing gigs was at the McKinnon Hotel in a Metallica cover band called The Four Horseman. That place used to be bikers, strippers, - it was an absolute riot. There used to be punch-ons every night of the week there. You had to be tough to play there."

On Launching His Own Label, Global Records: "It's a really good way for artists to be in control of their own destiny and their own product and their own image. Also with being able to put out the songs you want to put out without any restrictions from major labels. I have the freedom to do my own thing, which is great. I have the final say."

On If He Could See Himself Doing Anything Else Other Than Music: "I couldn't is the short answer. I'm very entrepreneurial. I've got a lot of things happening. Music has always been something I've done from a very early age. You name it, when I was a baby I'd start shaking my leg and that would be the end of it. It's always been in my blood."

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All Because Of You is out this March. He's a lovely guy and the single is definitely worth a listen! Trust me - it's good! I will share the video once it is released =D 

You can find out more about Craig at:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/craigheath12
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craigheathofficial

Originally posted at the AU review.

INTERVIEW: Lachlan Martin from Strictly Ballroom the Musical

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Lachlan Martin

Adelaide-born Lachlan Martin is currently starring as Clarry Welch in the Australian production of Strictly Ballroom the Musical. I spoke to Lachlan about working with Baz Luhrmann, wigs and Banana royalty. 

So, tell the people a little bit about yourself to start with.
      I'm Adelaide born and bred. It was an amazing place to grow up. I was drawn to the Performing Arts from an early age. I went to an Arts-based high school and loved immersing myself in things like the music program, Rock Eisteddfod and Drama. I moved to Ballarat to study a Music Theatre degree at the University of Ballarat Arts Academy.
    It was the perfect University for me - super creative and tucked away from the world, so we were forced to focus and work! I went hard my first year out and worked on nine shows, I think. Some were professional and others were for experience. I just wanted to keep driven and inspired. I played with different styles of theatre, dabbled with directing ... I could go on forever but you probably don't need my life story [laughs].

INTERVIEW: Hayden Tee

Photo by Matt Murphy

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Hayden Tee

Hayden Tee is currently starring as Javert in the Australian production of Les Misérables. I spoke to Hayden about his take on Javert, what he likes most about the production and what his future plans are once Les Misérables comes to a close.

You’ve been involved in a lot of musicals from South Pacific to My Fair Lady and Jekyll & Hyde. Is there one or a few personal favourites or career highlights for you so far? 
     I love what I do and am generally very happy in any show as long as I am working. Personal highlights are definitely Les Misérables - which is a big part of why I have returned. I also loved doing Cats - there is so much room for improv that it never ever got boring.

INTERVIEW: Tobin Esperance from Papa Roach

This year's Soundwave festival sees US rock-band Papa Roach make their triumphant return to Australia after a 13 year absence. I spoke with bassist, Tobin Esperance about their latest album F.E.A.R. (Face Everything and Rise), connecting with fans, musical influences and what fans can expect from their Australian shows.

Congrats on the new album F.E.A.R. (Face Everything and Rise). What was the recording process like? 

We worked with two new producers and we're using a lot of recording techniques and technology that we've never used. Usually, as a band together, we're in our own studio and we write songs and jam for like a month or so and get everything together. Then go into the studio and we record it. This time, we just walked in on the first day with no expectations, came up with an idea on the spot, recorded it and wrote it all on the same day. That's pretty much how we did the rest of the record.

More under the cut!

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INTERVIEW: Dave Hughes

 
AN INTERVIEW WITH 

Dave Hughes

How does one describe this interview I did with Dave 'Hughesy' Hughes last Thursday ...

Hmm, well it starts off pretty uncomfortable, starts to become comfortable and ends in the most hilarious of ways! It was strange and crazy, yet a lot of fun. Thanks to Hughesy for being such a great sport and having a laugh!

You can find out more about Dave at:
Website – http://davehughes.com.au/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/officialdavehughes
Twitter – https://twitter.com/dhughesy

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Previously posted at Tinsel and Tapshoes 

INTERVIEW: Dave Callan

AN INTERVIEW WITH 

Dave Callan

I interviewed comedian Dave Callan at the Portland Hotel in Melbourne last Thursday. Such an incredible honour to have met and interviewed such a lovely funny and giving man as he. I hope the interview is as much fun to watch as it was to make. Oh, and the sexy selfie, as mentioned in the interview, is under the cut :)

You can find out more about Dave at:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/davecallanofficial
Twitter – https://twitter.com/davecallantwit

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Previously posted at Tinsel and Tapshoes

INTERVIEW: Dave Lawson

 

AN INTERVIEW WITH 

Dave Lawson 

Dave Lawson is an Australian television and radio personality. You may have recently seen him as Scott in ABC1's comedy series Utopia or as Graeme in the film, The Mule. I interviewed Dave about his love for catering, shaving his head, working with Game of Thrones' Peter "The Dink" Dinklage, fatherhood and more.

How did you first get into acting? 
     I was studying Advertising at RMIT in the late 90s; and a mate of mine in the course, his mum was an Agent - which was very helpful. I'd called a few agents previously and they'd told me to call back when I'd done some work. Kind of a catch 22 - you can't get work without an Agent and can't get an Agent without work.
     The first audition was for a chocolate milk called 'Gary'. I got the job and was hooked - mainly for the catering.

Is acting always something you've wanted to do? 
     Not particularly. I always enjoyed being a dick and trying to make friends laugh (but) it wasn't until I was about 16 that I considered I might like to become an actor one day.
     The early advice I received was to have a fall back career, which is why I studied Advertising. It seemed like a mix of acting and drawing - my favourite subjects at high school. I was constantly reminded of the statistic that 99% of actors are out of work. Dad reminded me that also means 1% are in work.

Did have any any odd jobs before becoming an actor?
     Plenty. My first job was selling The Herald newspaper in the late 80s. It cost 40 cents a paper, so people would often just give me a 50c piece and tell me to keep the change. I was making some serious scratch for a 10 year old.
     I've delivered pamphlets, worked in a hippy incense store, dressed-up as Wilky the Wizard (at) children's parties and ran a lawn mowing business, which was shut down after I mowed off Dad's sprinkler heads.

INTERVIEW: Colin Dean from Once, a new musical

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Colin Dean

Tasmanian performer Colin Dean has been working in the industry for over thirty years. He is currently playing the role of lonely music shop owner Billy in Once, the new musical at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne. I spoke to Colin about dream roles, down time and art imitating life.

You're a well rounded performer - from acting on screen, singing and dancing on stage, being a tour guide, stand up comedy, live performances and more. Is there anything you can't do?

     Make a decent curry. How do you get the lumps out?

You've been involved in a lot of musicals from Guys and Dolls to Les Miserables and even, my personal favourite Jekyll & Hyde. Is there one or a few personal favourites or career highlights for you so far?

     Me and My Girl was my first major role, but the first time I played Billy's dad in Billy Elliot at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney will be hard to beat.

If you could play any role in any musical, what would be your dream role?

     Sweeney Todd. I played the role in an amateur production but would love to play it on the big stage.

INTERVIEW: Phoebe Panaretos from Strictly Ballroom the Musical

AN INTERVIEW WITH

Phoebe Panaretos 

1. At 11 years old, you made your professional musical debut in Cameron Mackintosh's production of Oliver! Now you're one of the leads in Strictly Ballroom. Is it kind of a surreal experience to not only be playing a lead but to be playing a lead in a musical directed by the legendary Baz Luhrmann?

Yes. Being a lead in an Australian musical is a dream come true. Working with Baz has been completely unexpected and wonderful. I will be hard pressed finding any other experience to be as special as Strictly Ballroom has been.

2. Was there more pressure or stress to impress with Baz himself directing the musical?

Honestly, no. Baz has this incredibly ability to make an actor feel safe and comfortable. He treats actors with respect and kindness. I never once felt pressure from him, and continue to develop my performance with encouragement and guidance. Baz is successful as he is for these reasons.

 

Phoebe Panaretos (Fran) and Thomas Lacey (Scott Hastings). Picture: Mallory (aka Me).

3. You play the role of Fran. Did you watch the movie as inspiration for the character or were you allowed some creative freedom to make the character more your own?

Of course I watched the film, as did every other cast member. The show is very close to the film, however it is completely its own entity as is my interpretation of Fran. As a company we respect what the film was and what the actors so memorably created although Baz made it clear day one we were taking the show back to the birth of it - completely new and from the ground up.

4. What is your personal highlight of being part of the show? 

I love making people laugh and those early moment with Fran and Scott have some great comedic moments- that is always a joy to play.

5. And finally, what would be your dream musical role?

Fanny Brice in Funny girl. 

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Strictly Ballroom is now showing at Her Majestys Theatre. Tickets on sale at Ticketek.