INFLUENCES

This debut album includes songs that were written from within 6 months of recording the album, to songs written around 10 years ago. So the influences on my writing are varied. When choosing the songs for the album the main criteria for inclusion was content of lyrics. If the lyrics to a song were too clichéd or didn't tell a story, it didn't make it on the album. I think that's where the main thread of the album lies. Artists such as Jackson Browne, Joni Mitchel and Don Henley are probably the reason for my preference for a great lyric or story. 

From a musical standpoint, I probably have hundreds of other influences, here are a few great sounding albums that have left a lasting impression on me. 

The Dave Mathews Band	- Before These Crowded Streets
	- Under the Table and Dreaming
	- Crash
Jeff Buckley	- Grace
U2	- The Unforgettable Fire
	- War
Sting	- The Soul Cages
David Gray	- White Ladder
Sub Sub	- Full Fathom Five
John Mayer	- Room For Squares
Something for Kate	- Echolalia
Chicane	- Behind the Sun
Vince Jones	- Future Girl

The Badloves	- Get on Board
	- Holy Roadside
Jamiroquai	- Emergency on Planet Earth
Micheal Spiby	- Ho's Kitchen
Massive Attack	- Protection
Seal	- Seal II
Roachford	- Permanent Shade of Blue
Donny Hathaway	- Live

INTERVIEW WITH Australian Music Online

Who are your 3-5 favourite Australian artists?

George - really good live. Two beautiful voices, singing unpredictable interesting songs.

Something for Kate - Echolalia just got me, it's just one of those cool things about music.

John Butler Trio - Great guitarist, one of the best acoustic/electric guitar sounds I have ever heard.

Vince Jones - One of the best singers in the world singing great songs with a worldly conscience.

Micheal Spiby - Once again, a brilliant singer writing interesting lyrics.

What are your 3-5 most played Australian releases? Why?

Vince Jones / Future girl - The reason I started listening to more Jazz. Beautiful lyrics. Songs with room for improvisation but striving to create a sound or mood as a whole.

Something for Kate / Echolalia - I think I was just listening to the right music at the right time and it pulled me in - my favourite thing about music.

Micheal Spiby / Ho's Kitchen - I've always been a big fan of the Badloves, and this album, for me, was almost better because it didn't get the whipping that radio seems to give some singles.

Missy Higgins / The Sound Of White - Great sounding record, and just as important she can do it live. 

What do you think is the most influential Australian music release and why?

Most influential Australian music release of all time, not really sure, but more recently I would say John Butler Trio - Sunrise Over Sea. I think it showed the possibilities of what a truly independent artist can achieve here.

Which Australian performer (past or present) would you most like to work with?

I would most like to work with Vince Jones. Just for the sheer musicality of the man. It would be daunting and I would probably have to ask him to leave the room so I could sing my part without feeling nervous, but it would be worth it.

Can you describe one of your most memorable Australian music moments to date:

I remember a great gig at the Opera House with Katie and Tyrone Noonan from George and Fourplay. I don't think I have ever had shivers up my back so consistently.

I really enjoy seeing a band mix it up a bit live. They made such a natural progression from their songs in a band setting to a string quartet setting.

What, where and when was the first local gig you attended?

Probably one of my Dad's gigs. He used to play guitar and sing in several bands when I was growing up. The whole family would travel around in a Kombi Van. I had a car seat on top of the speaker stacks.

Can you tell AMO a story behind your latest release?

One of the songs on the album is about a homeless man I used to see almost everyday while walking down Bondi Rd. He would stand in an unused shop entrance with his head down, completely still like a statue. You could see him there in the morning and then later that day he'd be in the same spot.

I often wondered what his life had been like. Anyway, about a year later, I was walking down Bondi Rd with a friend and I looked up ahead to see the old man smiling and nodding at people walking by. I wondered what had happened that day to make him so happy. The song is called "One happy day in a year".