What’s been happening with the Herd lately? What have you been doing?
Hanging out on the Central Coast of NSW writing another album, playing computer games and eating Rok Poshtya’s (our bass player) ill cooking (that means Good cooking, Mum!). Plus Sulo, our resident Italian is showing us a thing or two about pasta. It’s great times.
When’s the next album going to drop?
Sometime in 2008.
How is Elefant Traks doing?
It’s cruising along nicely – we have a good position to unleash new artists and promote our current crop of fine young cannibals.
Who are the newest signings?
The Tongue – he is a very talented vocalist whose album will be released in 2007.
Is it hard being an indie label in Australia?
It’s not hard unless your measurement for success is loads of money. If you want loads of money I suggest you become an arms dealer or a corporate executive. We have a lot of passion for these little records we put out and that probably results in them going further than your average indie release.
How do you see the direction of Aussie hiphop at the moment?
Getting plump, watching TV and not going out much. Perhaps it’s too much takeaway food and beer. Probably could lose the extra tyre lurking in the beer gut.
Do you see Aussie hiphop having appeal beyond our borders?
Of course, the powers that be have delayed the growth of localised forms of music many times before, by not reading the possibilities that the future holds. But that’s fine – it allows for more development and more avenues for the artists that will command international attention to break through. Either that or you accept that hip hop will only ever come from America – I think a lot of Australians (and people around the world) would object to that status quo.
Are you looking to reach a wider audience, or are you content with this one?
Central to our successes thus far is the conviction to pursue our own ideas rather than trying to fit into mainstream radio’s framework, for example. It’s meant that we haven’t simply blown up at any point, but we’ve got a loyal live following and we sell a lot of records for an indie band. Without sounding like a wanker, at least our music has a sincerity there rather than a contrived attempt at reaching more people.
You guys seem to tour a lot. What’s your favourite place to play?
Byron Bay is always good, Melbourne is a vibrant place, Adelaide is the one place we haven’t gone that often (maybe 6 or 8 times in the last 5 years). I love crossing the Nullarbor though – it’s incredible from the sky.
Do you like the big festivals, or do you prefer more intimate surrounds when performing?
Intimate gigs are great – more personal and much more interesting shows. Festivals can be great if there are no technical problems, because everything is so quick. Live music is where it’s at though – there’s no way you can get the same kind of energy in CDs and recorded music. In the live context, it’s more exciting, more lively and memorable.
Your cover of John Schumann’s “I Was Only 19” was well received – do you know if sales improve for Redgum since its release?
I have no idea, particularly as John is involved in numerous other projects like ‘Lawson’ which is touring around the nation and playing festivals etc.
Would you consider doing another iconic Australian song as a hiphop song – maybe an Oils song perhaps? Do you think Peter Garrett would sing at a BDO with you?
Peter Garrett has been very supportive of us and his praise has definitely been higher up on our scale of compliments – but could you imagine his dancing in our show? We’d all out-awkward-dance each other.
Do you ever feel that through your music you’re just preaching to the perverted? For example, have you met any Young Liberals who are fans?
Funnily enough yes, because people aren’t neatly folded into a personality box without some creases. This doesn’t mean that we appreciate them – I couldn’t imagine anything sadder than a young liberal aspiring to the sorts of things John Howard stands for. Humans are contradictory characters and we see our music as another form of dialogue that gets thrown into the general mix. I think it’s fairly common for our audience to agree with us on some levels and then have points of difference on others – even if it’s just small things. At the same time, I think the majority of these people are pleased that we’re discussing this stuff in a musical context because for some reason, not many bands do.
Who do you think will win the next election? More importantly, do you really think it will have any kind of positive impact on Australia and our position in the world?
This is too long a question to ask in a hurry, as the Liberals are far too sophisticated to allow a newcomer to snatch their power – and Rudd needs to walk such a fine line pleasing the various conflicting constituencies. It’s too close to call – but at least it is close. This time last year there was no hope of dislodging the Coalition. The danger in the excitement of it being a contest, is the haste in painting Rudd as a saviour – which he most definitely is not – which might come back to bite him if any mud sticks.