|
|
January 2001
Hi, A little tired in the midst of touring, like the old NDW days-nine gigs in ten days-but you get in the groove and develop the songs by constant playing. Also managed some magnificent swimming in Byron Bay, Coogee and Newcastle. The Coldplay gig at the Metro was a corker, as was the Prince of Wales in Melbourne. Also enjoyed the SJs gig in Newcastle, the Basement and Conti shows plus the Bondi gig tho we were sans drummer Michael B and it felt a little weird. The Big Day Out gig in Sydney in the Reel Music 'Closet' was a joke... shit venue, bad PA, no fun, but thanks to those who listened.
The new single is Marius Devries mix of Dive that shifts the tune up a notch, quite bright and percussive. I've always been a bit of a fan of Marius'. His remix of Bowie's Seven is beautiful, not to mention his work with one of my favourite artists, Madonna (the Emperor's new clothes). He was very receptive to the song, which he did in between working on Baz Luhrmann's film Moulin Rouge. The single also contains a live version of the track Act of Free Choice recorded by Triple J's Chris Thompson at the HiFi Bar during the first tour and mixed by Chris Scallan. There is also a curious Eurodisco treatment of Sad that Alex Lloyd did; not sure what to make of that one yet.
Telek is playing Womadelaide and this will probably be his last one. Please buy his album Serious Tam if you haven't already, George needs the money, and it's a great record. Trying to organise a Melbourne date for George with Frank Yamma.
Went to New Orleans for two weeks prior to Christmas to record sounds for the soundtrack to Bill Bennett's thriller Tempted starring Burt Reynolds, Saffron Burrowes and Peter Facinelli. Managed to get deep into the swamps and bayous, up the Mississippi, inside warehouses on the docks recording all sorts of noises: generators, critters, trains, weird Louisiana conversations, boats and right wing evangelists. I've been working up these sounds with Chris Scallan into rhythm loops, textures and tunes which will meld with orchestration and analogue keyboards for the soundtrack. The score has to carry tension and darkness from the psychosis of the swamp. It has to be completed by April in time for the film to go to Cannes. Nick Littlemore from Pnau has been working with me a little on this, creaky analogue sounds and loops. I'm also composing the soundtrack for the film of Australian classic novel by George Johnston My Brother Jack starring Matt Day and Claudia Karvan and a cameo by Jack Thompson. It's a full orchestra score mapping the emotional journey of young Davey. I'll be collaborating with my cake mate Helen Mountfort.
Managed to see Jerry Lee Lewis play at the New Orleans House of Blues; he looks a bit like Jack Dyer. He began his set with Sweet Little Sixteen! Also played Great Balls of Fire and Whole Lotta Shakin Going On, but the highlight for me was seeing the Rebirth Brass Band inside the pressed metal walls of the Maple Leaf Bar: Dixie Brass over Hip Hop rhythms, no PA, one light bulb swinging, loud as hell.
EMI UK release the album in March, we head over for two weeks of promo and shows, maybe a couple in Europe. The plan is to head back in the middle of the year for festival shows and in time for the US release on Virgin.
Did a couple of sell out MFTCC gigs at Christmas. The first night involved blowing out the cobwebs, but by the second night we were back into the swing of things happily enough. The much-asked-for NDW back catalogue is finally moving ahead, our old manager Mark Bishop released the Proof and Hammers Over the Anvil soundtracks on a label called Rogues Gallery. We'll do the same with these, plus a distribution with Gaslight Records and web sales. As soon as I know more, ie contact details, I'll post it on the site.
The DVD is finally being authored and should be out to coincide with the release of The Deserters as the fourth single. The feedback in the guestbook is most encouraging, thanks to those who have taken the time. Any enquiries will be answered eventually.
I'm trying to rope in some big Australian acts for a high profile benefit for West Papua, to publicise the liberation struggle of the people up there. Most of the leaders of the independence movement have been arrested and are now undergoing militia interrogation inside the jail at Jayapura. Shall keep you informed as to when and where.
Saw a man at the BDO with a t-shirt that read 'I sell crack to 5 year olds and I vote!'
Read Last Drinks by Andrew McGahan, kinda deals with the Fitzgerald Inquiry into corruption in Queensland from a dodgy characters perspective; he's a great writer.
Been listening to:
The Rebirth Brass Band.
The RRR soundscape cd which is great value for money as well as containing some fine songs.
The PJ Harvey record. Mick Harvey is damn talented, the record reminds us of Patti Smith, not a bad thing.
Culture-music from Black Australia, a Triple J compilation which Phil and I reviewed for InPress magazine featuring NoKturnl, Yothu Yindi, Mills Sisters, Warumpi Band, Saltwater Band, Waak Waak Jungi. Like all compilations it's a bit of a mixed bag but there are seven classic songs on there and that's a better strike rate than most records.
|
|
