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theaussieword.com meets with Melbourne rockers The Redcoats in this very special exclusive blog interview!
theaussieword.com meets with Melbourne rockers The Redcoats in this very special exclusive blog interview! What can you tell our readers about you? How and where did it all begin?
Many moons ago, a young Pasquale Mercuri married a beautiful woman who went by the name Stella Yianni. They became Mr and Mrs Mercuri. On the first day of Autumn in 1988, they got a little raunchy and conceived a child. On the fourth day of Summer that very year, I was born. They named me Emilio Anthony Mercuri. I am now the lead singer of Redcoats.
What had you first interested in music?
Being held up off the floor and swung around the lounge room to Bruce Springsteen at our house in Solway court. I still can’t recall if it was the Boss elevating my miniature human body into weightlessness or if it was simply my mother holding me up off of the ground whilst she windmilled around the house.
Who motivates or influences your quest to make great music?Myself, Rhys, Neil and Andrew.
Do you have any planned tours coming up?
We are touring our debut LP around Oz in November.
What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist?
The maintenance of integrity, the ability to always learn and the elimination of care for others perspective of our creations. A day to day reality, and an eternal childish dream.
What can fans expect from you in the coming months?
A healthy dose of our music. Something tangible within their hands, and something transparent in their bodies. Music that we have been waiting to share with them and the opportunity to come along and share it together in a physical realm. They can expect the same truthful encounters that they have had before with us.
Success, what is the secret to it and what has been your biggest career highlight so far?
The secret to success is to realise its lucidity, and its absence of regret. Success is knowing that everything was tried after the initial spark of imagination instilled it in your mind. It’s not gold that can be put up on your mantle piece within a jewellery box. More so, the connections you have with the people in front and behind you.
The biggest career highlight for me was driving through the south of WA, just the four of us. We all had nothing to worry about and completely surrendered to one another’s existence. We got lost on the way to a gig in Bunbury and although it was only a few extra hours, we could have happily been lost forever. I think that this simple connection between friends is very rarely found, in my life anyway. I was lucky enough to experience it with my band, and I feel it’s the most important part of my career to date.
Which stars of the music industry do you find inspiring?Rodriguez, Paul Kelly, Ray Charles, The White Stripes, Otis Redding, The Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Beatles, Joe Cocker, Billy Thorpe, Pearl Jam, Janis Joplin, Marvin Gaye, Portishead, TV on the Radio, Bruce Springsteen, Michael Kiwanuka, Little Bushman, The Doors……..is it better to take a little from everywhere and see it through new eyes? I struggle staying still in one place with music and I think it’s important to never be moulded by specific inspirations, it happens too often.
How would you best describe you and your music to your fans?
Its honest rock and roll filled with all the imperfections you want. The imperfections are the points of humanity, the colourful explosions of vibrant synchronicity. Its driven by a man who plays drums all day everyday, a slave to his passion, and a bass player who is entwined in the outer spheres of spontaneity. A classic guitarist who wears his confidence with pride, playing interesting, tasteful riffs. I write lyrics that allow me an emotional recall to experiences I have had, and I hope that they allow the listeners to be taken through one also. I really enjoy the way a story is made relative by the listener, and although I’m unsure as to whether or not our songs will, I certainly hope people get the recall of feelings we allow ourselves when we play them, simply by listening.
What can you tell us about your latest album?
It’s a genuine introduction to full length creations for us. It was a learning experience, but one that was indulged and ravaged collectively. We tried to make something that didn’t allow us to sit on the fence with our opinions towards it. It has taken us years to build the relationships with one another and create the abundance of songs wanted, so its an exciting point to be at when its all completed and you have absorbed a well of knowledge and ambition for the next time around. The only thing I would consciously recommend is that you listen to it from start to finish and surrender to it. We attempt to make it seem as though you’re in the room whilst we are recording it, when you listen.
Are there any new exciting projects in the works?We are always playing, whether it’s together, alone or with our very talented friends. The most exciting project in the works is our second album. The ideas that have naturally surfaced within the rehearsal rooms are really exciting, it’s always satisfying to know the next thing you write together is better than the last.
The music industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now?
I think that the gentle influx of people into our lives, although it’s picking its pace up, is very enjoyable. We like the theory of finding all the tiny pieces to the never ending puzzle. It means we can always find new pieces to the bigger picture but never have to look for the last one. Tomorrow is a good enough start for me.
Name a few of your favourite Aussie artists.
Paul Kelly, The Drones, Jezebels, Novocaines and The Hello Morning.
The shape of the music industry has changed significantly over the years, including the use of social media, how do you feel about the industry as a whole and what does it mean to you in getting your records out into the public eye?
We have noticed the extra heads growing onto the already multi-headed beast that is the music industry. I feel it still has everything you desire on offer, you just simply need to know what it is that you desire. Once you have figured that out, all you need to do is jump onto the beast and tame one of those heads, teach it to blow fire for you.
Social media is one of those heads, we have only recently learnt that its a pivotal point in getting your records out into the public eye you speak of. I’ve always romanticised the concept of the right eyes finding yours without any smoke and mirrors being put in place. It’s unfortunately a naive notion, and although social media has completely eliminated the mystery that drew people towards the greatest bands in the history of our universal language, its something I need to get use to. As the great man Dr John once said ‘if I don’t do it, somebody else will’.
Thank you for the interview! What can you leave fans of theaussieword.com with here today?
Thanks for reading this far. Come along to one of the gigs, so that I can peer deep into this public eye. Potentially poke it with my mic stand.
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Website: www.redcoatsmusic.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/redcoatsmusic
Twitter: www.twitter.com/redcoatsmusic