theaussieword.com had the pleasure of catching up with the talented lads from The Basics for an exclusive special interview!What can you tell our readers about you? How and where did it all begin?
Kris and Wally were already playing and needed a guitarist and I was the only one who answered the ad! The name ‘Wally’ stood out and I thought “this looks like a great band of old farts I can get stoned with on the weekends”. When I turned up they were full of annoying youth and ambition.
What had you first interested in music?
Six years old listening to Chuck Berry, Arlo Guthrie and Laurie Anderson. Weird combo.
Who motivates or influences your quest to make great music?
Myself.
Do you have any planned tours coming up?
No. But we’re heading to London soon to play a gig and record at Abbey Road studios.
What are some of your biggest goals you hope to accomplish as an artist?To earn a living from it.
Success, what is the secret to it and what has been your biggest career highlight so far?
I think success is when you’re happy with what you’ve done. The secret perhaps is not to take advice or directions but go your own way. You’ll be happier and more interesting. Career highlight would probably be touring in remote Australia.Which other musicians of the music industry do you find inspiring?
A lot of older Australian musicians who have had success and failure but keep going and aren’t perturbed by trends or any of that bullshit.
How would you best describe you and your music to your fans?
Terrible blokes, great music.
What can you tell us about your latest album?
It’s a live CD/DVD from a gig we did at the NSC. It’s really good.
Are there any new exciting projects in the works?
Recording at Abbey Road.
The music industry is huge, where do you see yourself a few years from now?
In a little shack on the beach, miles from anywhere.
Name a few of your favourite Aussie artists.
Paul Kelly, the Cruel Sea, the Necks, the Easybeats, The Loved Ones, Died Pretty, Cold Chisel, The Go-Betweens, AC/DC, the Bad Seeds, the Divinyls, the Triffids, Midnight Oil, You Am I. Too much to choose from. We’re very lucky here to have such good music.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?
Yeah, it’s exciting how quickly things are changing. With social media and the internet, a lot more people are hearing our music. The whole idea about artists getting ripped off because of illegal downloads is rubbish. A lot more worthy artists are being heard now, whereas in the past you had to be sign to a record label in order to be published.
Thank you for the interview! What can you leave fans of theaussieword.com with here today?
Thanks.
Website: thebasics.com.au
Between The Bays 2014
Saturday 22nd February
Tex Perkins with The Ape, Diesel, Daryl Braithwaite, The Basics, Boom Crash Opera & Russell Beggs
Gates open at 2pm
Music will commence at 2:45pm
Music will finish at approximately 10:30pm
Access to Between the Bays is via Rickards Road, Moorooduc.
For more information and to purchase tickets visit: www.betweenthebays.com
I wish I knew who was saying what…having fun guessing though. ~Isla