All you girls and boys better listen closely, because if you like 90's psychedelic-pop, than this will make you get off! Brendan the blind guy got to live the highlife chatting to Brent the drummer from legendary psych-pop band THE DANDY WARHOLS, about their 25th anniversary Australian tour, their new album 'Why You So Crazy?' and its inspiration and much more! Listen and you'll feel like you're having dinner with some of music's greatest, and as if you're caught in a 70's TV show! Check out the official Keen Eye 4 Concerts website www.keeneye4concerts.com
All you girls and boys better listen closely, because if you like 90's psychedelic-pop, than this will make you get off! Brendan the blind guy got to live the highlife chatting to Brent the drummer from legendary psych-pop band THE DANDY WARHOLS, about their 25th anniversary Australian tour, their new album 'Why You So Crazy?' and its inspiration and much more!
Listen and you'll feel like you're having dinner with some of music's greatest, and as if you're caught in a 70's TV show!
Hey everyone, Brendan the blind guy here! We all know it gives me Endless joy and an Endorphin rush when I get to Connect with talented bands on The Ascent in the Aussie music scene! Today, ladies and gentlemen I have the distinct pleasure of chatting to an alternative rock band breaking down all Walls in their path, CARTHASY!
Brendan; Thanks for being here guys! First up, the name Carthasy, what’s the story and meaning behind this intriguing name?
Lindsay; Cheers Brendan, thanks for having us. I think we were going for something which reflected the idea of catharsis, of releasing strong emotions, of everything coming together in huge moment. I think that when we're at our best we can get there with our music. Having that name has unfortunately led to a 'career' of having it pronounced a hundred different ways by everyone we meet, but it's always fun to see what people come up with.
Brendan; You guys recently unleashed your second studio album ‘Revolve’, a dynamic power-house of booming angst and furocity accompanied by fierce driving riffs, cracking beats and confronting vocal edge. So, what does this album and the songs on it represent to you, individually and as a band?
Lindsay; For me the album is a really nice testament to what we can achieve as a band. We went into the writing process with a really clear idea of what we wanted out of it, the sounds we were chasing, and the end result that we wanted to achieve. Getting to that goal required taking a lot of things away. We wanted an stripped back, raw, aggressive album, which meant there was no room for ego on any of us. We wanted a really huge guitar sound, which meant everything else had to get out of the way. We wanted a really consistent theme and impact on the songs, which meant that we weren't able to indulge some of our proggier tastes. I've always thought that the hardest thing to do in music is to write a simple song that's really good, and I think that at our best points on the album we've achieved that. Directionally, "Revolve" was also another step down a much heavier road than we've taken before, which required a bit of a recalibration in the vocal delivery and the tones we were using. Our vocalist Garry did an incredible job of adapting his vocals to the sound we were seeking for this album, and for me his performance is the highlight of the album.
Brendan; When I personally listen to this incredible album, I’m treated to stylistic attributes reminiscent of Karnivool, Dead Letter Circus, Something With Numbers’ first album ‘Etiquette’ and even the mighty Tool. So, are these incredible bands key influences for you musically?
Man, 'Etiquette'! I absolutely thrashed that album in high school, I haven't thought about that album in years. There's definitely chunks of that album buried in Garry's and my DNA which are probably still coming through in 2019. I'm going to listen to it now, I bet it's still buried in my memory somewhere. 'Sunshine Showers' is an eternal jam. Born too late to explore the pop-punk universe...
Lindsay; Aside from forgotten and underrated millenial Australian pop-punk bands, our main influences on this album were Norma Jean, Rosetta and, for me at least, early Pelican. The album was also written during a period where I was listening to Architects' 'All Our Gods Have Abandoned Us' more or less on repeat so there are probably some thematic cues that have bled through there. We've also been trying to write a song with as much melody as an Oceansize track for some time. We'll get there one day.
Brendan; More exciting stuff that Revolve around the album’s release! You guys recently played an album launch show on July 12 in North Perth. How’d that go?
Lindsay; Playing live is always an absolute thrill and it was great to have a chance to play the new album stuff for more or less the first time. Being significantly stripped back, the new album tracks translate significantly better to a live environment, it was nice to not have to play 10 minute prog jams. We were lucky enough to be joined by our great mates in Altona who were launching an album on the same night and it was a pleasure to share the stage with them.
Brendan; For those of us who couldn’t make it to this show, tell us what we missed out on? Did you guys blow the speakers? Was there any brawls? Did you break everything in sight? Or was the atmosphere tame, civilized and full of elderly Bingo-enthusiasts complaining that it’s too loud?
Lindsay; Perth has its share of people moving into new apartments which overlook live music venues then complain about the noise, and Garry's amp does go to 11 (genuinely - Soldanos do for some reason), so I'm surprised the last one didn't happen. Nothing too crazy from us, I think most of the crowd we get down are now a bit past the brawling stage and guitars are expensive. I'm also tied to a laptop these days for samples and such so I can't even run too far from the drumkit. I think the whole big rockstar move of smashing shit is fun if your parents are buying your guitar or you're getting them for free from the manufacturer - neither are true for us yet unfortunately!
Brendan; Right, I reckon it’s time we get exclusive! So, what is an exclusive fun fact about each of yourselves?
Lindsay; Ha ha, we all have reasonably professional lives so I'm going to duck that question - nothing too scandalous or doxxable sorry!
Brendan; Now it’s time for my FAVOURITE question! That’s right people, it’s best cat-video on Youtube time!... just kidding, it’s W.T.F time! (although who doesn’t love a good cat video right?). So guys, what is THE MOST hilarious, priceless W.T.F moment on your musical career thus far?
Lindsay; It's gotta be our last album launch, where our bassist Jack launched himself off a cab and immediately shredded his ACL. He managed to get through the rest of the set on adrenaline and beer but realised what he'd done as he was trying to give me a hand carrying my drums out at the end of the night. The best part of a year worth of rehab and he was ready to play again without sitting on a stool on stage. He makes his living now as a stage manager in the UK for awesome bands like the Psychedelic Porn Crumpets so clearly he's still able to carry heavy shit. A credit to his physiotherapists.
Brendan; And last but not least, what else can fans look forward to from you guys lurking around the corner?
Lindsay; Life's getting in the way for all of us a little bit at the moment and we're spread across the world - I'm the only one in Perth most of the time - but we'd love to put out some more music when the time's right. Rumour has it there might be a few more tracks from 'Revolve' that were trimmed from the release, I'd love to get them out at some point - if nothing else because one of them has a pretty sick drum part. It depends on whether finances or my ego win out in the end I guess!
Lindsay; Thanks for having us mate, much appreciated.
The debut single from Carthasy's upcoming album 'Revolve'.
Hey everyone, Brendan the blind guy Here! I Don’t Believe In Fairies, but what I do believe in, is artists who’s musical essence fills me, running through my Blood like a holy spirit, and No, I’m not a Holy Man! Ladies & gentlemen, I’ve got the distinct pleasure of catching up with an artist drawing near to the Eve of her EP launch and thus greatness! All the way from San Antonio and back, SHELLEY SEGAL!
Brendan; How’ve you been since we last spoke in November 2017 Shelley?
Shelley: Hi Brendan! What an awesome intro, hehe! I’ve been really well since then, thanks. I’ve been super busy, lots of writing, touring and recording!
Brendan; Last time we spoke, you’d just released your single ‘Someone Like You’, a defiant, powerfully commanding track about not being able to love who you’re “supposed to”. Now, you’ve released your new track ‘No’ off your upcoming EP ‘Holy’., conveying flavours of pop, indie, rock, folk and country. ‘No’ seems to portray a wanting for an end without confrontation, is that the story behind the song lyrically, or am I way off? (likely)
Shelley: With ‘No’ you are totally right, that is definitely part of what the song describes. The song depicts different scenarios where it is hard to say “no” for different reasons. Maybe your safety or your job is at stake, or maybe you just don’t have the experience to assert your boundaries. I want the song to be part of the wider conversation that we are having around consent. In the song I am encouraging myself and others to have the strength to assert our own boundaries but also expressing the idea that sometimes it can be more complicated than that, to hopefully encourage deeper awareness, consideration and compassion.
Brendan; ‘No’ and ‘Blood’ are the two tracks that really grab my attention on your upcoming EP ‘Holy’, with a sharp rock edge and catchy vocal hooks in both. Is this why you chose ‘No’ to be the first taste of the EP for fans?
Shelley: I’m so glad those tunes are resonating with you! Blood is one of my favourites!!! It’s hard to pick a single really because I feel like the tracks stand alone and all have something different to offer. I felt like ‘No’ would be a strong foot forward, it’s catchy and also is very directly engaging with a serious issue and I love the chance to get to talk about these kinds of things with press!
Brendan; As I previously mentioned, there’s lots of musical flavours swirling around in the EP’s mix of styles. What was the inspiration for all the musical diversity, did the songs’ stories simply yearn for their respective sounds?
Shelley: The songs on the EP were all written since moving to the US. I think being here has really influenced me in both the content of the songs, often around political discussions present here such as consent, religious freedom, gun control, tribalism/racism and also stylistically. I’ve spent so much time on tour driving around the US listening to country radio and absorbing those sounds and styles. I think each song really called for its own sound but I can hear the influences of being here and the music I’ve been seeing and listening to in each track. I drew on the artists that I love and I don’t feel the need to stay in one sonic palette.
Brendan; I can’t help but notice, from what I can tell, you still haven’t made your way up here to Sydney *sniffle-sniffle*. Is there any plans lurking for an Aussie tour in the near future?
Shelley: I KNOOOOOOOOW!! I’m so sad that I haven’t been on a big national Aussie tour for a while. I did get to do a regional VIC tour last year. I’m hoping that next year I will be able to come up! Hopefully will see you at a show :D
Brendan; Since we last spoke, I can imagine your performances have grown immensely. So paint us a word picture of what you bring to the stages these days?
Shelley: I've been really honing my show these last few years, I've been playing with my partner Rob on guitar and added a stomp pedal to the mix which has given me a lot more drive and energy on stage. I've also been learning to have more quiet subtle moments so I feel like overall the dynamics have really grown. I love to be vulnerable and open and to connect with my audiences to give them a space to reflect on their lives and how they see the world.
Brendan; Right, I reckon it’s time we get exclusive Shelley, just me and you… and all the readers. So, what’s an exclusive fun fact about yourself?
Shelley: So one cool (I think!) fact about me is that I used to play table tennis competitively!! I love it so much - it’s the best sport hehehe!! My father, uncle and my brother play and I still play casually. But when I was younger I used to go to tournaments and I even played on the state team a few times. At one point I was ranked #9 in the country for my age group. So don’t call it ‘Ping Pong’ or you’ll get my back up :P :P :P
Brendan; Now it’s time for my favourite question of all, that’s right people, it’s WTF time! So Shelley, you being a very active musician traversing the world with your music, winning the hearts of people here in Australia and abroad. This said, you must have some pretty priceless moments on your music career, but what’s the one that takes the cake as being the most hilarious, priceless, WTF of them all?
Shelley: So back in 2015 I released my single ‘Morocco’. It was about my experiences travelling briefly in Marrakech and Essaouira, looking at my place there as a tourist and what experiences were afforded to me contrasted with how things were for some locals. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHBWr2x0rrY I touched on some difficult issues that I had seen such as child homelessness and drug tourism.
After I released the music video a blog in Morocco wrote (incorrectly) that I had denounced the kingdom of Morocco. Thousands of people read that article and then watched my video through that lens. I copped a lot of online abuse and the story was picked by the national press in Australia and also the Moroccan World News. It was a very strange and interesting experience culminating with a story on the front page of the Age Entertainment Online with a picture of me and my dad underneath the headline ‘Australian Artist Causes Drug Furore In Morocco’.
Brendan; And finally, after your EP is launched on November 1, what else can fans look forward to, give us a teaser?
Shelley: Well I have some super exciting projects in the works. I’m creating music for a documentary called 'Transmission Love’ about a young transgender girl and her family in Los Angeles.
I’m working with my dear friend Prince Chapelle on a collaborative album. Prince is an incredible songwriter, producer and vocalist. Our album will be a meld of styles, folk and country melodies and guitars mixed with pop production and some fantastic local musicians joining us.
I’m also working on a conservation themed EP that is very close to my heart. ‘Great Loud Sound’ will be co-written with Dan Lombardo - a biologist and science communicator and educator from Tacoma in Washington State. The project will educate people about the stunning and unique Puget Sound Watershed, the animals who live there and the issues they face.
We are currently raising funds for the project here which we will eventually share online as a free resource: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-puget-sound-conservation-ep
I also share new music every week on my Patreon page! www.patreon.com/shelleysegal
Brendan; Thanks for your time Shelley and hope to catch you in Sydney soon!
Shelley: Thanks so much for having me, for your great questions and for helping me share my music <3
This will make any rock fans heart explode! Brendan's nver givin' up on his love of chatting to amazing artists like Rufus the drummer from UK rock legends THE DARKNESS leading up to the release of the band's latest album 'Easter Is Cancelled' and March 2020 Australian tour! Check it out for how literally Rufus put his blood, sweat and tears into the new album and why to stay clear of being directly in front of Frank at their shows! Plus check out the official Keen Eye 4 Concerts website www.keeneye4concerts.com
This will make any rock fans heart explode! Brendan's nver givin' up on his love of chatting to amazing artists like Rufus the drummer from UK rock legends THE DARKNESS leading up to the release of the band's latest album 'Easter Is Cancelled' and March 2020 Australian tour!
Check it out for how literally Rufus put his blood, sweat and tears into the new album and why to stay clear of being directly in front of Frank at their shows!
Hey freaks! Time to scream until your skulls explode, because this right here, is apocalyptic! Brendan the blind guy hard the honour of chatting to today's queen of rock, LZZY HALE from Pennsylvanian rock legends, HALESTORM! Lzzy chatted about the band's upcoming visit to Australia for Download Festival 2019 and the controlled mayhem fans can expect, the headspace of Lzzy when she writes these incredible songs, why never to ask Lzzy for a lift somewhere, and a prank on tour that left a bad taste in their mouths! Check out the official Keen Eye 4 Concerts website www.keeneye4concerts.com
“it’s just controlled chaos, we have to listen to each other and you know, kinda’ jam our way out of it and try to make a moment with the audience”
Hey freaks! Time to scream until your skulls explode, because this right here, is apocalyptic! Brendan the blind guy hard the honour of chatting to today's queen of rock, LZZY HALE from Pennsylvanian rock legends, HALESTORM! Lzzy chatted about the band's upcoming visit to Australia for Download Festival 2019 and the controlled chaos fans can expect.
“it’s little reminders that you are the strong person that you set out to be”
Plus why never to ask Lzzy for a lift somewhere, and a prank on tour that left a bad taste in their mouths!
Everyone who doesn't check this out really doesn't know what they're missing out on! Brendan the blind guy recently had a fun chat to Will the drummer and Sab the bassist from Melbourne indie-soul band, THE RUN about the band's new single 'Missing Out On' plus launch show and much more! This is everything you're looking for in an interview and will make you do a backflip with joy! Check out the official Keen Eye 4 Concerts website www.keeneye4concerts.com
Everyone who doesn't check this out really doesn't know what they're missing out on! Brendan the blind guy recently had a fun chat to Will the drummer and Sab the bassist from Melbourne indie-soul band, THE RUN about the band's new single 'Missing Out On' plus launch show and much more!
This is everything you're looking for in an interview and will make you do a backflip with joy!
It's a total meltdown right here people! 'Cause Brendan the blind guy recnetly had a chat to Simon, the guy who rhythmically hits things REALLY well from Australia's favourite party-hoons, DZ DEATHRAYS about the band's new album 'Positive Rising; Part 1 plus the national tour in October/November to celebrate the album's release! Join the party, pick up the drums (why not?), take a load off, but leave Lachy's guitar alone! Check out the official Keen Eye 4 Concerts website www.keeneye4concerts.com
It's a total meltdown right here people! 'Cause Brendan the blind guy recently had a chat to Simon, the guy who rhythmically hits things REALLY well from Australia's favourite party-hoons, DZ DEATHRAYS about the band's new album 'Positive Rising; Part 1 plus the national tour in October/November to celebrate the album's release!
Join the party, pick up the drums (why not?), take a load off, but leave Lachy's guitar alone!
For full info on the DZ Deathrays ‘Positive Rising; Part 1’ 2019 Australian tour, head to the What’s On? page.
Stay in the know with all the lates artist interviews, upcoming tours, concert and album reviews and more, by signing up to our free e-newsletter via the form below.
Hello everybody! Brendan the blind guy had the pleasure of chatting to Felix the lead singer from Australia's favourite jazz/pop partiers, THE CAT EMPIRE, before their first of three Sydney show at the Metro Theatre on October 3 2019! Do not lose your boarding pass to this tropical adventure!
Hello everybody! Brendan the blind guy had the pleasure of chatting to Felix the lead singer from Australia's favourite jazz/pop partiers, THE CAT EMPIRE, before their first of three Sydney show at the Metro Theatre on October 3 2019!
Do not lose your boarding pass to this tropical adventure!
For Brendan the blind guy’s review of The Cat Empire’s first of three shows at the Metro Theatre Sydney on the ‘Stolen Diamonds’ Australian tour, click here.
Check out The Cat Empire’s new album ‘Stolen Diamonds’ on Apple Music!
