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Monkeytin
Myspace Link
Readers of Gigs ‘n Reviews might think the name Monkeytin sounds familiar. That’s because Monkeytin have been featured on Gigs ‘n Reviews before. So I called this edition Gigs ‘n Reviews’ Myspace Rediscovery.
Rod Davitt from Monkeytin
To refresh your memories, Monkeytin was the idea of its singer/songwriter Rod Davitt. He is from Ballart and with Patrick Davitt on bass and vocals and John Brockton on drums together they tour non-stop. Monkeytin would have to be one of the bands who knows rual parts of Victoria and New South Wales like the back of their hands. Like that Telstra ad, they have been everywhere.
Monkeytin’s music is cruisey but not at all like Jack Johnson (not that there’s anything wrong with Jack, if you want to fall asleep). Their CD Brave which is available on iTunes contains some absolute rockers like Where’s Your Bike Benny, Crash and Burn, Something Great, Next To You, Brave and a personal favourite F**k It All.
Rod kindly agreed to catch up over the net. Enjoy the interview:
1. Where did the name Monkeytin come from?
The name came from my early days of busking, someone said I should have a monkey with a tin to collect the money {laughs}
2. When Googling Monkeytin it seems you guys have been all over Victoria! Do you have a travelling Kombi?
No Kombi, just a car with a million miles on the clock. {laughs}
3. Where are you heading on your promotion tour in 2010?
2010 will be a good year for us. [We are] planning a new CD, [then] some touring around Victoria and NSW.
4. Many of your tunes have a real surfy sound to them. Do you have a favourite beach spot you go to where you write?
[It’s] like to get down to Bells Beach for a surf never really take a pen and paper but the vibe goes home with me.
5. Where did you make your album Brave?
The album was recorded at Studio 52 in Melbourne.
6. Do you love or dislike being compared to great artists/bands like Bob Dylan and Rolling Stones?
think it’s kinda cool; these guys are my childhood heroes!
7. You almost have a cult following of fans! Did you ever think you would have such a worldwide following?
Well we are just stoked that everywhere our tunes go, people seem to like them.
8. Do you have any plans to release another album?
Yes! (read on)
9. Besides Victoria and South Australia, will you tour the rest of Australia?
Well we hope so!
10. What do you hope to do in 2010?
Just play, play, play!!
Thanks Rod for taking the time out to answer these questions!
Edyth and The Electric
Myspace
Edyth and The Electric started as an experiment between three of its bandmembers while studying. Then the other members joined through mutual friendships. Together they make rocky but earthy music, which is infectious.
They definitely have a Melbourne sound that is edgy and raw! Of You has a great beat and edgy lyrics, immediately drawing you into the track. To The Floor and Run have a real rock sound with the singer Leona’s heavenily voice. This unusual mixture works.
I was lucky enough to interview Zander and Leona from Edyth and The Electric.
1. Did you all originate from Melbourne?
Zander:
We all met in Melbourne but we originate from different areas. Leona and I grew up in different areas of Gippsland whereas Steve, Nick and Hayden grew up along Melbourne’s South-Eastern suburbs.
2. You sound like the great 90’s group George. Were they one of your influences?
Leona:
She’s more one of my influences rather than one of the guys! I first started listening to George when they released “Special Ones” back in 2001. I remember seeing Katie Noonan and just thinking how so-called imperfect she was, yet she sounded so utterly mesmerizing. I think the way she has the ability to encompass so many genres such as opera, pop and jazz with such a pure sound and phenomenal vocal range is definitely something that I admire her for!
3. How did Edyth and The Electric came to be? Where did you all meet?
Leona:
Steve, Zander and I studied music together at Box Hill TAFE from around 2004. Nick and Hayden came into the picture through mutual friendships. The guys had formed a bit of an alliance I guess you could say but they had a rather interesting run with singers. They asked me to join as a bit of an experiment and it just worked.
4. Your music has a beautiful sound as well as being edgy. Is this because each of your music tastes are vast?
Leona:
Yes pretty much! Before E&E formed, three of the guys were in a progressive rock band together and are influenced a lot by alternative rock. Combined with my rather diverse range of influences such as Imogen Heap, Tori Amos to Jazz Greats such as Billie Holiday and Nina Simone, there’s a lot of different ideas floating around there when we’re all together! That’s what keeps it fresh and exciting though.
5. Where do you get your writing ideas from?
Zander:
We all collaborate equally, often bringing in ideas for each other’s instruments. Sometimes it’s a matter of just improvising continuously over a specific idea. We usually put together the overall musical ideas to make a rough songs then give it to Leona to work out the lyrics and melody lines. From there, we just mould it into exactly what we’re hearing. Sometimes we’ll get it in one go, other songs take a lot longer.
6. Will you ever bring out an EP?
Zander:
Yes we are currently promoting our EP with plans of bringing out an album hopefully within the next year or so. You can find details of how to find it on our Myspace .
7. Can people book Edyth and The Electric for weddings, parties, anything?
Zander:
Yeah for sure!!! We’re working musicians – of course! We love that sort of stuff. We did a gig on a boat once… the quirkier, the better!
8. In 2010 Edyth and The Electric will be doing?
Leona:
We will be focusing on recording our debut album, hopefully doing some regional and interstate tours and designing some cool merchandise!
A big thankyou to Leona and Zander for doing this interview. Good luck with your futures!
Richie & Jon doing what they do best
After watching Bon Jovi’s latest live DVD Live At Maddison Square and didn’t like what I heard and saw, I’m pleased to say that Jon’s voice seems to be back in shape.
Superman Tonight is Bon Jovi’s second single taken from their latest album The Circle and it happens to be my favourite track on the album. It was released in America on January 25, but as yet there is no release date for Australia
[ Click here to read more ]
I just am digging this song! It sums up what every girl feels like when her heart has been stomped on. It’s the ultimate revenge to sound terribly sweet but say those two words!
Go Lily
[ Click here to read more ]
Bernard Fanning & Clare Bowditch supporters of Youngcare
Tickets went onsale today for the Youngcare Benefit Concert 2010. This is a concert organised by Bernard Fanning (aka Powderfinger’s lead singer) to raise financial support and awareness for young people with disabilities living in nursing homes.
[ Click here to read more ]
Placebo are back with a new single and album. The first single is called Bright Lights and it definitely shows how Placebo have matured.
The video is really smart! It starts with the band being in the dark but as the video goes on, the band are lit in brighter surroundings until they are in the sunlight
[ Click here to read more ]
Spaceship Days
Since doing this feature I have come across some fantastic artists and bands who are making damn good music without the support from a labels. The indie movement seems to be taking off all over the world
[ Click here to read more ]
Can this man get any better? In his new video for Someday Rob Thomas is promoting world peace!
I love you Rob
[ Click here to read more ]
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