Red Ink Interview

Red Ink Interview

Melbourne outfit Red Ink have made a true rock star entrance on the local music scene, already having played shows alongside Biffy Clyro (US), Miami Horror and British India (to name a few). They've been climbing radio airwaves and tearing roofs from the rafters of venues around the country. Their loud hook-laden rock is hard to ignore.

Singles 'Audrey', 'Catching a Killer' - a track mixed by Barney Barnicott (Kasabian, Muse, Lily Allen, Arctic Monkeys) - and 'Battlescars' have each received heavy national airplay.

A year of constant touring in 2010 has cemented Red Ink as 'the one to watch'. With a killer live show, "watch" is the operative word. Red Ink have won over tastemaker crowds at hyped guerrilla performances and festivals including Peats Ridge, Stereosonic, Playground Weekender and Hot BBQ. And word is spreading fast. Love has been rolling in from fans across Eastern Europe, UK and the United States.

The latest single, 'What My Friends Say' captures the infectious energy of the band onstage and delivers a maturity and depth in song writing. The lyrics weave a tale of heartache and confusion. Already a hit amongst Red Ink's live audiences, 'What My Friends Say' is destined to explode out of radio speakers.

Red Ink will spend most of 2011 out on the road, playing headline shows and festivals around the country. They also join the national Logitech Rock The Schools tour throughout June and July. Check out www.rocktheschools.com.au for details.
Stay tuned for a stellar debut record later this year through Shock. It will be hard to miss!As a special gift from the band, 'What My Friends Say' is available for a limited time as aFREE download from www.facebook.com/redinkmusic

Interview with John Jakubenko

Question: What inspired What My Friends Say?

John Jakubenko: One of my best mates was seeing a girl that was actually no good for him, so I rudely stepped in and told him that he should maybe not be dating her and then somehow, when your best friends with a guy who writes songs, it just kind of crept into some lyrics. When he heard the song on the radio, he asked if it was about him, which was a little awkward, but he wasn't too offended!


Question: How did it feel to hear your song played all over the airwaves?

John Jakubenko: It's awesome! The first time I heard one of our songs played I was at my Aunt's, hanging out on her roof and I feel off because I was so stoked that we had made it! The people in radio world have been very kind to us, and it's always a great feeling when your song on the radio.


Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

John Jakubenko: Yeah, we write all of our own material. We are an original band from Melbourne and from really early on we have written all of our own stuff; we draw inspiration from what we see around us. We are from a small town where everyone knows everyone and anyone you run into could be a potential story. Really its anything around us could be inspiration.


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

John Jakubenko: Well as a band, we all have very varied musical influences. I'm really into pop music like Katy Perry, Hip-Hop and R'n'B. But the rest of the band are into people like The Smith's, The Clash and stuff.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

John Jakubenko: Well both are so good in their own way, I love performing live because of the response we get from the audience and we usually have as much fun as we can so it's usually more fun doing that. But we definitely love recording as well.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

John Jakubenko: I just remember being in school and being asked to sing at concerts and stuff like that. I really enjoyed the performance side of things, I remember that you could get away with being a little bit naughty and being creative by being in a band.


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

John Jakubenko: I suppose it has been learning to make sacrifices back at home. I missed out on a lot of my friends 21st's at home because we were on tour or recording in the studio, so that's probably one of the hardest things to learn to do.


Question: What's a typical day like?

John Jakubenko: We are on tour now, so we normally get up and head down to the venue to do a sound check. Then we might head out to a thrift store and pick up some cool clothes and just stuff like that. Then, we will play the gig and go out with the crew and the fans. And then do it all again!


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

John Jakubenko: Just being able to see all of the most beautiful parts of the country and getting to travel and see the world while playing music to people who just want to have a good time; it is a pretty cool part of the job.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

John Jakubenko: Pharrel Williams from N.E.R.D. we think he is pretty awesome.


Question: What is the story behind the bands name?

John Jakubenko: Brendan, (the guitar player) and I had been gigging around just under the name "John and Brendan" which was pretty boring and eventually we decided that we had to come up with a band name. One day, I saw a car drive past with the number plate "Red Ink" and I though that would do, and now its just stuck!


Interview by Morgan Sutherland.