Strange Talk Interview

Strange Talk Interview

With praise as far flung as New York ("a star-crossed marriage of Phoenix and Passion Pit" - Flavorpill) to Atlanta ("one of the most promising new groups to look out for in 2011" - Arjan Writes) and, of course, at home ("the potential to write a dance anthem" - Fasterlouder) - it's with keen anticipation that Melbourne's Strange Talk release their debut, self titled EP on 12th April.

Strange Talk pair considerable musical talents from disparate backgrounds - with vocalist/producer Stephen Docker immersed in the classical world, playing violin for the Australian Youth Orchestra. Bassist/producer Gerard Sidhu was crafting house and electro as well as a regular fixture on the Melbourne DJ circuit. With inspirations as strong as they are varied, the guys set about months of intense songwriting, setting their targets on a sound as original as it is accomplished.

Reaching out to renowned UK producer Eliot James (Two Door Cinema Club, Bloc Party, Futureheads) to help expand and hone their sound, the first Strange Talk track to hit the world was 'Climbing Walls'. Triple J became early adopters of the track, adding the band to rotation and inviting them to play the main stage at Parklife Melbourne as part of the Triple J Unearthed competition.

Within weeks 'Climbing Walls' was everywhere, picked up by France's celebrated boutique label Kitsune for their Maison Kitsune compilation series, and covered far and wide by blogs the world over, used in surf clips to Australian TV dramas.

The band also caught the attention of Neon Gold, whose blog and label reads like Nostradamus of all things cool- alt-pop in the past few years - picking up on Penguin Prison, Marina and The Diamonds, Starsmith and the Naked and The Famous streets before other players had got off the starting point.

Subsequently the self-titled, debut Strange Talk four tracker will be released by Neon Gold overseas and through Fine Time Records in Australia.

The last few months have seen Strange Talk flex their musical muscle as a live act, honing their show opening for the likes of The Rapture, Neon Indian and Marina and The Diamonds as well as moving into the festival circuit, with shows for Parklife, Good Vibrations, and Playground Weekender.

With new single 'Eskimo Boy' about to hit airwaves, dancefloors and TV screens near you, it seemed like the right thing to take the Strange Talk show on the road with their first headlining shows.

Interview with Gerard Sidhu

Question: How would you describe Climbing Walls?

Gerard Sidhu: As a fun electro/pop track that's full of hooks.


Question: Can you talk about the Ben Sherman Big British Sound?

Gerard Sidhu: It's a great party in both Sydney and Melbourne that showcases up and coming bands in Australia. They have had so many great bands play in the past like Tame impala, Art vs Science and Little Red, its a real honour to be asked to play it.


Question: Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

Gerard Sidhu: We did back when we are younger, but as we've been in it for a number of years in various ways you come to understand the reality of it very quickly. It's a very hard industry to make it in and you really have to work your asses off, its not one big party.


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

Gerard Sidhu: Yes we write, record and produce our own music. Inspiration comes from everywhere, a song on the radio or a beat in your head. You just never know when it will hit, but when it does you get your ass in the studio and write!


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

Gerard Sidhu: We are always listening to vast array of music, but in the tour van recently we've always got Michael Jackson, Queen and Daft Punk playing along with new acts like friendly fires, Phoenix and Royksopp.


Question: What's next? Tour/Album/Single?

Gerard Sidhu: At the moment its really both as we're out touring our EP but whenever we have a few days off we are in the studio working on new material.


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

Gerard Sidhu: Yeah I have to say there was, and I think every artist does at some point. But that's when you really rely on your band mates/friends to help you through it. Well that's what I did, and luckily soon after that we had a lot of amazing people very interested in us.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Gerard Sidhu: We love both. Some days you just wanna get in the studio and write/record for as long as you can, and other days you just wanna be on the road in a new city everyday playing music with your mates. It really just depends on how your feeling.


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

Gerard Sidhu: The fact that we both love making music and its all we've ever wanted to do with our lives, what more inspiration do u need then that. We are basically living out our dreams.


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

Gerard Sidhu: I think the biggest challenge so far was when we were trying to find our sound. Steve and I were both working full time jobs during the day then spending every night of the week in the studio to late writing and recording. We went through so many different styles and wrote so many songs, but eventually we found what we were looking for and it was well worth it.


Question: What's a typical day like?

Gerard Sidhu: Well now a typical day is us on tour as we are in the middle of our Ep tour, so that usually consist of driving or flying to the city and getting to our hotel. Then we usually catch a few hours sleep and head down to sound check , grab some dinner and head back for the show and do the same thing the next night. When we're not touring Steve and I will usually spend most days the studio working on new ideas, or at rehearsals with the band running through new live ideas.


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

Gerard Sidhu: The fact that we get up every morning and our job is it to make music and play it live to people, it doesn't get much better then that.


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

Gerard Sidhu: We would love to collaborate with Stuart Price, he such an amazing writer/producer.


Question: Do you have a website fans can visit?

Gerard Sidhu: www.facebook.com/strangetalkmusic and www.myspace.com/strangetalkmusic


Question: Can you tell us 5 things required for a happy healthy & enjoyable life?

Gerard Sidhu: - Good friends
- Family
- A balanced life
- Respect
- Motivation


Question: What message would you like to say to your fans?

Gerard Sidhu: Thank you so much for all your support, it's been amazing!! Strange Talk are just warming up, we have a lot more music and touring coming your way so stay tuned!


Question: What is the story behind the bands name?

Gerard Sidhu: Its what we do before each show!


Interview by Brooke Hunter



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