The Given Things Red Sky Interview

The Given Things Red Sky Interview

The Given Things started life in 2012 as a group of mates who were in between bands that just wanted to play music that was more than anything, fun. The philosophy from the get go was 'Stop trying to please everyone else and just please yourself'.

Hailing from Brisbane and featuring ex-members from The Butterfly Effect and the Kate Miller-Heidke band, the chemistry was instantaneous...

All of this has led to bunch of rollicking, sexy, dirty rock songs featuring big riffs layered with big vocals. Queen meets Queens of the Stone Age if you will. Comparisons have also been drawn with Alice in Chains and Clutch. After recording with Jeff Lovejoy (Powderfinger, Tex Perkins) in March, the guys launched their debut EP to a sold-out Crowbar in April.

With their collective achievements and experience, The Given Things are on the rise... The Given Things are - Clint Boge (vocals), Glenn Esmond and Nathan Moore (guitars), Steve Pope (drums) and Brenton Page (bass)

Interview with The Given Things

Question: What inspired the collaboration of The Given Things?

The Given Things: Spare time and a desire to have fun with the best musicians we know.


Question: How would you describe Red Sky?

The Given Things: It's that classic groove that just makes your head nod and your butt sway. It was originally called Dance of the Overexcited Rum-pig, that explains a lot I think.


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

The Given Things: Of course, how rude to imply otherwise; distortion, riffs, good times, girls, beer, all of the good stuff.

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

The Given Things: Frank Zappa, Frank Turner, Frank Ocean and Frankie Goes to Hollywood (this is not even a joke answer).


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

The Given Things: Yes. No albums for us, though, just EP, tour, EP, tour, etc.


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

The Given Things: We've only been around a year or so, we'd be pretty slack to have contemplated that just yet. Give us time though, desperation is never too far away in this industry.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

The Given Things: Live is where music actually lives and breathes. Recording is like Han Solo in carbonite.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?
The Given Things: 1. Dad, 2. not having to grow up and get a job.


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

The Given Things: My mum said there's no challenges, just opportunities.


Question: What's a typical day like?

The Given Things: Wake up, coffee, email interviews, existentialist panic, drink to black out.


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

The Given Things: See answer above minus existentialist dread. Also, punching above my weight.


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

The Given Things: As long as I could also stop and listen as well as collaborating, it would have to be Vanilla Ice surely.

Question: Do you have a website fans can visit?

The Given Things: www.thegiventhings.com will take you place or www.facebook.com/thegiventhings


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

The Given Things: Sing loud, raise a glass, move your ass and hug a stranger.


Question: What is the story behind the band's name?

The Given Things: It was the one we all liked the best out of a plethora of other less desirable options. And because Shitripper was already taken.


Interview by Brooke Hunter