How did you guys meet?
Kav and I lived next door to each other when we were about 6 or 7? We’ve been mates ever since. Started writing songs together when we were about 16 and met Joel through another band that Kav was in at the time, the unfortunately named Freud’s Pillow.
What do you think of the Perth music scene?
I think it’s a great place to write music, it’s isolated enough that people aren’t hung up on trying to look a certain way or play a style of music that’s “in” right now. It’s generally about people who love music getting together and writing some great songs.
Did you study music at school?
I did study Jazz for a year at WAAPA, but got out before too much damage was done. No, seriously though, it was a great year for me and I learnt a lot.
What is your hottest tip to any young up and coming band?
Get two of your best songs and take the time/money to record them properly. Investing in home recording is invaluable.
Tell us about your latest album Inshalla? How is it different to your other albums?
Inshalla is a bit lighter than our last record. There’s a lot more hope on this record. I guess it’s hard to be lost in the night when you have newborn babies running around all the time. Kav’s lyrics on this record are very much about new fatherhood, amongst other things.
What are you up to at the moment?
At the moment we’re finishing off the Summer Festival runs in Australia, then we head over to the UK for some shows, then it’s back home to write the next record.
Tell us what it feels like to hit the stage at the Big Day Out?
It’s a great feeling, the Big Day Out is such an institution these days, everyone in the crowd is so excited to be there, so as soon as you walk out on stage they’re right there with you.
Is there one person in the band that writes the songs or is it a collaborative effort?
Kav generally writes the initial ideas, but then it goes through all of us and comes out the end sounding like Eskimo Joe. Almost like a musical bowel movement. That isn’t crap. Wow, great metaphor, Stu.
Can you give us some song writing tips?
I think it’s a journey that most people have to take on their own, but I guess one tip I find always helps people out when they’re starting, or even when they’ve been writing a while, is try to make every verse and chorus of your song build or change. Try to add something special to each part of your song, even if it’s just a little riff or texture in the background. Something to keep the listener interested as the song progresses. And write from the truth, it’s always easy to spot someone trying too hard to be something they’re not.
Was there a band or an artist that each inspired you to get into the music industry?
Not really, I guess I was a bit naive about the whole thing. I was just happy to be doing something I loved, and it’s taken me to where I am now. Pretty lucky guy, I guess.
How did you come up with your band name?
A friend of ours had a T-shirt he bought from an Op Shop. It said Eskimo Joe’s Diner on it, and we weren’t really ones to take time thinking about anything at that stage, so we ran with it.
Did you have anything like Rock the Schools come to your school?
Not back in the day, no. We did have a Suitcase Circus?
What would you each be doing if you were not in a band?
I was always keen on becoming an actor, but at this stage, I would love to own a Classic Car restoration workshop.
What was your first ever record/CD you bought?
DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince. Not sure which album. Pretty classy, huh?
For more on Eskimo Joe, click here
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