Band Name:

Band Members: Ash Gale, Luke Zecchin, Jase Shepherd, Suresh Meyer, Jeremy Wright

What’s the best thing about your job? Getting to play music – all the time, travelling, meeting new and great people

What’s your favourite genre of music? Rock, Acoustic, Indie, Pop

Tell us about a typical day in the life of a rockstar? While on tour it’s usually drive all day for hundreds of kilometres, load into the venue, sound check, quick bite to eat, play the show, load out, bed at 3am get up early and do the same thing all over again for weeks on end!

Who’s your favourite rockstar? Liam Gallagher

What do you think the best live music venue in Australia is? Palais Theatre in St Kilda, Victoria

What was the best concert of your life? Why? Hmmm.. It would have to be our last show in Adelaide at the end of our album tour just last month. Great crowd, Great times

What was the first Single / Album you ever bought? 100% hits volume 4 on tape

What do you love most about the world of music and why do you want to work in the music industry? Music makes life better!

Any tips for a budding musician? It’s all about the song.

Company: Australian Institute of Music (AIM). The leading school for today’s music industry. We are a centre of excellence for performance, sound engineering and entertainment management, open to all who wish to pursue their ambition of a career in the music industry,

Job Title: Head of Audio Department

Job Description: Responsible for the running of the recoding studio facility at AIM, and the education of the audio engineering students.

What’s the best thing about your job? I get to record some excellent musicians, all in a fantastic studio facility. I love sharing the ideas amongst students as well.

What’s your favourite genre of music? Brit pop – Radiohead, Blur, Gomez, Massive Attack

What do you do in a normal day at work? Besides drink lots of coffee, I teach sound engineering in the recording studios, and generally manage the team who look after the Sound Engineering program here at AIM.

Who’s your favourite rockstar? There are so many. Right now I’m hugely into Nine Inch Nails and Trent Resnor, though Muse is up there as well.

What do you think the best live music venue in Australia is? Enmore Theatre in Sydney. Consistently great sound, and great space. Seen some fantastic performances there as well.

What was the best concert of your life? Why? Midnight Oil at the Capital Theatre in Sydney. It was my first concert ever and it totally blew me away. Peter Garret was just this machine of energy. We weren’t allowed to dance though, as there was a chance that the balcony would fall down!! They closed the theatre a short time later for safety reasons.

What was the first Single / Album you ever bought? The Cure “Three Imaginary Boys”. It was before the Cure discovered synthesisers and spoilt it all.

Decks or Guitar? Probably guitar, but I’d be interested in looking at ways you can use guitars like decks!

What do you love most about the world of music and why do you want to work in the music industry?  I love the technology. I love tearing apart a sound and making it completely different from how it started, but still fitting in with the context of the music.

Any tips for a budding Sound Engineer. I try and challenge myself every time I’m in the studio to do something I have NEVER done before. I love doing random things in a technological world.  I have this great program on my computer called Randomiser. It’s like a spinning wheel and I often consult it when deciding what to do to a certain sound. Most of the time I get this whole different sound that I would never have thought of from a “logical” perspective. I love this aspect, and it helps me stay away from the normal, tried and tested approaches.

2008 Rock The Schools band Amy Meredith recently signed with Sony Music and will be releasing an album later this year! Rock the Schools caught up with lead singer Christian to see how they have been doing since leaving the tour and how we helped!

What’s news with the band since leaving the 2008 tour?

Since finishing the tour it has been an unbelievable rollercoaster, excuse the cliche, but that is exactly what it has been. After we finished the tour we basically had re group, focus and completely re think some things. the result was brilliant. We concentrated our time on writing great songs because at the end of the day that is what is about, having great songs. We took some time off touring and started writing every single day until we had a selection of songs that we thought were above and beyond what we were expecting, or what anyone who knew the band could have expected.

Can you give us a brief background of how you got together?

Joel and myself went to high school together and were both playing in different bands. We always said we should start a band together. Wade was already playing with Joel in a band together and I met Wade in a shoe store and he asked me to audition for their band, but they turned me down! Ha ha ha, it wasn’t until their band split up that they decided to come crawling back! We went out one night and realised Cam could sing, play guitar, and he looked like Matt Damon so we asked him to join. Kosta is the new guy and we stole him haha!

How was your time on Rock the Schools and would you do it again?
Rock The Schools was amazing, I think we would definitely do it again; Hundreds of screaming kids and free tuck shop food, who doesn’t want that?However the early starts were not for me.

What are your plans for 2010 and where can we come and see you?

I think 2010 is going to be a great, and big year for Amy. We have a record coming out and we are doing a national tour with Cobra Starship and Owl City in March. The rest of the year is all undecided so I guess we’ll wait and see. I think we will be heading overseas sooner rather then later and taking on the world.

Our first single ‘Pornstar’ is on the radio at the moment so keep and ear out.

Any shout outs?

Thanks Mum…

Check out the latest from Amy Meredith here.

 

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

Habbo Hotel is the world’s largest virtual world for teens. You can make friends, play games, chat with others, create your avatar, design rooms and much more……

Job Title: Website Producer

Job Description: I write articles, update the website, run the competitions and campaigns, help out with celebrity visits and generally make fun stuff happen!

What’s the best thing about your job? Lots of things! I really enjoy taking the creative reins and writing fun and kooky articles for people to read. I also love interacting with the Habbo users inside the game. Oh and the endless supply of Jelly Babies and Red Frogs in the office is pretty awesome as well!

What’s your favourite genre of music? Indie Rock, but anything upbeat that I can jump around to is good!

Who’s your favourite rockstar? It’s a tie between Anthony Keidis from The Red Hot Chili Peppers and Patience Hodgson of The Grates.

What do you think the best live music venue in Australia is? I have a soft spot for The Forum in Sydney.

What was the first single/album you ever bought? To be honest I can’t remember (probably something standard like “So Fresh”). The first album I was given was “Step by Step” by New Kids on the Block.

Decks or Guitar? In a previous life I would have said decks, but now it’s definitely guitar.

What do you love most about the world of music? That there’s something for everyone! You can basically live your life to your own personal soundtrack.

Any tips for a budding Website Producer? Be a sponge! Keep your eyes and ears open and be inspired by everything that happens around you. Fine tune your writing style and most importantly work in an area that you’re passionate about.

If you have a question for Elyce about the online world of Habbo, let her know below!

Company:

Job Title: Entertainment Editor.

Job Description: I interview famous people and give my opinions on music, movies, books, and video games.

Whats the best thing about your job? Meeting pretty people like Rihanna or that girl in Paramore. Oh, and free stuff!

What’s your favourite genre of music? Mall-punk.

Who’s your favourite rockstar? Dead: Joey Ramone / Living: Morrissey.

What do you think the best live music venue in Australia is? I like small places, like Goodgod Small Club. You have to walk through a Spanish restaurant to get to it, and the smells of chorizo and sangria remind me of my childhood.

What was the first single you ever bought? “Summertime” by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. The first verse is infused into my brain.

Decks or Guitar? Decks for rap music, guitars for rock music. When the two mix, you get terrible things like Linkin Park and that new Lil Wayne album.

Why do you want to work in the music industry and what do you love most about the world of music? The thing I love the most about music is the E Minor chord – it’s so sad! I want to work in music coz that sad sound makes me happy.

What do you do in a normal day at work? I read THE WHOLE internet, looking for exciting new things to write about. But mainly I just drink coffee and sit down a lot.

What was the best concert of your life? Why? Gah, I don’t remember! I went to Coachella in 2005. That was fun. I saw Weezer and New Order and MIA and some dude from the hit TV show Felicity dancing in the crowd.

What’s your favourite radio station? I like FBi and 2SER coz they play new stuff, and The Edge 96.1 coz they only play R&B!

Any tips for a budding entertainment editor? Listen to music, write about it, and send it to people who work at magazines and newspapers. If you harass them enough, they’ll eventually give you a job that pays in free CDs and concert tickets!

If you have any questions about what it’s like working in the mag biz and interviewing cool bands, let Rob know below!

Job Title: Presenter

Job Description: I get paid to talk about music and interview some of the best bands in the world.

What’s the best thing about your job? Getting paid to talk about music and interview some of the best bands in the world!

What’s your favourite genre of music? The good kind.

What do you think the best live music venue in Australia is? The Forum in Melbourne. There’s nothing like seeing your favourite band play in an intimate, old theatre where the ceiling is illuminated to replicate the night sky.

What was the first single/ album you ever bought? The Jesus Christ Superstar soundtrack. This album also doubles as my response to ‘What is the most embarrassing album you ever bought?’

Decks or Guitar? Don’t let Hendrix hear you ask that question.

Why do you want to work in the music industry and what do you love most about the world of music? I love the sense of community in this industry. Whether artist, presenter, publicist, journalist, whatever – everyone is in this because they love music, and that’s unifying. Plus, I get free CDs and gig tickets.

What do you do in a normal day at work? I’m usually at my desk, researching and getting prepped to either interview a band or film an episode of our daily chart show [V] Rater. I also sit here and blog about the big issues, like what it’s like dating a Britney fan, or why Lil Wayne is this generation’s Joe Strummer.

What was the best concert of your life? Why? The Streets’ gig at The Palace in Melbourne. I had just turned 18 and was very excited to be able to go and see these guys perform what is still today one of my favourite albums of all time, Original Pirate Material. Plus, during their set, Mike Skinner handpicked me from the crowd to help him finish his brandy. Spare a thought for my mates who had to hear about this one for a while.

What’s your favourite radio station? FBI Radio 94.5FM. It’s good.

Any tips for a budding music presenter? Work hard, be yourself, know your stuff.

Ask Billy about what it’s like working in music television for Channel [V] and interviewing some of the world’s biggest artists in the comments below.