Chris Flaskas Q&A

Your name:

Chris Flaskas.

Where are you from?

Born and bred on the famous Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

Who else is in your live band?

I have been predominately been a solo multi-instrumentalist for some time now but as of late have finally formed a small band. I use a drummer trained in Middle Eastern percussion, and switch between a bassist and a lead guitarist. I play guitars, didgeridoos, harmonica and do vocals. 

How would you describe your sound?

I have branded my sound as "Earth Rock" which is a colourful mixture of roots, indie, rock, blues and folk. We have been described to be extremely uplifting, upbeat, funky and powerful with a touch of tribal spirit. 

Who are your main influences musically?

My Dad has probably been my biggest hero and inspiration. Since I was a grommet he's been gigging with many different bands. I also dig Xavier Rudd, John Butler, Ash Grunwald - actually theres too many to list. I'm really influenced by many genres and artists. 

What do you hope to achieve in music?

My goal is to travel abroad globally playing shows, sharing my music's message and to becoming recognised as a key Australian singer-songwriter talent in the industry for my compositions. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

Wow there have been so many highlights. I get a huge buzz off playing to big crowds. Some happy memories: 

1. Fans coming up and expressing how much my music has touched there heart and changed their life. 

2. Playing MainStage at local festivals. 

3. Supporting The Black Sorrows, Ash Grunwald, Wild Marmalade w/ Paul George from Tijuana Cartel, Kooyeh and many other Artists I love. 

4. Recording my first Album (A NEW SUN), my E.P (When The Gold Is Gone) and finally my latest Single release (Kings Of High). 

5. Touring. I love it.  

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

My capo exploding at an intimate show and the parts shooting in people’s faces. Haha funny, but not funny.  

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

Ohh Maybe "When The Gold Is Gone". It’s tribal raw roots, what I love and do best. 

Where can we listen to it? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvLOj8M3Zlg

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.chrisflaskas.com

https://www.facebook.com/ChrisFlaskasMusic/

https://twitter.com/flaskas_chris

https://soundcloud.com/chris-flaskas

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?

Music has become more than an self-expression for me it’s become a way of living and viewing life. Each and every song is so special capturing a snippet of time in the past or future at that very moment it was created. I have come to see the importance for music in our world and am grateful as an emerging artist to understand this truth and share the heart of music with you all. Cheers for the recognition.  

Apollo Hooks Q&A

Your name:

Dylan Mitchell.

Where are you from?

Sydney, Australia.

Name of band:

Apollo Hooks.

Who else is in your band?

Jules Wucherer - Guitars, Theo Henry - Drums, Jordan Glass – Bass.

How would you describe yourselves?

We’re nice guys, I think. We’re ok at playing music too, so that’s alright. We play a bit of modern rock mixed with the tiniest hint of pop.

Who are your main influences musically?

Tom Petty, Powderfinger, Prince, John Bonham’s right foot, anyone in-tune...

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Just to be able to have it as a full time job would be epic! Hopefully people like it along the way too.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

Finishing "Whatever You Do, Don’t", because it took three years and we FINALLY did it.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

When one of Australia’s top radio stations were premiering our single and they ended up playing a Nine Inch Nails song by mistake… And it wasn’t a GOOD Nine Inch Nails song.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

Probably Coming Home. It’s an honest rock song tackling the real life issue of PTSD. We came up with it as a band and it’s my personal favourite on the record.

Where can we listen to it?

All good online retailers.

Where can we find out more about your music?

Official - www.apollohooks.com

Facebook - www.facebook.com/apollohooks

Twitter - www.twitter.com/apollohooks

Instagram - www.instagram.com/apollohooks

YouTube - www.youtube.com/c/ApolloHooks

Without Wings Q&A

Your name:

Kyle Turner.

Where are you from?

Sydney, Australia.

Name of band:

Without Wings.

Who else is in the band?

Simon and Roger on guitars, Moose on vocals and Shaun on drums

How would you describe yourselves and your music?

Musically I would say we are a progressive rock band that love to be loud and punchy but then also melodic in a way that we will stay in your head forever. As a group of guys we are all fun and energetic, always looking for ways to stir one another up for a laugh and maintain our strong camaraderie.    

Who are your main influences musically?

The biggest two are definitely Karnivool and The Butterfly Effect. Whenever we hear or talk about their songs the conversations last for ages and often turn into Shaun bringing up a video of them on YouTube mid rehearsal then realising 20 minutes have passed by.  

What do you hope to achieve in music?

To be honest when we became a full line-up it was without any major goals or agendas. Individually we each just wanted to have some fun playing and collaborating with strangers, and seeing what sort of relationship and sound we would build together. Once we knew we were clicking together and decided to hit the recording studio, it became a bit more results focused. Even still the main desire is to just play music with one another and have fun with it. It would be nice to reinvigorate the prog rock scene in Oz and give a different taste and feel to the genre, but so long as we are having fun and people are digging the sound we don’t mind where it takes us. 

What has been the highlight of you career so far?

Definitely the EP release. Whilst we have all been in other music scenes and bands, I myself never had the chance to take it to a recording studio and experience the actual printing of something with my name on it, so I’m very excited and happy to have done it in a genre that I hadn’t participated in before. And also do it with some great blokes.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Having just shared my excitement at being in a studio for the first time it’s probably also something that caused the most stress, and at times made us experience each other’s limits for the first time as well. Whilst it was an amazing process and 99% of it was incredibly fun, that 1% was enough to make us realise that next time we hit the studio it will be with a different and more organised approach.  

If you had to pick one song to represent your music what would it be and why?

Definitely Fire. When describing the band we say loud and punchy but also soft and melodic. Well, that describes Fire. It’s certainly the song that helped us find our sound and direction for the future.  

Where can we listen to it?

Here on Spotify

Where can we find out about your music?

We are on most social avenues of course, you can find us on Facebook, Spotify, iTunes and we also have our official website withoutwings.com.au where you can grab a copy of Catharsis.

Shadowqueen Q&A

Your name: 
Alex Deegan.

Where are you from?
Melbourne, Australia.

Name of band:
SHADOWQUEEN.

Who else is in your band?
Robbi Zana - lead vocals - bass guitar
Si Hopman - guitar - backing vocals

How would you describe yourselves?
We are a three-piece rock band that plays music that is diverse, dynamic and melodic.
We love music and we have a good sense of humour.

Who are your main influences musically?
So so many, a few that come to mind are Muse, QOTSA, RATM, Bowie, Prince, Led Zep, Queen, Midnight Oil, Kate Bush, Skunk Anansie, U2, Jack White...heaps more

What do you hope to achieve in music?
A healthy fan base worldwide so that we can write, record albums and tour the world.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?
Getting to support Shihad (NZ). And getting to support The Butterfly Effect (AU). Why? Because we all love and respect those bands.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?
Wasting time, period.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?
That's a tough one because our new album hasn't been released and it's quite diverse, but I'll say our latest single: 'Waiting On You' it's a good representation of where the band is currently at; powerful, melodic, funky, playful and brash.

Where can we listen to it?
https://youtu.be/iXTvkyoIdos




Where can we find out more about your music?
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/sha...
Merch: http://shadowqueenmusic.bandcamp.com/...
Amazon: http://amzn.com/B009M56H4W
Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/album/2J1DmV...
Subscribe to SHADOWQUEEN's channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/Shadowqu...
Like on Facebook: https://facebook.com/shadowqueenmusic
Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SHADOWQUEENband
Follow on Instagram: http://instagram.com/SHADOWQUEEN_
Official site: http://www.shadowqueen.com.au

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?
Our new single and video 'Waiting On You' is out via all good digital distributors, and the video is on our YouTube page, check it out we hope you like it! Our sophomore album is due for release in early 2017! We hope to see you at a show!

The Ruckus Q&A

Your name: 

Tomi Gray (frontman).

Where are you from? 

Sydney, Australia.

Name of band: 

The Ruckus.

Who else is in your band? 

Paul Mason (guitar/icing) Froggy (bass/cake).

How would you describe yourselves? 

We are a socially, politically and spiritually charged group on our own separate life journeys meeting in the middle with our individual experience, influence and knowledge to create music that makes us inspired. 

Who are your main influences musically?

Kendric Lamar, Gill Scott-heron, Pearl Jam, Sting, Jeff Beck, NWA, Limp Bizkit.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 

To create a vast body of work that reaches out and moves a vast network of people. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

When on tour we hear unfamiliar faces singing along to songs we have created together. That's an indescribable vibe. 

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Every 'bad' experience leaves room to learn and improve. There are a few things that we would probably have done differently now, but unless we'd have messed up in the first place may still not know. A lot of the worst decisions turn out to be the best songs. 

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

Each new piece of work we create we feel as though it's the best thing we've done. I think that's a common trend with musicians/ artists etc. the last thing you've made is the benchmark of where your head is at, even if the next thing sounds completely different, and with us it does tend to. We pool our influences from very wide reach so often when we land in the middle it can be pretty out there. That is why it is important to us to be releasing as much material as we possibly can to paint as detailed a picture of the scope of what we are trying to represent. The latest thing we have put down on record is a song called Fever.

Where can we listen to it?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ft1uA_oW7c

Where can we find out more about your music?

The best place to get the instant full intention of what we are about is at a live performance. The next best thing to that is the Internet. 

www.theruckusband.com 

www.facebook.com/bandtheruckus

Instagram.com/theruckusband 

YouTube.com/bonezmusictv

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

Hopefully we can provide something through our efforts with our music that moves somebody who might get turned onto us through reading this interview. If so then we can close the gap a little. That would be a worthwhile thing.

Pete Allan Q&A

Your name: 

Pete Allan

Where are you from?

Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia.

Who is in your backing band?

A lot of the people I play with are in multiple bands, so it really depends on who's available for a particular show. I'm just really lucky that in my area of the world there are so many great musicians who can help out!

How would you describe yourself musically?

I'm not a "genre" fan because everyone is unique, but I'd say it's a mix of surf rock, roots, blues, live looping, and beatbox rhythms delivered in a singer-songwriter style. Music that can make you dance, and at the same time have you thinking about the message within the song.

Who are your main influences musical or otherwise?

Bob Dylan, Lennon, Paul Kelly, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, John Butler, Dallas Green are just a few.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Music is how I share my story, or issues I want to talk about, so I'm always grateful to be able to do this. I just want opportunities to continue to do this through live performance and music I release, for as long as I'm able.  

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

Big crowds always leave an impression, but it's when a lady came up to me while I played at a market one day, tears streaming down from behind her sunglasses, and told me that a song I had just played had really touched her, because it related to her life at that moment. It's those one on one moments that make it for me, as much as a big crowd would.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

I haven't had one yet thankfully.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

I recently released Treading Water as a taste of the new EP coming soon. It's a funky tune, but still shares a message within, and that's what I'm all about with my music. 

Where can we listen to it? 

https://soundcloud.com/peteallanmusic/treading-water-mastered-final

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.peteallan.com

www.facebook.com/peteallanmusic

www.youtube.com/peteallanmusic

www.soundcloud.com/peteallanmusic

www.instagram.com/peteallanmusic

https://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/pete-allan/id572735969

Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

I'd like to thank every person who supports original music, by coming to shows, purchasing music and mercy, and referring me to friends, it's you who make the all possible! Stay tuned for the new EP coming really soon!

Thomas James Q&A

Your name:

Tom Parrish.

Where are you from?

Manly, Sydney, Australia.

Artist name:

Thomas James.

How would you describe you and your music?

Indie-inspired, alternatively produced folk singer/songwriter. Or alternative indie folk.

Who are your main influences musically?

Matt Corby, James Vincent Mcmorrow, Dry the River.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

I haven’t set myself an ultimate goal. As if I get there, the euphoria will expire and I will set myself another goal for the future and will always aspire to be more. And if I don’t get there then I will deem myself a disappointment and curse myself for trying, so rather I am happy with how things are going, and hope for good things to follow.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

Playing at Glastonbury 14 with Freddie Vernon and Co was amazing. As far as my solo career goes it would have to be headlining The Fleece in Bristol.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

Hmm, that’s a tough question. Embarrassment never killed anyone so I don’t cringe at my past embarrassing moments too much. Most things in the past are best left in the past, otherwise we forget about the task at hand. Though there are things I wish I could un-see, like Hong Kong market place practises.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

Probably Crimson Charcoal which hasn’t been released yet. It has delicate instrumentals and a heavy hitting chorus with a message that means a lot to me, and is probably the most real topic of all my songs. The song just came together both when I was writing it and recording it really nicely and how I hoped.

Where can we listen to it? 

www.soundcloud.com/thomas-james-83

The EP is out now and available for listening to on Soundcloud so you can follow me there, or on Facebook.

Where can we find out more about your music?

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thomasjamesmusic1

Website: www.thomas-james-music.com

Soundcloud: www.soundcloud.com/thomas-james-83

ITunes: https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/spare-time-single/id1084631950

Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/album/2s6jskJDezjwGstSB2aP8k?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open

Unearthed: https://www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/thomas-james

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?

Please do listen it, I’m quite proud of it and would love to share it with you. It has been an exciting and eventful year bringing this EP together so it really means a lot to me when people take the time to listen. 

The Ninth Chapter Q&A

Member name: 

Jaz Munro

What city/country are you from? 

Brisbane, Australia.

Name of band: 

The Ninth Chapter.

Who else is in your band?

Dan Bowland, Glen McClymont, Zac Page, Tom Hilliar, Dillon Carlsson, Fraser Munro.

How would you describe your sound? 

Funk & Groove music...

Who are your main musical influences? 

Skunkhour, Stevy Ray Vaughan, Budos Band.

What do you hope to achieve with your music? 

A life-long bond between the members and shows that regularly surprise us after nine years of playing together...actually we have this already.

What has been the highlight of your career so far and why? 

We have been together for almost nine years and have played up and down the East Coast of Aus. A highlight would be playing the New Year's Show at the Woodford Folk Festival to thousands. Great atmosphere and a two-hour set of epic proportions.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 

Driving so much between shows.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 

Coming Back. Groove based track mixing our influences from all of the members. One our most popular songs live also.

Where can we listen to it? 

www.onepagelink.com/theninthchapter

Where can we find out more about your music?

Yes all the mentioned but our www.onepagelink.com/theninthchapter has the most concise material.

Marto Q&A

Your name: 
Dean Amato.

Where are you from? 
Fremantle, Western Australia.

Name of band:
Marto.

Who else is in your band?
Adam Round, Jaxon Boin, Chris Mackenzie and Harry Harrison.

How would you describe yourselves? 
Alternative but easy listening.

Who are your main influences musically? 
Faith No More.

What do you hope to achieve in music? 
Awareness and consciousness for young kids. To let them know that life is 80% bullshit and that love and sticking together is all that matters.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why? 
Getting to meet Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. Why? cause they were real people under it all.

And what’s the moment you want to forget? 
Selling my front row centre ticket to STING in order to go to a wedding.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why? 
Track 2 on the album Wont Let You Down, simply because it represents me. Straight to the point, heart felt and under four minutes.

Where can we listen to it? 
https://soundcloud.com/martofreo/wont-let-you-down


Where can we find out more about your music? 
https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/roads/id1049003565?app=itunes&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
www.marto.com.au
www.facebook.com/martofreo
www.triplejunearthed.com/artist/marto
www.soundcloud.com/martofreo


Anything else you’d like to say about your band/music that I forgot to ask?

All the music from this album came from a 12-month journey around Australia in my beloved VW Kombie YOLO.

Vice Versa Q&A

Your name:

Alex McGleave - vocalist.

Where are you from?

Perth, Western Australia.

Name of band:

Vice Versa.

Who else is in your band? 

Callum Whitehead - drums/vocals

Chris Gardiner - bass

Mark Flanders - guitar

Brian Gibson - guitar

How would you describe yourselves and your music?

Post-hardcore with an alt-rock edge.

Who are your main influences musically?

I would say we all have very different influences. Ranging from post hardcore to folk music. But our main influential bands would probably be Hands Like Houses, The Getaway Plan, Saosin and UnderØATH.

What do you hope to achieve in music?

Our goal is to make the music we love and hope that people can relate to in whatever way they wish to interpret it.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and why?

We've had quite a few amazing and memorable moments in our career. Meeting amazing people from bands we've idolised growing up would have to be the main one. Such as Hands Like Houses, Chiodos, Hawthorne Heights.

And what’s the moment you want to forget?

There isn't a major moment in our career that we regret to be honest. We've played a bad show here and there but they're always fun, no matter what.

If you had to pick just one of your songs to represent your music, what would it be and why?

Probably our latest single, This Is What I Call The Valley.

Where can we listen to it?

https://youtu.be/xc42rV2yux4

Where can we find out more about your music?

www.facebook.com/ViceVersaAU/

www.twitter.com/viceversa_au

www.instagram.com/viceversa_au

www.viceversaau.bandcamp.com

Anything else you’d like to say about your music that I forgot to ask?

We have big plans for 2016, including brand new music! So if you like what you hear, follow us on any of the links to keep up to date!