You’ve just started a new band, but this isn’t your first rodeo. Tell us about your background in music. I’ve been playing in bands since I was 16! The first was in high school and early uni with friends, and then my first time writing and singing all the songs was in Frances Fox, which was with my brother Mitch (who’s been in a couple of amazing bands – Ciggie Witch and Skydeck) and my friend Bella. Last year, I got to play some shows with my friends in Good Morning (singing backing vocals), which was a dream because they’re one of my favourites.

What prompted you to start GCB? It was my New Year’s resolution! I missed playing music with friends so much. When we were recording the backing vocals for the Good Morning record, Dannika (who has an amazing album of her own) and I kept saying that we’d forgotten how fun singing was.

How would you describe GCB’s music? Before we’d actually started rehearsing, I was going around saying that I was going to start a country band. I love country music, and I thought that making music in a distinct genre would be fun. When people have asked, “What kind of music do you play?” I’ve always had a vague, evasive answer. Sadly, that’s still the case because GCB doesn’t sound that country – I think maybe it’s true that you really do need to have country music in your blood. I’ve ridden horses a few times, driven a tractor once? I don’t think it’s good enough. All of this to say, it’s basically indie rock with a little bit of twang.

Which musicians or artists have been on your mood board as you’ve been crafting GCB? My favourite songwriter of all time is Lucinda Williams, so I always look to her. I actually think she was influencing me before I fully realised it, because my dad has been playing her music my whole life. Also, Waxahatchee and MJ Lenderman, Liz Phair, The Go-Betweens. It’s maybe a cliché when you’re talking about influences, but it can be kind of scary because you don’t want to sound like you’re comparing yourself to them. I would love to write a song one tenth as good as those artists’ best songs.

How did you go about rallying the troops for GCB? Where did you find the other musicians? It sounds trite but I genuinely just asked my gorgeous friends. Izzy and Cal had been playing shows with their incredible band Piggietails and I asked if they’d help me, and then Dain is one of the best musicians I know. It’s like that gif of the bit in Josie and the Pussycats where they’re saying, “Friends first, band second”.

Do you bring completed songs to your bandmates, or do you create them collaboratively? For now, I’ve been writing full songs – making voice memos of them, sending them to the band, and then we’ve been working on them together. I can’t play drums or bass and I’m not that good at guitar, so I’m not writing everyone else’s parts. I simply couldn’t do it without the squad. Hearing them turn my demos into songs is the best part so far. Now that we have a mini set together, we’re gonna “jam” and write some songs together. We’re gonna be the Grateful Dead by spring.

GCB have just played their first ever show – what was it like? It was so cute! We played with Piggietails, so Izzy and Cal had to do double duty – which on reflection is kind of a big ask for a first show. But lots of precious friends came and it was at the Tramway (in Melbourne/Naarm), which is in my top three venues, I think.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a band, but doesn’t know where to begin? I think it’s basically all about doing it with friends – this is probably really obvious advice, but if you have friends who play in bands already or play instruments, ask them if they wanna do it with you. If you don’t know a drummer, ask your friend who plays bass if they know a drummer, and so on. If you’re starting completely from scratch, it’s probably useful to have some descriptions up your sleeve of the kind of sound you’re going for. Also, don’t forget that you’ll be rehearsing at the drummer’s house because drums are too annoying to transport, so be nice to your drummer’s housemates and bring snacks to practice.

Pop over to GCB's Instagram and chuck them a follow to keep up to date with the band's music and show announcements.

 

 

 

 

 

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