EMQ’s With Talkradio

EMQ’s With Talkradio

Hi everyone! Welcome to another EMQs interview, this time with Australian Indie Rock project, Talkradio. Huge thanks to music man, Alex, for taking part. 

What is your name, what do you play and can you tell us a little bit about the history of the band?

My name is Alex. I’m the only one in “Talkradio”. I play every instrument and sing all the vocals. I started this project back in 1998. Originally I started it with the guitarist who was in my cover band at the time. I used to get other musician friends to record other instruments when we were in the studio. That all ended late 2002 and I’ve been doing it alone ever since. The first songs I wrote and recorded myself were in 2006.

How did you come up with your band name?

I was a big Radiohead fan back then. I still am. At one point, someone I worked with mentioned how they still listened to ABC talk radio on the way to work and I thought it would be funny if someone was referring to a band every time they said “talk radio”. I decided to make it one word, to mimic “Radiohead”.

What Country / Region are you from and what is the Metal / Rock scene like there?

I’m from Melbourne, Australia. The music scene in general is very small here compared to the 90’s. Most venues are gone and as far as I know, there are no Rock or Metal clubs/bars anymore (I could be wrong). Live music venues are confined to very small pockets in a few suburbs, and most of those usually just host open mic nights.

What is your latest release? (Album, EP, Single, Video)

My latest album is called “Choose”, and it was released last year. The single I’ve been promoting is called “Down”. It’s not the heaviest song on the album but I think it’s the most interesting.

Who have been your greatest influences?

My influences come mostly from 90’s Grunge and Alternative, but also from some great 70’s acts. The stuff I listen to varies quite a bit. Bands I still listen to regularly include Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Queens of the Stone Age, Radiohead, Powderfinger, Florence and the Machine (Ceremonials in particular), Nothing but Thieves, Arctic Monkeys (AM in particular), Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, The Doobie Brothers, The Beatles, and Cat Stevens. I still go back to Iron Maiden every now and again as well.

What first got you into music?

I’ve been told I’ve always been musical. I used to drum in time to songs from the age of 3. Even so, music wasn’t my first artistic pursuit. I started as an actor at the age of 12. I did quite a bit of theatre, TV and even a film over a period of 5 years. When I finished high school and it was time to go to uni, my parents stopped supporting my acting ambitions. They actively blocked my attempts, which was simple for them really. All they had to do was stop driving me around to where I needed to go. By the time I got my licence and was able to get around myself, my acting agency had been sold, I was no longer on their books and my actor’s equity membership had expired. At this stage, I had no drum kit at home either and was relegated to practicing on various pieces of furniture in front of the stereo (I became pretty adept at making improvised drum kits). At some point my cousin, who happened to be a great drummer, invited me to watch his cover band at a rehearsal studio. It turned out they had no singer and, when I got there, insisted I get on the microphone to give them a guide. It took a lot of convincing. They kept asking me back every weekend. That’s how the singing began. Not long after that, I joined a band and signed up for singing lessons.

If you could collaborate with a current band or musician who would it be?

For years, my number one song writing influence has been Foo Fighters. I’m a huge admirer of Dave Grohl’s ability to churn out melodic hooks like he has a bottomless pit of ideas. I’d love to be able to sit down with him and see how he does it.

If you could play any festival in the world, which would you choose and why?

Glastonbury. It’s one of the biggest in the world and has an amazing history.

What’s the weirdest gift you have ever received from a fan?

I haven’t received anything. I don’t really have “fans” as such. I think my streams come mostly from friends and family. I haven’t seen a huge increase in plays during my time online.

If you had one message for your fans, what would it be?

If I have any fans out there, I’d just like to send a huge thank you for the support. One of the biggest reasons we do this is in the hope it will have a positive impact on someone’s life, or at the very least, their mood.

If you could bring one rock star back from the dead, who would it be?

Chris Cornell. Such a loved artist who, sadly, didn’t seem to realise how much he would be missed.

What do you enjoy the most about being a musician? And what do you hate?

Creating and performing live are what give me a buzz. What I hate is what the music industry has become, with regard to streaming and this appetite for 30 second videos (ie TikTok). What the hell does that have to do with music???

If you could change one thing about the music industry, what would it be?

I’d force legislation to put streaming services in their place and ensure that all artists are actually getting paid fairly for their work. I’ve spent tens of thousands on the 3 albums I have online, and I know I will never get that money back.

Name one of your all-time favourite albums?

Very hard to do, but I will say “Superunknown” by Soundgarden.

What’s best? Vinyl, Cassettes, CD’s or Downloads?

Vinyl sounds best, but overall I would have to go with CD. From a practical perspective, it can’t be beaten. It’s the best compromise between sound quality and practicality.

What’s the best gig that you have played to date?

Playing to over 1000 people at a club called The Palace back in the 90’s. They used to have a Rock and Metal night called “The Cathouse”.

If you weren’t a musician, what else would you be doing?

Probably the same thing I do for my current day job. Working in the IT field.

Which five people would you invite to a dinner party?

Dave Grohl, Eddie Vedder, Ricky Gervais, Larry David, Stephen Fry.

What’s next for the band?

I’m currently working on my next recording. I’m hoping to be in the studio next year.

What Social Media / Website links do you use to get your music out to people? 

For all streaming options, you can find a list of links on my official page at www.talkradioaus.com.au (scroll down on the opening page). You can also follow on www.facebook.com/talkradio.aus, where I post any interviews and news.

Time for a very British question now. As an alternative to the humble sandwich, is the correct name for a round piece of bread common in the UK either a Bap, a Barm (or Barm Cake), a Batch, a Bun, a Cob, a Muffin, a Roll, or a Tea Cake?

It’s a bap (which I would call a “roll” rather than a sandwich). You’re talking to someone who grew up on BBC TV shows.

Thank you for your time. Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Thank you very much for this opportunity. Also a big thanks for those who’ve taken the time to read this. Much appreciated.

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