Every so often, music journalism is given a little spark with a big personality and a fresh idea. There aren’t many people around who can flip the traditional interview style with their own little twists and turns and carve out a one-of-one identity.
But that’s exactly what nationally-nominated music journalist Tait McGregor has done with her self-made interview series, Date With Tait.
We here at the AU review are mighty proud of our alumni. Some of the people who have written for us in the early stages of their career have gone on to achieve some great things in the local music industry, from becoming successful freelancers and Managing Directors of radio stations to triple J presenters and respected tastemakers.
Tait has been one of those rising stars. Lately she’s been hosting series for big brands like Live Nation, Coca-Cola and BWS. But her independent concept, Date with Tait, has really introduced something the scene has been missing for a while.
Down here, we don’t really have something like Sean Evans’ Hot Ones (Complex Media/First We Feast) or the Zane Low Interview Series. Nothing really fun or engaging. Nothing Nardwuaresque. But Date With Tait has been an easy exception, and excitedly it’s back for a second season.
The first season of Date with Tait gave us entertaining interviews with artists like bbno$, Alec Benjamin, LAUREL, dodie, Channel Tres and Gretta Ray. And for season two, Tait is looking to go even bigger with a team of creatives on board to help her turn this into a unique platform for artistry – both from Australia and abroad.
We caught up with Tait for a few quick-shot questions to find out more about what to expect from the series, which has already scatched off its first episode (with Lizzy McAlpine) and is available on her YouTube channel.
Date with Tait is such a great interview format. How did you come up with it?
Thank you! Quite honestly, the idea started when I was a teenager madly obsessed with One Direction. I’d be giddy over interviews that had the band talking about niche interests or stories you’d never hear unless they were in an intimate environment. Fast forward to the pandemic, I was hosting my Instagram Live music chat show, The Tait Night Show, which I began developing segments for. One of the ideas was Date With Tait, born out of what I’d want to watch as a fan of music: behind the closed doors of my favourite musicians on a first date, getting to know them like you’ve never known them before. Once the pandemic lifted, I started to test out the concept with face-to-face interviews, and never looked back!
What’s the first story that comes to mind when people ask you about your experience as an interviewer?
Ugh, so many at once! The Kid LAROI’s first red carpet interview, examining the meaning of Dave Bayley of Glass Animals’ dreams, the one time I started a FIFA battle between Ruel and Shawn Mendes…
The first Date With Tait episode was iconic (you can only find it on my Instagram and TikTok as I’d filmed it in vertical for shortform thinking it was just an experiment). bbno$ (Baby No Money) and I shot the pilot at the end of 2022 with no crew on my little Sony camera, no microphones and crappy lighting; which I walked away from thinking I’d tanked the concept after I simped and at one point I completely forgot what I was asking which never happens.
The following day my phone blew up with notifications, alerting me that he’d asked me out on national radio – crazy! That’s when I knew the concept was worth developing, that leaning into nerves and developing a familiar rapport really made the show shine. We’ve since become good mates, he’s a champion at making engaging content and really showing up in interviews. He’s the first second date on Date With Tait!
Date with Tait is coming back for a second season. What can you tell us about it?
This season is shaping up to be BIG. I’ve been building out a team of killer creatives, so immediately the content has levelled up with shmick videography and editing. Australia’s also being blessed with an epic run of artists coming to town between now and the end of year, so viewers can expect some big names to appear this season! I’m stoked that we’re kicking off episode 1 with one of the sweetest artists in the industry, Lizzy McAlpine, who went viral on TikTok for her song ‘Ceilings’ and is seriously a music genius. It’s a real step up this season!
What are a few things you’ve learned about interviewing artists while coming up with your own style and format?
Artists can really tell if you know your stuff or not. I spend hours and hours researching each interview, sponging up as much information as I can about an artist even if I don’t use it, knowing that it will subconsciously seep into an interview. You’ll always get a better conversation the more time you invest into the research, and an artist will be all the more grateful and giving with their answers. Particularly if they’re on a press junket, you want to create a refreshing interview that’s not going to get the same copy-and-paste answers you’ll find in any of their other interviews.
I’ve always gravitated towards a conversational style – shoutout to one of my mentors Josh Horowitz whose style has largely influenced my own – as well as ones that stray away from usual questioning rigmarole. It’s the ultimate compliment when an artist likens me to Nardwuar the Human Serviette, it feeds my inner-fangirl.
You’re killing it in the music scene. What’s your goal for the next 12 months?
I predict the next 12 months will be monumental. My bucket list for the year includes launching a vodcast, working more extensively across the US and UK markets, dipping into correspondent work and more broadly into entertainment. I’m also manifesting many many Dates: Tate McRae, Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish, The Kid LAROI, G Flip, Troye Sivan, Olivia Rodrigo… And who knows, maybe I’ll fall in love this year? Watch this space.
Feature image by Jess Gleeson.
