Who are you and were might we know you from?
Mikelangelo, I’m playing with my surf ‘n’ western band The Tin Star at
Changing Lanes. You may also know me from my Kabaret Noir group The
Black Sea Gentlemen or from the Famous Speigeltent’s circus/sideshow
extravaganza La Clique.
A story you’ve probably told far too often… but where do you come
from? (How did your band form / What made you start playing the music
we’re listening to now?
I blame my father’s old 60’s instrumental records for instilling a
love of twanging tremolo guitar at a very young age. I formed The Tin
Star in Melbourne two years ago. But I have history with our lead
guitarist Fiete Geronimo Geier and our drummer Pete Olsen – we had a
band in Canberra from around 2000-2003 called The Dalmatian Coast Surf
Lifesavers Association (catchy name hey…) and the sound was related
to what we are doing with the Tin Star now.
Changing Lanes Festival is all about supporting FBi. What does FBi
Radio mean to you?
FBI – Free Broacasting Incorpororated – thats just what it means. For
the most part the airwaves are controlled by commercial forces, so FBI
is a beacon of light for Australian music and the station’s support
for new bands is brilliant. Viva FBI!
What can we expect from your performance at the festival?
For me it’s never just another gig, I always like to put on a show.
I’ve been inspired by great performances by Lux Interior (The Cramps),
Nick Cave and Tom Waits, those boys know how to put some entertainment
into rock ‘n’ roll. For me, live music is all the richer for making
the show wild and memorable. Our guitarist has just arrived back from
a European sojourn, so it will be great to have the full line up for
Changing Lanes. We will also have Saint Clare on tour with us, and her
vocals, costume changes and go-go moves are a great addition to the
band.
What are YOU expecting from us / the audiences?
Well I’m hoping Changing Lanes will see the Tin Star to play to a
whole new audience, which is always exciting. As much as a love
serenading our fans, it’s great playing to people who haven’t seen the
band and watching jaws drop…
Choose a band who’s also on the lineup that you like, and tell us
why you like them.
I’ve been listening to a few bands on the bill as I write this, and
I’m keen to see Lanie Lane, she’s got a great old world quality to her
singing, and her band sounds smokin’.
Have you played a festival before or is this the first time? If not
the first time, what have your festival experiences been like in the
past?
I’ve played plenty of festivals here and overseas. The Tin Star have
got a a fair few festivals coming up over the next few months, which
should be fun. We played a big outdoor festival in Wollongong last
year called Viva La Gong. Near the end of our set it started raining
and we had the audience dancing in the downpour – but the best bit was
a line of kids at the front of the stage. I was busting some kung fu
moves in our song ‘Action (is my middle name)’ and the kids were
lining up cop a fake karate chop in the neck or a roundhouse kick from
me, and they would then do very dramatic stunt rolls or mock-deaths. I
can’t say that’s ever happened at another show – it was brilliant!
What would be your #1 festival tip for a punter?
Enjoy yourself, but not at the expense of others.
Your year highlight so far, as a musician?
Releasing the our debut album “The Surf ‘n’ Western Sounds Of
Mikelangelo and the Tin Star’. It was almost 18 months in the making
and getting it out into the world has been a both relief and a
pleasure. The response from fans and new listeners, radio and
reviewers has been great, and is something that I never take for
granted.
What’s next for you/your band? (opportunity to plug shit!)
Plenty of shows, some film clips in the pipeline and hopefully an
album release on vinyl before the end of the year…that’s something
of I’ve been wanting to do for a LONG time.
—
Mikelangelo and the Tin Star w/Saint Clare
LORNE PERFORMING ARTS FESTIVAL Fri 7 – Sun 9 Sept
CHANGING LANES FESTIVAL, SYDNEY Sat 17 Sept
LIZOTTES, DEE WHY Sat 17 Sept
HIGH NOON FESTIVAL, MELBOURNE Sun 18 Sept
THE JITTERBUG CLUB, RED BENNIES, MELB Fri 23 Sept
Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen
ART AFTER DARK, NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA
Sat 8 Oct 5.30 – 8.30pm free entry
