Andy
from GROOVE ARMADA talks about the upcoming BACARDI EXPRESS 2009 tour
You
have played four events around the world with BACARDI to date: Miami, Greece,
Mexico and Brazil. Australia is the final destination - what have been the highlights
to date?
Greece was a big one. It was the first time we
synced our DJ set to the lights, visuals and lasers. The gig was in a velodrome
where the UK had won some of its very rare sporting gold medals. We added another
win to the list that night. And Mexico crowds are always top class. That was another
first too - the only gig we've done in a blow up arena.
Your
final event in Australia is The BACARDI EXPRESS - a Heritage Listed 1960's "James
bond style" Southern Aurora train - how does it feel to know you will be
partying, hanging out and possibly creating music in such an exciting and unique
venue?
Well it could be a lot worse. If we can keep to
the James Bond style and end up in the hot tub surrounded by all the right company,
then so much the better.
You have been to Australia a couple
of times now, where is your favourite place here?
We've
been to Australia a dozen times at least. We've had amazing gigs there over the
last ten years. Centennial Park was special, as was the first time we played the
Hordern. New Years Eve on Bondi Beach was everything you'd expect. We've played
killer festivals outside Melbourne and Perth, and had a top ten night in the (now
demolished) venue where the Beatles played on the Gold Coast. We've seen more
nights to remember in Australian bars, clubs and house parties than you could
hope to manage in a lifetime.
What are you most excited
to see / do when you're in Australia this time around?
To
go to the Match Bar and Grill in Melbourne. A friend of ours has set it up to
combine top food and drink with an enormous sound system out the back. Sounds
like a one stop shop.
What are the Top ten albums and singles
you are listening to at the moment?
In no particular order,
Empire of the Sun, MGMT, She Keeps Bees, Bob Dylan, Loco Dice, Fleet Foxes, Byran
Ferry, Horsemeat Disco, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Friendly Fires
Where
does the inspiration for the new EP come from?
All of
the above.
If you could choose an Aussie act to remix your
EP - who would you choose and why?
Van She - because they
did a great job. Failing that, Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons, just to have the name
on the sleeve.
What made you want to start up your own
festival Lovebox?
We travel the world, seeing and hearing
amazing things. We wanted to bring them back home.
What
was your favourite music video that you filmed?
At The
River. Not a great video but I got to drive a golf buggy through a large pair
of glass doors.
What was the best gig that you've ever
done?
Tricky one. You can't pick between closing Glastonbury,
record breaking nights at Brixton Academy, Mount Fuji, Hordern in 1999, The Tunnel
Club in NYC, the king of Lithuania's castle....
Last year
on the BACARDI EXPRESS the artists made their own cocktails and named them, such
as Pnau's Cuban Pash and Scribes Bribe, what would your cocktail be and what would
it have in it?
GA's Sweet Louise. It'll be a twist on
the Mojito. The reasons behind the name will remain secret and Tom might not agree
to it.
If you could go to any artist's concert who would
it be?
Oasis.
Have you ever had
anything crazy thrown on stage whilst you were performing? Or any other crazy
fan moments?
We've had all the things thrown that normally
get thrown. Recently I was sent a framed painting a Polish girl had done of me.
There's another couple who turn up at EVERY gig no matter where it is, lots who
tell me all about the things they've done to our tunes, and all manner of stowaways,
charlatans and dancing girls in between.
What does it feel
like to be on stage and look out at a crowd that is going crazy to your music?
It's tough.
Where is your favourite
place to travel to?
To play music, Australia. For holidays,
The Clubhouse, Chamonix, France. Snowboard heaven in the mountains.
If you weren't playing music what would you be doing instead?
Playing
football and growing vegetables.
What do consider the highlight
of your career?
I'll let you know when I get there.
What
would you like to be doing in five years time?
Regretting
nothing.
What's on your…
DVD
player: Das Boot
Bookshelf: What I Loved - Siri Hustvedt / How
to Grow Your Own Vegetables.
i-pod: Demos from the new album
Karaoke
list: 'I Want To Know What Love Is' - Foreigner
Shopping list:
Solar Panels for my hot water.
