How
did you get your start in the music industry?
A natural
gravitation, I suppose! Music and art were the things we were best at in school,
and so that has always been our focus. Studying at RMIT in the digital arts was
the best move though - meeting and working with loads of like-minded peeps every
day.
Best part of the job?
Living
the dream, the glamour, free flowing fun, endless laughs, new faces, good old
faces, turning it up to 10. Getting invited to play at festivals and in other
countries, and meeting wonderful people from all over the globe. Seeing people
smiling and dancing and getting off on the imagery is pretty special too.
Worst
part of the job?
Sleep deprivation... still the best of
all the torture methods. Thank god for Bloody Marys!
Any
interesting experiences you can share?
Not sure if interesting
is the word... perhaps hair-raising? Last year when we played in Shanghai, our
driver fell asleep at the wheel on the way to the airport driving high speed down
the highway! Let's just say it was pretty gnarly and we were lucky to get away
unscathed - it was night time and Touch Me Tiger noticed his reflection in the
car window... his head was down and his eyes were shut and we started screaming
to wake him up again!
Favourite album of all time and why?
That's
tough! 'OK Computer' (Radiohead) is up there. 'The White Album' by The Beatles,
and anything by Vitalic or Grace Jones...
Tell us about
the best live show that you ever saw?
Daft Punk at the
Myer Music bowl! The sound was perfect, and every singe person was SO excited
and amped to finally get to see them. We bumped into some great old friends and
were offered chocolate right at the peak of the set!! And visually, it was stunning;
the neon-strips and video-pyramid started out very basic, lo-res, one or two colours,
and with each song got more and more complex and beautiful. They just know how
to nail everything they do - their sound, their ideas, their graphics. Just wow.
Favourite
bars/clubs/pubs to hang out in?
New Guernica is great -
interesting decor, with lots of little booths and nooks, but still very open.
Sound is very good there too. Loving the Carlton Club rooftop this summer as well.
La Fabrique in Shibuya - where we had our first shows ever - will always be a
favourite. And the Glamour Bar in Shanghai where we played last January is opulent
and views over the river to Pudong. Mad.
Take us through
a typical "day in the life of Mink Engine".
Priority
1: coffee. Priority 2: coffee. Priority 3: coffee. We'd like to think our days
aren't typical. Being Multimedia Artists, our days might be filled with experimentation
with sound, motion graphics, web design, paint, food, friends, and an episode
or two of Weeds.
What advice would you give to someone looking
at getting involved in the music industry?
Wear a stack
hat, but make sure you bling it up - you can't underestimate the power of accessories.
Keep a sense of humour. Mainly, you need to have patience and persistence. Be
original. Being true to your vision and what floats your boat will actually be
rewarding - people will respect that, and opportunities come with that.
Any
news or final comments?
How to MINKIFY your wardrobe.
1. Add colour, don't be afraid.
2. Geometric, bold designs, especially
black & white.
3. Jeremy SCOTT, your designs are so HOTT.
4. Your problem
may be serious: call 1800-ERADICATE-BEIGE.
5. Apply lipstick, anything with
a fun name such as "Shocking Pink", "Scarlett O'Hara", "Pussy
Pink" or "Inner Tiger".
6. Accessorise to the event: at Christmas,
why not use the Christmas decorations?
7. Glow in the dark.
8. Italian Shoes
darling, ALWAYS prioritise good shoes over anything else.
9. Visit the op shop
once a week.
10. Add a splash of Brain Power: your outfit is twice as impressive
with a splash of intelligent conversation.
11. Overdo it.
