.

Interview with
MELALEUCA

(17th December 2021)

Interview by Dave Bruce

.

.

“It’s golden, nostalgic indie that has me swooning hard… I had to listen a few times in a row just so I could get extra doses of that chorus and those harmonies, I love how it raised the heat to just the right temp.” – Declan Byrne – Triple J

“Melaleuca… have blossomed into one of Queensland’s most exciting new additions; a band that encapsulates the strong, community-built spirit of Brisbane’s alt-rock/punk/indie stages, and the amount of talent that hides amongst it all.” – Hayden Davies – Pilerats

‘Melaleuca oozed confidence and a knowing of what they were doing on stage as they played both old and new songs and lived up to their Spotify Bio which is simply ‘We make big music’. – Matthew Waddingham – Temporary Dreamer

.

.

Melaleuca, how did the band come together? Is there someone who is a “driving force”, or do you all make decisions together?
Andy, Matt and Chris had played in previous bands together. I met Andy in my final year of my degree, we had a mutual music subject. I remember Andy doing a seminar on DIY music recording, aside from his sick hair cut and hardcore merch I thought ‘he will be my friend’. I had a tascam tape recorder I had been wanting to experiment with and so approached him and had a jam/record session and then the rest happened organically. I think Melaleuca is an equal driving force. Everyone has their own bit of magic that they bring and contribute to the band.

How would you describe your sound? Why do you think people resonate with your music?
Our sound is many things but I think the best description I have heard was from a friend. She described our music as something you would hear a band play on the rooftop in 10 Things I Hate About You. Pop, Rock, 90s. I think people resonate with our music because there is a wombo combo of genres so there will be something for everyone.

Which artist’s music and/or performance, past or present, inspires you today? 
Too many inspirations. Thinking about recent releases I would say Snail Mail. Lindsay Jordan inspired me to pick up my guitar and have a go at songwriting.

Your latest single ‘Jane’s In Town’ was released back in July, describe its origin and evolution. 
I just really wanted my own theme song haha I am silly and a daydreamer and it all flowed out of me one afternoon when I came home from hanging out with friends. I am easy to make fun of, hence the opening line.

Is there any new music on the drawing board?
Yes. There is definitely new music on the drawing board. We have been tinkering away in the background writing new music. We have been slipping some into our sets recently and are really excited to finally share it with our listeners and friends.

.

.

You’re playing The Mountain Goat Valley Crawl 2022, what are you looking forward to, and what can the fans expect?
We are looking forward to the opportunity to perform some synchronized dance moves and VIBE with the audience. Andy is especially keen for his live comedy stand up set.

How has COVID affected you to date? What have you introduced to balance the losses from missed events?
We have only really been a band in COVID times. So having the opportunities we had this year was pretty special. Getting to play the tivoli three times was incredible. I think we are just really grateful again for the opportunities we have had and are ready to be live and thrive.

If you could perform with any music artist, Alive or Dead, who would you choose? And why? 
I would say Paramore lol. Because! We have all been obsessed at some point and would have the most shared enthusiasm.

Do you have any long-term aspirations as a music artist? 
Melaleuca Worldwide (world domination).

What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? What’s been the career highlight so far?
The best thing is watching everyone sing to our songs. It’s crazy to think that songs we have written in our little bedrooms or kitchens etc. has resonated with people and when you hear them sing your lyrics back during a set it’s pretty wow.

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Lush
Artist – Snail Mail
Movie – 10 Things I Hate About You
Place to visit – Adelaide
Venue to play – The Tivoli
Food – Taro’s Ramen
Drink – Pocari Sweat
Person in History –  Cher
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?)  I want a tattoo of a silly little dog.

.

.

BIO

.

Follow MELALEUCA
Facebook – triple j Unearthed – Instagram

.

Press Release 30th November 2021 (below)

.

.

KWAME, ADAM NEWLING,
RAT!HAMMOCK, FLOWERTRUCK
& 1300 lead the
MOUNTAIN GOAT VALLEY CRAWL
2022 Lineup

.

Mountain Goat Valley Crawl – TOWNS // Photo – Jared Hinz Photography

.

Fresh off the press and ready to impress giddy music lovers, the lineup for The Mountain Goat Valley Crawl 2022 is unveiled today; Featuring 36 standout artists, including Kwame, Adam Newling, RAT!hammock, 1300, Flowertruck, and Bec Sandridge.

Assemble the herd and trot through the first multi-venue festival, returning to full capacity in Queensland, Saturday 12 February 2022. It’s hard to believe that a lineup like this is completely free!

Punters can choose their own adventure, with all night to explore the lineup of exceptional Aussie acts. Catch Kwame dominating the stage, bringing the high-energy rap that has made his name unforgettable. Join Sydney four-piece, The Lazy Eyes, and marvel in magnificent modern psych-rock. Delve into vivid stories, told in the distinctive twang of Adam Newling, then get down to Korean-Australian rap supergroup, 1300. Sway and bop with Melbourne four-piece RAT!hammock and loosen up those vocal cords to alt-pop heavy, Bec Sandridge. Lose yourself in the hypnotic beats of Sydney’s Milan Ring or dance the night away to Australiana jangle-rockers, Flowertruck. Peep the full lineup below, there’s something for every member of the pack and sure to be the soundtrack to an unforgettable experience.

As well as some of the best national acts on offer, festival-goers will be given access to nine of the Fortitude Valley’s most renowned venues. Hosting the hordes are old favourites, The Zoo, The Brightside, Black Bear Lodge, Woolly Mammoth, and Rics Backyard. Alongside them newcomers, Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar, a New York-style hang-out that is quickly becoming a Brisbane haunt. Organisers advise festival attendees that each venue will work on a first-in best-dressed basis, with limited tickets available and registration essential.

Shepherd your mates for good beer and good times at the GOAT of festivals, The Mountain Goat Valley Crawl 2022 – RSVP via Oztix today.

.

.

18+ EVENT
SAT 6 FEB | 6PM – 11PM
FREE ENTRY

ARTISTS

Kwame
(a-z)
1300
Adam Newling
Bec Sandridge
Flowertruck
The Lazy Eyes
Melaleuca
Milan Ring
Nyxen
RAT!Hammock
(a-z)
90Ivy
Blue Velvet
Bored Shorts
The Buzzing Towers
Cheap Date
CityPiss
Cloe Terare
Elcid Flores
Fomi
Fraser Bell 
Girl and Girl
Haliday
Hollie Joy
Isabel Wood
Lucy Francesca Dron
Melrose.
Monet’s Pond
Passionfruit Band
Radium Dolls
Slowrip
Square
Stage Presence
Straight Girls
The Tinderboxers
Tjaka
Willis and the Lovely Ones

VENUES

Black Bear Lodge
The Brightside
The Brightside – Outdoors
Greaser
O’Skulligans
Ric’s Backyard
Suzie Wongs Good Time Bar
Woolly Mammoth Mane Stage
The Zoo

.

.

Follow MOUNTAIN GOAT VALLEY CRAWL
Facebook – Instagram

Follow MOUNTAIN GOAT BEER
Facebook – Instagram

AMNPLIFY – DB