Project Description

Interview with

MARK CALLAGHAN

from

GANGGAJANG

by Vicky Hebbs

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GANGgajang_Potts Point_2016

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How did you first get into music? When did it become a serious concern?
I first got into music while studying Architecture at the University of Queensland. We heard the Saints and the Sex Pistols and were inspired to form our own band which eventually became the Riptides. We got serious about it towards the end of our course and decided we’d give it a go and started touring seriously and eventually moved to Sydney.

What kind of music did you grow up on? What artists inspired you and which do you still look to now for ideas?
I grew up in the UK until I was 15 when my family migrated to Australia. I listened to a lot of the British pop music of the sixties – Beatles, Stones, Kinks etc. My Mum was also a huge fan of African American music and we had a lot of that music in our house as well – everything from Sam Cooke to The Supremes to Aretha Franklin. I still remember being blown away when I heard ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’.  As a teenager I got heavily into Dylan but it was the music of Punk and New Wave that made me realise that anyone could make music and form a band. I’m very eclectic in my musical taste and listen to lots of different styles and genres. A friend once told me that there’s something good in almost every song – whether it’s a lyric, a bass line or a guitar arrangement so I tend to find inspiration and ideas everywhere.

How did you originally come together to form GANGgajang and make music? 
I’d met Buzz Bidstrup when he produced our first Riptides record. After the Riptides I worked with my friend Toby Creswell on a script for a new ABC TV show that eventually became the series ‘Sweet and Sour’. We didn’t end up getting the script writing gig but having met the producers I ended up contributing a number of songs to the show. Buzz was doing some of the production on the series and we were also writing songs together so things evolved from there.

Your new single Round The World was recorded at Freshwater Beach in Sydney – can you share the origins or inspiration behind the single?
Surfing Round The World has had a really interesting journey as a song. It actually began as a live thing – basically an onstage jam during an encore where we’d do a quick medley of classic surf instrumentals, culminating in this reggae inspired jam. It evolved and lyrics were added – all live, we never rehearsed it!  Then, we were asked to be part of the Delightful Rain project which was recorded at the Freshwater Beach Surf Club.  We quickly beat the song into shape and recorded it.  But, we’d always wanted to do more with the track and so decided we’d take the original recordings and rework them. It’s been a particular joy actually because it turned out to be the last thing we recorded with our dear friend and band mate Chris Bailey. It’s been such an inspiration listening to Chris’ playing in detail again – he was such a special player and we miss him so very much. But it was so great that he was with us once again in spirit. You build up such a special bond when you’ve played with the same people for over 30 years so, it’s been really wonderful working on this track.

What is the concept behind your Surfing Round The World tour? Will there be a balance of new and old songs, or will you be playing more?
We’ve been playing around 20 shows a year for the last few years – mostly a weekend here and there and we always look forward to seeing each other, hanging out and making music.  We decided we wanted to get out and play a few more gigs this coming year and particularly in summer!!  We’re also going to change things up a bit and, for the first time ever, add a few of our ‘family tree’ songs to the set.  Tunes from some of the bands the various members of GANGgajang have played in over the years: Angels, Riptides Yothu Yindi. We’ll be bringing the party – like we always do!!

What does your song writing process look/sound like?
If I told you how I write songs I’d have to kill you!!!  Seriously though, for me it’s a pretty ‘meditative’ process.  I tend to sit with the guitar and play for ages exploring chord progressions and melodies.  Then I’ll come up with a snatch of lyric and be onto the genesis of a song.  That’s where the hard work begins – trying to shoe-horn loose ideas into a comprehensible arrangement and concise lyric.  I tend to have a couple of dozen ideas on the go at once and return to them until I work them into shape.  Some come quite quickly, some have taken years and will probably never go anywhere and at other times a complete song has popped out in literally 5 minutes.

If someone had never listened to GANGgajang before, what song of yours would you recommend if they could only listen to one?
I’d definitely say ‘Sounds Of Then’ because it’s got that unique GANGgajang groove framing Robbie’s beautiful guitar playing all underscoring what I think is a pretty good (though often misunderstood) lyric.

What is the best thing about touring? Is there anything that is not so great? 
The best thing about touring for me is being with my friends.  We’ve been making music together for over 34 years, we’ve been through good times and not-so-good times, had our ups and downs and ultimately we’re a family and are very close.  Chris Bailey’s passing in 2013 has only brought us closer together.  We realise how unique our bond is and treasure it.  There’s nothing I really hate about touring – as long as it doesn’t go on forever!  I think that’s something many bands take time to learn – it’s far better to play less and enjoy it more than to think short term and burn yourselves out.

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