Project Description
Interview with
SHELDON LINDSAY
(Lead + BVs, Drums, Percussion)
JOHN RORKE
(Guitar, Piano, Banjo & Stomp)
KYLA ALLEN
(Lead + BVs, Tambourine)
from
WHISTLE DIXIE
Interviewer – Dave Bruce
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For any new fans, how did it all begin? Where did you develop your interest in performing music to an audience?
John: Whistle Dixie started approximately five years ago in our hometown of Newcastle NSW. Both myself and Sheldon met in church and both grew up performing. Sheldon and Kyla are lifelong friends.
Sheldon: Kyla and I met at school but we were also taught by the same singing teacher and were also both bridesmaids at her wedding. Long story short I think we were meant to sing together at some point.
Kyla: For me, the Whistle Dixie journey began only about a year ago now. I had been to see Sheldon in a Whistle Dixie show locally and absolutely fell in love with the band and the songwriting! At the time I was still in the thick of things in the classical music world and only dreamed of how amazing it would be to have the opportunity to sing and play with these guys. About a year later, I got a call from Sheldon asking if I had any any singing students who I thought might be interested to come sing for them and I put my own hand up immediately! I sang for Sheldon and John, they mentioned something about a cup of tea, (which I later found out meant I was in) and it’s been a beautiful journey with them ever since!
I have always been shy, but always loved music and singing, so my interest in performing to an audience started at a very young age listening to and watching my favourite singers but I only started mustering up the courage in highschool.
What kind of music did you grow up on? Which artists inspired you?
John: Growing up my dad used to play country records and my older brother would play early fifties music so I never had a chance. I got into rock in my teens before hearing the song “I found Jesus on the jailhouse floor” by George Strait. Legendary Country guitarist Brent Mason was playing on that track and the rest is history. You can check my phone, ain’t nothing but country on the playlist.
Sheldon: I grew up in a household where, for most of my childhood, we only listened to orchestral versions of hymns. When I was older I started listening to the more mainstream artists but my main inspirations were artists who wrote with a unique, folk, acoustic, songwriter style such as Matt Corby, Mumford and Sons and Eva Cassidy.
Kyla: Between what my mum, dad, brother, sister and I were playing I have collected inspiration from a massive list of artists! We’d listen to Loreena McKennitt, Enya, Dire Straits, Mark Knofler, The Fureys, Sting, Cat Stevens, Simon and Garfunkel, The Dixie Chicks, Alison Krauss, Vera Lynn, The Beatles, Shania Twain, Celine Dion, Bing Crosby, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Madeleine Peyroux and Norah Jones but I think the ones that really hit home the most for me were and are Eva Cassidy and the late great Doris Day!
What is unique about what you do? Why would fans be attracted to your sound?
One of the best compliments we ever get is that we are different. We never wanted to be like anyone else. Whistle Dixie’s style and writing reflects who we all are individually and collaboratively. There is an authenticity that comes through and that is because this is who we are not just something we are trying to do. Each song is written by members of the band and reflect personal stories.
Newcastle is such a vibrant entertainment city and the surrounding area is such a beautiful part of NSW. Do you get back there much or are you on the road a lot these days?
John: Well for Kyla and myself, we still live in Newcastle, but Sheldon lives in Toowoomba QLD.
You have just released new single “Wildfire”. Can you describe its origin and evolution?
Sheldon: This song holds a special place in all our hearts. It was a song that I wrote around this time last year as I was reflecting on just how big an impact bullying can have through social media platforms. Each of us has experienced bullying in different ways and we have seen how one false word can spread in an instant online and can tear someone’s world apart. The song chronicles a journey of loss but also new beginnings and we hope this song can encourage those facing similar circumstances that it’s possible to come out stronger at the other end.
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BLAST OFF set for release 5th July
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Your album “Blast Off” will be out July 5th. Exciting hey? What are the signature tracks for you, and which song is your favourite and why?
John: Now songs are like your children, you’re not allowed to have favourites. That said I can’t get “Wildfire” out of my head.
Sheldon: I could not pin it down to one track but my top three would have to be “Ain’t getting it tonight”, “Doghouse” and “Dancing tonight”, they are all songs that get your toes tapping and have cheeky lyrics that I love.
Kyla: Ahhh! Choosing a favourite is too tricky! Sheldon and John are both beautiful song writers, but I am a sucker for the more heart-wrenching songs. If I have to choose, I’m going to go with “Fireworks”, “Wildfire” and “Trainwreck”.
Does song writing come easily to you or is it a “right place, right time” process?.
John: Fairly easily at times and other times you just have to take a break and come back at a later point. Each song however is really special as they take you back to the moment.
You have some great events coming up. Do you prefer playing the festivals, or the intimate shows to smaller crowds?
John: Honestly we just enjoy getting together and playing. That said we are super excited to been included in Deni Ute Muster, Gympie Music Muster and Groundwater Country Music Festival this year. We feel so blessed to be in such good company.
Talking about the festivals, are you looking forward to anywhere in particular?
John: All of them, we are just so excited!
If you could pick absolutely anyone to bring on tour with you, whom would you pick and why? (Dead or Alive)
John: Who wouldn’t love to have Dolly Parton doing vocals with the band right?
Sheldon: Oh wow, there’s so many, but I think it would be amazing to have Glen Campbell on tour with us.
Kyla: There’s too many to choose from, but for me it’d have to be Eva Cassidy. What that lady can do with a melody is truly inspirational and to absorb even an ounce of what she brings to a song and the way she makes it her own would be amazing to witness first hand.
What are your major goals or milestones for the future?
John: We are going to continue to push our album Blast Off and expand our listening audience across Australia. Also a Golden Guitar would be nice.
Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
John:
Album – “Honkytonkville” George Strait- started this entire journey
Artist – Hank Williams or Bruce Springsteen can’t decide
Movie – Jaws
Place to visit – Texas, seriously love the place
Venue to play – Lizottes Newcastle- If you haven’t been you seriously should check it out.
Food – “Grilld” Best burgers around
Drink – Coffee (total coffee snob)
Person in History – Jesus
Tattoo – (if you don’t have one, one you would get?) I actually don’t have a tattoo but I have a friend up North who has a very cool Johnny Cash Tattoo and that would be cool.
Kyla:
Album – “Nightbird” Eva Cassidy
Artist – Doris Day
Movie – Hocus Pocus
Place to visit – Tasmania, just any of it! It’s so beautiful down there!
Venue to play – Lizotte’s Newcastle
Food – Can’t beat a good home cooked meal by basically anyone in my entire family and extended family. I come from a family of great cooks and am well fed!
Drink – Chai Tea
Person in History – Doris Day (am I mildly obsessed… possibly?)
Tattoo (if you don’t have one, one you would get?) – Portraits of my two gorgeous Irish Wolfhound cross fur babies!
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Whistle Dixie have today released their new single ‘Wildfire’ off their upcoming album Blast Off, set for release on 5th July. The Newcastle-based band have been dazzling audiences since 2015 with rich harmonies, smart songwriting and a unique approach to country music, and ‘Wildfire’ is no different. The melodic, heartfelt track shines a spotlight on the band’s honey-like vocals and will reach into your soul with an authenticity that’s sure to captivate any listener.
‘Wildfire’ was recorded at Impromptu Studio Tighes Hill in Newcastle NSW. It was produced by Mark Tinson, who has worked with local acts including Silverchair, Screaming Jets and Sue Cruickshank, as well as Angry Anderson, Angels, Doug Parkinson and The Cockroaches.
Whistle Dixie have opened for some of the country’s biggest names over the past four years including Diesel, Karise Eden, Troy Cassar-Daley, Russell Morris, The Whitlams and Phil Jamieson of Grinspoon fame. They were also finalists in the 2017 Country Music Busking Championships and had the opportunity to play live on Triple M and ABC Radio as they grew in popularity.
With a new album being released in the coming weeks, Whistle Dixie are set to performaround Australia this year with their old and new material. They’ll be playing the Deni Ute Muster, Gympie Music Muster, Burning of the Barrel and the Groundwater Country Music Festival before the end of the year and will no doubt be gaining a lot of new fans as they do.
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