Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

We had a very musical upbringing and listened to a lot of harmony-driven bands like The Beatles and Crowded House. This instilled in us a love for classic songwriting and we try to create a sound that pairs ‘90s influenced production with big melodies. 

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?

Mostly it’s other people making music, and that intense thrill you get from seeing a great live band. We went to a gig at the Enmore a little while ago and Grace literally started crying because a sax solo was just so good and she couldn’t handle it. That is the feeling that makes us want to play more and write more. 

What can punters expect from a CLEWS live show?

Harmonies, matching haircuts and crunchy guitars. 

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?

We actually live by a lot of great advice. Dad says, "fulfil your own promises" and Mum says "hey, what’s the worst that can happen?". Also, in regards to boyfriends becoming husbands, our Nan always said try before you buy.

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?

'Cholesterol Heart (God Bless Ya)' by These New South Whales. 

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?

'To Think That I Once Loved' You by The Drones.

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?

'Go Bang' by PNAU. 

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?

We caught our good mates Harley Mavis and H. Fanning and The Seagulls play back to back the other night, two birds with one stone if you will. It was a lovely evening and both sang with poise and grace. 

Tell us about the bands or people in the Sydney music community that inspire you.

We wish we could play guitar like Elizabeth Fader, we saw her with her full band recently and it was so impressive that Lily’s soul left her body for a moment. We also love the live show that the boys from PLANET put on and we’re very inspired by RACKETT’S DIY ethos. 

What are your plans for 2018?

We have a really great team around us now, so this year we’ll be releasing more music and playing some cracking shows.

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

I've been playing music my entire life and really started taking it seriously when I picked up the saxophone at 12 years old. I played in big bands all through high school and went to uni to study a jazz degree. I was always writing songs through high school as a means of teaching myself how to play guitar, and found when I got to uni that my ear was more attuned to appreciating a great song rather than a gnarly bebop lick - I was listening to way more Carole King than Charlie Parker. So, I dropped out of my degree and to focus more on writing songs. Oscar Dawson who plays in Holy Holy has helped me bring my songs to life with his incredible production skills. Funnily enough, he also didn't finish the exact same degree as me. And here we are.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?

My lyrics tend to come from interactions I have with other people. I'm big on communication - I like to talk things out - so a lot of the words in my songs happen to be directly taken from conversations I've had. Musically, I get inspired by melody and groove. There's nothing better than hearing a song where there's a sweet chord change or melodic idea that makes you go "what the hell was that? I need to know!"

What can punters expect from your live show?

Coopers Sparkling, Bruce Springsteen-style count ins, fuzz pedals and a drummer who cries whenever he watches 'School of Rock'.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?

My friend's dad tells me "fortune favours the prepared mind", which I'm pretty sure is a Louis Pasteur quote. Basically, I interpret that to mean even if you're feeling you're not producing the best output at a particular time, you're preparing yourself and your skills to create something you're really proud of down the track. Another friend of mine has a similar piece of advice, which is to "sift through the shit", but I don't really like the visual that suggests... Let's stick with the Pasteur one.

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?

'Our Place' by Verge Collection

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?

'Can We Work It Out' by Gordi

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?

'She's So Fine' by The Easybeats

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?

I don't know if this counts, but I went to see Alvvays while I was in Sydney the other weekend and they were incredible. I referred to their music a lot while recording my EP. I know Alvvays aren't a local band, but Major Leagues opened and they were just as good. Great songs, great chops, great night.

Tell us about the bands or people in the Melbourne music community that inspire you.

I'm really lucky to be part of a community that inspires me so much. My friends Eilish Gilligan and Greer Clemens both play in a brilliant band called Frida and have their own solo projects. I froth on the feedback I get from them when I show them new songs or mixes. Kate Duncan is the creative producer of The Push Inc and works to give young people opportunities to learn about playing/putting on gigs, being in the studio and releasing music - she's an amazing person who has been looking out for me since I was a bub. My best friend Ollie Whitehead plays sax in Animaux with me and has a sweet new project on the go, which will be excellent. Every time I go into the studio with Oscar, I come out a better musician and writer. Also, shout out to my manager, Leigh. Hey Leigh!

What are your plans for 2016?

Write more songs, play more guitar, play more shows, release my debut EP, tour lots, do more recording, drink all the beers. Not necessarily in that order.

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

We describe our music as punk or pub rock, but I also try really hard to not sound the same as other bands that write punk/pub rock. I'd been singing in lots of other bands before SCABZ and always put on an American accent, I grew up singing musical theater and Jazz so it kinda came out that way when I started writing music. When we started SCABZ I made a conscious decision to break out of old singing habits and write more honest  music.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?

At the moment the feeling of impeding doom, and the cloud of anger that follows me around due to the systemic inequalities and injustices our most vulnerable face at the hands of the Australian Government. You know just gal stuff.

What can punters expect from a SCABZ live show?

Fun. A couple of yarns, a good dance, possibly a rousing rendition of Solidarity Forever depending on where the night takes us.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?

Don't take to much advice.

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?

Depends on why they're crying? But lets stick with one band, if they're crying cause of some sort of relationship/family things Etereal Whoosing by Good Boy and if they're crying cause they're getting kicked out of their house or fired or cut off from cenno probably 'Poverty Line' by Good Boy.

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?

Jen Cloher - Strong Woman

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?

Yothu Yindi - Treaty

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?

I work in a bar/live music venue so I get to see gigs all the time which is mad, TFS played last week and their Divynlys cover rel got me.

Tell us about the bands or people in the Sydney music community that inspire you.

Sydney's coming good now in a big way, but obviously putting on shows got a bit trick there for a bit. So I gues it's all the promoters/bookers and venues that went out on a limb to create a new scene for bands to thrive in Sydney.

What are your plans for the rest of 2019?

Tour with Picket Palace for Feel Good Summer will see us through till December, then we're gonna release another song for ya!