So then, what’s the band name and what do you ‘do’ in the band?
I’m Claire Birchall, singer/songwriter/guitarist/front chick of Claire Birchall & The Phantom Hitchhikers.
What do you reckon people will say you sound like?
I think our sound is pretty hard to pigeonhole, every song’s different from the next. We were laughing the other day at rehearsal saying “the pigeons have flown the coop!”. There’s a lot of fuzz guitar, with sweet vocal harmonies, and it’s a little bit indie, a little bit psychedelic, a little bit country, a little bit rock’n’roll….
What do you love about making music?
I guess I just love to make noise. I love playing live, jamming, recording, everything. Best buzz ever. I can’t help but grin when all my guitar pedals are blaring.
What do you hate about the music industry?
People that are too cool for school being snobs.
If you could travel back in time and show one of your musical heroes your stuff, who would it be and why?
Dinosaur Jr at the Barwon Club in Geelong in 1989, simply ‘cause it’s my favourite band, playing in their prime in my home town. Sick!
If you could assassinate one person or band from popular music, who would it and why?
Oh really, I can only pick one? How about Lady Gaga, for being Lady Gaga.
What can a punter expect from your live show?
Two chicks, three dudes, a lot of long hair, and some fuzzed out bleeding heart tunes.
What’ve you got to sell CD-wise?
My new record Electricity is nearing completion, and will be out later this year. In the meantime, I’m flogging my 2012 solo record PP, as well as my 2013 double CD reissue Captain Captain/This Gallery Of Mine (old recordings from 1999/2000 finally mastered and pressed for the first time).
When’s the gig and with who?
Thursday July 24 at the Retreat Hotel, Claire Birchall & The Phantom Hitchhikers, with Shaun McMahon & The Moon Men, and Patrick Wilson & The Bare River Queens.
Anything else to add?
This is the first ever gig for the Phantom Hitchhikers! We’re all very excited about it, and we’d love it if you could help us celebrate this stage debut by coming on down to the Retreat and doing some solid gold dancing!
