Ben asks Mike:
What is your favourite album at the moment / of all time?
Man, that’s a tricky one. If we’re judging using a system of “most plays at home” it’s probably got to be Van Morrison’s Veedon Fleece, which is strange because I don’t really consider myself a huge Van Morrison fan. I find that album very soothing. Makes me feel like porky little angry Van has come into my lounge room and given me a smelly hug.
What scares you?
Large spiders. Turbulence at 34,000 ft in the middle of the night on a long haul flight. Bolognese with no parmesan. Panic attacks.
If you could have any animal as a companion or pet, what would it be?
Me and my girls’ two cats, Terry and Steve. Couldn’t live without them. Weird, annoying, beautiful guys. I would also like a small turtle and my favourite animal is the platypus, so I guess one each of those too.
If you could have dinner with any living person who would it be?
Right now? My sister Ali. She’s been away from Australia for a long time. Miss her.
Where does the name Noga come from? What’s your cultural background?
You’re going to enjoy this, aren’t you? You sadistic bastard. The name Noga derives from the Slavic term for ‘leg’ or ‘lower part of leg’. So yes, my name is Mike Leg. Shut up.
Mike asks Ben:
Your final, death row meal, what would it be?
The plum duck, salt and pepper squid, shredded beef Pekinese style and braised chicken Szechuan from Superbowl Chinese restaurant, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. With a side order of humble pie.
If you could fly to any city in the world right now, which one and why?
Maybe Hobart. Cause I am already, in a minute, so it just seems like the least amount of bother for everyone. Plus, Hobart is bloody great.
Favourite actor / actress ?
Maybe Leslie Neilsen. He was pretty good.
What do you wish to be remembered as? Rather morbid, I know.
A good host.
You tour a lot. As do I. Sometimes you encounter some very “interesting” types at shows. A man recently told me that George Thorogood would steal one of my songs if I didn’t record it soon. He was serious. You ever get people like this at your shows or is it just me?
Yeah, it’s all a part of the shaman element of performance. You become a weirdo magnet. I think busking was worse. I once had to deal with a guy who had been on a crystal meth bender or had a breakdown or something and told all of us we were possessed by the devil. I guess he didn’t like the Beatles that much.
BEN SALTER and MIKE NOGA play The Old Bar on Friday December 14.
