Growing Up. I used to listen to The Rolling Stones and Jimmy Hendrix in the ‘60s. I was only a little boy but it used to come thundering through my wall from my brother’s room. From that era, in my opinion, The Doors were far and away the best band. The Grateful Dead were laughably bad. Downstairs my dad would be listening to Mantovani, Liberace and Jim Reeves. Jim Morrisson continues to be an influence. It was particularly regrettable but sadly typical that Oliver Stone decided to portray a great artist as a drunken idiot in his film.
Inspirations. Simple really great singers singing great songs. Could be Piaf, Brel, Brecht and Weill’s Threepenny Opera, Billy Holliday or The Doors. It could also be gypsy music or blues.
Your Music. I’ve recorded with The Kronos Quartet in San Francisco (nominated for a Grammy) and famous Russian band Leningrad.
Your Show/Release . It’s part of the Adelaide cabaret festival. We played at the first one about 20 years ago.
