Graham Gorrie From Brisbane, Australia, singer, songwriter, guitarist Graham Gorrie. Leicester Bangs: Tell us a little about yourself. Graham: I am a practical person as well as a bit of a creative dreamer. I enjoy growing vegetables, working with wood and keeping old machines working. I write serious but whimsical songs and enjoy exploring the meaning of my own lyrics. I call it oblique social comment, because the songs are developed intuitively rather than written to communicate a specific idea. LB: How did you start out making music? Graham: My grandfather took me to music lessons when I was ten. I didn't stick at the lessons, but playing the guitar became very personal and important to me. Later, I dropped out of university - several times - and hitched around the country with my guitar, visiting friends here and there. Making up tunes as I went. Ten years ago I started a band and played in Brisbane pubs and at Woodford Folk Festival a couple of years. LB: Who did you grow up listening to and how do they influence what you’re doing now? Graham: When I started setting my own direction, I played along to old LP's of Jimmy Reed, The Doors, Savoy Brown, Pentangle and JJ Cale among many others. My influences are, I guess, folk blues, although I do try to avoid straight 1,4,5 structure. I try to be a bit unpredictable in my song writing. These days I listen to Richard Thompson, Brendan Gallagher, Martin Stephenson, Elliott Smith, John Frusciante and Evan Dando. LB: Tell us about your latest release. Graham: I have just finished "Mark on the Stage" which has 12 recent, original songs. A number of friends helped me out with bass, drums, harmonica. I overdubbed sitar, shennai (Indian oboe)and distorted guitar as well as synthesized brass and strings. The initial recordings were done in a commercial studio to capture the drums and bass. We did not use a click track at any stage, which gives a live feel to the music, and makes production a bit more difficult in the later stages. The rest was done in the field or at home with Protools and Sampletank on a Macbook. Overall, it took me 18 months. LB: Do you get out and play your music live, and if so, what can an audience expect at one of your shows? Graham: I play at folk clubs in Brisbane and aim for the Australian and international festival circuit. I will give an audience an unusual collection of original and thoughtful songs delivered with a bit of an edge. LB: What aspects of playing and recording music do you most enjoy? Graham: I enjoy the puzzle of developing a song from the germ of an idea. Trying out different arrangements and then bringing the studio developments back into the live solo playing. I like venues where the audience really listens to the song. LB: Where can people find (and buy) your music? Graham: iTunes and Amazon. CD Baby, MySpace, SonicBids and my own website (links below). www.sonicbids.com/GrahamGorrie www.ggorrie.com www.myspace.com/grahamgorie Graham Gorrie plays "Perfect World"