In your new track “New Casino”, are there any specific themes or messages that you wanted to convey? What inspired you to explore these particular concepts?

I’ve spent a lot of time heading into the CBD on the bus or driving around and watching the much talked about Queens Wharf Casino start to take shape opposite South Bank. The idea of watching all the work of a few people with a lot more money to splash out on what is essentially a tourist trap funneling people from our scenic dining district into a new home of gambling built a stone's throw away from the existing one just felt stupid. So, my dream date is really watching the pieces of it falling off into the river amongst a sizeable inferno. It would be #cool if our 1% invested in something a little more beneficial to the community, but why traverse ground that The Whitlams have already broken?

What was your creative process like when putting together the EP?

A few of the older tracks have been in the live set for a few years, so I knew how I wanted them to sound. They’ve evolved over time playing them on stage and getting a live reaction. I tried and tested going into the studio with some scraps of ideas and building something from the ground up for the first time.

What was it like collaborating with Asha Jefferies on ‘Karaoke Baby’?

It was my first real result from collaborating with another songwriter and artist like Asha, so I’m glad there’s something to show for it! Asha’s a gifted lyricist and melodicist, so it was a real privilege to work on the song with her. Together, we took the bare instrumental I knew needed a attentive touch and turned it into a hooky little piece of Bris-pop.

What has been the most memorable moment of your musical career so far?

I’ve had the privilege of playing some beautiful stages in Meaanjin with the band, and playing the Tivoli twice in a month back when smaller artists got the opportunity due to COVID audience restrictions was a pretty special honour. But even stacking out The Brightside Outdoors during the Mountain Goat sunset slot in 2021, the Zoo for first major headliner, or even getting to pile into a few Kia Carnivals and touring with friends like Melaleuca and Flowertruck - they’re the little moments that I can’t explain how much I love and appreciate.

When did you start creating music?
I tried my hand at piano and drums as a kid, where I got my basic ability to noodle from - but writing music in high school with friends that still play in the live band today was where the desire started. Flamingo Blonde only really took its first form in 2018 when I knew I didn’t want to put my own name to anything I was making at the time - and it’s made for plenty of musical legroom with what music I want to make.

What have you been listening to lately?

New albums I’ve been loving are VOIID’s debut ‘Watering Dead Flowers’ - I can’t get over how incredibly huge the songs sound. The Empty Threats from SA just dropped a debut that just fills me with such joy, they’re an incredible live band and the album is great to dive into their world class lyrics. It’s a mixed bag other than that, from artists like Geese, Benny Sings, Sorry, Blur and some locals I’m loving like 1tbsp, Square, Bean Magazine, Clea and Body Type.

Any upcoming shows?
We’re playing the MATESOUND Grain Sideshow during BIGSOUND, plus another tba Brisbane show or two - but the band and I will be taking on the East Coast for the Two Trick Pony EP tour come October through to December. Might see you there to look you deep in the eyes!

FLAMINGO BLONDE TWO TRICK PONY TOUR

Friday 3 November
Vic on the Park
Eora/Sydney NSW
Free entry

Sunday 5 November
North Gong Sundays
Wollongong NSW
Free entry

Monday 6 November
‘Social Sanctuary’
Northcote Social Club
Naarm/Melbourne VIC
Free entry

Friday 24 November
Black Bear Lodge
Meaanjin/Brisbane QLD
Tickets available here

Friday 8 December
King Street Bandroom
Supporting Hope D
Mulubinba/Newcastle NSW
Tickets available here

A Quick Chat with Flamingo Blonde