A Quick Chat with Spiderbait

Can you tell me a bit about your inspiration for your single?

My Car Is A UFO was recorded for the Flight Of Wally funk album in 2000.

It didn’t make it onto the album as it was decided that this kind of style was already represented by other tracks selected for the record.

So, it’s been sitting in the vaults all these years almost entirely forgotten until now. It’s classic Janet & Kram simple, shiny pop. Great lyrics, hilarious and beautiful. It was recorded in a house I was renting at 7 Barry St, Sth Yarra at the time. Across the car park (ref ‘Parking Lot’ from said album) from Prahran Market. The lease was up, my house mates had moved out and we had 6 weeks left to make the album, in the lounge room, bedrooms, kitchen and the bathroom!

What are your influences and how do they affect your songwriting?

I think if you write songs, everything you hear is an influence and it all comes out one way or the other. There are three songwriters in the band so between the three of us there are a lot of influences at play. I’d say a lot of punk but also some metal and pure pop as well as a bit of techno.

What’s the creative process like for you?

Exhilarating and sometimes laborious. Usually finishing songs requires some kind of work ethic, but it’s always rewarding and sometimes the full colour of a an idea isn’t revealed until it’s been finished.

If you could change something about the Australian music industry what would it be?

Higher royalty rates for artists.

What do you think life would be like for you if you didn’t have music as an outlet?

Sad, bland, lonely, boring, ugly & godless.

Is there anyone you would like to collaborate with? Why?

Elon Musk. He likes to think outside the box.

What’s your advice to young people who want to make a career for themselves in the industry?

1. Write good songs.

2. Be reliable.

3. Be easy to deal with.

Two thirds of a successful career in the industry is working with people.

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve worked with/met?

Joaquin Phoenix. We connected over ‘dark matter’ and sleep paralysis.

Favourite hangover cure?

 Silence & Coca-cola.

Any plans for a tour on the cards?

Yes! Sounds in the Key Of J tour coming up in July and August! Come along!