The Bamboos present Kylie Auldist: ‘Just Say’, Tru Thoughts.
Kylie Auldist talks with Lady KMD about her debut release,‘Just Say’, and touring with The Bamboos.
The Bamboos present… Kylie Audlist. Her first album ‘Just Say’ was just released (May 26th) on Tru Thoughts. You may know Kylie from her previous work with the Bamboos, as guest vocalist on a number of tracks, and from being around and about on the scene.
‘Just Say’ is an album of considerable original content, vocally and lyrically driven by the outstanding Kylie Audlist. Her deep, soulful voice and strong, unequivocal lyrics, give this modern soul and deep funk album a multinational edge. I suspect that this will go down well across the many ponds (and early indications of media airplay suggest the same).
Just about to start the album tour, I caught up with Kylie to discuss the new album…
Q. What’s your new album ‘Just Say’ing?...
A. I guess, it’s an introduction. It’s the first time I’ve put myself up front under my own name and everything.
Q. But people know you from the Bamboos and your other stuff surely?
A. Not really! It’s different, as I originally was only on three songs with them, then we went to gigs & they made me work real hard! I was like ‘ awww… 12 songs? Are you sure?!... They made me work for it! It turned out to be good practise though…
Q. Did you write the music & lyrics?
A. Lance & I wrote the album together. It’s different from the Bamboos writing style and lots of the other guys from the Bamboos write music for them, whereas here they were playing mine! They’ve historically been mostly instrumental too, and this album is more lyrical and vocally-based.
I also have some friends who wrote some of the songs: two guys I’ve known for years, we’ve performed together and they’re great songs and I wanted to give them a nod. They’re Lenny Matts & Felix the Pone. Carl Pannuzzo is in there as well –I love the songs and it’s nice to have them on the album, they’re very talented.
Q. Where was it made?
A. At the Shed – with John Castle, in Melbourne.
Q. I read somewhere that you are considered Melbourne’s well kept secret & that there are people worrying that now they’ll lose you…
A. A very well kept secret! – they can stuff off! I want the money! (Laughing). No really though, it’s niche, it’s a deep funk and soul thing, and that’s not everywhere ultimately. It’s not massively commercial or mainstream so they needn’t worry!
Q. Lance co-wrote and mastered the album, and the Bamboos provided the music. Did this make life easier when making the album?
A. Absolutley, they know what they’re doing. People will listen anyway just if they see the Bamboos there, but this is me, with them, and we’ve worked together so much…
Q. You hooked up with Tru Thoughts after playing live in Brighton. How’s that working out for you?
A. It’s been lovely! Paul (Jonas) & Rob (Louis) came out here (Australia) & hung out towards the end of the album. They came & checked out the artwork, and they have a few interests out here, so it was opportunity to hook up with Lance and people.. My son Jimmi who’s 3, loved Paul.
Q. Why are there so many of you on the front cover?!
A. (Laughing) ‘Kano’s the artist who did the cover, he’s had amazing covers, he did all the Bamboos. I think there was some slow motion picture inspiration. Kano said that he wanted to try and capture every part of me.’ (you really do get a sense that time has been superimposed over itself…)
‘Matt Jenson took the photos, it was 42 degrees, on a roof in Melbourne, looking down on all the people & them looking up at me … it was sooo hot, my make-up kind of melted off it was so hot, so Matt did a great job making me look presentable for the cover with his photographs!…’
Q. You are getting some great radio airtime for the new album, including Mark Lamar’s show in the UK. How is that working out for you?
A. ‘I don’t know who he is!’ (Fair-enough-like. He’s a bit of a UK classic).
‘Publicity; it’s very exciting; I’ve had some great feedback from people, like Craig Charles and some guys on Greek radio Nova, and France…. this week I’m ABC radio’s national album of the week – it’s like ‘my dad listens to that!!’
My son teaches me stuff, and they know all the greats, y’ know, because I forced them to listen to them!!’ ‘They were sat in the backseat of the car bagging out their mums; “my mum’s so lame, she listens to Gold 104 – Yeah my mum listens to Triple R - it’s disgusting”. My older son teaches me stuff too, I was asking “what is this” about a song on the radio and he says “Snowpatrol. They’re disgusting’.
Q. Touring?...
A. Yeah we are. The tour starts June 5th in Brisbane, then Byron, then there’s the launch at the Gaellic Club in Sydney.
Then there’s ‘The Corner’ launch in Melbourne, now that’s very scary, it’s your hometown you know, it has to be good. All your favourite people will be there!
Then coming up in September and October we’re going to be in the UK & Europe… and this time I’ll actually know people! (having returned from a similar Bamboos tour)…we hooked up, toured around the UK; we were fed & housed.
It’s going to be both bands, the Bamboos and me – so this time I’ll be sharing the downfalls as well as the highs… It’s going to be busy, but good I hope.
http://www.myspace.com/kylieauldistmusic
June 5th – The Step Inn, BRISBANE
The Bamboos present Kylie Auldist
Afro Dizzi Act & Ravi
Tickets from Rockinghorse, Butterbeats, Music Mania (Southport), Moshpit (Maroochydore),
Sunflower Music (Broadbeach)
phonecharge 1300 762 545 / oztix.com.au
June 6th – Great Northern Hotel, BYRON BAY
The Bamboos present Kylie Auldist
Afro Dizzi Act & Noodles
Tickets from Hotel Great Northern 02 6685 6454
byronbayentertainment.com / oztix 1300 762 545
June 7th – QBAR, GOLD COAST
June 8th – The Gaelic Club, SYDNEY
The Bamboos present Kylie Auldist
Organ Donors, Amali Ward, Regal, Frenzie, Huwston
Tickets from moshtix.com.au & all moshtix outlets
June 14th – The Corner Hotel, MELBOURNE
The Bamboos present Kylie Auldist
Kano & more TBA
Tickets available at 57 Swan St Richmond from Mon – Sat 11am-8pm.
Phone bookings 03 9427 9198 / www.cornerhotel.com