It's big, bold and beautiful. We chat to architect William Smart who designed Indigo Slam - the new home of arts philanthropist Judith Neilson.
The Thirsty Merc lead singer has learnt the hard way about owning possessions.
What is your strongest memory of your childhood home?
This one is the closest to my heart: My Mum taught piano to many students from her lovely little studio room, you could access it from a side path to the house. Before and after school on weekdays, and all day on many Saturdays, she’d give piano lessons to people of all ages. My bedroom was right next to her piano room, so I’d hear scales, pieces and singing going on all the time. At night, my Mum would often play the music of Debussy and Chopin and many other composers’ works. Falling asleep to this music was most definitely one of the reasons I fell in love with the piano, melodies and rich harmony from such a young age. Also, the playroom was where all the fun took place. It was a split level, floor boarded room in an extended part of the original house. Dad, also a teacher, painted us a chalkboard in dark green paint — we drew pictures and wrote in multi coloured chalk on that surface. We’d just make up our own games, we rode our bikes, collected cicadas, played cricket in the yard. Classic Aussie stuff!
Thirsty Merc members Rai Thistlethwayte, Phil Stack and Matt Smith Photo: Supplied
What do you recall about buying your first home?
It was a pretty interesting experience. I was working as a touring musician in my early- to mid-20s and my band was starting to get booked more regularly outside my hometown of Sydney. Cab fares and transit time to the airport were getting pretty exorbitant, and increasing traffic meant you could miss flights easily which just added so much to the stress of the job. Plus, I wanted to be in a more inner-city locale. I had rehearsed with bands around Alexandria a lot in my teens as that’s where most of the warehouses were situated. So I ended up getting into an apartment in an inner-city suburb. It was really a strategic thing more than anything else, having proximity to all the things I needed to do, so I could focus more on the creative side and keep the music work cranking.
Have you ever house-shared with flatmates?
Thirsty Merc members Rai Thistlethwayte, Phil Stack and Matt Smith Photo: Supplied
I have, but not a huge amount, to be honest. I had a great time sharing with another muso mate in Annandale a while back and I’ve rented a place in downtown Los Angeles for the past five years. I don’t know why, but it doesn’t feel like I have a flatmate in LA because I’ve known him for 17 years now. It’s more like living with a family member and I’m also not there all the time. Not that long ago I stayed in Park Slope in Brooklyn NY: I was couch surfing, alongside a doctor, a med student, a massage therapist, and a music manager, they were loving the communal life there and that is such a great way to get to know new people!
Can you share any tips for organising your home?
Owning stuff is a burden. That said, I learnt the hard way. So, now I like to keep it simple. You end up putting an apartment’s worth of stuff into a storage unit, then you don’t use it or even see most of it for two years and you wonder why you ever needed it in the first place, ’cause you’re not missing it any more and you’re perfectly good without it. Now, you’ve got to get around to cleaning all your stuff out and sell it, give it away, that’s a process in itself. Moving forward, I reckon it’s gonna be more about just getting the bare essentials. In my opinion, it’s better on the environment to just have a smaller footprint too. And I think it’s great that more people are seeming to be feeling the same way about all these material things.
Thirsty Merc members Rai Thistlethwayte, centre, Phil Stack and Matt Smith Photo: Supplied
Do you have a favourite room?
My grandfather designed a really beautiful house for his family on the North Shore of Sydney, back in the 1930s – it’s got an amazing dining room in it. It’s teeny tiny, but it’s cute as, with a view of these amazing gum trees out of one of the windows. I’ve got to say, they really don’t make ’em like they used to. That’s just a bit close to my heart, that room. Back in the day, we’d visit my Gran and Aunty and cousin over there and have cups of tea and what-not.
What is the worst piece of furniture or household item you have bought?
Thirsty Merc members Rai Thistlethwayte, Phil Stack and Matt Smith Photo: Supplied
Oh gosh, I don’t know. Heaps of things over the years. Some pretty crapola outdoor furniture I’ve had. I’m just not the most stylish buyer, a lot of the time. I’m probably more “functionalist” than “formist”, if that even makes sense.
What’s the best household item you own (and why)?
I’ve got a really gorgeous C. Bechstein upright piano. It sounds amazing, it’s just one of those handpicked items that also serves as such a great creative inspiration. The C. Bechsteins, I believe, use a Renner action – the same as what you’d find in many Steinway pianos. My particular one is full of character and very suited to what I love to play. It’s rock solid when you need it to be gruff, but flighty when you need it to be extra-nimble, and it just has a tone that … well, words can’t even describe it.
Do you enjoy gardening?
I might if I ever take it up!
If you could live in a dream house, anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Oh wow. That’s a biggie. OK, here’s one. There’s a place in California called Laguna Beach. It’s just stunning, and it’s in an area with many artists and creatives who are looking for a nice community feel. So, maybe it’d be somewhere around there. But, hey, I really am just dreaming now, aren’t I?
Thirsty Merc’s Shifting Gears album is out now and the band is on tour until mid April. See http://thirstymerc.com/page/tour for details.