discover new australian music

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

Kate: When we first started writing together, we had fairly different tastes in music. I listened mainly to jazz artists and Sally liked lots of different contemporary genres. But, as with picking up someone’s mannerisms when you hang around with them long enough, writing together meant we eventually took on each other’s tastes. There have been many other songs written before we came to where we are now, and we’re definitely still developing.

Sally: We also have a ‘no bad ideas’ policy. So even when Kate decides to whip out her flute or do wild diva vocals over one of our demos, we’ve resolved to hear each other out, and that allows us room for experimentation.

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?

Kate: A combination of working and writing with other artists. I think perhaps it’s easy to get stuck in a creative rut when you hold your cards close to your chest. There is something expansive about doing music as a community with other artists. Sometimes we collaborate with our friends and end up with an utter flop, and sometimes it’s great.

Sally: I love elegant communication in all forms and pursuing that through music inspires me.

What can punters expect from an OKBADLANDS live show?

Kate: A whole lot of harmonies and groove. These are the things we are naturally drawn to and so we integrate them as much as possible. For most of OKBADLANDS’ life we have performed live as a four-piece band, but we’ve recently started doing some electronic shows as a duo, which allows for a different dynamic.

Sally: Us gals having a great time because playing live is our favourite thing, and hopefully said punters having a great time too. Grooves, harmony, and Kate telling the audience ‘what you can’t tell is that I’m usually funny’. We also like to wear sparkles.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?

Kate: ‘Just relax a little bit’ – my older brother, Peter, on account of the fact that I can be pretty rowdy sometimes.

Sally: Not given to me directly, but I read a collection of essays by Annie Dillard recently, and in one of them she wrote – ‘how we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives’. Something given directly was an elderly lady who started talking to me on the bus once – as I was leaving she said ‘listen well, speak up, and always have flowers on the table.’ I took that to mean to be attentive and to prioritize contributing beauty to the world as an end in itself.

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?

Kate: Asta - Dynamite

Sally: Gang of Youths – Native Tongue

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?

Kate: Crowded House – Don’t Dream It’s Over

Sally: Big Scary - Invest

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?

Kate: Tame Impala – The Moment

Sally: Daddy Cool – Eagle Rock

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?

Kate: I was away for a while, so BADBADNOTGOOD late last year. It was one of the best gigs we’ve attended together. There were bass-piano duos, people moshing to complicated rhythms, soprano sax solos – everything we could have asked for. They’re so skillful and they’ve developed an original sound that we both love.

Sally: The most recent would have been Fractures, who we supported last week. They were great – we loved seeing how the recordings were interpreted in a full-band setting.

Tell us about the bands or people in the Brisbane music community that inspire you.

Kate: We’ve worked alongside a lot of really inspiring people in the Brisbane music community and formed some close friendships. Everyone’s super tight-knit and encouraging.

Sally: There’s so many - GOVS, Golden Vessel, a new act called Akurei, The Creases, The Phoncurves, Seavera, Asha Jefferies, Mid Ayr, Clea – the list goes on. As well as amazing music photographers like Savannah van der Neit, all the sound techs and bookers at the venues here, and all the people who write insightful blogs and zines centred around music. And the legends over at 4ZZZ.

What are your plans for 2017?

Kate: A lot of new things! We’re so excited to release our debut EP later this year. It’s something we’ve been working really hard on for quite some time now. We’re going be playing our first ever headline show in Brisbane, and will hopefully be heading interstate as well.

Sally: Other than that, the plan is to keep writing and developing our sound.

Lastly, would you rather be average playing every instrument or amazing at playing just one instrument?

Kate: Gimme all of them.

Sally: I think I’d prefer to be amazing at just one.