The Hotseat – Jess Finlayson of The Mis-Made
on April 21st, 2013Last week new Sydney rock outfit The Mis-Made released a video clip for their single ‘House Of Cards‘. The track will appear on their forthcoming EP which was recently recorded with Lachlan Mitchell. It will be released next month and they will play The Forbes in Sydney on Saturday May 25th, and The Lass in Newcastle on June 7th to christen it. This week we catch up with singer / guitarist Jess Finlayson to take on our Hotseat Questions. Expand this post to take a read of her answers and check out the clip if you are yet to do so.
THE BASICS
Name : Jess Finlayson
Band : The Mis-Made
Job In Band : Singer/lead guitarist/manager/agent
Website Address : www.themismade.com
HOME
Hometown : Balmain / Annandale
Hometown is best known for : Music and beer
Best venue in your hometown : The Annandale
Favourite show you’ve seen in your hometown : Front End Loader
Favourite show you’ve played in your hometown : Nitocris Re-union show
THE BAND
How did the band first come to exist? We met individually through many different angels, mutual friend and music.
How long has the band been going? About 5 months.
Any particular story behind the name? I came across it when searching for a name, it rang true to me because it implies that most people see themselves as being not quite right, or outcasts in some way or another… well the people I know do any way.
What’s your most recent release? Tell us a little about it… Our most recent release is the single ‘House Of Cards’ which will be released on a 4 track EP in May.
Got a personal stand out achievement of your band to date? Meeting under extreme circumstances and finding a way to make it work. A testament to the character of the band.
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? I was raised by hippies so music, especially rock and roll was always a major part of my upbringing, but the first real show I saw was U2 when I was 12. It made me realize the freedom that music can give you and that it is something that can never be taken from you.
Any particular band / album or song that you personally credit as a major influence? Many… but mostly, Master Of Reality (Black Sabbath) Grace (Jeff Buckley) Easter (Patti Smith) and Led Zep (4). There is a lot of great music coming out at the moment but I am a fan of the classics.
Your first band name, and what style did you play? Twisted Fayte. Very bad skater / blues rock
Most prized music related item you own? Black Sabbath first edition and I still have the pickup from my first guitar.
When you’re not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? Watching bands, movies, reading books and drinking tequila.
The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is… Leaving!
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is… Coming home!
ON THE STAGE
When on offer, what’s your one must have item on the rider? Tequila.
Favourite place you’ve toured… and why? The whole of Australia is amazing and very underrated by those who live here. I love Sydney but Melbourne is a close second.
Most memorable show you’ve played? and why? The Big Day Out. Massive crowd and access to a toilet!
Got a favourite song to play live? Any and all
Any embarrassing on stage moments come to mind? So many that I cant pick. Having food poisoning was probably a winner, having the bucket on the side of stage.
Any pre-show rituals? Drink, cigarette.
What do you find is the hardest aspect of touring in a band today? Trying to find venues willing to put bands on. Especially in Sydney, it has become harder and harder to sustain. People take too much for granted, they should go and support bands so that pubs have an incentive to open more venues with gigs. Plus the laws surrounding noise complaints and licensing are too strict.
RIGHT NOW
Last song you listened to? Some weird Spanish thing that my friend put up on Facebook.
Last album you acquired? Simon and Garfunkle Live. It was a birthday present.
Which band or album is currently on high rotation? Die Antwoord
Tell us an up and coming band or artist you think we should go and listen to right now? Siamese Almeida, Raprager, Double Crosses, Tiffany Britchfor, Animal Hands.
What’s on the cards for the next few months for the band? Writing, recording, planning trip to Europe, drinking tequila, sleeping and more tequila.
IF ONLY…
You can pick any one album for your band to cover in full, what would it be and why? Paranoid – Black Sabbath. Awesome from start to finish.
You can pick any one band / artist to cover one of your albums in full, what would it be, and why? Die Antwoord, it would be totally weird and a little bit special.
One band you wish you were able to see live but never had the chance? Metallica
One venue you have yet to play that you would love to? ANZ Stadium
The chance comes up to fill in for a member of a band for one tour, which band would it be, and why? Front End Loader, Bow because… just because.
A headline tour overseas comes up, tell us two bands you’d take along to support your band. There are so many that I cant pick… Probably any of my friends bands because they ROCK!
PLUG TIME
Got any final words? New EP due out in May, film clip up now (see above), and our website is www.themismade.com
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