focusinterview.
McLEOD SARAH MCLEOD, ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S ICONIC ROCK QUEENS, IS HITTING THE STAGE, SUPPORTING LEGENDARY PUNK ROCKER BRUCE FOXTON AND FROM THE JAM FOR THEIR EAST COAST TOUR ...
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ey Sarah, tell me … how does an Aussie rock songstress such as yourself start on the track to becoming a stock broker but wind up bashing out tunes instead? I took a massive detour on a holiday in Bali in 1990. I was straight out of school and at uni; I went on a holiday with three school mates. I could already play a bit of guitar by then and did little more than sing and play to my buddies at home. When at a club in Bali, my mates asked the Balinese band if they could get me up for a song. I wasn't aware what they were doing until I heard them call my name over the PA. So I got up , grabbed the singer’s guitar, and took over the band. I played all night, then they asked me to play the next night, and the night after that. I was a big hit at the Hotel Puri Rama! Something clicked in my brain, and I never looked back. I came home and quit uni and started a band. That band was a cover band called “Fallen Down Monster”, which with a lineup change became “Hells Kitchen”, which became “The Superjesus”. At what point did it hit you that this was your calling? The minute I heard my voice through a PA! Oh, and I was getting free beer when I sang. After three ARIA awards with The Superjesus, how has your music progressed as a solo artist? I have a very short attention span, so I change styles a lot! I've done so many different genres since The Superjesus - dance, acoustic, motown, even barber shop!
I can’ t wait for this tour; all my ories childhood mem thick in will be flooding ted that ci ex and fast . I’m t him , ee m to I even get stage let alone share a with him!”
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I love it; variety is the spice of life. I know it’s confusing for the audience, but I'm having a ball and it's my life so big deal! You’ve worked alongside some amazing artists; what have been your highlight collaboration projects? The I Touch Myself project that we did last year was hands down my favourite. It was a beautiful tribute to Chrissy Amphlett and an honour to work with such a lineup of amazing women. You’re teaming up with Bruce Foxton from The Jam, whom you’ve always admired. What are you looking forward to the most on this tour? I can't wait for this tour; all my childhood memories will be flooding in thick and fast. I'm excited that I even get to meet him, let alone share a stage with him! Give us a wrap up of the tour you’ve recently completed with Jeff Martin, who also happens to be performing at the same venue. Jeff is an incredible musician, but he is also like my brother. We are very close; he calls me “lil' sis”. It’s cute: Jeff calls me “lil' sis” and Angry Anderson calls me “The Kid”. Which is great, considering I'm 40! Ha! It's a really inspirational touring with a killer singer; it makes me sing better. I think I've improved just from being around him, and that's what sharing talent is all about!. Can you share some of your other passions in life besides music? How do you spend time off the stage?
At home I am always in my studio. It's on the third level of my terrace house, like a little wooden attic. It's filled with rock memorabilia and equipment and crazy lights ... Oh, and bean bags; I LOVE bean bags! I sit up there and work on music most of the time. If I’m not there I'm usually down at the local getting drunk with my dog! She just drinks water though ... She's an animal, but not a party animal. And lastly, what have you got planned for the rest of 2015? The Superjesus are doing a national tour with the Baby Animals in May/June, and we are releasing a new song to coincide with the tour. We are also working on an EP. Apart from that, I am getting closer to getting my next solo record together, but I'm not sure when that will be released. There is also a stage show thrown in there, but it's too early to announce it, so I'll have to tell you about that one in a month or so! Thanks Sarah.
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can’t wai my child will be floo fast. I’m ex to meet him stage with
the plug! See Sarah on Thursday, March 12 2015 in the Panthers Auditorium at 7:30pm. Tickets: Members $40 Non-Members $45 www.portmacquarie.panthers.com.au
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