AN INTERVIEW WITH ANDREW MCDONALD

Australian musician Andrew McDonald was in town during October for a couple shows (one of which was opening for Lifehouse at the Nokia: Remix music party) on our little island and we managed to sit down with this rather traditional 29-year-old dude to chat about music, games, old school mobile phones and CD players. Yes, CD players.

Playworks: First time here in Singapore?

Andrew: It is, yup.

How do you find it so far?

Excellent. Sort of been pretty lucky cause been out while playing (music) and doing some shopping an all that, so it’s pretty good.

What were you shopping for?

I needed a Playstation controller. That was high on the list cause electronics are pretty expensive in Australia. That was the agenda and some clothes and stuff.

You’re a gamer. Cool, we’ll talk about games in a little bit. But first, let’s talk about your music, the beginnings, how it all started, etc. You were in a band before right?

I was in a band, yeah. We played for about ten years but we started like when we were in high school. We got to do a lot of stuff. Did some touring and released a couple of albums. That sort of finished up about a year ago. In the meantime, I was playing acoustic shows so I just sort of figured I’m just going to keep on with this.

Is your old band still together?

No. But we’re still all mates.

What was the name of the band?

We were called Tiltmeter.

How different is your current music style to the band’s?

The band was sort of like punk rock and a little bit of indie stuff. It was very, very adrenaline charged and we’d often come off stage bleeding and things. When I started playing acoustic, I wasn’t sure if it would just sound like the same thing transcribed acoustically but it wasn’t until I listen back to the albums and found that they’re worlds apart. It doesn’t sound anything at all like the band, which is good.

Did you do acoustic versions of the songs of the band, or did you do your own songs?

When I started, I did the band’s. And then gradually, I started writing everything on acoustic for myself.

What are your musical influences?

I listen to a lot of hardcore metal. Bands like Slayer and Hatebreed, etc. And also, there’s a really healthy hardcore scene in Melbourne. At the same time, I listen to a lot of singer-songwriter stuff like Damien Rice and Elliot Smith. It’s sort of one extreme to the other. Depends what mood you’re in. But when it comes to actually writing songs, I sort of go for the acoustic, the sort of more chilled out stuff.

What about when you sing? What kind of influences do you have for performing?

I usually sort of switch out. Which makes playing easier, just lost in your own world. It’s something that developed over time. A lot of people are starting to notice that whether I play to an empty room or a full room, I kind of just switch off. I guess it becomes fairly emotive when you start singing. You sort of build your songs with a peak right at the end and you just let it all go. I think it’s easy to just close your eyes and get into it.

What about your songwriting process? As a singer-songwriter, is there a fixed way?

When I was in a band, it was very much like I have to like a song first and hope that three other people would like the song as well. I come to them with lyrics and the songs but it was still where all of us would have to like the song, whereas now, as long as I like it, it’ll do. I don’t know, I think it’s just one of those things where you sort of pick up the guitar and play a few chords and you hear something that you like and try to find a melody and it kind of writes itself from there I guess.

Is there a producer involved with the songwriting? Is there anyone who comes in and tries to change things?

No, I do everything myself, I have worked with producers before. I did it at a really young age and I found that producers, in terms of producers that will change your songs, I didn’t really like it. I remember working on all these songs and the changes and at the end of it, I’ve lost all the love for the songs.

Are you into sports?

Well, I come from a big sporting family but I was never that interested. When I was playing with the band, the other guys all loved sports but it does nothing for me, I’m sorry.

At least you’re a gamer, since you’ve been shopping for a Playstation controller.

Yeah. My roommate’s a big gamer. He’s always buying the latest FIFA soccer game and he’s still playing Gears Of War at the moment. I might just play something like Tetris but once in a while, I might get a game. I was just playing Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. I’m cheating too. I’m checking the walkthroughs on the web.

How many consoles do you have? Do you bring them along when you go on tours and such?

I forgot to bring! I got a PSP though, which I mainly use for those retro games compilations and I just play that. It’s great when you’re waiting for something or on a long drive.

What about gadgets?

No, I’m not big on gadgets. I sort of ruined a phone and I’ve been using my old phone and sort of sticking with it.

You’re not crazy about the iPhone or other flashy gadgets?

No. I don’t have an iPod or any of those things.

Not even an MP3 player?

No. I still got my old CD player and I carry that around.

Wow. Old school. What kind of phone are you using now?

It’s an old Nokia. You want to see it? This is embarrassing. I did have a fairly new phone but I spilled water on it. These old ones are way more reliable. They can take a lot of punishment. This has been in and out of toilets and it still works.

Any cameras?

I do have a digital camera. And we do have a big plasma screen at home cause I’m big on movies and stuff. We also got the internet hooked up to it and my flatmate’s got his iTunes and songs on it.

Do you record your songs on a laptop or just hooking up to the computer on your own? Or do you prefer going into a studio to record?

I’m a bit sort of traditional with that stuff too. I’ll just drag my guitar to a friend’s place or anyone who has Pro Tools and you know, just plug in and do it that way. I have tried to record myself at home but I’m not very good, no.

Do you play any other instrument other than the guitar?

No, not really. I’m trying to learn piano and keyboards to add more to the songs but I’m always surrounded by mates who can play other instruments so I can just ask them to come and play for me.

How did you learn guitar?

I tried to take some guitar lessons in high school but I found out about guitar tabs. So, instead of just sitting there, learning all those notes, I just picked up some tabs and play. It wasn’t until now that I’m looking back and understanding more and appreciating more about the music theory and all.

Do you bring music theory in when you write songs?

Nah. It’s pretty much just pick-up-the-guitar-and-start-playing-whatever-chords-sound-right. I couldn’t even tell the name of the chords. If it sounds good and you start singing over it, and before you know it, the song’s forming itself.

Any albums of yours available?

I’m working on some demos right now and you can listen to the songs on my myspace. I’m going to start recording soon and hopefully I can get something out by Christmas.

Would you coming back to here?

I hope so, yeah. It was fantastic. I hope to get the recoding done and come back with something to promote.

We received good news that the kind folks at Nokia seeded Andrew an Xpress Music phone just before his flight. Welcome to the age of high-tech mobiles Andrew. Enjoy the phone! Fans can check out Andrew’s music at www.myspace.com/andrewmcdonaldacoustic and try searching “Andrew McDonald” on youtube for some clips from his shows.