This time, we get to know Goldfish Smarts, a six piece band from Sydney, Australia. With a strong sense of Australian rock, Goldfish Smarts deftly accentuate their capacity for blues, folk & country with a respect for sound & story, similar to Australian greats Paul Kelly & Midnight Oil.
Phil - Lead Singer
Michael - Guitar
Mark - Guitar
Mike - Bass
Stu - Drums
Mo - Harp
The track "Downtime At Moonlight" is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.
Link To New Artist Spotlight Playlists:
1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.
Goldfish Smarts are 6 blokes, arguably (or maybe not even) past our prime, looking to salvage the vestiges of musical irrelevance from the clutches of chutzpah. We're from the Northern Beaches of Sydney, around the Manly Beach area. We've just realeased "In The Red", which is our 2nd EP and takes us to 26 released songs since late 2018. Right now, were taking a bit of a breather and looking to get back to gigging in Sept and recording another EP Oct/Nov 22
2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?
Girls! When I was a kid, I always thought that if I could play guitar, either in a band or solo, I'd be able to get the girls. Ah well…that plan didn't really work out too well. These days, the inspiration is just to write, record and play new tunes, with great friends. We love the creative process of creating new music. It is the best catharsis to a mid-life crisis! And then playing live is the nitrous on top
𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?
We are all children and teenagers of the 70's, 80's and 90's. And we're all rock tragics so our influences are the classics (The Beatles, The Who, The Stones). We also strive to be the best songwriters we can be, so Dylan, Springsteen, The Band etc are the extremely high standards we try to test ourselves against (and never even get close.... but you gotta have goals right?). And the lastly, we grew up in the era of Aussie Pub Rock. So, Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly, Cold Chisel (the list goes on) are just about infused into our DNA.
4. What are your goals in the music industry?
Have fun, write some good songs, tell a story, do no harm. Play music with our friends, don't pester our families to like our music (too much)
5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.
Everyone in Goldfish Smarts inputs into the creative process. Someone may bring a completed song, or maybe just a riff, or a harmony. As an example, the songs on In The Red have, 1 written entirely by Stu (Drummer), 1 written entirely by Michael (Guitar), 2 are music by Michael and lyrics by Phil (Lead Vocal) and 1 is music by Mark (Guitar) and lyrics by Phil. And infact, Downtime At Moonlight is a full band colab. All the verses were written at the recording studio (Moonlight) when doing our previous EP. We just left a note book open on the desk and people just wrote down observations through out the days. Phil then combined them all into what is now the verses of Downtime. Michael wrote the music and had a chorus about friendship and living in the moment that fit perfectly...and a song is born.
6. What is your all-time favorite song?
Are you kidding? All time favourite! How can anyone answer that? Anything by any of our biggest influencers! (Sorry, a cop out I know, but its the truth)
7. What is the best advice or council you have either given or received in terms of music?
Turn it down!
I don't know if we've ever been in a positon to give or receive advice. But if we were, I'd hope someone might say "Keep going. If you're enjoying it, then that's all that matters. If you're not, then it's not worth it...it's supposed to be fun"
8. Proudest accomplishment?
Forming a band in our latter years that is having about as much fun as you can have standing up. (I'm assuming we're talking musical accomplishment? Otherwsie, if my family are reading this, than obviously you guys are my proudest accomplishment!!!)
9. What is something about you that might surprise someone who knows you the best?
One band member sidelines as a Milliner. Two band members have twins. The band originated from the leftovers of a "one-night only" cover band. Most of us havent been in bands for decades
𝟭0. Tell us about your highest and lowest points in music so far.
Lowest point - letting life get in the way and not playing music for decades. Highest point - still to come baby!
Stream "Downtime At Moonlight" now
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