Bob Evans - he just don't wanna grow up anymore. The interview.

(Picture supplied)

When I turned down a phone interview with Kevin Mitchell aka Bob Evans due to a meeting for my day job, I asked my manager to mark that day in her calendar and remember my high commitment and prioritisation to my day job. That interview would have been a pinnacle in my writing career. I was almost William Miller in Almost Famous. I was almost Paul Cashmere. Only less knowledgable about music and a bit too much of a fangirl to be a proper music journo. I've been a fan of Perth-turned-Melbourne singer songwriter Bob Evans' music for around six years. And then I became a Jebediah fan. Here we are after his show at The Tote.

He's frontman of Jebediah, one quarter of the supergroup Basement Birds and has been a regular on the RockWiz live tour. I once awkwardly got on stage with him to hold his lyrics! A word of advice: don't wear skinny jeans to a concert just in case you need to climb up on the stage. He and Steve Poltz also sent me a tweet with this message.

I am so happy Bob Evans has got an upcoming EP, Double Life, out 9 November, and an upcoming Australian tour, commencing on the same day - see tour dates below. He told me about his latest song, Don't wanna grow up anymore, in an email interview.

"Don't Wanna Grow Up Anymore is pretty self explanatory. The older you get the more responsibilities there are and sometimes it seems like things were easier or better in the past. Everyone is prone to a little nostalgia. For me it's my late teens and early twenties. The weird thing is, I'm much happier now than I was then. That time of my life was full of insecurity and angst. So I suppose there is a tendency to put on rose coloured glasses when we look at the past."

The song features the trademark combination of upbeat pop, falsetto, and just a hint of Jebediah nasal. Lyrically, it's nostalgic and poetic:

"I'm told from the dust of stars we
Came in to this world
And shall return.
It's foolish to try and fight it
Still y'know, I just don't wanna grow up anymore..."

He sings of simple times, being a sun-kissed kid. I asked his what he misses most about his childhood. Kevin says:

"My Dad. I had to think long and hard about this! There actually isn't that much I miss to be honest. The best things about being a kid you take for granted at the time anyway, like the endless potential and possibilities you have. You're not aware of those things. So the only thing I really miss about my childhood is my Dad, cos he died soon after my 20th birthday and he was a really good guy."

In the past year, Kevin's become a dad to a beautiful baby girl. I wondered what he'll be passing on from his childhood to hers.

"There are definitely values that I was brought up with that I will try and pass on to her, like being polite and well mannered and showing people respect. I read to her everyday and I will keep doing so for as long as I can because books were important to me when I was younger and I think kids that read do better at school. I also spent a lot of time outside playing and hopefully I can encourage her to do a bit of that too although I know these days it seems to be dying out a bit."

Kevin's been around the music scene for a while now, more than half his life. He's been playing in Jebediah since the mid 1990s - they were a band that I was pretty scared of, during my Savage Garden days - which I told him a couple of years ago. I asked him if being a rockstar has helped helped keep his youth.

"I'm not sure. I've never felt like a rock star but I'm sure that my occupation has helped keep me young at heart, cos I love it and I love the life it's given me. I definately think there is a link between happiness and holding on to your youth."

I have always enjoyed the visually creative videos and artwork Kevin pairs with his music. Leading up to the release of Don't wanna grow up anymore, teasers of lyrics were alongside nostalgic photos from the 1980s. I thought they were a real treat. I asked Kevin whether he enjoys the visual side of the creative process as much as making music?

"Ha! Not really to be honest. I don't really enjoy any activity as much as making music! I've never really considered myself very good at the visual side of art. I appreciate it as an observer but I'm terrible at coming up with it myself. When I write music I can usually satisfy myself with the end result being close to what my imagination was calling for. With visual stuff that doesn't really happen so much! But I'm glad you enjoyed it!"

Thanks to Kevin Mitchell/Bob Evans for your words, and to Kirsten at Bob Evans HQ for organising!

For more information, visit BobEvans.com.au

On being a fan - part 2

Two of my favourite musos, Steve Poltz and Bob Evans (Kevin Mitchell from Jebediah), coming together and saying hello to me in a tweet.

I love being a fan ♥

To read On being a fan part 1, go here.

Crowd surfing + beer showers - Jebediah at the Corner Hotel

I saw Jebediah play live on Friday night. Thanks to their latest release She's Like a Comet, and of course, Bob Evans, I have come to like their back catalogue that I missed during my teens (of course I was listening to Savage Garden and Jebediah were too scary for me). My friend R was down to stay and we met C and S there (who I first met last year when I saw Bob Evans at the Tote). It was a great night.

We arrived really early and positioned ourselves front row centre against the temporary mosh barrier. I kept having flashbacks to the times when I was in the mosh at Placebo, Screaming Jets and Kings of Leon (60 % awful, 40 % awesome), and realised being in a Jebediah mosh was not sensible for my health. I couldn't risk overheating and being pounded by a strong crowd. I was proud to brave three songs and a beer shower, and then made a difficult sideways exit. Some people were worried about how red I was and let me past, so that was beneficial. I managed to take three close up photos while front row, including this one.

My friends were the real heroes of the night - they braved the biffo, bottles to the head, beer showers and crowd surfers, and held their places in the front and centre for all of Jebediah's set. Well done girls.

Meanwhile, I positioned myself in a much safer spot next to the security guard at the front of the stage. I received a couple of thumps to my body from the very excited guys near me jumping around - and also a grazed forehead after one of the guys gave me a bristley hug to console me from him stepping on my foot. But overall I was pleased to have a comfortable spot with a great view.

Jebediah played a number of songs from their new album. But it was a mostly nostalgic show that took the crowd back to the late 90s. It was energetic, sweaty, rocking fuzzpop. I could barely recognise the sweet country voice I am used to hearing from Kevin Mitchell. But I did love his nasal sounds on Friday.

There were a lot of crowd surfers. Another reason I am glad I did not stay at the front. Though I was kind of envious of their (drunken?) bravery and trust in the crowd.

I took lots of photos. This one is my favourite.

I also took a video of Harpoon. I die.

I am so glad I've discovered this awesome music - many years after it was released. Thanks Jebediah for a great show!

Jebediah She's Like a Comet live acoustic

It is the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. I love it! Yesterday morning I got up TOO EARLY (4.15 am) to go to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival breakfast radio broadcast before work. I saw a heap of comedians - some good, some not so, but it did open my eyes to more comedians I want to see.

Jebediah played live. It was wonderful.

Enjoy!

Jebediah at the St Kilda Festival

After eight years living in Melbourne, I went to the St Kilda Festival for the first time on Sunday.  I happened to leave my camera battery charging at home, so I had to make do with my iPhone camera. I was disappointed. Apologies.

It was a beautiful day. I only went for two hours. Just to see Jebediah.

So many people packed the streets, enjoying the free entertainment and stalls.

Jebediah played on the foreshore near the sea baths. I loved their energy. I'm glad they're still kicking around.

There was moshing. And crowd surfing. Much different to a Bob Evans gig I'm used to. I loved it!

 I was so so happy to hear Harpoon then She's Like a Comet. I died. Wow.

My week-long crash course in listening to Jebediah songs paid off because I knew a lot more words than I thought I did!

I started off viewing them from far away then realised I could have been down the front for a longer time!

I saw a man with two beautiful Newfoundlands. They were so affectionate. And big! I asked for a photo. He asked me to hold them while he took the photo. I was hoping they'd stay still, because they'd just bolted after some small dogs.

Fortunately there were no uh-oh moments. Unfortunately you can't really see me in the photos. But the dogs still look gorgeous. And I was still doing the 30 for 30 remix - outfit 15: Bob Evans tee, denim shorts, hat, sunnies and ballet flats.

 (source)

Someone kindly recorded Harpoon. I die. 

She's Like a Comet

Friday's outfit was a mixture of crowd favourites - my Temt teal top over my Sunnygirl maxi dress, belted at the waist.

The remix challenge has been fun. And I have not bought any clothes, accessories or anything else apart from food and a movie ticket. I banked some money today - what I may have spent if I wasn't using so much willpower!

I have had these sandals for many years. Since 1997 or 1998! And they still look like new!

Thanks for your kind words about my outfits too :) Much appreciated! And also for your support re the red faces comment. I love the blogging community!

I had lunch at the Victoria Market on Friday. I bought it from Colours of the Earth - a shop selling rainbow pizzas. You can read more about the shop at Spatula Spoon and Sunday. Lunch was delicious (and cheap!). I had a polenta based pizza with olive, capsicum, coriander, pumpkin and buffalo cheese.

While I was at the market, I picked up a few pieces of fruit. Fresh produce is so expensive due to the shortage after the floods and cyclone. But we've gotta keep supporting our farmers, no matter the price.  I feel for Queenslanders - they've endured so much in the past month. The cyclone this week is devastating. I can't imagine the turmoil. Even Melbourne is experiencing wild weather. This was my street before the storm came at 7.00 pm last night.

It's probably the effects of Cyclone Yasi?

In other news - this is my current favourite song. She's Like a Comet by Jebediah.

I didn't listen to them when they looked like this (it was that stupid 'my precious ears' excuse:

(source)

Now they look like this:

(source)

So, due to my appreciation of Bob Evans, I will revisit their back catalogue this weekend! And next weekend, I may see them play live!

Bob Evans at The Tote - another YouTube video

Here is another YouTube video of me on stage with Bob Evans at The Tote.

Thanks to Sarah for the video, and for these pictures:

She did take more, but there really isn't a flattering angle of me anywhere. I didn't expect there to be after my speaker dive stage entrance!

You can read my review of the gig, and see more pictures here.

Bob Evans at The Tote

Bob Evans
The Tote, Collingwood
19 November 2010

As if my week couldn't get any better! I went to see Bob Evans at The Tote last night. It was a small charity gig, supporting West Side Roller Derby and the Sacred Heart Mission. It was fantastic!!

I went with my friend Phin, and met two lovely girls Carmen and Sarah there - they are fans of Bob Evans, Josh Pyke and Kav Temperley from The Basement Birds, and have been reading my blog for a few months. It was nice to meet them in real life. I also made a new friend, Sinead, who flew all the way from Perth to see the show - that's dedication!!

I have never been to The Tote before - earlier this year it was on the verge of closing forever to it being deemed 'high risk' and consequently being charged high liquor licensing fees. Fortunately it reopened, allowing the iconic venue to continue to hold bands. I love The Tote - it's intimate, and very rock and roll - walls coated with old band posters, and filled with music lovers.

The show opened with a quirky band called Oh Deanna. The band is a four piece, fronted by a cute girl in a cute dress singing equally cute lyrics. Their music reminded me a bit of The Mouldy Peaches. I thought she sang with spunk - it was delightful.

Next band up was Jimmy Tait - another four piece fronted by a girl in a nice dress. To be honest, their music did not have an impact on me - maybe I need to listen to their music on CD?

Bob Evans came on last - he played solo and acoustically - it was simply wonderful. Bob Evans (Kevin Mitchell) is the absolute nicest Australian musician ever. So funny, so lovely and so obliging.

He didn't stick to a setlist, instead writing down a list of songs of is he can play, and some covers, and played what he and the crowd wanted.

He joked he had a 90 minute set which would comprise 45 minutes of music, and 45 minutes of banter. I've always enjoyed his stage banter, and last night's banter did not disappoint. Granted, most of it consisted of the crowd yelling out songs they wanted him to play, and him saying he didn't know how (Crowded House, ACDC, Jimi Hendrix, some of his own stuff...). I was reminded of how many songs of his I love. It seems like every song of his is my favourite!

His set opened with an old favourite (of mine), Nowhere Without You. Other songs played were Stevie's Song, Friend, Sadness and Whisky, Darlin' Won't You Come, Pasha Bulker, We're a Mess, The Great Unknown, Rocks in my Head (according to him, 'a fucking depressing song', associated with gin), Brother O Brother, (my favourite) Hand Me Downs, Power of Speech (he stumbled through the words, laughed a lot and ended it prematurely, citing 'when requests go wrong' - so funny), Don't You think and Someone So Much. He was not confident recalling the words to Everything Goes, so for a second, I held up the lyrics in front of him, though he couldn't see them.

I love the way he plays the harmonica. Here is his harmonica holding bay.

He also played a few covers. Lily Allen's Not Fair - again - LOVE THIS, Lucinda Williams' Lost It (beautiful lyrics: 'I I give you my heart will you promise not to break it?').

There was this funny encore moment where he asked whether he should go off stage for five minutes, and come back for the encore. He decided not to do the five minute break, and build suspense for the encore by standing on the side of the stage, in clear view, the crowd chanting for more, and him winding his arm and the crowd's excitement. Here's Bob on pre-encore break

He returned to the middle of the stage, saying that he'll miss his (fake) flight to New York for this encore. So funny!

During the encore, he played one of my other favourite covers, See Through Dress by Red Jezebel.

He had lyrics printed out again, and this time invited me up on stage to hold the lyrics for him. Oh. My. God. So I am not the most agile of people when I my skin is sore/when I wear skinny jeans. And last night, I was cursed with the two situations. Sore skin and skinny jeans. So I found it very difficult to get up on stage. I ended up hoisting myself up over the speaker, which angled downwards, sliding face down the speaker, landing on the power pack on the floor of the stage. Graceful, and classy. And painful! Bob Evans made a comment that I looked beautiful making my stage entrance! Photos of my grand arrival maybe to come.

So then I stood up there awkwardly, holding the lyrics in front of him, singing along. Part of it was recorded on my camera, and Sarah also recorded the full thing on her iPhone. I sang 'you thought I'd be fine but I'm a crazy old fuck' with him into the microphone.

Wow!!! It was so exciting, and I can't quite believe it happened!

(Excuse my jiggly tummy and undone button - I think the button was due to the speaker dive!)

Thanks to Sinead and the lovely guy for taking photos and video, and also to the guy for getting me the song list and lyrics. Sarah also took photos and video - can't wait to see them. Thank you!

These are the See Through Dress lyrics:

And the song list he signed:

He was obliging enough to pose for a couple of photos with me, and with friends. Such an awesome guy!

It was such an amazing night! I am on a high :)