Andrew Morris plays the Gentleman's Game.
With the release of his second album Valleys this past year has been a busy time for Brisbane based singer-songwriter Andrew Morris. In the midst of 'The Gentleman's Game' tour with fellow Brisbaneites The Gin Club, Morris took a moment for a tea-break and a chinwag with The Dwarf over butter scones and darjeerling tea.
The Dwarf: The much anticipated Valleys came out at the end of last year to great reviews. Were you happy with the album?
Andrew Morris: I was definitely happy with the album. Being self produced and funded I was pretty proud of the work. My band The Dry Bones played great and Marky Mark and Magoo did a top job making it sound good. I was pleased with how all the songs came out, a good reward after a years worth of songwriting.
The Dwarf: Were you been pleased with the general reaction to the album?
AM Sure, getting good reviews is one thing, but what has been more pleasing is the positive response from the public. I have had lots of great comments from punters.
The Dwarf: The album seems a very Brisbane affair. Recorded at Leafy Bug studios (as with your previous release Little by Little) Who else did you work with on this album?
AM:The Dry Bones - Danny Widdicombe, Scott Regan, Chris Brady, and Father Dave Gilbert. Also Matt Murphy on hammond. Mark McElligott engineered and Brisbane legend Magoo mixed. Go Vegas!
The Dwarf: How would you compare it to Little by Little?
AM: It's obviously a more 'band' sounding record as I had been playing live with the fellas for about a year preceeding the record. I wanted a record where you could dance to some of the tracks, I was a bit over the solo troubadour thing. The songwriting is in the same vein though. It's a bit more West Coast 70's vibe than Little By Little.
The Dwarf: 'Let it Roll' was the first single from Valleys. It received good airplay on Triple J. Were you pleased with the reaction to 'Let It Roll'?
AM: Sure, I got basically no airplay for Little by Little, so it was a great win to have 'Let it Roll' on the J's. It gives people all around the country a chance to hear my tunes.
The Dwarf: Is commercial radio picking up your work much yet?
AM: Nova picked 'Let it Roll' as their unsigned initiative track and gave it a good spin. That's about it though.
The Dwarf: When can we expect another single?
AM: When my next record comes out! I'm not really into singles.
The Dwarf: Any plans for release or touring overseas?
AM: We're still working on that one, but would love to.
The Dwarf: Who would you consider to be your main influences?
AM: Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, my Dad, Danny Widdicombe and Bernard Fanning.
The Dwarf: The Brisbane music scene seems like a big family, with everyone supporting each other and going to each others gigs. And you seem to have surrounded yourself with a very talented bunch of musicians with The Dry Bones. The album is great and you can put on a great live show whether you are by yourself, have only one or two band members with you, or have the whole band (or even borrowing/sharing a band member or two with The Gin Club). Does it sometimes make touring hard when your band members have their own side projects going on?
AM: It sure bloody does! its a bit of a scheduling nightmare, but I just have to be as organised as possible and work with who I've got available. Keeps it interesting anyhows. I've had to train up a few understudies.
The Dwarf: February saw you doing a residency down at the Wesley Anne in Melbourne. How did that go?
AM That was great fun. A little mid-week holiday for me and a chance to play in another city regularly apart from hometown Brisbane. Also got to try out a few new songs and have a drink with some Melbourne buddies.
The Dwarf: March sees you doing a pretty extensive East Coast and Tassie tour with The Gin Club with 'The Gentleman's Game' Tour. You've played with The Gin Club, but have you toured with The Gin Club before?
AM: No, we've finally got off our arses to do a tour together. We've been talking about it for ages. Should be a hoot
The Dwarf: Your brother Christopher did some of the photography on your album cover... Sounds like an artistic and talented family. Any other family members we should be looking out for?
AM: No just the two boys. My parents were proabably hoping for a doctor and lawyer, instead they got two artists. Sorry Mum and Dad.
The Dwarf: I have had the pleasure of catching you live quite a few times, from Byron, Gold Coast thru to Brisbane... Do you have a favourite venue or one that is special to you?
AM: The Troubadour in Brisbane, a great room run by a great bunch of people.
The Dwarf: I've loved the Lounge Room sessions that you put on your MySpace page... will we be seeing any more in the near future?
AM:If I can get my film guys to put more up! Theres a couple more in the can that havent been posted yet. That was fun, a little look inside my loungeroom to see what we do.
The Dwarf; You played at Splendour in the Grass last year. How was the festival experience?
AM: That was awesome. We played a really great set and it sounded tops, and then we got blind. Perfect.
The Dwarf: Is this the only festival you have played at?AM:I've done Cockatoo Island, The Great Escape and The Valley Fiesta... also did the Blues Fest with Mr Fanning which was great fun. I'd love to do as many festivals as possible.
The Dwarf: What has been your favourite festival you have been to?
AM: Bluesfest in Byron, also Splendour with Supergrass and the first ever Homebake in Byron (mudbake)
The Dwarf: What do you see as essential for a good festival experience?
AM: Great bands, not too many people, and easy ammenities! Also a backstage pass helps.
The Dwarf: What would your dream line-up be?
AM: Neil Young and Crazy Horse, Tom Waits, Rodriguez, Gillian Welch, Death in Vegas, Supergrass, You Am I, Midnight Oil, The Gin Club, Ryan Adams and Andrew Morris!
Andrew Morris is spending March on 'The Gentleman's Tour" with The Gin Club. His latest album "Valleys" is available on Rubber Records via EMI.
