The Long and Short Of It. Together since 2007, writing uplifting songs. What inspired the first song you wrote together?
Dave had written a song that was pretty sad, and Patsy wanted a happy ending, so we wrote a song called “Twin Flames.” We felt this was the beginning of a high-level connection that has stayed with our music and songwriting ever since.
Olivia Newton-John. Smoky Dawson. Kasey Chambers. Travis Collins. Country music in Melbourne. What are your top five classic country songs by Australian artists to cover?
Truly there are soooooo many but the classic picks would be:
Olivia’s early song “Let Me Be There”
“I am Australian” written by Brian Woodley & Dobe Newton
“The Ringer & The Princess” by Graeme Connors
“Things I Carry Around” by Troy Cassar-Daley
Six albums, two EPs to Midnight Choir, released last year, which topped the Australian Independent Record Label charts. Guitar driven, strong lyrics. Putting together songs that resonate with listeners. How did your fans influence which songs you choose?
Well our fans enjoy a mix of song styles. We always chose strong lyrics that tell a story. The lyrics should paint a picture for our fans. Our fans love a good ‘Beer Drinking’ -happy times song or two. They truly appreciate a good ballad, some tongue in cheek and definitely love songs. A diverse mix that we aim to satisfy.
“Cowboy Lonesome,” a song about a lonely cowboy missing his partner in the wilderness — “how the rural and outback isolation presents a whole new level of loneliness.” The single was the debut collaboration between you and Nashville based producer Kenny Royster. Was this song based on a true experience?
We relish the beauty and isolation of outback Australia and the vastness of the American wilderness. “Cowboy Lonesome” was derived from this experience. Being away and untouchable from the one you love creates a longing — a yearning to be with them in a safe place. That is the essence of this song.
“When you feel your world will never ever be the same, There’s no way you could get over the break, Stealing for a healing left you feeling that you can’t trust, Oh, a little bit of love, a little love will fix you up.” Your current single, “A Little Love Will Fix You Up.” David, you shared that, “Sometimes it’s difficult to find the right person to love. But don’t give up because time will heal all and love is the ultimate tonic that will fix you up.” February is the ‘love’ month — which songs would you put on your playlist of songs to reassure you that love will fix you up?
Our own love songs would include:
“24–7/365”
“Crazy Kinda Nice”
Other artists:
“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
You shared about your friend Gregory Ladner’s memoir A Boy and His Bear, that is full of recollections from his life in suburban Melbourne of the 1950’s to the world of high fashion. Can you share some other books for us to add to our TBR lists?
“Boy Swallows Universe” by Trent Dalton
“The Silent Dead” by Tetsuya Honda
“IQ84” The Complete Trilogy by Haruki Murakami
“Absolutely on Music” by Haruki Murakami
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