July 2007

10 mins with… James Reyne

Crawl, walk, run

Singer-songwriter James Reyne has contributed to the Australian music scene for three decades now: one of those as a member of legendary band Australian Crawl. Reyne’s songs have become ingrained in the Aussie psyche and get regular airtime – even the golden-oldies like Errol and The Boys Light Up. We talk to him before he hits the road on his latest tour.

It’s eight albums and two decades later as a solo artist: how has it been?
Great fun so far. It’s been educational.

Tell us about some of the creative processes behind your latest album Every Man A King. How is it different from your previous albums?
Not that different in the so-called “process” of coming up with stuff. I have a place at home that has my piano and a couple of guitars, so I’m always tinkering. I’ve found that if I don’t set aside time to actually write things down, nothing gets done.

What are your favourite songs on the new album?
If I say all of them, is that being overly promotional?

How do you keep things fresh and push yourself that one step further?
Keep listening. Being aware that we’re all one step from the street at any time, pretty much.

What are some of the influences you’ve benefited from?
You have to keep the synapses open, so to speak. You never know where or when the initial spark may come: conversation, driving. Read lots of books; turn the television off.

What do you consider a “good song”?
Shame by Randy Newman. Dinah-Moe Humm by Frank Zappa. Dixie Chicken by Little Feat. Twenty Tons of TNT by Michael Flanders. Bohemian Rhapsody by Freddie Mercury. Show Biz Kids by Steely Dan. It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me by Billy Joel. Simplicity with odd bits and a killer chorus that gets you the first time you hear it.

What would you like to try your hand at?
Marlin fishing and bullfighting.

What do you look forward to doing this month?
Going to England with my family.