Original Hipster

Since forming The Moodists in Adelaide in 1980, Dave Graney has always done his own thing, with a friendly disregard for the conventions or fashions of whatever may be popular at the time. With The Coral Snakes in the late '80s and '90s he cracked into the Australian psyche in a big way with certifiable indie hits like You're Just Too Hip, Baby and Rock 'n' Roll Is Where I Hide. With a tongue in cheek sense of humour and taking very seriously the art of having fun with music, his attitude remains practically unchanged from those earlier days. Unsurprisingly he's ready to go in 2014 with a new project altogether.

“It's a solo record, a 'Dave Graney' record,” he says of forthcoming release, Fearful Wiggings. “I like the camaraderie of having a band, but I just wanted to do something a bit different. It's quite an art pop record – it's got some beats and bass and electric guitar. Clare Moore my partner plays on it, vibes and keys and sings. There's a guitarist from the UK called Nick Harper, whose father is noted folk icon Roy Harper who Led Zeppelin wrote a song about on Houses Of The Holy. Also Lisa Gerard from Dead Can Dance, she liked my music for many years, so she invited me out to her studio to sing my vocals there. She is an Oscar award-winning soundtrack composer so she has an amazing studio with mics that Frank Sinatra would have used,” he laughs.”

Out of 30-ish records Graney has released, this will only be his second solo album and will be preceded by a single, Everything Was Legendary With Robert. The record is being mastered by US producer Roger Seibel, and Graney said it was his work on the last two Bill Callahan albums that inspired him to search him out. “I really loved those records, but I don't know any earlier Bill Callahan records.”

When pressed if he's been encouraged to check out any of Callahan's earlier work his response is somewhat surprising.

“No I don't want to,” he says emphatically. “I only want to hear new music. I only got into PJ Harvey on her last album really. I hadn't tuned into her stuff before but Let England Shake has amazing sounds, and in concert she is very thrilling.”

Ever the team player, as well as playing his own show, Graney will join Moore's band The Dames on guitar for their debut Brisbane performances. Graney says he's also looking forward to performing in the band alongside Pascale Burton from locals The Stress Of Leisure, who will also be joining The Dames on keyboards for the Queensland shows. “Clare's songs are very complex but I'm sure Pascale can do it!”