BIGSOUND Artist Profile: The John Steel Singers

Member/Role: Tim (singer/guitarist)

Hometown: Brisbane

Short description of your band and your music: I'm in The John Steel Singers, but our new songs have been described as "post-yacht" by my wife, I like that.

Has the party side of the music industry been all you were hoping for so far in your career? As long as you realise the open bar at the after-party is going to last for about ten minutes you're all good.

What is the best thing that's happened to you/your band so far? Playing as Robert Forster's band and playing classic Go-Betweens songs, Solange's band calling us "funky", Paul Weller coming to see us in London, playing a festival in Idaho, and not working full-time until I was 32?

Are your ambitions mainly artistic or commercial? I think I can safely say having not made enough money to do this full time for the last ten years that I'm mainly in it 'cause I love making music.

Is your music best rendered in the studio or the live realm? It really depends on the song; some of my favourite songs we've written are impossible to play live. But when everything comes together in a live setting that's a hard feeling to beat.

If you could have any act past or present join you on your next tour who would you tap? Maybe Donald Byrd after Places And Spaces came out in 1975, or Can in 1973 or Talking Heads in 1980. But be careful what you wish for because you're going to get blown off stage.

What industry lessons would you like to take away from the BIGSOUND conference? I've already learnt them at a previous BIGSOUND — sculling two beers at once is a bad idea; you'll only spill it on your shirt.

What acts are you looking forward to checking out at the BIGSOUND showcase? Tempura Nights, Babaganouj, Ocean Party, Donny Benet (The Edge is the best track all year!), Holy Holy.

Why should people come and see you from amongst the many cool bands at BIGSOUND? Well, my wife said she likes some of our new songs.