Glass Editor, Tione, sat down with Georgia Scarlett Band, who will be competing in Week three of Battle of the Bands, against band Liquid Sun, on the 6th of August at the Botanic Bar. The band consists of Georgia Scarlett (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Evan Scrimgeour (guitar, vocals), Arni McCulloch (bass), and Will Fitzgerald (drums). Together, they chatted about ganjos, Jojo Siwa, and Battle of the Bands.
Tione: Can you tell us a bit about how you guys became a band?
Georgia: Well earlier this year, I really want to expand my music and playing live. I’ve got some really cool friends at uni, so I thought, why not make a band and make this a reality? So, Evan and Will, two of my best friends at uni, thought let’s put a band together. Then Arni reached out and said she’d love to play bass and likes our style of music. That was only in May.
T: What has been the most rewarding experience you’ve had at QUT as a music artist?
G: I honestly reckon meeting the people that I’ve met, including these guys. I’ve been able to meet some of my best friends and some of the other artists who are playing in the Battle of the Bands. I’ve made some really lovely connections, and I feel like I’m going to shows all the time too and seeing them live and being able to support them, which has been really nice.
Arni: I think getting to record constantly and being able to get feedback from peers is really, really important.
Will: Meeting new people and playing music is really inspiring.
Evan: We’re surrounded by a lot of very different talents and very exciting people. So, it’s good to expand your music tastes and playing styles. I think we’ve all really grown as musicians.
T: Do you have any memorable collaborations with other QUT students or faculty?
G: I think what’s really awesome is I’m a part of Vermillion this year. So, I have got to record a song with Vermillion, and I brought along a bunch of different people to play on the track. Will and Evan played on the track, and I had Sam (Samichoux) play on it too. I had Jake, who’s my producer and my manager, Amanda, who’s now my best friend, playing on the track. And it was just so fun. It turned into something more than I could have ever imagined it could become. That was really awesome.
T: What QUT resources or opportunities have been particularly helpful for you?
G: I’m gonna go ahead and say Vermillion because it’s really helped me see a bunch of different opportunities and how I can promote myself as a musician. I have created some really good connections, like my manager, Amanda, and I feel like I’ve got that support, which is everything.
E: The lecturers are constantly contacting us about possible opportunities. We reached out a couple months ago about music videos, so we got to work with the film students at QUT. You’re just surrounded by creators all the time. There’s just this massive web of people who are so keen to make stuff and it’s really refreshing.
T: If you could perform at any venue or festival in the world, where would it be and why?
G: I would love to play at the Woodford Folk Festival because I love folk music. I’m a massive lover of folk music and I think it’s just got such an amazing community feel. I think you’d meet some really cool people there and just have a really good time. Also, the Gympie Music Muster would be so fun. I definitely want to go for that next year. But when I’m thinking of a place, I feel like it’d be really cool to put on a show in Athens, Greece.
T: What’s the most unusual sound or sample you’ve incorporated into a track?
G: In our next single, Cursive, we’ve put in a ganjo, which was good fun. That’s a cross between a banjo and a guitar.
T: Whose idea was that?
G: It was mine and the producer Jake’s idea. Because we’ve got a friend, (Dublin Rose, shout out to her), and she has a ganjo, and I’ve always been jealous of it. So, we’ve had some jam sessions with it, and we hit her up and were like, “Hey, can we incorporate your ganjo in a track?”
T: If you weren’t making music, what do you guys think you would be doing instead?
G: Personally, I feel like I would be doing more with radio. I host my own radio show on 4ZZZ called From the Roots. I also have a big passion about journalism and interviewing artists, so I feel like I would definitely want to do more in that area.
A: In the last year I’ve done a lot of photography, so I think I would probably be doing that. I love going to gigs and taking photos and doing artist photoshoots.
W: Probably acting.
E: I currently work in kitchens, so I’d probably keep doing that. As a kid I really liked doing drawings and illustrations, so maybe that too.
T: What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened during one of your gigs?
G: I’m a bit of a talker on the stage, so when I introduce these guys, I want to have something unique and fun for everyone. And it got to Will and I introduced him as the silly sausage of the band. Now I feel like it’s stuck. But he likes it! But you know on stage, I never know what I’m going to say.
T: Who is your dream collab for a track or album?
G: My favourite artist is Marlon Williams. I think he’s a legend. Or Lisa Mitchell, she’s really gorgeous and has a really beautiful voice and I feel like we’ve got similar styles.
E: Jojo Siwa.
W: I feel like Eddie Vedder would be really cool.
A: I love Matt Corby, his music is so good.
T: Do you guys have anything you want to say to the band you’re up against?
G: Watch out, we’re coming for you! We may be a folk country band, but we’ve got some force.
The Glass Magazine X QUT Guild Battle of the Bands has returned for Semester 2! Last year was such an absolute blast that we are pitting the bands of QUT against each other once again. You don’t want to miss this amazing event, so make sure you register on QPay to get all the details. We’ll see your there!
