Few could have predicted that the scrawny Jewish kid with the guitar in Sydney's eastern suburbs would go on to conquer the world. Hell, even fewer could have predicted his second-ever gig would be opening for Sonic Youth. Still, that's just how Ben Lee's career has unfolded - just when you think you have all the answers, he changes the questions. An ARIA winner, a two-time Hottest 100 runner-up and a keen collaborator with everyone from Josh Radnor to Joel Madden, Lee's life can't be summed up with a mere hour of conversation. Still, it's worth a shot. With thanks to Ben Lee, Caitlin Harnett and Wollongong UniBar. Produced by Paul McWhirter, edited by David James Young. Follow Ben on Facebook: @benleemusic Follow Ben on Twitter: @benleemusic Follow Ben on Instagram: @benleemusic Follow Ben on TikTok: @benleemusic This podcast was recorded on Dharawal land and edited between Wirundjeri and Dharawal land. Support David on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

All My Friends Are in Bar Bands

Episode 184: My Friend Ben Lee

When then-triple j breakfast hosts Alex Dyson and Matt Okine decided to surprise Melbourne singer-songwriter Gretta Ray with news she'd won a competition through the station’s Unearthed initiative, they did not head to her place of work. Nor did they go to her place of residence. Instead, they ended up at Princes Hill Secondary College, where Ray was a student. A prodigious singer and budding songwriter, Ray could not have predicted the ensuing years of national and international touring, millions of streams and a steady ascent to the top of Australian pop's echelon. Now barely in her 20s, a debut studio album awaits - but not before a quick Bar Bands debrief on her choral background, conquering festivals, genre code switches and meeting her heroes. Gretta Ray's debut album Begin to Look Around arrives August 27 via Ballarat/EMI Music Australia. Special thanks to Mariam Dib. Recorded by David James Young and Gretta Louise Ray. Produced and edited by David James Young. Follow Gretta on Instagram: @grettaray Follow Gretta on Twitter: @grettaray Follow Gretta on Facebook: @grettaraymusic This podcast was recorded on Wirundjeri and Tharawal land, and was edited on Tharawal land. Support David on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 183: My Friend Gretta Ray

Lonely and dreaming on the west coast, Jono Mata and Sam Blitvitch both aspired to be the guitar heroes they saw on their screens at an impressionable age. With Sly Withers - both men's first in-earnest band - they were able to achieve something far greater. With their open, honest every-man take on pub rock and pop-punk, the band quickly carved a niche that soon became bigger than either could have anticipated. With the release of their second studio album Gardens, the band find themselves among the top of the food chain in Australian rock - which is quite the feat for a band that was barely out of high school when it started. Reflecting on their story over a drink on the patio of a Newtown Airbnb, Mata and Blitvich connect the dots to explain how a fledgling guitar band ended up on the national airwaves and touring the country with Amy Shark. Gardens is out now via Dew Process. Special thanks to Amy Simmons, Deathproof PR, Nathan Wood, Dew Process and Skinny O'Leary. Produced and edited by Paul McWhirter. Additional editing by David James Young. Follow Sly Withers on Instagram: @slywithers Follow Sly Withers on Twitter: @slywithers Follow Sly Withers on Facebook: @slywithers This podcast was recorded on Gadigal land and edited on Wirundjeri and Tharawal land. Support David on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 182: My Friends Sly Withers

Much like the inner rings of a cut-open tree, there are a surprising degree of layers to Sydney trio STUMPS. Although they boast a confident, extroverted frontman in Kyle Fisher, he had never actually even so much as sang a note on stage prior to the band's formation in the late 2010s. Their rhythm section, meanwhile - bassist Merrick Powell & drummer Jonathan Dolan - had never played indie-rock before; instead, their bread and butter was hardcore punk matinees - making songs to literally scream at the sun in scene stalwarts Perspectives. So, how did all three end up making jaunty post-punk-revival-revival indie-disco? Gather round, and we'll tell you a tale. Special thanks to Kyle Fisher, Pat O'Hara, Beau Somers and The Lansdowne Hotel. Produced and edited by Paul McWhirter. Additional editing by David James Young. Follow STUMPS on Instagram: @stumpstheband Follow STUMPS on Twitter: @stumpstheband Follow STUMPS on Facebook: @stumpstheband This podcast was recorded on Gadigal land and edited on Wirundjeri and Tharawal land. Support David on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 181: My Friends STUMPS

Charlene Bailey has lived a life of reintroductions. A promising country upstart in the heart of Tamworth, the singer-songwriter got her start as a child prodigy in a family band. She later emerged as a prospective indie-pop darling in the big smoke of Sydney and Los Angeles, helming Tigertown for some prosperous but simultaneously tumultuous years. These days, folks know her as Charlie Collins - a big-voiced, big-hearted and utterly charming artist that sonically composes her past and present to create something well worth investing in for the future. With two new songs out in the world - one of which features her childhood hero Kasey Chambers - it felt opportune to saddle up next to Ms. Collins and her two playful cats in her Sydney abode, discussing both the story so far and what we can expect going ahead. Charlie's new singles "Fuck It" and "Honey Can We Run Away" are out now via Island Records. Produced and edited by Paul McWhirter. Additional editing by David James Young. Follow Charlie on Instagram: @charliecollins Follow Charlie on Twitter: @xcharliecollins Follow Charlie on Facebook: @iamcharliecollins This podcast was recorded on Gadigal land and edited on Wirundjeri and Tharawal land. www.allmyfriendsareinbarbands.com Support David on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 180: My Friend Charlie Collins

Growing up outside of Cologne, Anika Ostendorf had lofty but headstrong ambitions to get into the world of music. She ended up there, but not in the way her younger self may have initially expected. As Hachiku, Ostendorf has forged a career in the indie pop world that has seen her charming, kitschy indie-pop win over audiences on both a local and international scale - as well as tours alongside the likes of Courtney Barnett, The Breeders and Jose Gonzalez. Before a headlining show at Petersham Bowling Club, she discussed the ins and outs of the Ford family band, sleeping in your car on tour and why her dad still has 800 copies of her first CD. Hachiku's debut album I'll Probably Be Asleep is out now. Stream, download and buy it here: https://hachikumusic.bandcamp.com/album/ill-probably-be-asleep For the curious, Anika's first release as Ani Petite is available here: https://anipetite.bandcamp.com/album/demo Special thanks to Anika Ostendorf, Marcelle Bradbeer, Milk! Records and the Petersham Bowling Club. Produced and edited by Paul McWhirter. Additional editing by David James Young. Follow Hachiku on Instagram: @hachikumusic Follow Hachiku on Twitter: @hachikumusic Follow Hachiku on Facebook: @hachiku This podcast was recorded on Gadigal land and edited on Wirundjeri and Tharawal land. www.allmyfriendsareinbarbands.com Support David on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 179: My Friend Hachiku

There are few intergenerational figures in a music scene that sees bands come and go on a weekly basis. Chief among those that are, however, are Al Grigg and Tom Wallace. Best friends since college, the pair first played together as part of 2000s indie wunderkinds Red Riders, before transferring their guitar-loving and hook-wielding expertise over to the garage-rock world with Palms circa 2011. Here, they lay out their life in music, both on and off the road, on the line in their most in-depth interview to date. Whether you came up circa the Hopetoun or circa the Oxford Art Factory, there's some long lines down these palms well worth tracing. Intensity Sunshine is out now via Ivy League/Mushroom. Stream the EP and purchase a physical copy here: https://palms.bandcamp.com/album/intensity-sunshine Special thanks to Lulu Rae and Brain Drain PR. Produced and edited by Paul McWhirter. Additional editing by David James Young. Follow Palms on Facebook: @palmsmusic Follow Palms on Instagram: @palmsmusic Follow Palms on Twitter: @palmsmusic All My Friends Are in Bar Bands is part of the Not For Print podcast network. Follow us on Instagram: @notforprintpods For updates on Bar Bands, as well as other podcasts and writing endeavours, follow David on: Facebook: @davidjamesyoungwrites Instagram: @djywrites Support David and the podcast on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung This podcast was recorded on Gadigal land and edited on Wurundjeri and Tharawal land. www.allmyfriendsareinbarbands.com Support David on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 178: My Friends Palms

It's an increasingly-common modern story. A project born out of a bedroom, a dorm room, a laptop, a loose collection of ideas, shifts from the micro to the macro. Few of these stories, however, have carved out such an intense niche as Dylan Baldi's noise-rock vehicle Cloud Nothings. Initially serving up indie pop with a sunny disposition, the band nosedived into Steve Albini-approved dissonance on 2012's Attack on Memory and never looked back. A prolific outfit and a rough-and-tumble live must-see, Cloud Nothings continue to adapt and evolve as a full-band assault. Following the release of their most recent album, The Shadow I Remember, Baldi spoke to us from his Philadelphia home about the band's ever-continuing and endlessly-intriguing story. The Shadow I Remember is out now via Carpark Records. Download, stream and purchase the band's complete discography - including subscriber exclusives - at Cloud Nothings' Bandcamp: http://cloudnothings.bandcamp.com Special thanks to Rhiannon Cook and Positive Feedback. Recorded by David James Young and Dylan Baldi. Produced and edited by David James Young, with assistance from Paul McWhirter. Follow Cloud Nothings on Facebook: @cloudnothings Follow Cloud Nothings on Instagram: @cloudnothings Follow Cloud Nothingson Twitter: @cloudnothings All My Friends Are in Bar Bands is part of the Not For Print podcast network. Follow us on Instagram: @notforprintpods For updates on Bar Bands, as well as other podcasts and writing endeavours, follow David on: Facebook: @davidjamesyoungwrites Instagram: @djywrites Support David and the podcast on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung This podcast was recorded on Tharawal and Lenape land and edited on Tharawal land. www.allmyfriendsareinbarbands.com Support David on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 177: My Friend Dylan Baldi (Cloud Nothings)

Huck Hastings is a relatively new name on the Australian music scene, although the Sydney-based singer-songwriter has had his eyes on the stage well before his current solo iteration. Born into a pub-rock heritage, Hastings eventually found a niche within the indie-rock spectrum and has carved that into a heartfelt and endearing debut album, Cheers to Progress. Ahead of its release, he spoke candidly about his progression through high-school rock band to solo troubadour before eventually striking a balance between the two. Cheers to Progress is out now. Stream, download and purchase the album here: https://huckhastings.bandcamp.com/album/cheers-to-progress Huck will launch the album tonight at the Darlinghurst Theatre Company. Produced and edited by Paul McWhirter. Additional editing by David James Young. Follow Huck on Facebook: @huckhastings Follow Huck on Instagram: @huckhastings Follow Huck on Twitter: @huckhastings All My Friends Are in Bar Bands is part of the Not For Print podcast network. Follow us on Instagram: @notforprintpods For updates on Bar Bands, as well as other podcasts and writing endeavours, follow David on: Facebook: @davidjamesyoungwrites Instagram: @djywrites Support David and the podcast on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung This podcast was recorded on Gadigal land and edited on Tharawal and Wurundjeri land. www.allmyfriendsareinbarbands.com Support David on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 176: My Friend Huck Hastings

Good Evans, it's a crossover! A week on from David featuring on Kevin Mitchell's Good Evans, It's A Bobcast!, the Jebediah frontman and solo singer-songwriter under the Bob Evans moniker had the tables turned on him. We traverse decades in just under an hour, ranging from high-school dances to the Big Day Out and a myriad of unexpected places in-between. After 25 years in the game, Kev isn't one to settle into the nostalgia market - he still has a lot to prove, and he's happy to talk through the ins and outs of his various performance outlets to explain why that is. Bob Evans' new album Tomorrowland arrives April 6. Preorder the album, and listen to David's episode of Good Evans at the official Bob Evans website: www.bobevans.com.au Recorded by David James Young and Kevin Mitchell. Produced, mixed and edited by David James Young. Follow Bob Evans on Facebook: @bobevansmusic Follow Bob Evans on Instagram: @bobevansmusic Follow Bob Evans on Twitter: @bobevansmusic All My Friends Are in Bar Bands is part of the Not For Print podcast network. Follow us on Instagram: @notforprintpods For updates on Bar Bands, as well as other podcasts and writing endeavours, follow David on: Facebook: @davidjamesyoungwrites Instagram: @djywrites Support David and the podcast on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung This podcast was recorded and edited on Tharawal and Kaurna land. www.allmyfriendsareinbarbands.com Support David on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 175: My Friend Kevin Mitchell (Jebediah, Bob Evans)

You all know the story by now. Formed in 1997, megastars by 2000, whatever-happened-tos by 2004, has-beens by 2006, comeback kids by 2016 - and, finally, comeback kids again in 2020. Of course, those are just the touchstones - in truth, there's way more to The Avalanches' story than you might expect. It starts in a fruit shop, it heads up to country Victoria, through to the suburban sharehouses of Melbourne and onto a festival stage in Barcelona. Keyboardist, producer and founding member Tony Di Blasi has seen it all - and he's ready to get into the gory details of how The Avalanches went to hell and back to secure their status as all-time greats. The Avalanches' new album We Will Always Love You is out now. Stream, download and purchase the album here: https://theavalanches.lnk.to/wewillalwaysloveyou Special thanks to Mariam Dib, EMI Australia, Karl Chandler and The Little Dum Dum Club. Recorded by David James Young and Tony Di Blasi. Mixed and edited by David James Young. Follow The Avalanches on Facebook: @theavalanches Follow The Avalanches on Instagram: @theavalanches Follow The Avalanches on Twitter: @theavalanches All My Friends Are in Bar Bands is part of the Not For Print podcast network. Follow us on Instagram: @notforprintpods For updates on Bar Bands, as well as other podcasts and writing endeavours, follow David on: Facebook: @davidjamesyoungwrites Instagram: @djywrites Support David and the podcast on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung This podcast was recorded and edited on Tharawal and Wurundjeri land. www.allmyfriendsareinbarbands.com Support David on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 174: My Friend Tony Di Blasi (The Avalanches)

It's rare to be simultaneously a decade-plus performance veteran and also still under the age of 30, and yet Imogen Clark happily exists within that Venn diagram. This ain't no child-star operation, either - really, this Blue Mountains native is just getting started. Having toured internationally, supported Shania Twain and even navigated a global pandemic to get her unique blend of country, rock and pop out to the world, Clark is a rare firebrand - and if you're not familiar already, make it a priority to rectify that. Imogen Clark's First Annual Holiday Hootenanny takes place at the Factory Theatre on December 9. Tickets available here: https://bit.ly/FAC20_ImogenClark Special thanks to Nicole Stringer, Jeremy Dylan, Chugg Entertainment and Potts Entertainment. Mixed and edited by Paul McWhirter. Additional editing by David James Young. Follow Imogen on Facebook: @sfkmusic Follow Imogen on Instagram: @somethingforkate Follow Imogen on Twitter: @sfkmusic All My Friends Are in Bar Bands is part of the Not For Print podcast network. Follow us on Instagram: @notforprintpods For updates on Bar Bands, as well as other podcasts and writing endeavours, follow David on: Facebook: @davidjamesyoungwrites Instagram: @djywrites Support David and the podcast on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung This podcast was recorded on Gadigal land, and edited on Tharawal and Wurundjeri land. www.allmyfriendsareinbarbands.com Support David on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 173: My Friend Imogen Clark

They're one of the most distinctive figures in the history of Australian rock music - not least of all because their frontman is nearly seven foot tall. They're a platinum-selling Hottest 100 runner-up with decades of sold-out theatres to their name, but they're also one of the more vulnerable and emotively-striking bands this country has produced. There's never been a band quite like Something for Kate before - and it's likely there never will be. From their music room in their suburban Melbourne home, vocalist/guitarist Paul Dempsey and bassist Stephanie Ashworth share the finer details of their lives in music - both together and apart. Something for Kate's new album The Modern Medieval is out now. Stream, purchase and download it here: https://somethingforkate.lnk.to/TheModernMedieval Special thanks to Mariam Dib and EMI Music Australia. Recorded by Paul Dempsey and David James Young. Mixed and edited by Paul McWhirter. Additional editing by David James Young. Follow Something for Kate on Facebook: @sfkmusic Follow Something for Kate on Instagram: @somethingforkate Follow Something for Kate on Twitter: @sfkmusic All My Friends Are in Bar Bands is part of the Not For Print podcast network. Follow us on Instagram: @notforprintpods For updates on Bar Bands, as well as other podcasts and writing endeavours, follow David on: Facebook: @davidjamesyoungwrites Instagram: @djywrites Support David and the podcast on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung This podcast was recorded and edited on Tharawal and Wurundjeri land. www.allmyfriendsareinbarbands.com Support David on Patreon: http://patreon.com/davidjamesyoung See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 172: My Friends Something for Kate

Across over ten years of going to shows, I've met countless fascinating people that are joined together by the fact I love their music. This is a medium in which I look to find out the bigger picture, the extended story and the journey that brought them to where they are. No genre or topic is off limits. I'm David James Young - and all my friends are in bar bands.

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All My Friends Are in Bar Bands

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