Oh Mercy Interview: SXSW 2010

Posted on Mar 3rd 2010 2:10PM by Matt Meisinger
Comments

Melbourne's Oh Mercy are going to SXSW to support their debut album 'Privilege Woes' and put Australia back on the world map of music. Their name is a nod to Bob Dylan's album and their songwriting is heartfelt and sincere with a timeless musicianship that recalls Leonard Cohen, yet with a youthful exuberance and wide-eyed optimism.

Describe your sound in your own words.

Stadium lounge.
How did your band form?

Oh Mercy formed in high school in Melbourne. Thomas [Savage: piano, guitar, vocals] and I went to the same school. We met Eliza [Lam: bassist] in the supermarket and Rohan [Sforcina: drums and carriage robbery, according to their MySpace page] through a friend.

What are your musical influences?

Some of our influences include Lloyd Cole & The Commotions, Leonard Cohen, Velvet Underground, the Pogues and the Triffids.

How did you come up with your band name?

We borrowed it from the fantastic Bob Dylan album.

What's your biggest vice?

Iced coffee and chili sauce, always within five minutes of each other.

What's in your festival survival kit?

Sleeping tablets for the crazy hours we keep. It helps regulate sleep. Although once I left one loose and it got crushed to a powder and lived on the bristles of my tooth brush. I was on my way to work, falling in a very deep sleep on a tram when I realized what I had done.

Who was your first celebrity crush?

I always fancied Jennifer Connelly. She is incredible.

What's your musical guilty pleasure?

I don't feel guilty listening to anything, although my selections of E.L.O. or TLC often get overturned in band van politics.

Beatles or Stones?

I don't think I own a record by either of the band. I know all the hits though. Maybe the Stones. Only a little though.

What's with the tea towels you sell on your website?

I have a passion for all things 'Australiana,' including the kitsch. I own quite the tea towel collection from touring Australia so many times. I also have some very talented friends who share my passion as well as being gifted illustrators. It all came together.

Matt Meisinger is a contributor from Seed.com. Learn how you can contribute here.