Andrew Cox of The Fauves
Hi Andrew and thanks for taking the time out to speak with us at Musicology.
You will be performing as a part of this years A Day On The Green Festival, which is not only a rare opportunity for fans to catch so many iconic indie acts on one bill but also for yourselves to once again play with bands that you performed alongside in helping shape an entire sound for a generation which must be an exciting prospect?
Yes, hopefully it will be fun.
By looking forward to the festival, we also have to look back and I think one of your own lyrics from Sentimental Motel Journey off Future Spa that surmises this reflection particularly well in “600kms and now I’m learning you can’t revisit the past”. Although the song refers to a couple unable to replicate a moment in time, this does beg the question, how do you feel in revisiting The Fauves collective works?
I don’t like playing old material much. I think our newer material is a lot better. Of course bands always say that but I feel more comfortable singing something I wrote yesterday than something I wrote 25 years ago.
With 20/20 hindsight do you feel that with some of your momentously popular tracks such as Self Abuser, Dogs Are The Best People and Everybody's Getting a 3 Piece Together, you crystallised a time and a sound in the Australian musical landscape?
No. I don’t think our material is seen as particularly significant in the history of Australian music.
In light of your upcoming performances for A Day On The Green, can you share with us a particularly memorable performance during your formative years and what made it so special?
The poorly attended, error-ridden shows are the ones I tend to remember best. The kind of gigs where a guy sells 1000 head of cattle to put on a show in a paddock out the back of his house and no one turns up. For some reason a 4-week residency on Tuesday nights at the Perseverance Hotel in Fitzroy also sticks in my memory. It was of no more promotional benefit than setting up in our own lounge rooms but we were determined that bar staff everywhere would get to hear our music.
Meeting so many different musicians and interesting characters throughout the years, were there any words of wisdom spoken to you that really resonated with you and altered the way you approach your craft?
I’m not much of a one for giving or receiving words of wisdom. I don’t think there’s ever been much wisdom spoken by musicians and I’m comfortable with that.
You have been steadily releasing new material for over 20 years now and during that time, has the subject matter you draw upon been an honest reflection of how you have evolved as an individual and a musician?
I’m not sure I’ve evolved much as an individual. I work on geological time – things happen slowly. My songs blend honesty and dishonesty and trade on the listener not knowing the difference.
Lastly, what does the rest of 2018 and for that matter, the future have install for The Fauves?
We’re putting out a double album in a couple of months. After that, nothing.
