Hey, this is Adam and Alex from Animaux. We play drums and alto sax/lead vocals respectively.
Animaux is a seven-piece genre confused band from Melbourne. Our pastimes include gigging, eating hummus and the odd game of darts.
Our bio will tell you that if jazz and pop had a lovechild, got divorced, remarried funk and soul, and then all raised said lovechild together, Animaux would surely be the end result.
Adam disagrees, however. A love child’s parents cannot get divorced; otherwise it wouldn’t be a love child. That defeats the whole purpose of the term ‘lovechild’.
Excluding this error, we feel we are quite a competent band. We are launching our latest single “Paradise” this Thursday at the Toff In Town. You should come.
Where do you draw the inspiration for your songwriting from?
Adam: It’s hard to draw song writing inspiration from our favourite bands as most bands keep their processes relatively secret. I often find myself wondering how some of my favourite bands go about writing new songs. Our song writing is very much a communal process, and each member brings ideas to the table.
Your second stand-alone single this year, Paradise, is set to lift off at The Toff early next month. What can we expect from the launch?
Adam: We recently came back from isolating ourselves at our bassist’s beach house with the intentions to rehearse and prepare for the launch with no distractions. We still managed to find plenty of distractions. Eg. turning the kitchen into percussive jam space instead of washing the dishes, and providing the Nintendo 64 with much needed attention. Yet we prevailed, and we feel more prepared than ever for a awesome show on the 4th.
Alex: We’re super excited to have Francolin and Albert Salt playing with us on the night, and Smoking Toddlers DJs will be “scratching the liquorice” throughout the evening.
You’ve performed at almost every iconic Melbourne venue to date: What is on your wish list of venues to perform at?
Adam: Well there’s the obvious Wembley Stadium and Madison Square Gardens… but that’s a little ridiculous. We need something big enough for our huge sound. I’m a funny guy. We find that our best shows are a combination of the venues quality in sound, both on stage and off, as well as setting and audience response. We’d love to play at the Beach Hotel in Byron Bay, and continue to play at venues in Melbourne such as The Toff, The Ev and The Corner Hotel.
Alex: Although we’ve played so many local venues, we’re yet to play the Night Cat. I reckon that would be a killer gig if we were to ever do it!
Your online bio files your previous musical style as “Sludge Metal/ Pornogrind band in the vein of S Club 7”, care to enlighten us on what this actually is?
Adam: Sludge Metal/Pornogrind S Club 7-esk is a genre that is not all that familiar to me. In fact, I don’t know what that it. We prefer to think of ourselves as, industrial soul DnB, with an early Beatles (trans-Yokko) progressive asia/pacific electronica or ‘ISDEBPa/pE’. Unfortunately we’re limited by the technology of our time to actually produce this style of music, so we stick to pop/funk for the moment.
What’s your earliest memory of performing and who inspired you to start?
Alex: My earliest memory of performing to an audience was when I ripped out a killer recorder solo at a primary school assembly when I was six years old. Faces were melted, guts were busted etc. My earliest memory of performing in a band, however, was when I was 12 and I played 2nd clarinet in the Junior School Concert Band’s rendition of William Tell Overture. The infamous yet adored head of woodwind at my school, Mr Gang, inspired that endeavour.
You must answer this question honestly or we steal your rider. What and where was the first gig you went to?
Adam: For me the first gig I went to was Coldplay, during the 2003 Rush Of Blood to the Head tour. This concert stuck by me because it made me seriously want to play music. If you don’t believe that Coldplay are one of the best bands around today, then I will come to your house, and take your things.
Alex: My first gig was the Living End in 2006 at the Palace. I went with my best friend and we were in awe of the fact that some guy from ‘Neighbours’ was there. Although I’m no longer the Living End fan that I used to any degree, I still think Chris Cheney is the greatest living Australian rock guitarist.
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Fess up. What is the most embarrassing CD in your collection…?
Alex: A Balinese copy of The Platinum Album by the Vengaboys. It doesn’t even have the classic Vengaboys songs on it!
Adam: Two words. “Nickel” and “Back”. Yes, the world does expect me to be embarrassed by this. However, the world and I never really did understand each other. And the world doesn’t like what is doesn’t understand. So I stand loud and strong, and flaunt my appreciation of this band in the face of the world. The rest of Animaux does not support me.
What’s being played endlessly on your iPod right now?
Adam: Besides Nickelback? Well myself and various members of the band have become a little obsessed with British indie pop/rock band Everything Everything. And I apologies for using the word ‘Indie’. They’re a four piece who maintain brilliant song writing and musicianship, and we’ve been able to learn a lot just by listening to them. Other bands include Mutemath, Kimbra and some Swedish fusion band called Dirty Loops. Yes, I mix it up.
Alex: It changes frequently, but at the moment it’s Grimes, Purity Ring, Alabama Shakes and Kenny Garrett.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you, perhaps a team chant?
Adam: We don’t really. We are pretty relaxed back stage. We often have a little brief before we go on stage to remind anyone of any issues. Of course if I need a boost in enthusiasm before a show I have a quick listen to ‘Figured You Out’ by Nickelback.
When you’re Rolling Stones Big, what are you going to request on your rider: don’t be shy. We want specifics!
Alex: Canadian Club, dry ginger ale and lime, along with infinite amounts of Classic Party Mix.
Adam: Every season of Breaking Bad and/or House, an endless supply of Jack Daniels and a glass of warm milk for our underage bassist, Will.
Because it’s more fun to do things together (as you guys already know…), which living Australian artist would you most like to play alongside? Tell us why?
Alex: Either the Cat Empire or Architecture In Helsinki. After seeing both of these acts at so many venues and festivals, ranging from Big Day Out to Bennett’s Lane, I’ve developed such admiration and respect for their music and live shows, and would want to be involved in whatever capacity.
If a fan could combine listening to your music with one other activity, what would it be?
Adam: Mowing the lawn. With style.
