I used to do a lot of work with Billabong. They would fly me around the world to sing at different surf events, fashion shows, charity events and after parties. It was the BEST! They were great to me. They helped me get my music out to places that I would never have been able to on my own. The most exciting event was probably Billabong’s Design for Humanity at the Spider Club in LA. I opened the night singing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, to a massive crowd, including a few celebs! MGMT also played that night. It was pretty amazing.
You must answer this question honestly or we steal your rider. What and where was the first gig you went to?
My first memory of listening to live music was when I was about 4. Mum had taken me to see Don Spencer – my hero at the time. Does that count??
‘Fess up. What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
I remember when I was younger our house was broken into and most of Mum and Dad’s records were stolen, along with the record player. So there aren’t many good ones left anyway! Except for Neil Young’s Harvest…But I don’t have the heart to take that from them.
What collaboration projects have you been previously involved in?
All the collaboration that I have done has mainly been on stage and completely off the cuff! I’ve had some great moments with Benjalu and Kim Churchill. Here’s one that happened at Sydney Blues and Roots last year… (link)
What new influences have you been embracing to evolve your sound ?
I’m a stress head. When I hear new cool songs on the radio, or even just listening to an old CD, instead of just enjoying the songs I find myself pulling them apart. I sit there trying to figure out what makes it a good song, and how can I so the same thing. It’s actually a little exhausting! Haha!
So I guess you could say that I embrace ALL influences in evolving my sound. I’ve just finished a stint of listening to a lot of Neil Young…it’s definitely been showing in my writing.
Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?
I’ve never been very superstitious, but I am a little weird about my picks. When I go on stage, I have to have my green pick. If I don’t have it to play on stage, then I get a little stressed that I won’t be able to play the guitar properly. Weird hey.
What can people expect from your set at the Sydney Blues & Roots Festival?
Well. I’ll definitely be playing some new tunes, and also some old favourite’s of mine. Hopefully people will really enjoy it. As I don’t play with a band, I try and make as much noise come of that stage as I can; and I try and make my performance as eclectic and enjoyable for the crowd as I can. I’m really looking forward to Sydney Blues and Roots Fest. I’m sure it’ll be just as much fun as last year.
If you could have anything on your rider at the Sydney Blues & Roots Festival what would it be?
A bottle of scotch, a bottle of lemonade, and a block of chocolate for after the show.
You’ve worked with artists liked Ash Grunwald, Matt McHugh and Michael Franti, what has been your favourite experience with one of these guys?
I’m grateful to all three of these guys for different reasons. Ash Grunwald let me hop on stage with him at last years Sydney Blues Fest with Gen Chadwick. That is definitely a moment a will never forget. I’ve been on tour a few times with Mat McHugh, and I learnt a lot. Touring with Mat helped me gain more confidence in myself as a musician.
I was a lot younger when I played shows with Michael Franti. My mum would come on tours with me, and I was a ball of nerves whenever I would get up on stage. I remember Michael asked me after sound check to do a song with him. I said yes only because I was too scared to say no. I walked on stage halfway through his set. The room was absolutely packed, and SO hot that there was condensation dripping off the roof. I completely forgot the words. He just smiled at me and told me to sing one of my songs. So I sang a verse of Sally Jones to his music. It’s one of the best musical memories I have.
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
Sydney Blues and Roots Fest fall right smack bang in the middle of tour that I will be doing with Crooked Saint. We’ll be travelling up and down the East Coast. All the dates can be found on my website www.ashleighmannix.com
During the tour I will promoting a brand new LIVE album that I released last month. “Ashleigh Mannix – LIVE at The Vanguard”, is only available as a digital download, for
