Immigrant Union is a Melbourne based band comprised of six people: Courtney Barnett (Electric slide guitar and vocals), Bones Sloan (bass guitar), Brent DeBoer (electric guitar and vocals), Bob Harrow (Acoustic Guitar and vocals), Dave Mudie (drums), and Peter Lubulawa (organ and vocals). We have been playing together for a few years now and have mainly played in Melbourne but are now branching out across the east coast of Australia. Our first LP has been out for a little while and we are now in the process of recording our second LP.
Word around town is that you guys formed at Cherry Bar, What provoked you guys to form the band?
For people like us, getting a band going is just par for the course. We have both been playing music from the time we first learned to walk. You start a band as soon as you notice girls and are allowed to leave the house alone. Bob and I (Brent) had been in many bands before meeting at Cherry some years ago.
I was in Australia doing a press run with Matt Hollywood. Matt and I were dispelling the myths put forward in the documentary movie ‘DIG!’ about our bands The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. Bob saw us and asked what we were up to and we ended up hanging out for the next few days. Bob and I stayed in touch and some time later when I moved to Melbourne we decided to combine our songwriting skills and start making a record. We got Peter on board and went a bit out of order making an album before we even had a band put together.
Are there any particular odd influences shared between the band that come across in your music?
I don’t know if it comes across in an obvious way when you hear our records and see our shows but I am obsessed with Dr. Dre as a producer. That might seem odd to some people who like our band but do not listen to hip hop. I am massively influenced by my other band The Dandy Warhols of course. Other that that I just want to impress the other five people in my The Union.
Favourite Bob Dylan and Neil Young albums?
John Wesley Harding and Neil Young’s live unplugged record. I dunno. With Dylan it’s tough because my favourite is almost always whichever one happens to be playing at the time.
What records have you stolen from your parent’s record collection and why?
My parent’s record collection is almost identical to the collection I have now although I don’t think my dad has The Chronic. Mainly bands from the 60’s and 70’s that have five times as many books written about them than the amount of records they made. I didn’t steal any from them from my folks though. I asked and my dad gave me a few.
How or where do you find new music?
I only buy records when a trusted friend of mine tells me I would like it. At home I just listen to my own music or the records I have listened to thousands of times before. I actually get slightly nervous listening to new music on the radio or at a party. I don’t know why.
If you guys could have any vocalist perform harmonies on your next release who would it be?
Wally Meanie
When you’re Rolling Stones Big, what are you going to request on your rider: don’t be shy. We want specifics!
Socks. Greens. veggies. quality local beer (x48). 2 spirits (one repasado pure agave Tequila one high end vodka. two bottles quality french wine. One bottle chilled Laurent-Perrier champagne. American Spirit cigs. organic chips. organic hot salsa. organic hummus. organic pita. bread from a good local bakery. organic deli meats. mustard. mayo. organic OJ. Organic cranberry juice. Two large bars of organic chocolate (one dark one milk) one bag of organic unsalted mixed nuts. towels (not white) X12. organic greek style yogurt X6. organic fruit bowl (no melon). sparkling mineral water X3. plates and glassware. cutting board and sharp knife. Cutlery (not plastic). appropriate wine glasses per the selected wines X6. one serve (6 piece) chicken McNuggets to be delivered to the bus one hour after conclusion of concert.
If you guys could pick any Australian artist to collaborate with who would it be?
Wally Meanie
Why after playing music of various genres between you why did you guys decide to pull out the acoustic guitars?
Well… we have two electric guitars and one acoustic actually. Its a good combo that allows for a wall of psychedelic or a straight up campfire sound. Add Peter’s keys, drums, bass, and 6 people who can all sing and you have a lot of options for feel and texture.
How did you guys go about recording the debut album, I’ve read you guys worked with produced Gregg Williams how was the experience? (as a band/a different type of band for Brent DeBoer)
We flew to Portland when we had enough songs. At the time the band was only Bob, Peter and myself sorta taking turns singing lead and harmonies and such. I have a lot of friends who play all sorts of instruments in Portland who came by and tracked. We had The Dandy’s engineer (Jeremy Sherrer) playing drums and people from Brian Coates’ band and 1776 came and laid stuff down. We moved quickly and did one song per day. We really love that record.
Whats the next move for Immigrant Union?
Finish record number two. Tour more. Try to play some shows in Europe or the states or both. Just try to make our shows as trippy and emotionally engaging as possible. Every gig you play is like hosting a party and it’s usually more fun when a lot of really cool people come to your party so little by little we will get the invites out.
Immigrant Union are currently on tour with Royston Vasie you can catch them on the following dates:
THURSDAY 18 OCTOBER – KAROVA LOUNGE, BALLARAT VIC
FRIDAY 19 OCTOBER – DING DONG LOUNGE, MELBOURNE
SATURDAY 20 OCTOBER – THE NASH, GEELONG VIC
