CityZine brings you LA band, Sarah McLeod, as a part of our âGet to know your LA Bandsâ series where we introduce you to a diverse selection of bands and you tell us what you think. Sarah McLeod is, without a doubt, one of the most famous women within the Australia rock music scene. She first garnered recognition as the lead singer of the popular rock band, The Superjesus. Since their split in 2004, she has put out two successful solo albums, Beauty Was A Tiger and Live & Acoustic. She is now known for her awesome stage presence and strong raspy vocals layered upon undeniably rockable compositions as well as a winner of multiple Aria Awards (the equivalent to the Grammys).
Sarah is currently putting the finishing touches on her latest album and, luckily for us, has also relocated to the Los Angeles area. You can listen to one of her favorite tracks, “Love Will Conquer All,” off the new album here. Better yet, she is having a one night only show in LA tomorrow evening the 16th, at The Viper Room at 9:00pm sharp! Be some of the first people ever to hear her new material!
Recently, CityZine spoke with rocker Sarah McLeod, to ask her out about her favorite bands and preparing for a show. She also shared thoughts about her new album, her dog, “Chachi,” and moreâŠ
Could you give a brief description of your sound?
Dirty big beats with ferocious pop vocals that mean business!
What was the first record/CD/tape you ever bought? And where did you buy it?
My first record was Last Chrismtas by Wham!; First tape was INXS’ Kick and first CD was Allanah Myles.
How do you get ready for a live show?
I do some vocal warm ups and try and warm up my body somewhat - whether that be doing a few push ups or walking up and down the load out stairs… I also play guitar backstage to get my fingers moving; Any kind of scale is good, just to wake the little fellas up.
What’s your favorite song to play live?
A track from my new record called “run” is my favourite. It’s got such a great groove that you can’t help but dance! It’s really hard to not get ya booty shakin to that one.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Geez, where do I start… Drinking red wine whilst chowing down on Cadbury chocolate.
What was the last album you bought?
Nicole Atkins - Neptune City
If you could rid the world of one song, what would it be?
Anything by Nickleback.
Who would play you in a film based upon your life?
How about Ellen Page? She’s got spunk and charisma. I loved the film Juno.
Dead or alive - What five acts would you have play with you at a festival?
Guns And Roses (original line up), The Beatles, Jay-Z, Billy Thorpe and The Aztecs, Roisin Murphy
If push comes to shove, what is your all-time favorite album?
AC/DC - Back In Black
What’s your most memorable experience on the road story?
A few years back when we were touring with my former band, “The Superjesus,” through the states and we were in Chicago, I found out that we were nominated for some Aria awards back in Australia. So I had to leave the band in Chicago, fly to Australia, go straight to the award ceremony (in which I got to get up and accept an award for best rock album)… then get straight on a plane back to Chicago, cab it to the gig (It was at The Metro), get changed out the back and go straight on stage and play. I hadn’t slept in days but it was an absolute killer of a show; I was feeling rather victorious after that evening!
What are you looking forward to most while playing in LA?
Reaching new audiences, playing to people who have zero preconcieved ideas about what to expect… and further enhancing the ever growing belief that there is some serious talent coming out of Australia.
What’s the best piece of advice someone has ever given you and did you take notice?
Courtney Love once told me that its all about vocal phrasing. It’s when you shut up that makes all the difference.
What would you do if you had one free day to do anything you wanted?
I would strap my dog”‘Chachi” to my Triumph Bonneville motorcycle and ride off into the sunset.
What’s the best book you’ve read and film you’ve seen in the last 6 months?
The best book was Wonderland Ave by Danny Sugerman and best film I’ve seen lately was Juno.
What three things could you not live without?
I couldn’t live without my dog, “Chachi” (part aussie Kelpie, part border collie and part laborador), my AM eyewear shades (to protect me from the confronting nature of random eye contact) and the support and relentless loyalty that I receive from my best friend and manager, Michelle. It gives me with the confidence and conviction to do what I do.
Tell us a fact about yourself we probably don’t already know.
I am fiercely militant in my approach to life efficiency. I must do everything the quickest and most effective way possible. I have been known to say things like, “I just shaved 30 seconds of our trip by turning left here… Excellent.”
Bonus Question: What would your advice be for an aspiring female rock artist?
Subscribe to our RSS Feed And checkout our coffee competition to win a $30 gift voucher to your favourite coffee shop : click hereAlways push yourself. If you think your song writing is good, it can always be better. Go through your lyrics and give each line a marker out of ten, that will highlight the weak lines, and it will then be your choice as to how you deal with that information. I believe thatâs what Peter Gabriel does. It’s a great way of critiquing yourself. You can’t lie because you know in your heart if a certain line is only a 4 out of 10. Can you then in all good faith and confidence present that song to others knowing that you’ve left a few average lines in there? This will be a decision that shapes your work ethic and your future. Also, it’s a pretty obvious one but … NEVER GIVE UP!
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1 response so far ↓
1 Emberly Modine // Apr 15, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Great interview!
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