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Dave Graney.
Dave Graney is as familiar to Australian people as Vegemite and BBQ’s. That’s not to say he generally fits into the ‘classic’ Australian mould though: he has long been considered slightly left of centre when it comes to being a musician in this wide land of ours. Although his career has been built on that rather distorted image, he still thinks he can change his ways and seduce his audience into listening more to his music. Perhaps a good starting point will be his trip to Adelaide for this years’ Fringe, where he will be playing at The Regal, in the Garden of Unearthly Delights.
"I’m trying very hard to change the way I am, really," he begins. "Not just as a musician but as a person too. There is a slightly strange view of me, right from the days with the Coral Snakes, so a change is a good thing."
Perhaps Graney feels his "camp" persona, which has sometimes dominated his music, is too restricting when it comes to getting mainstream airplay in this country.
"That’s part of it, really. I’d love to make albums that get played more often on radio, simply for the fact that more people can listen to them, and hear what I’m saying."
Graney has been a regular in Adelaide for many years, and never tires of coming to SA. "It’s a very nice place. We’re playing at The Regal, which sounds very nice, and getting into the whole feel of the Fringe is always exciting, just seeing as many people as possible out there enjoying it all. Musically too, we try to do different things as a band and make the music deeper, in some ways. I guess expectations can vary. Every time you go out on the road, you tend to pick up some new fans along the way, which is good. There are those that have followed your career for many years, the stoic masses who cling to every note and word you sing. But finding new faces in the crowd is a lot more enduring in some ways."
Although Graney has seen and done it all over his many years in the business, there are still more challenges that lie ahead. "You’d be pretty bored I think if you had conquered the highest mountain," he chuckles. "What would you do next? Making music is a process that never ends really, it is ongoing. I like to make albums regularly, and to try new things."
One of those new things was his work last year on the 'Bad Eggs' soundtrack, the Aussie movie starring Mick Molloy.
"That was a good experience. Working with different people, trying new things, pushing new boundaries. I think that album stands up pretty well on its own, away from the movie. We tried different things, used different time signatures and really I really pushed myself in a completely new direction. That’s what being an artist is all about really."
Although Graney will not be the only one starring at The Regal during the Fringe, his show is sure to be one of the most popular. What can fans expect?
"Well, surprises, and good music. Maybe not so much campness either," he says with a laugh. Sounds like one show you should all be marking in your diaries for this Fringe.
Chris Niehus
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The Royal Dave Graney Show performs at the Regal on Thurs 26 Feb.
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