Q&A :: The Potbelleez

Words: John Balfe

The Potbelleez are one of Australia's most popular dance acts, with their two albums both making it to the upper echelons of the Australian charts. Their success down under also means that, by default, they are also one of Ireland's most successful musical exports, with one half of the band hailing from our nation's capital. Dave Goode and Jonny Sonic will return to Dublin for L:ARP 04 at the Industry Club and Venue and it promises to be one of dance events of the summer.

John caught up with Dave Goode for a chat about the differences between the Australian and Irish music scenes.

You can purchase your tickets to the gig via entertainment.ie/tickets.

Have any elements from the Australian music scene influenced the music that you make?

Probably, although it's a hard question to answer. Australia has a big history of strong singers and big riff’s with AC/DC & INXS etc. Also through the mid 2000’s the electro scene was a big influence in Oz and we were a part of that.

How different is the music scene in that part of the world compared to back home in Ireland?

To be honest it’s very different, Ireland has a very long relationship with dance music and music in general, music and Ireland go hand in hand. I've said before all you need in Ireland is two spoons and we have a party going. That mentality obviously flows over to the electronic music scene. In Australia they only really had dance music to the masses for the last 10/15 years, so it's younger, I feel they are influenced by what goes on the radio a lot which can be frustrating. But like any modern country you can find the places where the music we play is the universal language.

How does a typical Potbelleez track get written? Can you walk us through the process?

There is no real typical way we write a track, it happens in different ways. One way would be Jonny would work on a backing track and give over to us to workshop, then Ilan would write some lyrics, give them over to us and we would workshop the content and melody, then another way has been I would write a song and Ilan would sing it over chords, then Jonny and I would work the backing track. Jonny would write the lyrics, I would work a backing track.

I understand that Australia has better weather, beaches and so forth but what, aside from family and friends, do you miss about this part of the world?

I miss the football fever, the pubs, the clubs, the craic, the sausages, King crisps, the heritage.

The last time we talked you had just played last year's Electric Picnic - what has been going on since then?

We have been nonstop touring Australia, doing old school touring bringing the music to the people in regional centres also metro cities, it's been really appreciated as the turnouts have been excellent. We did the V8 super car concerts, the Australia day celebration on the parliament house lawn with INXS, we opened the live broadcast for channel 9 new years eve celebration at the opera house. We played Future music festival in KL, I love my MTV concert with Robyn in Ibiza. Also the melbourne grand prix, and of course the Smirnoff nightlife exchange project in Dublin.

You'll be returning to these shores for a show at the Industry Club and Venue over the June Bank Holiday weekend. What can we expect from that?

Me and Jonny Dj-ing on 4 dex 2 mixers and effects, playing our high octane vibes smashing it out in our home town to our home crowd. Expect to get sweaty on the dance floor

Also the last time we talked, I asked you to recommend someone from the Australian music scene who you feel might make a breakthrough soon and you said Gotye. You were certainly right on that one. Do you see anyone else in your crystal ball?

Ozzy hiphop is one the most vibrant in the world right now, 360 is massive right now, bliss n eso and hilltop hoods, drapht. On the electronic tip Tommy Trash is massive internationally, not bad for a friend of ours and a guy from bundaberg.

What do the band have planned through the summer of 2012 and towards the end of the year?

Pulling back from the sort of touring we were doing, writing new material, some overseas production sessions and some very cool big gigs in Australia.

Story by EI Team | 09:00 | Friday 25th May 2012 | Music

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