Wollongong’s own Mother & Son exploded on to many people’s radar with the release of their debut album in 2011. They backed up the release with constant touring both in Australia and Europe along with festival spots such as Dig It Up and Boogie. While taking most of 2013 to concentrate on other projects, the duo will return to home territory to play The Farmer And The Owl this November.
We caught up with Mat and Bodie for a chat ahead of their appearance at The Farmer And The Owl.
G’day, fellas. How’s your day been?
Mat: Been pretty good, I’m on school holidays and I’m helping out some friends run a Permaculture course. We played last night in Sydney so I was a feeling pretty lazy this morning though.
Contrary to the band name, you are indeed both fellas. Does the deceiving name cause much confusion? I’m guessing you get asked about this a lot.
Mat: Yeah, the name throws a lot of people. That’s the reason why we liked it at the time. If we had a dollar for every time someone yelled out ‘So who’s the Mother?’ I’d have about $126 by now. Bodie says I screwed the name up because I’m having a baby girl in December. Might change it to Mother & Son & Daughter?
When did you form the band? In other words, how did mother meet son?
Mat: We met at a Mia Dyson show at Wollongong Uni back in 2008. I was selling merch for Mia. Bodie and his Mamma were there, and he was abusing me because he wanted cheap merch… then we decided to start a band. It’s crazy because I really wanted to play in a guitar driven two-piece band and that’s exactly how it turned out. Be careful what you wish for folks!
What’s the music scene like in your hometown of Wollongong?
Mat: It goes through cycles, with both bands and venues helping each other out. Actually, I have no idea. I hardly go out these days, ha. I do know that this gig with the Drones will be superb. Very happy to be on the bill with the Drones.
Rumour has it you’ve got a new 7” on its way. When do you think it’ll come out, and more importantly, what’s it going to sound like when it starts spinning?
Mat: You know, we recorded a few songs for a 7 inch over a year ago but they didn’t turn out right. So now we have a few more songs coming through and are keen to start again, possibly early next year. No doubt it will stay true to our Link Wray/Cramps influences.
Do you think you’ve changed much as a band since you released your debut self-titled album in 2011?
Mat: Absolutely! We practice less and we screw up songs much more often. We still have a bit too much fun though.
You go by the greatly accurate description of ‘surfabilly trash’. For the folks at home, could you explain what this means exactly?
Bodie: We get most of influences for songs from 50’s and 60’s Surf and Rockabilly tracks, and we mash those together into some loud fuzzy bastard… which is basically trash
Another thing I’ve heard is that one of your first gigs was Jimmy Barnes, which makes me curious, what was your first CD?
Mat: Yes, I’m guilty. My brother took me to see Jimmy Barnes for my first gig. I’m showing my age here, my first album that I bought with my own money was Van Halen: 1984 on vinyl. No CDs at that time, it was the 80’s man.
What kind of bands and artists are you guys into?
Bodie: My number one sound influence is Link Wray. I listen to heaps of old 50’s – 60’s surf and garage stuff, as well as heaps of Cramps & Nick Cave.
What’s been the highlight of 2013 for you so far? Your sets at Boogie and Dig It Up must’ve been massive.
Bodie: Boogie was crazy! I don’t even know how that happened, and 5pm set was dangerous with a whole day of beers under my belt… somehow by the end of our set I ended up wearing a cape? Still don’t know where it came from! Dig It Up was rad too, we played on the tiny Green Room stage/floor and it was paaacked, heaps of fun.
And what’s in store for the rest of the year and the beginning of 2014?
Bodie: Mat’s about to have a baby so we’ll be laying pretty low, just playing a couple of shows here and there. Really looking forward to playing Farmer & The Owl fest with The Drones in November, then early next year we’ll smash out a 7” EP and see where that takes us. I’ve got a new 60’s garage band, Los Tones, which is keeping me busy between M&S gigs.
Where we can see you play next, what releases do you have available and where can we get them?
Bodie: There are only a couple of copies of our debut LP available from us or www.musicfarmers.com , still plenty of CD’s left.
We’ll be playing October 19th in Manly for Market Lane Saturdays with Martin Cilia of legendary Aussie Surf band The Atlantics. Then we’re not playing again until November 23rd for The Farmer & The Owl fest at University of Wollongong.
Mother And Son Tour Dates
October 19th – Manly Market Lane, Manly, NSW
November 23 – WOLLONGONG, NSW – The Farmer and the Owl w/ The Drones, Dappled Cities, Harmony, Mother & Son & more…
Listen to ‘It Won’t Be Long’ here
