Hello there, I’m Tj Quinton. Its not my real name but when you suck at performing as much as I do then its helpful to have an alias. I started this solo project because I get sick of hearing music that isn’t much more than Aldous Huxley’s soma brutally forced down our throats each day. I wanted to create an album that layered themes and stories to really give a listener a reason to engage with the concept and that challenged them to expand their own horizons. In the end I’m probably achieved nothing more than an incredibly narcissistic journey thinly veiled as an objective concept album but hey, thats show business right? Im actually not as cynical as all that really, I appreciate all sorts of art that our beautiful country has inspired and also enjoy long walks on the beach and sunsets.

What’s your earliest memory of picking up a guitar and then decide you wanted to become a performer?

My earliest memory of picking up the guitar was when I must have been about four or five. In a furious little kid mood I took my dad’s guitar and filled it with rocks. Copped quite a hiding for that. To my father’s credit he didn’t hold it against me and was always the first to take time out of his day to show me how to play. When I was ten I wrote my first song, it didn’t have any lyrics and consisted of two chords E minor and A belted out as loudly as the old nylon string could handle. I was considerably more impressed with my own ability than anyone else in the household.

How many guitars do you own and if you have to pick a favourite which one is it why?

I have a few guitars, two regular performing ones and a couple of studio jobs. Owning multiple guitars is like being a polygamist. Sometimes we don’t all get along but when that happens we just sit down together until we work it out. Communication is key and there’s always a bit of give and take. Sometimes I realise that I’m really just trying to make them into what I want them to be instead of recognising and appreciating their own individuality and needs. I love them all dearly but my Taylor is the favourite, the Cole Clark is a much better road guitar and doesn’t get offended if I leave it in the van for a few days but there’s nothing that compares to the delicate touch and warmth of the Taylor twelve.

 Who are your most loved Australian guitarists and why?

Chris Cheney (Living End), Jules Parker (Hussy Hicks), Jeff Lang, Daniel Champagne, John Butler, Aaron Head and John Williams. Each of these guitarists have an incredible relationship with their instrument that goes beyond technical ability to a place where the music they create is a pure representation of this connection. I’m very thankful for their influence in my life.

What is your most memorable moment from recording your full length album Sorry Business?

James North and I produced the record together and so spend a huge amount of time working of the tracks before getting other musicians in so these became the most memorable collection of moments of the whole process. Nothing like a dry sense of humour and brutal honesty to force you to start lifting your game, I learnt a huge amount from that.

Have you commenced writing a follow up to Sorry Business?

I have but I’m undecided if it will be my next release. The follow on from Sorry Business will be called Strictly Business and continues to follow the journey of the character Arthur Bradley. Strictly Business aims to dissect a few of the common systems that influence our lives and is going to be a massive project so there’s a good chance I’ll release something unrelated before I finish that. Over the new year I threw up a free EP I wrote and recorded on a UK tour in December and might continue doing that every so often until I finish the next album but who knows, maybe I’ll hit the big time and be able to pay Tim Winton to write it for me and get Flume to produce it. You know if I’m going that far then maybe I could also get Frenzal to do the live show. Sweet I’ll reap intellectual property royalties from the beach.

Do you have any particular ritual before you go on stage, or even a lucky charm you take with you?

I generally try and smoke a large joint to help me forget that there are people in the audience and then follow up with a scotch to help me talk. I pray to the music gods and tell them I will practice every day for the next week if they just help me do this one gig and then I tune my guitars. When I’m being responsible I tune the guitars before smoking the joint.

If you could curate your own festival, where would it be, who would be on the bill, how many people would you let in and what features would it have?

Wow. My own festival that’s badass. I’d have to spend a long time thinking about that lineup but there’s a couple of definite acts; Living End, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, R.A.T.M, John Butler Trio (the early 2000’s trio with Shannon Burchall and Micheal Barker) Dave Mathews Band, Jamie MacDowell and Tom Thum, Dub FX, Micheal Franti and Spearhead blah blah blah. It goes on. I would cap numbers at 200 but send out complementary VIP tickets to all the festival directors who have turned down my application over the years before refusing them entry at the gate.

Because it’s more fun to do things together, which living Australian artist would you most like to collaborate with?

I would love to collaborate with with Gotye. From the earliest of his releases I had it in the back of my mind that one day I would approach him about working together but since his last album I’m starting to think that might be unlikely. Dammit. The guy’s brilliant. I can only imagine what I’d learn from that experience. I’m currently working on a number of projects with different people and always learn a huge amount about my own as well as other’s creative process. It’s pretty eye opening and I love that.

What is your band’s music the best soundtrack for?

I’m just going to say making love. Why not.

Tell us why we shouldn’t miss you on your upcoming ‘What Is Real’ single tour…

I would be incredibly grateful for any audience attendance that comes with an open attitude towards music and art because I really do believe that through a genuine sense of community and connection we have the potential to create a culture of art that will change the course of history forever.

For more info on TJ’s dates and to hear his music go to: www.tjquinton.com.au

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