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 GEARED phones Frenchkiss Records’ motormouth general manager and all-round nice dude PAUL HANLY to talk all things BIGSOUND 2011 and beyond.
GEARED: I presume you’re looking forward to coming down to Australia for BigSound, Paul.
PAUL HANLY: I absolutely am – I’ve never been to Australia or New Zealand and I’ve been given such an amazing opportunity to come down there. I’m excited to meet a lot of people and talk to a couple bands – even ones that might not be playing [BigSound Live]; just meeting people is great. Also, seeing some familiar faces like Graham Ashton from Big Sound, Chris Wu from Popfrenzy and Justin [Cosby] from Inertia ... Some people I’m on the panel with are impressive and I feel very privileged to be sitting next to them.
We work with Cut Off Your Hands, who are from New Zealand, and in the past I’ve talked to and tried to sign bands from Australia – that didn’t work out, but I’ve never had the experience of seeing them in their ... local habitat, in front of their audience. I’ve seen plenty of Australian bands here [in the US]; a lot of them are on their first experience or coming up here for some other showcase. It’s great to see them then, but it’s the same thing here, you know: you go to see a band from LA and they’re playing to an LA crowd before they’ve reached a certain level, but when they’re playing New York and Boston, you don’t get that ... hometown love for the band. Like I said, I’m excited to speak on the panel and see some bands.
G: It’s going to be three days and nights of intense networking, seeing bands and having fun.
PH: I’m looking forward to it! It’s so close; this [American] summer’s been so busy with releases that we have going on, bands playing festivals... I’m just going to jump into it. Three intense days – that’s fine. I just did three days of intense Lollapalooza and I’ve also done SXSW, North By Northeast in Canada and several things in Europe – I’m very accustomed to it; I’ll relax when things are done and I’m done having exciting times and meeting new people. I’m in Australia for so little time – only a week – so I want to make the most of it.
G: Speaking about your panel, do you know which topics you’re going to raise?
PH: All right, let me just look that up [laughs]. I believe I’m on ‘Love is the Law’ panel, which is about the lawyers’ role in our community and making records for the world – why the global music industry is shrinking and what we can do about it. I can’t really delve into the points we’re going through on the panel yet, because I’ve only got those emails a couple days ago...
G: Cool – let’s talk about your label’s flagship acts instead, beginning with The Antlers. Do you think they’ll be coming down to Australia again soon?
PH: Yes! You can’t quote me on that 100%, but they went over so well at Laneway – their own experience and people’s reaction to them. I know that Justin from Inertia would love to bring them down there, so I imagine they’ll be back in the summertime for you guys and do something for the Big Day Out or other festivals. I’m sure The Dodos will be able to make it down for the BDO as well – I know they go over really well in Australia.
G: Indeed. Also, recent Laneway and Lollapalooza stars Local Natives...
PH: They probably won’t be coming in January for the simple fact that they’re in a writing and recording process for their next record, which will come out in 2012. We’re just excited for them to take time off and get that record going.
G: I thought you’d be the person to ask about what Passion Pit are doing these days.
PH: No problem! We signed them and then Sony/Columbia, which we have no connection with apart from this special project... Passion Pit bought out the contract and did an upstream deal on just that project.
I know they’re recording their new album right now and we’re hoping for early 2012 release; I’m getting loose reports that everything is going well. Michael Angelakos is just an incredible songwriter – he understands pop music in the indie-rock world and beyond it, of course. I think it just really stems from there; he understands what sounds great in today’s commercial music. I have no doubt that the record is going to be incredible.
G: Thanks Paul!
A three-day music industry conference including panels, workshops and artist showcases, BIGSOUND 2011 takes place at The Judith Wright Centre from Sep 7–9. For more info and ticketing details check out www.qmusic.com.au/bigsound/2011. For more info on Frenchkiss Records and the label roster head to www.frenchkissrecords.com.
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