Tell us about your new single/ album/ tour?
WHEN has been 36 years in the making. It is a Dave Warner’s from the Suburbs album with a mix of power-pop, monologue word-play and social comment. I’ve been fortunate to have not only a number of the Suburbs come back to play on it but amazing rock legends like Kevin Borich, Greedy Smith, Greg Macainsh, Mick Thomas and Dave Briggs. I’m very proud of it.
What’s your favourite work at this point in time?
Well, sticking to the new album, there is a track called Jim Morrison Came to my Window which I really dig – it has a bossa nova feel with an existential spirit posing the question of what would happen if Jim turned up today Rip Van Winkle like.
Tell us a quick, on the road or studio, anecdote.
On one of my early tours we were in Adelaide about to head back to Perth. Tony Durant – recently arrived Englishman who had joined us in Melbourne for the tour – had said he’d be interested in seeing the outback so as I hadn’t bought an air-ticket for him I asked if anybody in the crowd was heading to Perth! This the night before. Some drunk guy offered – the car broke down half way across and Tony had to hitch to Perth in a truck.
What, or who, inspires you?
Artistically it’s usually writers and visual artists – Gunter Grasse, Herman Melville, Goya, Brian Wilson …
Which song do you wish you wrote?
Waterloo Sunset (Ray Davies)
How would you describe your sound in food form and why?
Dog’s breakfast – it repulses many, it’s a scramble of ingredients but it delights those it’s aimed at.
What’s next for you?
Tour at some point to promote the album but very next thing is Perth fringe where the above mentioned Tony Durant is staging a musical I’ve helped write MAHAGONNY – BEHIND INNOCENT EYES but it’s really Tony’s project, he is musically brilliant with a bunch of genius songs. It’s very exciting.
What’s your scene?
Anywhere there’s a lack of pretence and artifice – a lane in a 50 metre outdoor pool somewhere.
About Dave Warner
‘Suburban Boy’ Dave Warner gained national recognition as a musician-songwriter with the gold album MUG’S GAME. Indeed Bob Dylan declared Warner his favourite Australian songwriter.
Dave then turned to novels and in 1996 was the recipient of the West Australian Premier’s Award for Fiction with his debut novel CITY OF LIGHT. This year sees his seventh crime novel, BEFORE IT BREAKS was published and has already gone into reprint and been named one of the top crime novels of 2015 (Sunday Mail). He has also authored six non-fiction titles and a successful series of children’s novels, CHARLOTTE AND THE STARLET.
Dave has written for feature film, stage, television, radio and newspapers. His first feature movie CUT starring Kylie Minogue and Molly Ringwald sold worldwide.GARAGE DAYS, a co-write with director Alex Proyas (The Crow / Dark City) screened at Sundance and was followed by RESTRAINT (Stephen Moyer, Therese Palmer, Travis Fimmel). He also contributed to BLINKY BILL.
Dave’s television writing credits include tele-movie INXS Never Tear Us Apart, regular episodes of mainstream Australian primetime dramas WILD BOYS, PACKED TO THE RAFTERS, RESCUE SPECIAL OPS, MCLEOD’S DAUGHTERS.
Dave’s musical THE KING AND ME premiered at Perth Fringe for a sell-out season in 2015 and returns for Fringe 2016. A CD of the songs of the show has just been released featuring Dave singing and the amazing guitar of Martin Cilia and a number of other great Australian musicians.
Dave continues to perform with his band in a variety of formats and this last October was named a West Australian Living Treasure in recognition for his contribution to the Arts in WA. He is currently working on his first new Dave Warner’s From The Suburbs album in twenty years. It is scheduled for release mid 2016.
WHEN is available now through iTunes, CD Baby and www.davewarner.com.au
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