Lead singer, songwriter and pianist of Australian band The Whitlams Tim Freedman plays Whelan's of Dublin on 17 July. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Named after Australia’s Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, The Whitlams have released five Gold and Platinum albums in a row from 1995 to 2006 and took a creative break until two years ago.
Tim will perform the best of his nine-album repertoire, with pedal steel and electric guitarist Ollie Thorpe. Tickets priced €20 are available here.
Since 2022, Tim has led The Whitlams in a resurgence, touring heavily and releasing two new albums - Sancho (2022) and, with an Americana version of the band, Kookaburra earlier this year.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I am an Australian piano player and singer with a sardonic twist, so they say. I toured Ireland a few times about 20 years ago and loved the audiences, so here I am again. I just put together an Americana side project called The Whitlams Black Stump and released its first album Kookaburra, which is a native bird whose call sounds like a laugh.
How would you describe your music?
Nick Cave meets Barry Manilow.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Randy Newman and Thelonious Monk.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Stéphane Grappelli at the Sydney Town Hall in 1973 with my dad.
What was the first record you ever bought?
Blue Valentine by Tom Waits.
What’s your favourite song right now?
Empty Hearted Town by Warren Zevon.
Favourite lyric of all time?
"Last night I had a dream, you were in it, and I was in it with you" - Last Night I Had a Dream by Randy Newman.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Moon River.
Where can people find your music/more information?
Our website.
Alan Corr
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