Interviews

October, 2009
Artist Profile: Beat Magazine (Melbourne)

When did you start doing [what you're doing]?
Petty theft? Well you’ve got to start early…

What’s your name then? Oh. And the name of your band…
I’m the Chloe Hall part of the Chloe Hall Trio. Christopher Mildren and Teal Bain-Roben think it’s far too nice a day to be in front of the computer…

And what do you do?
Mainly petty theft, a bit of haiku on the side… And sometimes the three of us play music, making noise (read: alternative folk music) with 3-part harmonies, guitar, bass and percussion.

When did you start doing that?

Petty theft? Well you’ve got to start early…
As for the music, I’ve been doing that for a long, long time too.
The trio’s relatively new though. We got together just over a year ago to launch my new album, Outside. We’ve only just come home after touring Canada and Europe for 4 months, and I can’t wait to play these songs for Australian audiences.

Do you think you’re good at doing that?
Without sounding like a total knob, yes! I really do.
Chris and Teal add so much to the sound. It’s a really uplifting and joyful experience – for us and for anyone getting into the shows.

If you weren’t doing that, what would you be doing?
Probably pharmaceutical sales. I mean, deep down, who doesn’t want to be a pharmaceutical sales rep?

What makes you happiest about what you’re doing?
The rider’s always good (especially when it includes my very own private Scandinavian masseuse – ah, the giddy excess of folk music!) but for me, in truth, it’s the connection with the audience. There are particularly good shows where you can feel the moment when the division between performers and audience dissolves and we all lift… It’s like we’re facing the same direction, sharing the experience. Putting it into words sounds flaky, but it’s exhilarating!

And what makes you unhappiest about what you’re doing?
Honestly? Money, admin and stress. It’s incredibly difficult to make this work financially, and there’s so much more admin than you’d think. There was more than a year of slog behind the organisation of the last 4 month tour. Calling overseas venues and promoters from a storage cupboard in my house in the middle of the night (so as not to wake sleeping housemates!), crazy hours… But when we finally hit the road, it was worth it.

What’s your proudest moment of doing what you do?
I can think of a few:

• Whenever we meet people after a show who are obviously buzzing – hearing their stories, when the songs have triggered memories.
• Playing with the boys – Chris and Teal are great musicians and fantastic people. I feel very lucky to have found them, and I’m really proud of the sound we’ve created.
• Representing Australian alternative folk music overseas. It’s a privilege to be a part of such a vibrant and living community of musicians. Folk music is alive and well in Australia – and I’m proud to be a part of it.

And your least proud?
Getting cranky with the lads after a fantastic show in Berlin. I was tired and sick and hungry… And I picked the wrong moment to bring us all down.
You live and learn.

When are you doing your thing next?
Thursday November 5 (Oaks Day) at the Toff is a very exciting date for the Chloe Hall Trio:

• We’re recording the night for our first live album – ‘The Chloe Hall Trio: Live at the Toff’
• It’s also the official Australian launch of Outside (finally!), as well as being a big ‘welcome home!’ show…

Can’t wait.
For now though, I think it’s time to go join the other two thirds of the trio out in the sunshine…