Interview: Talkradio (Written)

Active since 1998, the indie rock band Talkradio started as a duo, but since 2006 has been the solo project of Alex Papas. We spoke to him and learned a little bit more about Talkradio in this interview.

1. Hello! Thank you for taking the time to chat to us. First things first, tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started.

My name is Alex. I’m from Melbourne, Australia and I’m the only one in “Talkradio”. I began the project in 1998 and originally there were two of us. I’ve been doing it alone since 2006. I write all the music and lyrics, then play all instruments and sing all the vocals in the studio.

I’ve been told I’ve always been musical. I used to drum in time to songs from the age of 3. Even so, music wasn’t my first artistic pursuit. I started as an actor at the age of 12. I did quite a bit of theatre, TV and even a film over a period of 5 years. When I finished high school and it was time to go to uni, my parents stopped supporting my acting ambitions. They actively blocked my attempts, which was simple for them really. All they had to do was stop driving me around to where I needed to go. By the time I got my licence and was able to get around myself, my acting agency had been sold, I was no longer on their books and my actor’s equity membership had expired. At this stage, I had no drum kit at home either and was relegated to practicing on various pieces of furniture in front of the stereo. At some point my cousin, who happened to be a great drummer, invited me to watch his cover band at a rehearsal studio. It turned out they had no singer and insisted I get on the microphone to give them a guide. It took a lot of convincing. They kept asking me back every weekend. That’s how the singing began. Not long after that, I joined a band and signed up for singing lessons.

2. Someone comes to you and asks you to sum up what kind of music you play – what do you tell them?

My biggest influences are 90’s grunge and alternative bands. I also have a love for some 60’s and 70’s rock bands. I think all of these influences come across if you listen to a whole album. This probably isn’t obvious if you listen to just one song. Overall, I guess it’s just indie rock.

3. What’s currently going on in your camp? New releases? Tours? Etc.

I’m working on my next recording, which will be a 5 track EP. I have two songs underway. I’m hoping to be back in the studio next year.

4. What has been the most positive experience of making music to date for you?

It’s the only thing that keeps me sane. I don’t particularly love my day job, even though I’ve done really well from it. It’s also one of the things that keep my Tourette’s symptoms away.

5. Likewise, what has been some of the more challenging aspects and how have you overcome them?

Cost is the main issue. Being the only one in this project means I have to pay for everything to produce a release. I’ve had to buy all the instruments needed (drums, guitars, keyboard, pedals etc). I’ve had to pay for the studio time and mastering. The only reason I’ve been able to afford to do this by myself is because of my day job, and only in the last 10 years or so, but it’s not like I can still do it easily.

6. How do you handle the modern expectations of being in a band? Always online, having to put out content constantly, your success measured in likes and follows?

I do what I can. If I was making a living from this, I would be able to quit my day job and just concentrate on content. I accept that I can’t do that. I’ve also given up on chasing likes and follows. I now just do this because creating music is fulfilling. I do what I can here and there in the hope that I reach more people, but that also requires money and I don’t have a bottomless pit of the stuff.

7. What’s something that really ‘grinds your gears’ about the industry/business these days and what would you propose is done to combat it?

The way that music is consumed via streaming is the worst thing that has happened to musicians, ever. Short of governments starting to legislate in favour of musicians getting their fair share, there is nothing that can be done to combat it.

8. Speaking directly to listeners – what would you ask they do to help support your music?

It’s not just about my music. It’s about any music. If you want to actually support your favourite artists, buy their product. Whether it’s CD’s or a digital download of the album, people need to start paying the artists they claim to support, not the streaming platforms that are ripping them off.

9. Outside of the music, what do you do to relax?

Oooh, this is a bit of a list. Ok, I train in martial arts (over 25 years), I go mountain bike riding, I watch films, I love certain video games (PC and Xbox), I play golf, I play tennis (when I find someone willing), I perform in an acoustic duo regularly, I’m currently in the process of preparing a solo acoustic show, I love a good board game, I enjoy reading a good novel and I love driving. That’s just off the top of my head. I may have missed something.

10. Where can people find you?

My official site is www.talkradioaus.com.au, where you can find links and a list to all the streaming services I’m on. My Facebook page is www.facebook.com/talkradio.aus.