Andrew Morris | The Weekend Edition

Andrew Morris, Musician, The Situationist

Doing what you love and what you want to do ...

Inspired by Tom Hodgkinson’s counter-consumer-culture manifesto How To Be Free, local singer/songwriter Andrew Morris gathered up some of The Gin Club clan to make his new album, The Situationist, a reality. Tucked away in his newly set-up studio in Northern Rivers, Andrew and the crew downed some beers and got to work on his sixth solo release since 2004. The result is a warm collection of emotionally true vocals, acoustic guitar and harmonica. Released under his own label Soul Arch Recordings, The Situationist also features a novel recreation of Banjo Paterson’s poem The Uplift to music. Launching the album this Friday November 23 at Brisbane Powerhouse, Andrew took five with The Weekend Edition to chat inspirations and weekend essentials.

By Linsey Rendell

How do you like to start your weekend?
Usually on a Friday. That is actually when my weekend starts as I work at the Mullumbimby Farmers Markets on Friday mornings. I’m called the manager’s assistant, but really I’m the parking guy. If I don’t have any gigs on Saturday or Sunday – which is a rarity – then that gives me a very long weekend, which I love.

What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
It used to be watching Phil Collins film clips on Rage and eating cream buns, but those days have past. Now it definitely involves a surf or swim down at the beach, followed by a hearty breakfast and coffee in the sun.

How do you like to unwind?
Surfing, fishing, gardening and drinking.

What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
A balance between getting some chores done – shopping at the markets and tidying the house – and having plenty of ‘nothing to do’ on the list. Sun, good food and company, plus a few beers, usually get the job done.

What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
Fold up one of those pop-up wind-shelter domes for the beach. Looks simple to fold back up, but for the life of me I can’t, so it sits erect under the house. Apparently there’s an instructional YouTube video.

What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Cook a roast chicken for the family with a crisp cold riesling … as long as it’s Rieslingable.

What are you looking forward to next weekend?
Playing with my mates when I launch my new record in front of my hometown crowd.

What are you reading at the moment?
Waging Heavy Peace by Neil Young.

What inspires you?
Film, art, music, good people, books and nature.

What was your childhood dream?
To be a Test cricketer for Australia.

What has been your greatest achievement?
Keeping a music career going for 15 years.

What is success to you?
Doing what you love and what you want to do.

What are your words of wisdom?
Live with as much freedom as possible.

Only a local would know … the best Asian food in Brisbane is in Market Square, Sunnybank.

FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … The Lark, Paddington
Relax … South Golden Beach, NSW
Dine … Esquire, Brisbane City
Indulge … Anglers Warehouse, Tweed Heads
Shop … local markets with great produce
Catch-up … Billinudgel Pub, NSW
Be inspired … at home with the family