Vance Joy, Musician, Splendour in the Grass
You don’t have to shout the loudest ...
Who could have imagined that the primary school boy playing ‘Scarborough Fair’ on the piano would one day be playing sold-out gigs around the world. Or that the teenaged Metallica fan would one day learn to love indie folk and all its delicate subtleties. Vance Joy, known to his friends and family as James Keogh, first stepped onto the stage at an open-mic night in Melbourne in 2010. In the three years since, the singer/songwriter has ticked many of the boxes most musicians would only dream of achieving in a lifetime. His single ‘Riptide’ has been certified Gold by ARIA, clocked in as the #1 Most Popular Song on Hype Machine and earnt significant radio airplay. Vance released his debut EP God Loves You When You’re Dancing in March this year, wooing listeners with melodies that loop in your head for days and lyrics that hint at a wisdom beyond his 25 years. Yet despite all his success, Vance is refreshingly down to earth and always excited to return to a Queensland stage. Following recent shows at Black Bear Lodge and The Tivoli, locals will have the chance to tap along to the troubadour at Splendour in the Grass this weekend or The Zoo on Saturday August 31. Vance took a break between gigs to chat to The Weekend Edition about his essentials for a perfect weekend.
How do you like to start your weekend?
Saturday morning is all about croissants, coffee and reading the paper.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning?
Ride my bike to the markets.
How do you like to unwind?
With red wine and chocolate.
What are your essentials for a well-spent weekend?
You’ve got to have the perfect kit – the right clothes, usually jeans and boots.
What’s something you’ve been meaning to do on the weekend but haven’t got around to yet?
I really want to go horse riding and camping in the country.
What’s your favourite thing to do on a Sunday evening?
Go out for a Sunday session. I like to go to an afternoon matinee gig and dinner.
What are you looking forward to next weekend?
Splendour in the Grass!
What are you reading at the moment?
Collected Short Stories by Peter Carey.
What inspires you?
Music and art. I’m on tour with Bernard Fanning at the moment, so I’ve been getting inspired by watching him perform on stage.
What was your childhood dream?
I think I always wanted to sing and play music.
What has been your greatest achievement?
I guess all the songs I’ve written are achievements.
What is success to you?
It’s hard to define, but I guess just doing something you love.
What are your words of wisdom?
You don’t have to shout the loudest.
Only a local would know … the best beef soup is in Footscray, Melbourne.
FAVOURITE WEEKEND SPOT TO:
Perk up … E’Latte Cafe, Ashburton.
Relax … TAB, Ashburton.
Dine … Homemade pizza at my mate Jason’s house.
Indulge … At the movies, dipping a choc-top into popcorn.
Shop … WorkWear Corner, Box Hill.
Catch-up … At my friend Jay’s house.
Be inspired … At Queenscliff, Victoria.
