Our chat with The Delta Lions

Last week we spoke to backyard party rockers The Delta Lions to find out what their rehearsals are like, and their opinions on what it's like to break into the ever-growing Australian music industry.

H: How did The Delta Lions become a band?

TDL: Mick and I got asked by a mutual friend to play cover sets at a backyard party. We had

been mates for years and decided to play some songs together and something just clicked. I

had written songs for what I thought would be a solo project and started recording demos with

Mat, who is an engineer, and asked Mick to play on the songs. We got halfway through and we were like, 'hey this feels pretty good, want to start a band?' We recruited Ryan and became TheDelta Lions.

H: What are your rehearsals generally like?

TDL: Rehearsal is every Wednesday 6 to 8. If someone has something on or we have a gig we'll reschedule, but generally its clockwork. It's too hard working everyone's life in, so it's just

easier that everyone works around the same day every week.

H: What advice do you have for people who want to start their own band?

TDL: Just be clear in your own head about what you want to do. Rock and roll is tough and if

you're just out to 'make it' I would say forget the band and enter Australian Idol or X Factor or

something. There's nothing glamorous about being constantly broke or playing to the carpet of a pub for $17 after travelling 12 hours squashed in a car that broke down in the middle of

nowhere. It's obviously not always like that, but for the most part it is. Start a band because youlove making music and try not to get caught up in the 'biz.'

H: Is there anyone that you'd like to acknowledge?

TDL: Personally, my high school music teacher Ron Carpenter. He set something off in me and

it's never been turned off. I still think about him all the time. He kind of laid down a challenge

and I've been obsessed with it ever since.

As a band, definitely a band from Wollongong called Leadfinger. We randomly got put on the

same bill as them for a gig years ago and we instantly became great friends. They are older

than us and took us under their wing and have continued to mentor us. Every time we see themplay, they are so tight and such amazing musicians. They inspire us to want to play better.

H: Well you are pretty talented young guys!

TDL: Haha young? You're very kind.

H: Good looking too. What made you think of the name, 'The Delta Lions'?

TDL: Not entirely sure, I think we were just playing around with different words and eventually got stuck on Delta Lions. I like the story of The Crossroads in the Mississippi Delta and cats, so we'll run with that.

H: Time for that one random question you get in every interview... If you had to eat one food forthe rest of your life, what would it be?

TDL: Haha this is a funny one. Mat has become a vegan in the last 18 months and we talk

about this all the time. Me, lately I can't stop eating pitted dates. I don't know it's a hard

one. I love pulled pork but it kind of bugs me how trendy it's become.

H: What's the best thing a fan could do for you?

TDL: We're just grateful for familiar faces at gigs. Anyone that has paid to get in or bought a

record or shirt is a favourite thing.

H: Now we're can we find that music we're dying to get a hold of?

TDL: Everything is available from our website (Click Here) and iTunes

H: Lucky last, where would you like to tour in the future?

TDL: Everywhere.

H: Anywhere you really wanna play?

TDL: Literally everywhere. From Alice Springs to Reykjavik to New Orleans to Bombay. If

there's a city in the world that would have us we'd love to play there.

The Delta Lions are supporting the Indigenous Literacy Foundation (Helping children in indigenous communities learn to read), with all proceeds of money received from their songs Smoke Bombs / Mac & Laura going directly toward the charity. Purchase the singles here, and find out more about the charity here