Tasmania singer-songwriter Bully Hay’s forthcoming debut album Black Dogs And Songbirds, is out TOMORROW on Wednesday October 30. Black Dogs And Songbirds also brought onboard Paul Pilsneniks (Silverchair, Dope Lemon, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard) on engineering, and Grammy Award-nominated Joe Carra (The Teskey Brothers) on mastering duties, as well as sonic inspiration spanning Soundgarden riffs, Rage Against the Machine basslines, Jeff Buckley, Paul Kelly, Powderfinger, Crowded House, The War On Drugs and, fittingly, Jeff Martin’s own band The Tea Party.
We got together with Bully Hay to talk about his new album.
If you could describe “Bushfire Moon” in three words, what would they be?
Urgent, Hopeful, Romantic
What’s your go-to song for a road trip playlist?
Big Hard Sun – Eddie Vedder
I love the big open guitars and percussion that sound so wide. And Eddies soaring vocals make you want to hit the road an live life!
Do you have a favourite spot in Tasmania that inspires your music?
There are many spots. And all of them are on the coast. But if I had to choose one, it would be Saltwater River on the Tasman Peninsula. It’s nestled amongst various bays you can only access by boat and each on is different and unique. It’s also close to an old coal mine that was operated by convicts during early settlement. It was an incredibly dark place where the worst of the worst criminals were sent for hard labour. I find it incredibly interesting that such a horrible place has become an incredibly beautiful and peaceful place in the present day. Interesting contrast when writing music the way that I do. My album as a result is filled with light and shade.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received about being a musician?
To not take yourself too seriously. Let go of any ego because people dont care as much as you think they do. And to just do it for you and no-one else or else you’ll sound like everybody else!
When you’re not making music, how do you like to unwind?
In the kitchen. I love to play vinyl records, open a bottle of red wine and cook up a storm. The longer it takes, the better!
If you could collaborate with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Well, that would be Jeff Martin from The Tea Party. I’ve been a die hard fan of TTP since I was 14 years old and was always fascinated by the songs, production and various guitar tunings. Lucky for me, I have collaborated with Jeff now as he produced my record and what a wild, fun ride its been!
Aside from Jeff, I’d love to collaborate with Bernard Fanning in some kind of acoustic singer songwriter perspective. I love how Bernard can say so much in a few words within a song.
What’s a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I have a little cat called “Whisky” (Whisky Von Scruffington) who is always waiting for me at home. She holds the fort and rules the roost.
How do you like to celebrate after finishing a new song or album?
It takes me a long time to decide if anything is finished. So when an album like this is wrapped up, for me its more like a relief than a celebration. I just about fell over in a heap when this one was done!
But my friends and I cracked open a bottle of expensive whisky and sat down and listened to it from end to end. A little house party ensued from there and that was about it.
From there, another block of hard work kicks in to get the album out into the wide world.
If you had to pick one of your songs to introduce someone to your music, which one would it be?
That would be “Cinnamon Perfume Cabernet”. At it’s core its an acoustic guitar ballad and it begins that way.
The song is an observation (and lived experience) of human relationships. Where things are never black and white. They are never in a straight line. They are never always moving upwards, sometimes they’re down. And recognising that you “cannot have the light without a little bit of darkness”. It’s about repairing things and breaking things. Its not supposed to be sad or happy, its just viewing what is there and seeing human frailty on both sides.
The band swells into the song as it progresses and builds and builds into big harmonic vocals and string sections galore. I’m really proud of how it came out.
What’s the most memorable concert you’ve ever attended, either as a performer or a fan?
There are two!
Queens Of The Stone Age at Mystate Arena in Hobart was absolutely epic. World class rock stars coming all the way down to the island to blow our tiny minds. Just epic experienced legends, destroying it on stage.
And most recently, seeing The Tea Party at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne was absolutely huge. The sound was massive and the boys were on fire. I’d just been through a really difficult time personally the week before. And Jeff Martin spoke to me directly (in code) to express his support before launching into “Save Me” which was hugely emotional and I’ll never forget that.
Do you have any pre-show rituals to help calm your nerves before performing?
That would be about 3 vodka or gins with soda and lime! A bit of jumping up and down and stretching and that’s about it. We kick on after that!
What’s the first album you ever bought, and do you still listen to it?
Dont judge me! No Doubt – Tragic Kingdom. And yes, I still do listen to it. Its a banger. Might go listen to it now!
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