What’s My Scene: The Audreys love how Adelaide musicians show up for each other
In our regular Q&A column What’s My Scene, InReview speaks to emerging and established local artists to get their take on the South Australian creative scene and their place within it. This week, Taasha Coates from The Audreys reflects on the group’s long history as they mark the 20th anniversary of their debut album.
Where was your first Adelaide gig, and how did it go?
I’m going to go for my first gig as The Audreys in Adelaide, because none of my bands before that were any good. It was at a place in the city called FAD Bar that no longer exists and we did an opening set for The Yearlings. We just talked them into letting us do it even though they’d never heard us which was very brave of them. Luckily it went really well and they are still friends to this day. In fact they are opening our show at The Gov later this month. Woot!
What is your artist origin story?
I learned singing, drama, dance and piano from a young age and was one of those annoying kids who put on plays and musicals and concerts for my parents friends at dinner parties. Honestly, what was I like? Then I studied music through school and into university. Coming out of university I was singing in wedding bands and jazz bands and doing some teaching, and then I met Tristan at Mercedes College where he taught guitar and I taught singing.
He was in a rock band and wrote his own songs. I thought that was so amazing, and he loved my voice so we started a band together and he encouraged me to start songwriting. We made five albums together and toured constantly for nearly two decades. He was my dearest friend and most favourite person right up until he passed away in 2022. I still miss him every day.
What was your impression of the Adelaide creative scene when you first started, and how has that changed?
I’ve always loved the way Adelaide musicians show up for each other. I went to see my friend Ryan Martin John launch his gorgeous new album at The Wheaty last month and half the crowd were other musicians. We’re a community who champion each other rather than compete with each other, and honestly I think it’s always been that way.
I do remember hearing a bunch of sexist nonsense and hate when we won our first ARIA (I’d slept my way into a record deal, blah blah blah) but none of those people are still in the scene and I put that stuff down to small mindedness and jealousy. Most Adelaide musicians are awesome.
How has your own work evolved since you first started?
Oh gosh, who would know. I try not to go back and ponder! I’ve released six albums now, plus a bunch of singles. I can still hear elements of my first album in what I do now, but when I listened to it recently to check the master on the re-release I couldn’t believe how young I sounded. I’m older now of course (although probably not a lot wiser) so my voice is thicker and richer, but I’m still writing about the same stuff, for better or worse. Sad songs and sexy songs, that’s all I’ve got!
What is it about your next project that you’re most excited or nervous to share with the world?
I’m currently working on an album of Australia pub rock covers: Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, Paul Kelly. Honestly, it’s so fun and the songs go down so fast. I think it’s because I didn’t write them so I’m not constantly doubting and second guessing myself about them. We hope to release it early next year.
Who are the artists around you that inspire or challenge you?
I’ve been very inspired by Nancy Bates lately. She’s an amazing Barkindji Woman from New South Wales who now lives in Adelaide, and she always has an absurd amount of projects on the go and an inspiring amount of energy and love for everyone. She’s also an absolute hoot to hang out with.
Favourite Adelaide venue to play?
You’re really making me do this?? Argh, that’s mean. Okay, so I have a show at The Gov coming up and I love playing there and probably have to say that. But I also love playing at The Trinity Sessions in Goodwood, The Wheaty in Thebarton and The Grace Emily on Waymouth Street.
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Dream artist to perform alongside?
I would have given anything to have sung with Dolly before she made the world a decidedly worse place by departing it.
Favourite artist to collaborate with?
I did a song a few years back with John Schumann and that was super fun because in the video clip I got to sit on a huge police motorcycle. Lucky for me I didn’t drop it.
Where is your next Adelaide performance, and how do you hope it will go?
We’ve been touring the last six months or so to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of our debut release Between Last Night and Us and we have our home show coming up at The Gov on the slightly spooky Friday 13th November. We love home shows, can’t wait!
The Audreys perform at The Gov on November 13.
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