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Infusion on Australian-ness, Fighting the Bland & LA

Author: Jonty Skrufff (Skrufff.com)
Monday, February 2, 2004
From their humble origins of the Australian coal-mining town Wollogong, house-breaks trio Infusion nowadays find themselves with a worldwide major label record deal and plaudits from the likes of Radio 1 man Pete Tong ('this is only the beginning' he says in the latest issue of Mixmag). In fact, Tong likes their new single Girls Can Be So Cruel he made it his single of the month in Mixmag's latest issue, labelling it 'infectious, funky and full of attitude'.

Chatting to Skrufff this week, frontman (or at least, the guy who does the interviews) Jamie insisted, that they have no plans to adopt any rock & roll delusions of grandeur.

"I personally don't know how anyone could develop an attitude through success." said Jamie.

"It's something I can never ever comprehend."


Skrufff (Jonty Skrufff): The club scene has been changing musically pretty radically in the last 12 months, how is this affecting your music-

Infusion (Jamie): "I think we're also changing with the times. We have been going for a long time and we're not one of those bands who have suddenly been put in the spotlight, so we've been able to develop steadily. In terms of sound, when there's three people involved, it takes a while to find a definition of what you're about, therefore it has taken us longer to come up with our own sound. Nevertheless this is constantly changing and evolving. In a way we have been looking back, not consciously, to draw from those influences that got us into music in the first place. It's challenging and necessary at the same time to let the inspiration come through, and fight the blandness."

Skrufff: How relevant is your Australian-ness to your music-

Infusion (Jamie): "I think we're becoming more comfortable with what we're doing and we're certainly broadening our spectrum at the same time. I can also see the band concept coming through the different instrumentation we are currently using, for example we now have guitars which give our sound a more 'live' feel. In terms of Australian-ness, sure, I liked, INXS particularly at time of "Kick", when their lyrics became more refined. When I was younger, I hated music with lyrics altogether, and I only used to listen to soundtracks. To me, music was music and words were words, they were two very separate things. Later on in the late '80's I started listening to bands like Depeche Mode, Japan and The Human League and I became more accustomed to the traditional song concept."

Skrufff: You recently signed a worldwide deal with the major label BMG, how do you view this, like stepping up a gear perhaps-

Infusion (Jamie): "That's exactly what it is. We've been signed to independent labels for a long time and really enjoyed the experience, though now, as our music is broadening, it feels essential to have a different kind of backing and support. We're not depending on it, but the deal should help in terms of exposure and also towards the development of our live shows."

Skrufff: We recently interviewed Melissa from Chicks On Speed and she said her Oz mates are starting to choose Berlin over London or New York, is that a place or trend you've picked up on-

Infusion (Jamie): "I've heard from people I know who've been there, that Berlin is a very creative place, though I've never actually been myself. I still live in Melbourne, I feel pretty comfortable there and have no plans to move, at least for now. It's an easy place to live and I can notice that more and more, especially when I visit other countries but, who knows- Perhaps in a year or two I might feel differently."

Skrufff: How much do you feel Infusion represent Australia-

Infusion (Jamie): "We don't, to tell you the truth. I've never really felt like we're at the forefront of anything, we're quite free, doing our own thing and not really being part of any movement of any sort."

Skrufff: Since you travel so much, are there any places or spots that particularly
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