Interview: Bob Evans

By Lisa Dib
Interview with Singer / Songwriter Bob Evans

Bob Evans is heading to musical jail

"It is how I like to start my day, bit of breakfast, a few interviews...it's pretty rock and roll over here, I can tell you".

What did you have for breakfast?

"Actually, all I've had is three really strong coffees; I have a bit of a caffeine problem"

One day they're going to find traces of blood in your coffee system

"[Laughs] I like that one; did you make that up?"

I'm not sure! I probably stole it, or at least stole and edited it

"No offence, but that sounds stolen, I do like it through!"

Today, Bob and I are chatting about his latest record "Goodnight, Bull Creek!", set for release May of 2009, amongst other sordid things.

For those who don't know, Bob Evans is the jingly alter-ego of Jebediah frontman Kevin Mitchell. The dual artiste has put Jebediah work aside for the past couple of years to make decidedly softer, earthier music.

Though not hippie music, let us make that clear.

"I wanted to keep the same personnel but I wanted to make a record different than the last one, wanted to play the electric guitar a little more, wanted to get away from the singer/songwriter thing a bit, so I think I've ended up making a record that has a little more electricity running through it".

"It's a bit weirder than the last one. It makes the last one sound very straight. There is a bossa nova song on there. I suppose it's not that weird, it's not some avant-garde thing; it is just weird for Bob Evans".

What do you want people to take away from your shows?

"Someone's number?" [Laughs]

"I hope they take away a buzz, whether that is a musical buzz, or one purely derived from alcohol... or someones number, I love bringing people together! I want there to be love in the room, like sexy love, not hippie love like at a Michael Franti concert"/

"I want my love to end in raw sex back at someones house. That would be a great outcome! I just want people to have a good time".

So no intense Iggy Pop 'breaking a bottle over your head' antics then?

"Breaking a bottle... well, I'm usually drinking from the bottle. And I don't normally finish it until after the show backstage. And, breaking a bottle, someone's gotta clean it up, I don't wanna clean it up, I don't want anybody else too either. No one enjoys cleaning up smashed glass. I've never met anyone who does! If there was genuinely someone who enjoyed cleaning up smashed glass, I would break a bottle on my head for them - because I wanna bring everyone in".

Like a spider! So where lies the fate of Jebediah?

"We are still writing and getting together and playing, but we haven't made a record since 2004. We are making a new record, but it could take a while before it comes out because everyone is busy doing other things. Everyone still wants to make a record and go on tour together because we love it. After this Bob record, there will be a Jebediah record. I promise. Exclusive!"

As well as his breadth of solo shows, Bob & Co are also joining the stellar lineup of the Pyramid Rock Festival (at Philip Island in Victoria). How does our Bob take the festival life?

"We did the Big Day Out, we did Homebake, we did West Coast Blues & Roots, they're great fun, like a party".

"I think when you do your own show and it's a small, kind of intimate venue, in some ways it's a little more rewarding because everyone is there to see you and it strokes your ego (laughs). But having said that, festivals are pretty much about as much fun as you can have. The parties are always great, there is always a billion other bands playing..."

Finally, it is an innocent question (RE: Songwriting Influences) that we discover what could lead Bob in to musical jail...

"Who do I rip off the most? I've always ripped off Tim Rogers, I rip off John Lennon, I've ripped off Luke Steele, I've ripped off Elliot Smith a bit, The Beatles a lot, I've tried to rip off Wilco but I don't think I did a very good job - though I did use Wilco's ex-drummer".

"I am ripping off people left, right and centre. Strangely though, I have never felt like I've ripped off Bob Dylan. Though most people make that assumption".

"Goodnight Bull Creek" is set to hit stores in May 2009.