WHEN a band hits a certain stratosphere of success, it comes at a price.
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INXS composer Andrew Farriss can see the irony in the name of what was one of Australia's biggest rock bands.
Back on the scene in a different genre, with a new hat and a completely stripped back sound, Farriss has found the beauty in what's simple.
"I think my time with INXS had some high-highs and some low-lows," he said.
"You think you have a handle on things and at some point you lose it, whether it's through drugs, alcohol or relationships, you either survive it or you don't.
You think you have a handle on things and at some point you lose it, whether it's through drugs, alcohol or relationships, you either survive it or you don't.
- Andrew Farriss
"I can remember the years when we didn't mean anything to anybody, we'd all be sleeping under my parents roof because we couldn't afford to sleep anywhere else.
"You'd have Michael [Hutchence] walking around with my mum and dad and it all seems surreal now, I look back on that and it was just so wonderfully human and basic."
The band started out as the Farriss Brothers before they changed their name to INXS, performing in 52 countries and selling millions of records.
Farriss is a songwriter first and foremost, he co-wrote all but one of INXS' top hits.
Now he's a country singer, and has deliberately produced his first album to avoid sounding like someone he didn't want to be.
"I tried wherever possible to use old-school instruments in most of the recordings and blend modern sounds in without being a slave to technology," he said.
On a trip to America, Farriss fell in love with the traditional, true-blue cowboy culture.
The country untouched by commercialism, where there's no flashing lights, Disneyland or Kentucky Fried Chicken is where he found his inspiration.
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"Your song has to be able to cut it on those old-school instruments and a lot of the recordings I've done on the album we virtually played a lot of it live in the studio," he said.
"I began to get a different appreciation for the era before electricity."
Farriss' has released single Good Momma Bad, and his album is out May 15. He has three more shows at the festival.
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
