2010 Nominee Q+A: Jonathan Zwartz
| 2010-10-01 09:30 | Written By:
Australian double bassist Jonathan Zwartz [pictured right] is nominated for Best Jazz Album at this year's Jagermeister Independent Music Awards for his LP The Sea - promo footage for which is embedded above.
Ahead of this year's awards night - more details on that at the bottom of this post - we briefly caught up with Jonathan to talk independent music.
What's your favourite musical moment of 2010 so far, Jonathan?
Performing with my kids Henry (drums) and Martha (guitar and vocals) at a migrant refugee school in MaeSot, Thailand, on the border with Burma. The kids that go to that school have nothing, they tear exercise books and pencils in half so there's enough to go around, they want to learn. And they love music, there was a hip hop band, a heavy metal band, and a full on pop band playing on a bamboo stage to about 150 other kids and teachers, all going crazy! They are resolutely positive in the face of impossible hardship. To see the way they live was a reality check, that's for sure.
What does being independent mean to you?
I'm an independent jazz musician - that's like having leprosy where record companies are concerned. Getting music heard, getting music on mediums other than community radio, getting a gig! These things are extremely hard to achieve on a constant basis. But I'm glad that the majors don't have an interest in improvised music, they really wouldn't know what to do with it. Michael Buble, Harry Connick, Diana Krall and Nora Jones is just about the extent of their idea of what jazz is. So there was never an option of being anything other than independent for me. This is not a bad thing especially lately with the worldwide breakdown of the status quo in regards to the music industry. These are exciting times....
What's the biggest challenge you face as an independent musician?
Getting my music heard.
Conversely, what's the best thing about being independent?
Not being seen as a commodity...
As a musician, what would you ultimately like to be known and remembered for?
That my music stood the test of time.
Favourite music video of all time by an Australian artist?
That's hard! One that sticks in my memory is Silverchair's 'Across the Night' [embedded below]. I love its references to Silent Movies and Directors like Fritz Lang and Cocteau.
More recently, Art vs Science 'Parlez Vous Francais' and also 'Big Jet Plane' by Angus and Julia Stone, are great videos....
What's the best thing about being associated with AIR and the Jagermeister Independent Music Awards?
It's pretty amazing to be recognised by one's peers. For me it means the best kind of attention, people in the industry saying "keep it up, keep working, keep going, we value what you do", and that can mean the difference between art and death. I'm pretty passionate about what I do, and fiercely proud of this part of the world's contribution to the music scene worldwide. I would not be anywhere else right now, I think we're at the cusp of a something big.........
Which Australian independent act deserves to be the 'next big thing'?
Tina Harrod!
Finally, who do you think is going to win your category this year? Who deserves runner-up?
Tough field in the jazz area this year.....Mike Nock because he's a legend, and Stu Hunter, cos he wears his heart on his sleeve, but Allan [Browne] and Joe [Chindamo] are worthy winners also. As I said, tough field!
Thanks for your time, Jonathan! For more info on Jonathan Zwartz, visit his MySpace.
The 5th Annual Jagermeister Independent Music Awards are held at The Forum Theatre, Melbourne on Friday October 1st, 2010, featuring live performances from British India, Cloud Control, The Amity Affliction, M-Phazes, Sally Seltmann and Joe Chindamo. Doors open at 8:00pm; tickets are $29+BF and available now via Ticketmaster.
For more info on AIR and Australian independent music, visit http://www.ausindies.com.au/
