The Carpark Tape

The running order cost me their set, so I got the band instead. Saxon Whittaker, one half of the brothers who built this band in Hong Kong before Brisbane ever heard of them, sat down with me on the tailgate while the festival packed itself up around us.

BREAKBONE  When you're up on stage, what goes through your mind?

[I asked him straight what goes through his head up there. Remembering the lyrics, he said.]

BREAKBONE  What do you remember best about playing over a hundred shows? Do the memories just blend together, or is there a show that stands out?

[today] Because it's a bigger gig. It's a festival and I think it was quite good. It's a big stage and it's a standout gig.

BREAKBONE  How did you get into music? It's not very often a band becomes so well-known like you have.

SAXON  Well, we learned the music when we were seven years old. We started playing guitars.

BREAKBONE  What would you say is the hardest thing about moving to Brisbane?

SAXON  Well, I moved here when I was 18. And being parentless was a big change.

BREAKBONE  Has Whitt's End got any plans for the future?

SAXON  Just keep making music.

BREAKBONE  What's your biggest dream? How far do you want it to go?

SAXON  Just get a good fan base. And be able to sell t-shirts. Get streams, I guess.

BREAKBONE  Looks like you've kind of already done that.

SAXON  Well, I achieved my dream.

BREAKBONE  So what's it like being one of the biggest bands in the scene?

SAXON  Well, I don't even know that we are. I mean, there's room to improve.

BREAKBONE  What advice would you give to aspiring musicians, people who want to become a rock and roll star?

SAXON  Oh, I don't even know. I guess just practice, try to practice as much as you can. Listen to new music all the time. Don't give up.

BREAKBONE  Good stuff. Thanks a lot.