Australia has always given music lovers underrated bands that create wonderful, intelligent, and zealous music. Severed Heads, Underground Lovers, Boxcar, and many others all make interesting and passionate music that aren’t known to everybody but loved by their fans. The Lovetones are Australia’s newest export. With a strong influence by The Beatles and an intelligent pop sensibility, The Lovetones released “Be What You Want”, a tight 10-track opus filled with guitar-driven pop songs that are fun, sad, and filled with passion. Matthew J Tow is the lead singer and songwriter in the group. Originally in Drop City and Coloursound, Tow has a love and respect for the amazing music both new and old. Influences range from The Beatles and Velvet Underground to The Smiths and The Stone Roses. Finally, “Be What You Want” was released in the U.S. on The Committee To Keep Music Evil. The Lovetones have opened up for The Stone Roses and Morrissey. They also just got back from a tour with The Brian Jonestown Massacre. From across the globe, I had an in-depth conversation with Matthew J. Tow, the heart of The Lovetones. Pop music needs intelligent and passionate music. While they may not be on every major radio station, lovers of guitar-driven indie pop will appreciate their art. Let The Lovetones fill your heart.

T.JONES: “What goes on?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: "Hanging in Sydney town, writing the follow up Lovetones album."

T.JONES: “Tell us about your new album ‘Be What You Want’.”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “The album ‘Be What You Want’ was recorded in Sydney a couple of years ago, after my last band Drop City finished up, after 8 years of touring and releasing albums in Australia and overseas. The Lovetones was really about a fresh start for me, with an emphasis on the pop aspect of my songwriting rather than the overly psychedelic or space rock jamming aspect of drop city.”

T.JONES: “What does the title of the album mean?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “'Be What You Want' is really a reference to the idea of doing something in your life without having to give too much explanation or justification to others. To please yourself and strive for ideals or goals without baggage and without too much second-guessing about what others will think. To give an honest representation of one's art without compromise.”

T.JONES: “Do you have a favorite song on ‘Be What You Want?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Every parent should love all their children equally.”

T.JONES: “How did The Lovetones come together?”
MATTHEW J. TOW:  “Initially Serge Luca, who was playing drums in drop city, joined me. Then, I had other friends who helped out like Nick Neal on bass. At the moment, Matthew Sigley is on bass and Ralph Whittingham is on drums.”

T.JONES: “The line-up now is different from the line-up you had while recording the album. Why? What happened?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “The original bass player Nick, left the band because of other band commitments. So, Matt Sigley joined. He did the U.S. tour with me and is now writing some songs for the next album. He was also in Drop City on and off. Serge left The Lovetones after he came back from the U.S. He's a little older than the rest off us and has been playing drums for years. I think he saw that the U.S. was a priority for us and he didn't want to go through it all again, so now Ralph has joined. Band relationships are very fragile things.”

T.JONES: “What song took you the longest to do?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “The whole album was recorded on and off over a period of a few months. No one song was regarded as more important than another. We took equal time and care for each, but some song structures were more complex. For instance ‘It's Always Been This Way' had autoharp, mellotron strings etc. We tried to make that one a real listening trip.”

T.JONES: “The shortest?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “The version of 'Fairweather' on the record was the quickest to record. What you hear is me singing and playing it as a first take. We added strings later.”

T.JONES: “What is the best memory you have of making the LP?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “The studio had a small room out the back, where an old bearded man with an incredible background in music lives. His name is Groove and he lives there because he has fallen on hard times. He made a real impression on all of us, and ended up helping with some of the mixing because he believed in the record.”

T.JONES: “Were there any songs that did not make it on the album? What were they? Why didn’t they make it?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Yeah, a couple of songs were recorded but I didn't think they were up to scratch. There are always songs that don't make the final cut. It's really about making the best possible album with no filler.”

T.JONES: “What bands were you playing in before The Lovetones?”
MATTHEW J. TOW:  “Drop City, Colorsound.”

T.JONES: “Why did you choose The Committee To Keep Music Evil as a US label?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Anton Newcombe of the Brian Jonestown Massacre runs 'The Committee'. I met Anton when Drop City toured the states in 1997. We became good friends from that time and have always kept in touch. He tried to get me over to the states sooner to play with the BJM, but due to timing and one thing or another, it never happened. Finally, earlier this year, I had the opportunity to go on the road with the BJM, filling in on guitar. My manager Rob, helped me get the last BJM record released in Australia, and Anton returned the favor by releasing our record on his label. The Lovetones have just finished a west coast tour with the Brian Jonestown Massacre a couple of months ago. Anton took a real leap of faith by believing in me and my band.”

T.JONES: “How are the US labels different from the Australian labels?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “As a rule, all labels are the same. These days, it seems more and more bands and artists are only signed to labels based on what the company thinks will sell at any given time, or what they see as being the flavor of the month. Generally, it rarely has anything to do with music. The only difference is when a label like The Committee comes into existence, run by people like Anton, who are passionate about the music and believe in it wholeheartedly and who are prepared to put their own money into a project, win or lose. It is always the exception that proves the rule.”

T.JONES: “Phil Punch and Jason Blackwell produced the album. What were they like? How did they differ from other producers you worked with in the past?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “I have always worked with Jason, so we have a good relationship, knowing what each other thinks and how a song should sound. There is no second-guessing. Phil was there really as a safety blanket with the recording. He has a history of working with loads of great Australian bands like the Hoodoo Gurus and Radio Birdman. He owns the studio where we worked, so he was a great help in the technical department and has a great ear for what sounds good.”

T.JONES: “Since there were 2 producers, were there ever conflicts between them? How were their styles different from each other?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Yes. Everyone became very passionate about the record and how they thought it should sound. From my perspective, there is never really a right or wrong way, just a way that everyone can agree on. That is the beauty about making music. An infinite number of possibilities. I would have been more worried if there were no arguments!”

T.JONES: “You write all of the songs. Do any of the other members want to write too? On a scale of 1 to 10, how controlling are you?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Yeah, I generally write everything. In terms of the orchestrated parts, I give the players an idea of what I want, rather than specific notes to play. I think I'm around 8, some people might say 10.”

T.JONES: “Do you have a songwriting process? Do you write the music first or the lyrics?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Always the music first. I will then hum a melody I like, and last, sometimes even whilst I am in the middle of recording, come the lyrics.”

T.JONES: “The song ‘Fairweather’ is an amazing song. Can you explain it? You sing ‘She’s been with me through thick and thin / But things will never be the same again / My fair-weather friend.’  Isn’t that a contradiction? Or, does it mean that she will become a fair-weather friend?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “The song is about 2 people. In the chorus, I talk about my wife Bek. She is the person who 'has been with me through thick and thin’. The other person is a friend who betrayed me in the past. The song juxtaposes the 2 people. One who betrayed me. The other who helped me through that betrayal.”

T.JONES: “Are you married? Involved?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Yes, to my partner of many years, Rebecca.”

T.JONES: “Has touring affected your relationship?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “It is difficult, with long months away from each other, but you work around these things. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

T.JONES: “Some of the album ‘Be What You Want’ has a Beatles feel to it. Was this intentional?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “I guess all the music you like rubs off on you in some way. The Beatles, like 99 percent of music lovers around the world, are one of the bands that I respect and love the most. So I guess it's going to come through in my music one way or another.”

T.JONES: “Who was your favorite Beatle?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “John.”

T.JONES: “What is your favorite Beatles song? Album?”
MATTHEW J. TOW:  “Impossible to say. Every note, every song, every album.”

T.JONES: “What is the first song (and / or) record that you fell in love with?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “In my mid teens, when I was discovering cool bands and learning guitar, I became obsessed with The Smiths, The Stone Roses.”

T.JONES: “Vocally, who were some of your influences?”
MATTHEW J. TOW:  “John Lennon, Lou Reed.”

T.JONES: “Musically, who are some of your influences?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “The Beatles, The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Velvet Underground, Spacemen 3.”

T.JONES: “Will you ever do a solo album?”
MATTHEW J. TOW:  “I have another band called Colorsound, which is really just me and whoever is around at the time. It's more based on experimenting with sound and soundscaping rather than songs. Colorsound is released by 3rd stone records/ space age recordings in the UK, which is co-founded by sonic boom of spacemen 3.”

T.JONES: “The song ‘Drink The Night Away’ is obviously about alcohol and having fun while not facing responsibility. Do you drink often?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “As much as the next f*cked up musician.”

T.JONES: “What is your favorite alcoholic beverage?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Whatever the person who is paying is drinking.”

T.JONES: “How did you first begin to get into music?”
MATTHEW J. TOW:  “Started playing guitar in my teens. Became obsessed with music, like every other teenager who formed a band.”

T.JONES: “You were born in Australia. Where? Did you grow up there too? What was it like?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Born and bred in the inner western suburbs of Sydney. Everything was great apart from the Christian brothers catholic school I went to.”

T.JONES: “What was your childhood like?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Idealistic, apart from Catholic school.”

T.JONES: “As a musician, how have you matured?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “I'd like to say I have matured, in the sense that I think my songs are better now than they have ever been. For me, my career has been a journey about musical discovery and the art of songwriting. Trying to convey an idea, emotion, situation, or something that I have been through, which other people can relate to in their own lives, in 3 minutes. I'm still learning about songwriting. It's an ongoing thing.”

T.JONES: “When you began to pursue music as a career, were your parents supportive?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “They were and are totally supportive. They have been so, through all the highs and lows and continue to be.”

T.JONES: “What is your favorite part of your live show?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “To be honest I don't find much pleasure in performing live. I would rather spend time in the studio working on the songs. The live situation is always a bit hit and miss for me, depending on the mood. No two shows are ever the same, so I guess the best part is getting through it, but there have definitely been highlights playing live. My last band Drop City supported The Stone Roses and last year the Lovetones supported Morrissey here in Sydney.”

T.JONES: “How has your live show changed?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “When I was performing in drop city, we would experiment a lot with the songs. Trip out on 15-minute space rock jams, and totally freak out. Giving the audience a total aural experience. Now it's about the songs.”

T.JONES: “Do you do any cover songs? If so, what do you do?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Used to do the Lovin' Spoonful's 'Do You Believe In Magic'. Velvets 'Ride Into The Sun'. Spiritualized 'Smile'.”

T.JONES: “What song would you like to cover that you haven’t done yet?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Beatles 'Fixing A Hole'.”

T.JONES: “How was the tour in the US? What was your favorite city?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “The tour was amazing. I got to see it all. From L.A. to the east coast and back. People were really generous and into our music. We got a lot of positive feedback from places like San Francisco, Seattle and L.A. Touring the states with the Brian Jonestown Massacre was an experience I will never forget. Anton took a huge leap of faith in me and the band. Hopefully, we will be able to return the favor, by getting them over to Australia sometime soon.”

T.JONES: “Where were you on Sept. 11th 2001? How did you deal with it? Has it affected Australia in anyway? How has it affected the music industry?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “I was in Sydney at the time. The affects are still being felt.”

T.JONES: “What advice would you give to a person who wants to make a living as a musician?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Prepare yourself to be broke your whole life.”

T.JONES: “Word association. I am going to say a name of a person or an artist and you say the first thing that pops in your mind. So, if I said, ‘Beatles’, you may say ‘John Lennon’ or ‘Apple’. Ok?” 
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Okay.”
T.JONES: “Severed Heads”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Electronic pioneers.”
T.JONES: “Stereolab”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Neu!”
T.JONES: “Mazzy Star”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Rain Parade.”
T.JONES: “The Beatles”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Life changing.”
T.JONES: “Pulp”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Very English sense of humor.”
T.JONES: “Momus”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Not up on them.”
T.JONES: “Nico”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Killer voice.”
T.JONES: “Underground Lovers”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Underrated.”
T.JONES: “George Bush”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Maniac.”

T.JONES: “What are some major misconceptions that people have of you or The Lovetones?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “That I take myself a little too seriously.”

T.JONES: “What is the biggest mistake you have ever made?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “Many mistakes, no regrets.”

T.JONES: “What does music need these days?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “The ability to take itself a little less seriously.”

T.JONES: “What are you most proud of?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “My music, my wife, and my family.”

T.JONES: “What do you want on your epitaph (your gravestone)?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “'I told you I was sick'.”

T.JONES: “What is in the future for The Lovetones?"
MATTHEW J. TOW: “More music, more records, more tours.”

T.JONES: “Any final words for the people who are reading this?”
MATTHEW J. TOW: “I have already said too much. Thank you!”
 
 

The Official Site For THE LOVETONES :  www.thelovetones.com
Bomp Records : www.bomp.com
Committee To Keep Music Evil  : www.bomp.com/Committee.html