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INTERVIEW: Millions

20 June 2012 | 1:30 pm | Staff Writer

Millions have announced their first ever headline tour of Australia. But before they leave, lead guitarist, Ted Tilbrook has a chat with us.

It's been a long time coming for the still quite young Brisvegas locals, better known as MILLIONS, but finally we can see the release date of their debut EP, Nine Lives Six Degrees, on the horizon.

Since breaking into the scene at last year's Splendour In The Grass as Triple J Unearthed competition winners, this 4-piece have been up and down the coast supporting everyone from Naysayer & Gilsun to Gold Fields to Last Dinosaurs - blowing minds with their unique take on garage rock, whilst barely managing to afford petrol.

To celebrate their upcoming release, Millions have announced a 7-date trip for their first ever headline tour of (most of) Australia. But before they head off next month, lead guitarist, Ted Tilbrook took some time out to have a chat to Purple Sneakers own Desiree Conceicao.

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Your debut EP ,Nine Lives Six Degrees, is out soon, but you've already spent most of the year touring. Is it exhausting finding time to record new music while still playing gigs and travelling?

Funnily enough we recorded that EP in September last year but it has been delayed for ages and ages for one reason or another. We are going to record our next EP straight after we tour this one. Writing and recording music is a lot of fun so it's what we do with most of our spare time.

You recently got signed to Stop Start. Are you finding working with a label any different to going at it alone?

Well we literally just completed the deal so we haven't really felt any different since we signed it. I think they will handle all the promo/other stuff we don't really know how to do in regards to the EP release and help everything run smoother in regards to the band in the future.

You guys started this year off with a few festivals too. How does playing at festivals compare to playing your own dedicated gigs?

This tour is our first real run of dedicated headline shows but playing festivals is always sick because they treat you well and there's usually a fair few people at them.

How did you guys come up with the name Millions? Did you know there's an American band with the same name? Do you guys get confused with them very often?

[Laughs] I didn't know there was. We've never been confused yet I don't think. I have always thought really broad band names are the best ones like HEALTH, Girls and The Cure, so I wanted it to be a general word or group of words. I happened to be listening to a bit of Lil Wayne at the time and he has a song called "a milli" and I just put 1 and 1 together and came up with Millions because everyone's chasing paper.

So you guys are a fairly young band, what's it like having Splendour In The Grass as your first major gig? Does every gig afterwards feel less awesome?

It was pretty surreal but at the same time we had all been playing in different bands for like 2 or 3 years previous to that so you just learn how to navigate through things better and just to take things in your stride. In terms of enjoyment of gigs though probably ones with less pressure and more bodies in a room are the better ones.

Nine Lives Six Degrees was produced by Matt Lovell and mixed by Scott Horscroft. What's it like working with industry heavyweights like that? Does it get intimidating at all? Did you get to meet a lot of other musos through them too?

[Laughs] They are actually down to earth characters that we get along with well. We met a fair few people at bjb when it was still in operation and it was good because the vibe there was always relaxed and welcoming.

What's been your favourite performance so far, and what's the craziest thing you guys have ever done at a gig?

No Years was pretty good, as was the Last Dinosaurs tour. I don't think you can really top a successful crowd surf at a gig, it is a feeling like no other.

You guys are planning on touring again after the release of your EP. Who has been your favourite band to tour with so far?

We've liked pretty much every band we've toured with. Last Dinosaurs had to be a highlight though just because we have grown up playing shows with those guys and to see it come a full circle for them was really great.

You're getting a fair bit of airplay on Triple J and making waves outside of that too, especially with all the festivals. You must be getting heaps of love from the fans. What's the nicest/weirdest thing a fan has ever said or done to you?

You'd be surprised what crops up on tumblr, many requests for various "things".

Finally, what are you most excited about for the future? Any artsy videos on the horizons? New songs? Wild adventures? Unexpected collaborations?

The next 6 months is going to be pretty busy as we've just had 2 months on the down low because I broke my wrist. Recording our next ep straight after this tour and then doing the whole cycle all over again but better I hope!
MILLIONS NINE LIVES, SIX DEGREES TOUR DATES:
Supported by Step-Panther

Friday 6 July - Alhambra Lounge, Brisbane

Saturday 7 July - Oneway Festival, Gold Coast

Thursday 12 July - Yours & Owls, Wollongong

Friday 13 July - GoodGod Small Club, Sydney

Saturday 14 July - Transit Bar, Canberra

Friday 20 July - Northcote Social Club, Melbourne

Saturday 21 July - Ed Castle, Adelaide

Words: Desiree Conceicao