Introducing to the stage…The Affairs, Sydney’s freshest sounding rock/pop outfit. Commit this name to memory; you will be hearing it a hell of a lot more in the future. Trespass strives to uncover the latest and greatest for Gen Y and we believe these guys are the only affair worth having.
The Affairs are made up of the oh so cute and exuberant lead vocalist Mike Votano; guitar guns Dan Romeo and Adrian Hong; the boss of the bass, Alvin Ash and their drum lord Rowan Tombs. Imagine for a moment the musical love child of Maroon 5, The Killers, Prince and The Strokes. Impossible? I think not.
Five close mates individually bring to the mix their impressive respective resumes teeming with music know-how and experience. The result is an incredible fusion of confidence, boundless energy and an infectious sound. Point blank – The Affairs are one of the most energetic, formidably talented groups to grace our local music scene in quite some time. Just ask their rapidly growing fan base or judge for yourself at one of their gigs.
The Spaceman single launch: 30th of May, 8pm, Supper Club on Oxford St, Sydney.
Their on stage presence is palpable and leaves you yearning for more; tunes like Spaceman (their first single), are left ringing in your ears for days after. Ever the consummate professionals, The Affairs know how to command an audience. Whether it is a guitar solo that rocks the venue’s very foundations, the bouncing bass lines, Rowan “The Red Baron” Tombs’ sheer power behind the drum kit or Votano’s honey vocals – you will find yourself hooked.
Last week I had the pleasure of attending a rehearsal with The Affairs, who welcomed me in like the 6th band member, sans talent. It was clear that music pulsates through their veins; they have the ability to execute the most complex arrangements effortlessly. Each track was lovingly rehearsed and re-rehearsed until it was seamless – everything comes under the scrutiny of their own critical assessment. For me, whose musical history involves a meagre few years of forced piano, it is hard to fathom the wondrous scope of their skills. What I do know, The Affairs are set for future success.
I sat down with ever positive and full of life lead singer, Michael Votano to ask him a few questions of what makes him tick.
We are… Sydney‘s favourite Pop/Rock Outfit … EVER … The Affairs … I love those guys…
We’re all the way from… probably should have read all the questions first because I already answered this one (see above) … bugger … wrong spot… I hope this isn’t a test…
I take my coffee … however I tell John Mayer to make it for me…
The album I could (and have) listen to one million times is … tough one BUT Friday The 13th Maroon 5 LIVE is pretty awesome. It grooves real hard & is super catchy & fun.
The first CD I bought was… it was Smashmouth’s single, All-Star. Pretty damn cool I know.
The book I could read one million times is … Jeffery Archer’s Kane & Abel, LOVE IT. But in case you were interested (& I guess you are because otherwise you would not be reading this) I read a book recently which made me cry … My Sisters Keeper by Jodie Picoult (what a pansy!! Shut up I am displaying my sensitive & vulnerable side)
The song I wish I’d written is … good question. Either, Horses by Darryl Braithwaite or How Can We Be Lovers by Michael Bolton. Both wicked good tunes.
Our story so far goes something like this … Michael Votano (that is me) & my bestest buddy from High School, Daniel Romeo, were discussing the vast array of negativity in the universe & decided to do something about it. So we started a very pleasant musical troupe & filled it with positive, young, devilishly handsome gentleman for your listening & viewing pleasure.
We’d love to play a gig in … WEMBLEY STADIUM. Preferably if it was full of people.
The soundtrack to my/our childhood was … Any/All/Every Jackson 5, ABBA Gold, Madonna’s Immaculate Conception, The Grease Movie Soundtrack & Every best of the 70s compilation CD available
Our album is … more of a single as it only has a few tracks on it. I would hate to mislead you … so it is not really an album at all come to think of it.
Our music sounds like … happy people have compared us to numerous bands which are rather large in their own right such as The Killers, Maroon 5 & The Strokes which is all very flattering BUT ultimately I think we sound very pleasant sort of a cross between little bunnies & pieces of rainbow.
We’re artistically inspired by … so many people it is hard to mention them all hear but the sort list goes something like Michael Bolton, Darryl Braithwaite, Millie Vanilli, David Hasselhoff & Rick Astley.
I’d love to be on the cover of Trespass magazine (because it is my favourite magazine in the world & really nice people write for it like Alyssar who is awesome.)
Generation Y is going to … repopulate the world (referring here of course to making sex & having babies.)
Given the chance (and a big suitcase) I’d steal PRINCE’s wardrobe
Can’t last the day without … air or food. I would say they are both pretty important because without them I would most probably die & then who would take up the responsibility to spread love & positivity to all the people of the world. WHO???
My passport is ready to go, please buy me a ticket to … EASY, Greenland!!! I heard you can live with Eskimos in igloos & go fishing for sharks there. So many good times to be had in Greenland…
If you’re heading to the bar, I’ll get a … cocktail … just ask for something manly but sweet..
My favourite item of clothing is my… sister’s jeans (thanks Jules!!)
My worst fashion faux pas… wearing black jeans with a navy blue vest. I know & I apologise profusely for it now.
My favourite on road snack… cheeseburgers or hash browns if it is before 10:30am
If I had twenty dollars left in my wallet, I’d buy… a loaf of bread, 100s & 1000s & Nutella to make Nutella fairy bread. Yummy for my tummy
The perfect Sunday… would be slept through whilst recovering from the previous nights festivities.
The best thing about my job is … all the lovely compliments. I do not think you could ever get sick of people telling you how lovely they think you & your music are.
My parents always told me … to get a real job. SQUARES!! But really they are quite nice & charming. I love them.
My motto for 2009 is … 2009 Adventure Time
To check out The Affairs, find them on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and their personal website. Become a fan on one (better yet, all) of these networks and keep up to date with their latest information and gigs. Their single launch for Spaceman is on the 30th of May at the Supper Club on Oxford Street, Sydney. The Trespass team will be there, we urge you to be there too, we can all have a drink together. Tickets available at moshtix with limited number at the door.
Dee xxx
Is this an interview or a press release?
(p.s I think if I listened to Maroon 5 a million times I’d probably gouge my eardrums out with the nearest available sharp object. But…err, each to their own….)
Just a profile done with the same amount of love and enthusiasm we have for all the tremendous talent we interview.
Amazing – the BEST unsigned act in Australia by far.
I am usually such a skeptic when it comes to indie/unsigned acts but on a whim my girlfriend & I attended the launch and WOW that gig was incredible. Amazing songs and stage presence but mostly a level of musicianship unheard of with most popular bands. I could not recommend a gig more highly to anyone.
Support GREAT local music and start by checking these guys out – I did not think I would ever say this but I definitely LOVE THE AFFAIRS.
PS. my girlfriend, Lisa, wanted to let all the single ladies know that the band is full of good looking guys (she wanted me to say cute & sexy but I though that would sound a little homosexual coming from me).