Interview with Russell Crowe -

(from 'The Daily Telegraph' Sydney, Australia December 1998)


Last time we spoke, you told me that you've no desire to be a rock star. I've also read that you've said that the band is not a hobby. So can you please explain it for me, where the whole thing is for you?

People want a far too simplistic definition of it in my life? It's a creative outlet, man. You know, I don't predict when I'm going to write a song, you know? Or what it's going to be about, necessarily. It's just something that's part and parcel of my life and how I express myself. So I don't know if it can be any more defined than that.

That's cool, yeah. But how about the rest. I imagine the time you dedicate to the band is obviously your time off from acting.

Yeah correct

So when do you get to chill out?

(laughs) This is a very good question, Dino. One which has been on my mind in recent times. It is my considered opinion that it is not possible.

Fair enough

(laughs) Sometimes I stop and go, "what the hell are you doing?" I can remember two years ago being so fucking tired and everything that I had on was so overwhelming. And the only thing that has happened in that last two years is that more stuff has come into the schedule. It's only just got bigger. So if I was tired a couple of years ago, I don't know where I am at the minute.

I can say that but, at the same time, we get a massive amount of stuff done and it's all fascinating and interesting. So, in Mudgee with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, although fraught with tension and the fear of making a complete dick of oneself in a polite environment, there's also an enjoyment level.

If you don't get a charge out of it, if it doesn't actually make your stomach ripple and get the butterflies going, then why do it? From a performers point of view, that's the adrenaline rush, that's the jumping out of the plane thing. In its own way, that's absolutely relaxing to do.

Okay. Now you've got the album Gaslight out there. Why is it only available through mail order?

Because I was sick to death of trying to work with record companies. It's just a really boring process that doesn't get anywhere. You spend a whole lot of time talking about things that never improve what the process is supposed to be. The process is supposed to be getting CD's into the hands of the people who want then, right? It's a really simple process but somehow that gets really really complicated.

We've done two tours with two different record companies and both times have acquiesced to the way they wanted to do things because, you know, you're starting a relationship from a business point of view, you don't want to necessarily rock the boat. So you do what you're asked and it gets you nowhere. For example, we haven't sold CD's at the venues on the last two tours because the record stores get upset. But, quite frankly stiff fucking shit. The record should be available where the people come to see the music.

You know, the records available on the Internet. We'll just leave it at that, mate. It doesn't need to have a corporate marketing attitude to it ; it doesn't have to have anything. It's very simple. Eventually, sooner or later, the people who want it will get it. And it's actually selling pretty good.