Teagan Robinson
Teagan is one of me favourite people in the world. I interviewed her for Munster 14 and she was a joy to chat to as it’s always a joy to be in her company. Earlier this year after watching the Pies game at the POW (LET’S not mentioned the result!). Has an idea, lets to another interview to see how she’s been one year on from our chat. Again, we met at the POW.
Teagan: ah the old Dictaphone. I need a cigarette
Munster: it’s my warrior.
Teagan: Is that the same one from last time?
Munster: yes.
Teagan: there you go. Still going.
Munster: So, I guess it’s been a year since we chatted, it was the night Hit’s played Yah Yahs the night before Cherry Rock.
Teagan: wow you have a good memory.
Munster: I had no money at the time, think I robbed the till at work to survive that weekend, but that’s not important.
Teagan: (laughs) keep talking then I’ll be more relaxed.
Munster: So what you been up to?
Teagan: Not a lot. The other day on Facebook in the memories thing I was playing music this time of year and a bit if it. And now I haven’t been. I don’t know. I’ve been busy, working at Jigs Kitchen making pies, there’s a plug for you Jig, and doing my other job, being a mum. The only music I do is singing into my hairbrush or when I’m pissed with mates.
Munster: Do you think you’re too busy or just no fire in the belly…
Teagan: we spoke about this last time, no fire in the belly, I need some inspiration. Maybe travel will give me the fire. I haven’t been writing any songs, I’ve given up on guitar but I want to sing. I’ve got a blister from playing last weekend. I can still do it. I want to sing but I’m not inspired.
Munster: So, a band is the way to go?
Teagan: I think so but I’m very shy when it comes to asking people to play with me. Or maybe I’m lazy. Unless someone gives me a deadline I’m not gonna do it. I’m not self-motivated.
Munster: I don’t associate you with being shy.
Teagan: No one does. Funny that. But it’s a shop front. Bravado.
Munster: Stage persona.
Teagan: Yeah. I’m not shy about talking to people, but music’s guts. I’ve written about heart ache I’ve written about nothing. I’ve got nothing to say.
Muster: So, you need some awful experience to get a song written?
Teagan: Awful experience?
Munster: well no one writes a song like woke up took kid to school, went shopping. Go home sleep.
Teagan I wrote that song. That was last time I was uninspired. No not something awful just something different. It’s just been Groundhog Day. Working playing mum going out weekends. What inspires me is when a few mates get a blues jam going and everyone throwing ideas. But that takes people. I’m knackered when I get home from work. I’m lucky if I can get dinner on the table before I wanna go to sleep.
Munster: When we first spoke, you spoke of Pelvis your idea for a female Elvis tribute.
Teagan: It wasn’t me that had that idea, it was Bridgette, and you heard the follow up?
Munster: Well I remember we had a lock in at the pub and we were all throwing ideas for names for this band.
Teagan: Yes, Lewi and Stacey Pommer wanted to have a band with me as a female Elvis representative, and I was all for the idea, but I went to Phillip Island to visit my best mate Bridget who had the idea, and she doesn’t play an instrument, or do much, and she nearly throttled me when I told her, she didn’t talk to me for nearly two hours if I was gonna run off with the Pommers and do it. She said we weren’t going to be friends anymore if it happened and I’ve known her for 25 years.
Munster: Maybe get her involved.
Teagan: She lives in San Remo.
Munster: You mentioned mates you jammed with, who are these people?
Teagan: MY mate Rowdy. When he’s good he’s good. He’s got 100 million guitars. When people are round we’ll pick one up. We do a thing You dirty bastard. Every verse you say the dirtiest thing you can think of and the chorus is you dirty fucking bastard. Vic Meehan bless her asked me to do an open mic night at Lyrebird but I’ve got my daughter that night. Maybe WHEN i get back from holiday. Easing back into it. I would like to just sing. That’s it. I sang before I came here. Much to my neighbor’s annoyance.
Munster: He moved, didn’t he?
Teagan: the shithead neighbor? Gone. He couldn’t win. Russell from the Greyhound live the other side. He’s great. But the other guy would come around in his ugly dressing gown and complain. I rang my landlord and said I have a five-year-old daughter I can’t possibly be making that much noise. Next week moved out. Success story for musicians. (we chink glasses). And both my guitars need repair. Money, sigh.
Munster: Gigs.
Teagan: Gig? GIGS? You serious? Yeah, here’s your 50 bucks, have some beer. Beer doesn’t pay the rent. Maybe I need to love my self, more, realize my value, ask for more money at gigs. And getting people to gigs is hard, unless you’re good at self-promotion.
Munster: You did a great gig at Lost on a Wednesday night ages ago. Andy got on stage.
Teagan: That was beautiful. I started rubbish and he got on and that was so good to bounce off him. I bumped into him not long after that he said we should do something again. I need to tap into that resource.
Munster: I liked that song about writing a song.
Teagan: well that’s the original song. The song about rent and nappies. Kate Buck said you need to write more original song. That was two years ago, kinda my style thought. I need some inspiring chords. Someone else to write the tunes. Someone.
Munster: So, we need people like Miriam and Bridget to push you on stage?
Teagan: Well Bridget is not supporting me as Female Elvis. Miriam’s always like stop being so self-depreciating. She good, But what for and when.
Munster: Well there’s gigs out there.
Teagan: Well unless someone asks me I aint doing it. I need booze. Want some brandy?
We have a sip of brandy.
Teagan: So, when I decided this would be a great interview, after Collingwood lost spectacularly.
Munster: Ahhh, we’re going down this path really?
Teagan: To who?
Munster: Port.
Teagan: They aint even a team. And I had the brilliant concept on not playing music, kinda sad now.
Munster: well this is a start you tell me this then you go on holiday and you come back motivated to get out there.
Teagan: You’re like a therapist, this is theory.
Munster: Ah geez. When my friends tell me sob stories of girls leaving ‘em, I’m like ah cheer up you should be happy. They cry and I’m like I’m walking away. I’m useless in a crisis.
Teagan: I am, I’ve got lot of pearls of wisdom. I’m not depressed about not playing music. I feel I should be. Can’t claim to be a musician if you don’t play.
Munster: Did you claim APRA?
Teagan: Fuck no. Is that paper work? Fuck that. What can I claim? Maybe make an LP. I’ll make a concept LP about Thailand. What concept? Like when the Beatles went to India, I’ll do one but Thailand. You know any Thai instruments.
Munster: No.
Teagan: We’re getting somewhere. Cogs turning.
Munster: So, when we get the rights to this Elvis thing what era we talking.
Teagan: The whole thing. Everything from original baby pants to comeback special and nudie suite I want a mini skirt for the nudie suit. I already to some in the repertoire, and costume changes. But Brigitte won’t let me. She made me jump of the San Remo Bridge with he as punishment for daring to talk to the Pommers on this. I’ve got the hair the hips the voice. I hope Bridget reads this and knows she’s holding me back artistically.
Munster: Your little girl, Shelbs she starts school this year?
Teagan: Yes. She loves it but for me it’s a routine, It’s like Groundhog Day. Breakfast, school uniform, and they eat lunch every day. Drop off, work, pick up, tea, bath, bed. Not much room for fun. But I’ll play her some Dolly Parton, that’s her favorite.
Munster: You play her your own stuff?
Teagan: she hates it. Don’t jam don’t play I don’t like it. Her dad also plays guitar she hates it when we do that. She asked me to teach her guitar I showed her a chord and she got frustrated. But she’s got time. Maybe she can write me a song. She used to write a few lines in my song book.
Munster: Favorite pubs.
Teagan: It’s not my favorite but I like the Inkerman, that’s my local. I know everyone there it’s like Cheers. Prince of Wales is great, had a top day last weekend with you Fred Miriam and Rob.
Munster: we need a quiz.
Teagan: we do. That can be part of the interview. I was on fire I won. I don’t go out to pubs often I’m more into going to people’s houses. But I’ll be a Cheery this weekend. Dogs Bar and Nelson has had some great stuff.
Munster: and this year you did another season of a Dinner to Die for?
Teagan: Yes, did a season at the comedy festival and sold out for Christmas in July. So where doing Christmas in August because you can’t have too many Christmases. I keep doing it. Every time I’m like never again but I keep coming back because I love the guys I work with.
Munster: Do you wanna expand more with the acting? Do you need a push?
Teagan: it’s the same thing. I could get an agent and I’m a fine actor, but I need motivation. I need a manager I booked you this gig go. And a baby sitter, and a cleaner why not. And a pool boy for good measure. I have no pool. I’m good at working, mothering and drinking when I’m not mothering.
Munster: Should be proud of that.
Teagan: I am. I make a good buy for Jigs, it’s the little things that make me proud. But music wise it’s a struggle. Not as many venues so harder to get gigs. Your nervous you need to get drunker. Brandy?
We have more brandy.
Teagan: Pretty sure that’s for cooking, but it’s winter. Love it fits in the pocket. I’m trying not to burb into the Dictaphone.
Munster: No go ahead.
Teagan: ‘burbs.
Teagan: Should we get more beer.
Munster: Yes.
Teagan: I’ll get ‘em, I’ll be back.
Exit Teagan to Prince side bar
Enters with two schooners
Teagan: I was talking to a mate who’s a drummer and the lack of gigs and inspiration and he’s a similar age and he goes through stages like this. So maybe it’s a phase.
Munster: When was your first gig?
Teagan: I played the Lyrebird. Campbell asked me, was in front of six people. Was three years ago, I was nervous as hell but I’ve got better. The banter helps. Being relaxed on stage is your best friend. I’ve been singing for years, learning guitar on and off. But not enough to support my voice and playing more gigs got better. I guess it’s also not being so harsh. And it’s so great when you do it and people say it’s great.
Munster: So, three years you think you would have played 50 gigs in that time?
Teagan: Fuck no. For a while one a month, I haven’t done a gig in a year.
Munster: You did a gig at Lost on a Thursday in like October or November before Kooky karaoke.
Teagan: That’s right so less than a year ago, that gig with Andy was a year ago, with Fred and Dave was great as I knew everyone and was really supported. Felt really blessed. I look at Fred and Dave who I love and admire but there older than me so I think they were young once and went through all this.
Munster: Well that’s great you got a following with less than 50 gigs.
Teagan: You think I have a following?
Munster: Well you got your mates that see ya round. And you don’t have a net page to plug
Teagan: I can start one. Miriam Wallace social media can start that asap. You need to get drunker. Tell me about your love life.
Munster: That’s for when the Dictaphone is off
Teagan: Me too.
Munster: So how about in a years’ time we’ll have another interview to see where you are.
Teagan: Well hang on if we do that I’ve actually gotta get stuff done. So, this time next year, 10 June, I not only will have played some more gigs and written more songs, I might even have a band. And if not it will be a rubbish interview. I’m gonna get back on it. You have more any questions or can we get drunk?
Munster: Let’s get pissed.
and we did.
