Good evening my little green wobbly goblins!
I hope you’re ready to strap up your sparkly boots in this bitch because tonight’s newsletter is the sonic equivalent of a solo spin round the light up dance floor at onesixone. It’s giving Lita’s.
We’re talking to none other than… Confidence Man!
Confidence Man is an aptly-named foursome whose MO is creating music to make u mooooooove.
The Brisbane-cum-Melbourne fire-starters, fronted by the ferocious and fabulous Janet Planet and Sugar Bones, have just released their sophomore album – TILT – and you can absolutely listen to it right now while you read this!
They are firm FROOMESWORLD favourites because they manifest fun. Who are they? We don’t know, exactly. They're like if Aqua had a baby with Sneaky Sound System then had an affair with the Spice Girls before eloping with Cut Copy.
The fact that their tweaked dance moves and crazy outfits almost outshine their musical output is a feat, because their music is very molto bene indeed. Cop this!
And now, it is my utmost pleasure to welcome Sugar Bones – the Stabler to Janet Planet’s Olivia – into the Froomerverse to share this – his very own TOP HAT TIPS!
WHO
F: I know Confidence Man is built on four powerful alter egos – Janet Planet, Sugar Bones, Clarence McGuffie and Reggie Goodchild. Whomst are we speaking to this evening?
CM: I’m Sugar Bones. A song and dance man from the band Confidence Man.
IT’S A NAME BABEY
F: I love your band name because I think it encapsulates your on-stage energy and music. What IS confidence???
CM: Its an essence, a musk… a mantra if you will. It’s a way of living, laughing, loving your way to where you want to be.
OUTFITS
F: I feel like outfits / lewks are such a big part of your art! Who makes them?
CM: Janet will come up with the designs (some of which I need to veto from time to time i.e. horse hair g-string mankini circa 2019), then these are developed into reality with a brilliant dressmaker in Melbourne, Ivan Holmes. Janet’s mum Wendy used to make all the costumes but she got a bit over it when I lost one too many pairs of hot pants (sorry Wendy! Love u Wendy xx)
VISUALS
F: Similar vein to above – a big part of your appeal (to me) is the stylistic choices you make, how they extend beyond the music and onto your stage shows, art, social media. Is there a team you work with for photoshoots, album covers, etc? Or do you DIY!
CM: We’re deeply involved in every aspect… it’s probably really annoying for anyone we work with haha but you gotta squeeze the lemon if u want the lemonade. We mostly DIY but have also found some amazing people that we love working with, a couple of big ones for TILT: Braulio Amado - artist/graphic designer, William Bleakly - director… it’s really about finding people you can trust and collaborate with to realise the vision.
DOG
F: If Confidence Man had a dog, what would it be and what would it be called?
CM: We would have a really hot mongrel crossbreed of unknown origin that walked out of the woods one day when we were doing a photoshoot. Her name would be Fanny.
it's giving this
FAVE
F: Fave song off new album and why?
CM: For me it’s Relieve the Pressure. Hits me just right. Extends on our usual 3/4 minute format and delivers on all levels with the pop body and extended freak out finish.
BRISBANE
F: You guys are from Brisbane originally, yes? If FW employees from out of town were to spend one day in Brisbane, what would you suggest they do?
CM: Start your day with an ice cream at South Bank’s beautiful fake beach on the shores of the brown snake (Brisbane river). Stroll over to GOMA for some culture and maybe a pub feed at the Boundary Hotel in West End after. Proceed to the glorious Fortitude Valley and join the revellers in a solid nights munting to round out your day.
FOLD
F: Fold or scrunch?
CM: Scrunch.
F: Love the lack of explanation here. Powerful.
ART!
F: Here at FW we love visual arts and are always looking for recommendations of cool artists. Do u have a favourite Australian artist? Or international?
CM: A few I’ve been digging lately: Tabboo!, Brian Blomerth, Porke.
WORLDWIDE
F: You are going on a PHAT European tour. Dance music is big in Australia but fkn ginormous overseas. What country goes the hardest in your experience?
CM: I think the craziest crowd we’ve ever played to was in Glasgow, Scotland. They were so fkin loose I almost felt guilty for not being as loose as them.
SNACK
F: Best on-road snack and why?
CM: Chips and gravy! That’s gotta be messy in the back of the tour van I hear you thinking… well it’s worth the mess… big fans here.
PLAYLIST
F: Can we please have a Confidence Man-approved party playlist?
CM: We have a 666 playlist on our Spotify featuring 666 of our faves!
MELBOURNE
F: I understand you have all lived in Melbourne (together?) for years now. Favourite restaurant and WHY!
CM: Gerald’s in Carlton North. It’s just so damn good. Rotating menu of Mediterranean/Italian/fkin deliciousness and a real cosy classy energy. Perfect for dates or long boozy luncheons.
DESERT ISLAND
F: After a wild whirlwind partytime holiday, you wake up stranded in Ibiza. It is only the four of you. Food is running out... who is the first to kill? And what soundtrack will underscore the murder?
CM: I would have to kill Janet first cause if I didn’t she would defs eat my legs while I was sleeping. This would be done to the Sopranos theme song but the word “gun” would be replaced with coconut.
F: Kim Petras is quaking.
DANCE
F: Dancing is a big part of Confidence Man DNA... is there a dance move you would never attempt? Can we expect more outlandish moves this tour?
CM: We’ve got soooo much fresh dance action! Seriously can’t wait to whip it out. Janet wanted us to crawl around the stage like cats on heat at one point but this, for me personally, didn’t feel right.
CEO
F: Any final words? Do you want to ask me a question? I haven’t talked about myself in a while. I’m happy to give you some business advice should you so require.
CM: Hahah I never thought you’d ask! Well you’re obviously a highly talented multi faceted baller, I would LOVE some business advice thank u.
LP: My business advice is to toot thine horn mostly often and sometimes always. For example, if I were you, I would finish off the newsletter by sharing that you have an extensive European and Australian tour on the horizon and all employees are welcome to attend. Regards
There she blows. Thank you all very much for reading darling!
Byeeeeeeeee :-)