The Hotseat: Skarlett Saramore of Fait Accompli
on July 15th, 2012Fait Accompli will release their ‘Spies‘ EP on Friday July 20th. They’ll launch it that very night at The Annandale Hotel with a two stage lineup that also features Udays Tiger, Chicks Who Love Guns, The Chitticks, Bang! Bang! Rock N Roll, Papercrane, Dead Beat Band, Bec and Ben and Violet Pulp. A Melbourne launch will be announced shortly. This week in The Hotseat, we catch up with drummer Skarlett. Expand this post to take a read of her answers and listen to new single ‘No Great Expectations‘.
THE BASICS
Name : Skarlett Saramore
Band : Fait Accompli
Job In Band : Drummer
Website Address : www.faitaccomplimusic.com
HOME
Hometown : Newcastle
Hometown is best known for : Boats & Babes
Best venue in your hometown : The Cambridge, Snuck in there when I was 15, knew what I wanted to do for life.
Favourite show you’ve seen in your hometown : I remember seeing Parkway Drive when I was 16, then I jumped off a speaker stack, got recognized off Myspace for being underage, then kicked out with a bleeding face.
Favourite show you’ve played in your hometown : The first show with Fait Accompli will be August! But i’ve played in many bands there before, Last good one was a few years ago with Chaingang & The Protectors. Great night.
THE BAND
How did the band first come to exist? I think Ray is the man for that one, I came into this thang almost a year ago now.
How long has the band been going? I think almost 4-5 years now! I knew about these guys when I was in previous bands, always loved what they do. But now they have a woman on board, so obviously it’s better now haha.
Any particular story behind the name? Basically means no one can tell you any different, it’s the way it is, deal with it.
What’s your most recent release? Tell us a little about it… Our new single ‘No Great Expectations’ was probably one of the most easy going songs to write that just flowed with us jamming. I remember just sitting in a room with the boys, and Ray had this riff. So me and Stokes started playing, and we wrote the song in one jam basically. Putting everything straight into it. And that was the first real song as a band together we wrote me coming into the band. Just feels so real and raw to me, so for our first single together I feel it just expresses how we would together as a team, I couldn’t have it any other way.
Got a personal stand out achievement of your band to date? Playing with the New York Dolls was pretty incredible, I think it was my second show too. The guitarist was watching side stage and when I came off he said “I have never seen a drummer, let alone a female hit as hard as you”. I think I squealed on the inside, but tried to play it cool.
OFF THE STAGE
What was your first introduction to music that made you think seriously about playing it? I think the first time I went ‘I could do this forever’ was my first show in Newcastle when I was 16. It was for the Newcastle festival called ‘Strikeback’. And my band was called Among The First. I think all we covered was My Chemical Romance, The Daria Theme & incredible songs we wrote…. uh .. haha. There’s a video of it, we didn’t even have a plan on stage, and it was so awkward. After it I knew I could do this better, and forever.
Any particular band / album or song that you personally credit as a major influence? I used to steal my cousins CD’s when I was really young, System Of A Down, Slipknot, Johnny Cash, Limp Bizkit & No Doubt. And I basically taught myself how to drum when I was 8 from those cd’s on the ol boombox. Huge influences growing up.
Your first band name, and what style did you play? ‘Among The First’ haha, We played emo pop rock, and It was the debut of my stripey bra playing. Where the nakedness all began.
Most prized music related item you own? My first show as a kid was AC/DC, Dad was taking care of them, and I sat backstage and drew pictures of them getting ready backstage, then they all signed it and gave me pics. I still have it stored away safe.
When you’re not doing band related stuff, what are you usually found doing? I run an awareness movement called LTS (Less Than Strength) To give awareness on Suicide & Depression awareness. My father passed due to suicide, so it has always been a strong subject to me, and I spend my hours in the day organizing shows with the youth, school tours & merch to provide awareness to the youth. I also host two nights ‘Vultures’ at the Lansdowne & Sabotage Club at the Forbes Hotel, Giving bands more gigs and help getting the good tunes out there. I think I have about 4 other jobs. Music always comes first though.
The thing you most look forward to just before a tour is… Making my kit the sassiest kit you have ever seen, or smelt. Yes, Smelt.
The thing you least look forward to before a tour is… How stinkyly sweaty I get as a drummer and how rare showers sometimes can be, also how I have to eat fast food WAY too much!
ON THE STAGE
When on offer, what’s your one must have item on the rider? Jack & Coke & a towel.
Favourite place you’ve toured… and why? Perth & Chicago IL. Both places are just incredible with music support and generally beautiful people to play too. I can’t wait to go back!
Most memorable show you’ve played? and why? I will never forget the show I played at Acer Arena. To a fair few thousand, supporting Panic At The Disco, The Academy Is & Cobra Starship. Hearing that many people scream, I decided to show my ass to the crowd leaving the stage, I will never understand why I did that.
Got a favourite song to play live? ‘Galaxies’. When I come in with the kick drum after Ray’s Melodic guitar line I just enter another world on stage, that I can’t explain, You just have to come vibe it.
Any embarrassing on stage moments come to mind? I have worn a bra drumming on stage as long as I can remember, I had my FIRST nip slip EVER the other weekend on the FIRST show of our ‘SPIES’ tour with Fait Accompli. I don’t think anyone saw it, But i started laughing during a real emotional melodic slow part. And I think I brought it to everyones attention.. ugh worst haha
Any pre-show rituals? 1 Beer, cold fresh air & my drum pad and hand warm ups, I’m normally having panic attacks ’til I’m on stage, so anything to make that less intense. Always makes me play better on stage the more anxiety I have though!
What do you find is the hardest aspect of touring in a band today? Getting people to come to the shows! few years ago all you had to do was say we were playing a show come (in a text message or phone call) Now if you don’t make a point on social media it’s not taken seriously, or if you make a point too strong on social media, people find it annoying. You slightly have to beg as a musician these days I feel. And it’s for sure a damper on the creative side of the music world personally.
RIGHT NOW
Last song you listened to? Muse – City of Delusion
Last album you acquired? The Spill Canvas – Gestalt (my fave band ever!)
Which band or album is currently on high rotation? Is it lame to say my own? haha
Tell us an up and coming band or artist you think we should go and listen to right now? So in love with ‘Bec & Ben’ They are playing a few shows with us and our Annandale EP launch on the 20th too which I’m stoked about.
What’s on the cards for the next few months for the band? Tour, Writing the next album & showing people what we have to give to this country. We are ready to make some big noise, and we are in it for the long haul. It’s all us 3 want, I’ve never been in a band on the same track mind. It’s actually insane with these boys.
IF ONLY…
You can pick any one album for your band to cover in full, what would it be and why? Oh wow hard question. Personally ‘No really I’m fine’ By the Spill Canvas. No musical relevance to our band, But it’s the only album where every song has something drum wise that blows me away and I could feel as much as my own.
You can pick any one band / artist to cover one of your albums in full, what would it be, and why? I would pick Dallas Green from Alexisonfire / City & Colour to make his own versions of our new EP ‘Spies’. Just thinking of that mans voice makes me melt.
One band you wish you were able to see live but never had the chance? The Rolling Stones, I need to see them somehow on their last leg of shows.
One venue you have yet to play that you would love to? House of Blues in LA. It’s a must.
The chance comes up to fill in for a member of a band for one tour, which band would it be, and why? Hole, Because that drumming is what I do, what I’m passionate about, and what I know I’m good at. Also playing with Courtney Love on stage would be an experience I couldn’t miss.
A headline tour overseas comes up, tell us two bands you’d take along to support your band. I would tell Dune Rats they are coming with us for the ride, and Bec & Ben. Beautiful people, Beautiful musicians. Couldn’t have it any better.
PLUG TIME
Got any final words? Full national tour is on the way, check our facebook for all the dates and us blabbering about life.
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Fait Accompli will release their ‘Spies‘ EP on Friday July 20th. They’ll launch it that very night at The Annandale Hotel with a two stage lineup that also features Udays Tiger, Chicks Who Love Guns, The Chitticks, Bang! Bang! Rock N Roll, Papercrane, Dead Beat Band, Bec and Ben and Violet Pulp. A Melbourne launch will be announced shortly.
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