Downloaded: Eskimo Joe plays November’s Queenscliff Music Festival.
ERIN PEARSON
DOWNLOADING music has nothing on flicking through rows of CDs at a record store, according to Eskimo Joe’s Joel Quartermain.
The multi-skilled musician, who juggles drums, guitar, keyboards and backing vocals, said many young music fans had no idea what they were missing.
But illegal downloads were now an unfortunate way of life, he observed.
“It’s retail therapy flicking through CDs and then finally choosing one,” he said.
“They’re memories I have as a kid and I think kids today should have also. Downloading off iTunes is cool but you’re missing out on a lot.”
Quartermain said bands were in a different “landscape” now, with CD sales a bigger thrill than ever.
“When people actually go out and buy your albums it’s a big compliment.
“We saw a period where people completely stopped buying records and, although people are going back to that now, it’s not to the same extent.
“Bands have to work even harder now to make people want to buy their records.
“When people download music for free it’s like walking into a gallery and putting a painting under your arm and walking out.”
Quartermain, who spoke to the Independent just hours before performing at the MCG’s Cats-versus-Hawthorn blockbuster, said the general decline of CD sales meant touring was now an integral part of remaining a successful, viable band.
“We do this full time and need to make a living or we can’t do it any more, so we’ve always got to be finding new fans and keeping them wanting more.”
The Western Australian group has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a young Fremantle band.
Early EPs and debut album Girl became distant memories when Eskimo Joe found radio fame with double-platinum-selling single From the Sea.
The band backed up the success with hit album Black Fingernails, Red Wine in 2006.
Quartermain said the band felt excited about returning to the road with new and old hits for this year’s Queenscliff Music Festival.
“Festivals are laid back but you’re definitely a bit more nervous because there are so many other talents there,” he said.
“You’ve really got to earn your stripes and hold your own – that’s when you really gain new fans.”
Eskimo Joe will perform at Queenscliff Music Festival on November 25.
