Whitley: 'Melbourne Pisses Me Off'
News posted Monday, April 19 2010 at 03:00 PM.
Related: Whitley.
Lawrence Greenwood will lay the Whitley moniker to rest after a bout of “intimate” solo shows in May, an appearance at July’s Splendour in the Grass festival and some full-band capital city dates later this year.
Speaking to M+N from a classic red telephone booth in London, where he has decamped to for the foreseeable future, Greenwood said he wanted to focus on songwriting and do something different musically. He said he eventually plans to release albums eponymously.
“I know I’m not going to stop playing music, but this particular style of music – or, I would use the term ‘brand’ – is not going to be where I’m headed in the future,” he said. “I just want to focus on songwriting. It’s weird – Whitley always seemed like a tool that I used to flesh out songwriting. But I guess I’ve realised now that I don’t need any tools to do it. My values have changed slightly, I suppose.”
Greenwood said his decision to relocate to Europe was partly motivated by last year’s tour in support of his second album, Go Forth, Find Mammoth, which attracted a less attentive crowd. He also issued a parting barb to his former hometown.
“You know, Melbourne – where I’m from – actually pisses me off more so than anywhere. We’d get to The Corner, it’d sell out and be a big gig or whatever, and people would just stand there with their arms crossed and infer that they’re in a band that’s much better.”
Whitley’s solo tour kicks off at the Clarendon Guest House in Katoomba, NSW, on May 8. All shows with Gossling, dates below. Full interview with Greenwood on M+N soon.
WHITLEY SOLO TOUR
Saturday, May 8
Clarendon Guest House, Katoomba, Nsw
Sunday, May 9
Brass Monkey, Cronulla, NSW
Wednesday, May 12
Fly By Night, Fremantle, WA
Friday, May 14
The Palais, Hepburn Springs, VIC
Saturday, May 15
Barwon Club, Geelong, VIC
Wednesday, May 19
Northcote Social Club, Melbourne, VIC
Sunday, May 23
Jive Bar, Adelaide, SA
Wednesday, May 26
Paddington Uniting Church, Sydney, NSW
Friday, May 28
Heritage Hotel, Wollongong, NSW
Saturday, May 29
Northern Star, Newcastle, NSW
Tuesday, June 1
Troubadour, Brisbane, QLD
Friday, June 4
Sound Lounge, Gold Coast, QLD
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This guy certainly has some issues. We went to a Whitley gig in Canberra, primarily to see the support act, The Brunettes. After The Brunettes finished, we took a seat up the back of the venue for Whitley, while all the undergrads (who had shown little to no interest in The Brunettes) crowded up to the stage. Part way through his first song Mr Greenwood thought it wise to pause to inform the people up the back they could '##*@% off'. So we stood up and left.
Wow, sounds like a lovely chap. I've never had a listen to his music.
Wow. Bitchy. Can't wait to read the interview!
They'd infer, or you'd infer, dear sir ?
Delusions of grandeur. And I like his record.
what sort of a monikor is 'whitley' in the first place?! fuck-wit-ley maybe...
Aw he's just ripping off Sally Seltmann
My thoughts exactly. Dear god, what a tool.
I enjoyed that post a little too much.
People pay to see him, and he still wants to hate them.
YOU DIDN'T LOVE HIM ENOUGH
MONEY ITSELF IS AN INSUFFICIENT REWARD
What Zaphod said!
A move to London would surely make you even more depressed/angry
Who?
I recall liking his solo acoustic stuff before he took up the 'Whitley' monkier. Hopefully losing the name will mean he loses the sappy pop-ness as well.
He's a lovely guy, but dude really needs to learn when to shut up.
what sort of a monikor is 'whitley' in the first place?! fuck-wit-ley maybe...
post of the year
I remember the days when this article was called ''Greenwood Drops Whitley Moniker, Decamps To London''. Ah, nostalgia.
Or maybe they're just enjoying the music? Ever thought of that Whitley?
I think I've said this before but this guy, while talented enough, clearly has his chutzpah to ability ratios all screwed up.
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i think it's more about captivating the ears of the broadcast media first, which is what Temper Trap did with Radio One's Introducing in 2008 and what Sodastream did with John Peel in 1998
Radio One in the UK = Richard Kingsmill in Australia
and where would Lykke Li be without the King?
(oh and not to mention the NME)
like someone said before hes only going to be with sarah blasko not for music. i hope u two are happy, we'll be glad to have u back anytime sarah.
What about Darren Hanlon???
And whats this about sarah blasko?
Whats this about Darren Hanlon???
And whats this about sarah blasko?
I believe Blasko used to date Hanlon, now dates Whitley.
does she now?
He's certainly touched on Melbourne's non-dancing amygdala. MissAustralia was possibly the first reasoned response to his claim. I'd say there's often no room to dance at a sold-out (''or whatever'') Corner gig, and that the melbourne crowd is just more aware of other peoples' personal space? There's plenty of room to dance in adelaide because no-one ever goes to these gigs.
You guys should read the whole interview, this article isn't exactly a reflection of everything discussed...
It's cool Whitley, we know.
poor whitley
Whitley got drunk and faced his accusers?
Maybe things aren't going too well in England.
i thought he had retired the name? apparently playing NSC in Feb
Heh. Jan 4, according to the website. Always kind of awkward when artists go out with loud proclamations and sneak quietly back in a short time later...
Hahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahahhahahaha
wonder if anyone will go/dance?
Big case of this.
Melbourne: 'Who the fuck is Whitley?'