Grace Knight from the 80s indie pop band, Eurogliders, doesn’t like to prepare for interviews. She prefers to “live in the moment” and go on “a journey” with the interviewer. We spoke to her about being back on the road with Eurogliders, her funky wardrobe and the band’s show at Caves Beachside Hotel on Friday, 5th December.
Grace met Bernie Lynch (Songwriter and guitarist in the Eurogliders) at a barbecue at her sister’s place. He came to check out her covers band and convinced her she would be better off singing his songs in his band. The rest as they say, is history.
“It was an exciting time” She says over the phone from Melbourne.
“The band knew what they wanted and how to get there. We just wanted to get into the studio. We saved all the money from the gigs we were playing ,and that’s how we got studio time”.
Given that the two pivotal members of the band live at opposite ends of the country (Bernie in Perth, and Grace in Melbourne), rehearsal for the tour has been quite a digital affair.
“A lot of rehearsal is happening by digital post. We email tracks to each other. I’ll be working on something, leave a gap and send it to Bernie to put his bit in there”.
“So it’s usually me working with the band in Melbourne and he comes over just before the run of shows to lay his part on top. It works well for us”.
One of Australia’s most successful recording bands from the 1980s, Eurogliders, are headed to Caves Beachside Hotel on Friday 5th December as part of a special run of shows they’ve been doing this year. With a swag of hits to their name such as Heaven (Must Be There), We Will Together, City of Soul and Can’t Wait to See You, the shows have been the perfect stroll down memory lane for their fans.
Grace says she still enjoys hitting the road and touring the country.
“The main difference between touring now and touring back in the day is that I look after myself a little bit more these days. I don’t party like I used to, but Bernie still does. He still likes all the after-gig shenanigans”.
“Performing Jazz music has taught me to be kind to my voice and utilise my microphone. I’m like a runner warning up before a race, I like to exercise my throat muscles during the day before I have a show” she says with a chuckle.
Eurogliders has always been a love affair for Grace. The band gave her the opportunity to combine two of her greatest loves; singing and making clothes.
“I’ve been making my own clothes from a very early age. When I was young, I wanted to be a clothes designer, so being in the band is a good combination of my skills”.
Before wrapping up the interview, Grace tells us that people coming to the show on Friday should get ready to dance.
“We really get in to it on stage, so everyone should get ready to dance. I often look out into the crowd during the shows and I can see people singing along and dancing up a storm. A lot of people say our songs mark certain moments in their lives. That’s so rewarding for me, to be part life’s special moments for people”.
Eurogliders play Caves Beachside Hotel on Friday, 5th December. For more informatio,n visit the venue’s website.
