Perry Chapman - or Pez to you and me - talks about his latest single, touring and his upcoming second album.
How excited are you about your ‘Back In The Game’ Tour and what are you looking forward too?
I'm very excited, looking forward to reconnecting with my fans a bit, its been a while!
How have you overcome problems with your health in the last few years?
I decided I wanted to treat things naturally, so I sought out a few natural therapies and did a lot of research on my condition. It's been a long journey but I'm coming out the other end finally, which feels good.
The name of your tour is very apt - did you ever think you’d be back on the road so soon?
There was definitely some low points in there where I wasn't sure what was going to happen. I was always confident that I'd get on top of my health again, but after having such a big break from music I couldn't help but get a bit nervous about returning (laughs). Like 'does anybody out there even remember me?'… Hopefully they do.
‘The Game’ has been a great success, what are you most proud of with the track?
I guess the fact that it was the first track that I've ever produced myself from start to finish. Watching the whole song come to life from just an idea was really cool. However it was really tedious so I don't think I'll be doing it again in a hurry!
What are you thoughts on the success of 360 and Seth Sentry?
It's been awesome to see. It helped me a lot when I was down in a pretty dark place, just reminding me what's possible and inspiring me to get back out into it.
How have you progressed with your lyrics and sound since ‘A Mind Of My Own’?
I think the music and production on this new album is a lot bigger and better than everything on A Mind Of My Own. Which was important to me because A Mind Of My Own was quite understated. I still like to draw on my older influences by using lots of live instruments on the album but there's also some songs on there with really modern production to kind of balance things out a bit. Then lyrically I think this is probably more of a personal album, I think I've let my guard down a bit more. I'm not afraid to tap into some of those deeper darker emotions that previously I would've shied away from.
When will you being performing in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Tasmania?
Unfortunately I won't get to see Adelaide or Tassie on this run, but I'll be performing in W.A near the end of the tour on the 10th of May in Perth at Amplifier, May 11th in Bunbury at Groovin' The Moo and then May 12th at Indi Bar in Scarborough. Then I'll be doing an under-18 and 18-plus in Melbourne after that to finish the tour off at home!
Which do you prefer - performing for massive festival audiences or intimate gigs?
It's hard to choose coz they're both awesome haha. Festivals are amazing because of all of the energy that you feel from the crowd; they're already having a great time and just want you to keep that going. Where as intimate shows give you a chance to connect with your real fans and perform those deeper songs that you probably wouldn't play at a festival but are probably my favourite songs to actually perform.
You use Instragram a lot, how important are photographs to you when communicating with your fans?
I don't use it that much! But I'm trying to catch up with the times and actually get involved. I like it coz I think it's a bit more personal and lets fans see into your world a bit.
After your tour what’s next for you?
Just focusing on finishing the album so I can put some more singles out and then release it in the 2nd half of the year. And it that all goes to plan then a lot more touring!
Pez's Back In The Game Tour
(* Purpose not appearing)
Thursday 11 April 2013 @ The Brewery, Byron Bay – 18+ *
Ticket info: tickets at the venue (02) 6685 5833 or www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545
Friday 12 April 2013 @ The Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta – 18+ *
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545
Saturday 13 April 2013 @ Live It Up Festival, Brisbane – U18 *
Ticket info: http://events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/3735491/tag/PEZ
Saturday 13April 2013 @ The Wharf Tavern, Mooloolaba – 18+ *
Ticket info: www.ticketmaster.com.au & at the venue
Sunday 14 April 2013 @ The Normanby Hotel, Brisbane – 18+ *
Ticket info: www.thenormanby.com.au
Wednesday 17 April 2013 @ UTS Glasshouse, Sydney –All Ages
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545
Thursday 18 April 2013 @ Waves, Wollongong – 18+
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545 or www.moshtix.com
Friday 19 April 2013 @ Woy Woy Leagues Club, Woy Woy – 18+
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545
Saturday 20 April 2013 @ Sussex Inlet Tavern, Sussex Inlet – 18+
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545
Wednesday 24 April 2013 @ Mona Vale Hotel, Mona vale – 18+
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545 and at the venue
Thursday 25 April @ The Baroque Room @ Harp & Fiddle, Katoomba – 18+
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545 & at the venue
Friday 26 April 2013 @ The Roxy Hotel, Parramatta – 18+
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545 and at the venue
Saturday 27 April 2013 @ Groovin The Moo, Maitland – All Ages – SOLD OUT *
Ticket info: www.gtm.net.au
Sunday 28 April 2013 @ Groovin The Moo, Canberra – All Ages *
Ticket info: www.gtm.net.au
Thursday 2 May 2013 @ The Yarra Hotel, Geelong – 18+
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545
Friday 3 May 2013 @ Kay St Entertainment Complex, Traralgon
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545 & at the venue
Saturday 4 May 2013 @ Groovin The Moo, Bendigo – All Ages – SOLD OUT *
Ticket info: www.gtm.net.au
Sunday 5 May 2013 @ Groovin The Moo, Townsville – All Ages *
Ticket info: www.gtm.net.au
Friday 10 May 2013 @ Amplifier Bar, Perth – 18+ *
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545
Saturday 11 May 2013 @ Groovin The Moo, Bunbury – All Ages *
Ticket info: www.gtm.net.au
Sunday 12 May 2013 @ Indi Bar, Scarborough – 18+ *
Ticket info: www.oztix.com.au 1300 762 545
