Have you always wanted to be a professional musician?

Ever since I was about 13 when I started listening to music like the Smashing Pumpkins, I had played clasical guitar previously, when I was about 10, but it was only after I started getting influenced by rock music and listening to triple J that I really knew it was what I wanted to do.

What made you choose to play bass?

I had played acoustic guitar for a while and sometimes I played it by playing only single notes - though not in a "lead guitar" kind of way, I was basically playing it like a bass some of the time. I originally wanted to play drums but my parents wouldnt buy me one. I was in the "jam time" group for sport on Thursdays, hanging around with a bunch of guy guitarists/drummers, there wasnt really a bass player. So partly because of D'arcy (smashing pumpkins - even though shes not really a great bass player) and because it was a funky instrument i took it up. I guess I never really though about it, i just ended up on the bass.

Have you ever considered fronting your own band?

That would be very cool, its good to dream about. I dont think I have the voice for it and right now my commitment is with Polystigma. Maybe one day i'll give it a try.

Have you written and performed any songs with the band apart from Pallid & Frail?

In the VERY VERY beginning I had a few songs like "joven" and "lollipop", we're talking about WAAAAY back, in the beginning. My singing was TRAGIC, hopelessly tragic. I was glad to pass it over to jaime. Thats why i'll never sing Pallid and Frail again.

Whats your all-time favourite Polystigma song?

Mmmmm, I like Ground heaps, Jaime has a song called Left Wrist, that is awesome, but we havent done it yet, shes had it for years. Im going to get us to do it. Im not totally sure, it changes. But right now I like Midst of a Spin. And we have a new song called The Fetch that rules.

Whats your most rememberable moment of being in the band?

Falling into a rock pool at Pearl Beach. This was just after the band was formed, Maryanne was still in it, we went for a holiday to Pearl Beach and we were walking around the rock pools in the middle of winter and I slipped and fell into one!! hahah!

What was the first cd you ever purchased?

Well, I bought my CD player when I was about 12 I think and I bought the CLUELESS SOUNDTRACK CD with it, only because I liked the Supergrass song on it!

What was the first gig/concert you attended?

BIG gig/concert? Probably when i went to see Smashing Pumpkins at the Entertainment Centre in 1998. The band hadnt been together too long then either and Jaime was jealous I was going. I went with my friend Vanessa and my dad.

Polystigma's music has gone through quite a change in the time the band has been together, how do you think your music will sound in a few years time?

Ten times better. We were only young when we started so I think its important that we keep growing. We havent yet reached our full potential in songwriting or technical playing and we're just going to keep aiming higher and higher. It will hopefully be HUGE and inspirational. (its like a fine wine that gets better with age!! NOT!)

Are Polystigma planning to sign to a label or are they going to stay independent?

We're going to stay independent until we find a label and contract that suits our aims and has a genuine love for our music. It should have the same aspirations as us. We want to be able to work with them as a unit. Theres no rush, we're going to work hard and eventually that will pay off. We're not looking to get signed right now, but if the right offer came up, we wouldnt pass it up.

Who designed the cover of the Self Serve EP?

I had the idea for the baby arm putting something in the shape box and jaime thought of the cigarette, we both took the photo (not like we held the camera together, but we each took photos) and we collaborated on the whole thing pretty much, then the art guy put it all together how we wanted. And now you have that pretty CD right before you.

Do you have any advice to offer young musicians who are tyring to start a band of their own?

The cliche advice is "go for it! never give up! reach for your dreams!" obviously im not going to say "uhhhh, no dont even bother, you wont be able to make it, look at you, you suck." But my real advice is - get some knowledge of the industry behind you, dont go into it naively expecting everything to land at your feet. There are heaps of places on the net to learn about how the music industry functions and how to manage your own band - THAT is important. usually one person in the band will be driven to manage the band and do all the background work.
If you learn enough you will know what needs to be done to get gigs, promotion etc. and you will know how NOT to get fucked around by corporate assholes. Empower yourself and your band by knowing all you have to know to get your band out of the garage.