Brendan Maclean

Brendan Maclean is everywhere. When he’s not filling in spots as a host on Triple J, or having his music played on the airwaves, he will be shortly featuring on the silver screen for Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby. Brendan kindly came up for air and had a quick chat with us before his musical performance at the Famous Spiegeltent in February.

So your latest song (produced by Paul Mac of Dissociatives fame) is called ‘Stupid’. Have you done anything kind of dumb lately?
I'll answer that with my flatmate's question to me this morning, "You're not really trying to get that bread out of the electric toaster with a fork are you?"

Why is the ukulele your musical weapon of choice?
Murphy Brown (my uke) and I have been together for years. I like taking her to new cities and having a travelling soundtrack as we slowly get lost. Also, it makes other things look really big in comparison... I'm talking about my eyelashes you sicko!

You’ve got a small role in The Great Gatsby. Is acting something you’ll continue to pursue alongside music?
Indeed, I'm tickled pink to be playing Klipspringer. Baz is a hero so I wept like a baby when I got the call. Luckily I've been able to follow that up with a bit part in Tracks starring Mia Wasikowska (Tim Burton's Alice In Wonderland) and Adam Driver (Girls). I love acting – the more disgusting and evil the role the better.

You're often heard presenting on Triple J. Any hot tips for other musicians to get their music into the hands of the right people?
Since sexual favours only work some of the time your best bet is to actually listen to the radio station you are sending music to. There's nothing sadder then seeing piles of paper wasted with artists sending carbon copy releases to every single staff member. Make it personal, pal.

What are three things we can expect from your live show at The Famous Spiegeltent?
One voluptuous string section, a gaggle of Melbourne folk royalty and much mid-show stripping by some guy playing a ukulele.