Name: Declan Melia
Age: 21
Band name: British India
Where did you grow up: Melbourne, Australia
Role in Band: Vocals
Web: http://www.mp3.com.au/britishindia
How do you describe your bands’ sound?
The sound of four bored teenagers who’ll try anything to be unique, we keep getting told we’re doing it all wrong though.
Name one song or album that totally sums you up?
Our debut album. It’s not out yet though, our recent demos come close.
What other bands influence your music?
At the Drive-In, Wu-Tang Clan, Blur, New Order, Sonic Youth, The Curtains
ActNow is all about taking action on issues that people are passionate about – so what does “action” mean to you?
Realising that there is no more an exciting time to be alive than right now, so what ever you do don’t be bored.
What issues are you passionate about?
We are by no means a political or awareness raising band but we feel for the downtrodden of the world as much as the next twenty something year old.
What are some hot issues in your local area?
The state election just passed so we’re up to our elbows in hot issues, the crackdown on soft drugs, the drought, the constant building of the latest super highway and all of the rest that comes with two parties slaving for our precious vote. All we can do is make music, but maybe this monotonous blur of controversy spouted by newsreaders is subconsciously poured into our songs.
Do issues in the world around you effect how you write your material?
Not consciously, we more usually write about things familiar to us, so larger issues only affect our work indirectly.
How important do you think music is to create awareness around issues that the world faces today?
Very, but this has to be done with subtlety. The last thing the music world needs is righteous singers with their fists in the air telling people what to think, we have enough of that throughout world media. In music however the personal and the political are often entangled I think bands like Public Enemy, NWA, Bob Dylan and Bob Marley were able to create and an impact without forcing views and agendas down listener’s throats. They allow the music to come first and the issue to remain a hidden afterthought.
If you weren’t a musician what would you be doing?
I think we’d all be studying different things.
Where do you see your band in five years time?
Well either still playing music or see above. However it is meant to be…
If you could change one thing about the world in which you live, what would it be?
That human beings could live with a bit more forethought and enlightenment.
