BEING placed on the Sunday morning Southbound stage opener slot is usually considered the crowd kiss of death, with Jim Lawrie being it’s most likely next victim.
A series of action plans were immediately discussed for what he would do if no one showed up to his set.
Lawrie was not reassured by this scenario, having played a set at Falls Festival where the setting spaced people in such a way it gave the appearance of a crowd of five viewers, not 150.
“I think that I would wing it… there’s only so many times I’m given that kind of infrastructure with a major sound system and 30 minutes to an hour to do what I want with it,” he said.
Despite requests that he should start his own rap battle, Lawrie said if that were to be the case, a woeful wedding song set would take place.
“That and the Lion King, I used to be obsessed,” Lawrie said.
“For two years, everything I did and owned was based around that.”
The Mail was reassured that he would seriously consider having a themed entrance song with this in mind.
When not swooning a potentially miniscule audience, Jim Lawrie can be found during the day making coffee for the Melbourne masses, perfecting his latte art.
“All that matters is that it tastes good,” Lawrie said, laughing.
By summer however, he can be found playing his sincere tunes to crowds across Australia, in particular heading our way for Southbound where he will open the Mainbreak stage.
Formerly known as Grizzly Jim Lawrie, the adjective was dropped when Lawrie felt he had progressed to something more.
“A friend of mine called me grizzly one morning because of how I looked, not looking too fresh” he said,
“I stuck with it for years and years but then decided I needed a change.
“The best analogy I can give is Billy from Neighbours when he decides he wants to be just called Bill.
“It was like a coming of age… just past puberty, but not quite at the level of maturity.”
Found in his music is a description of simple day to day activities, with his sound often described as whimsical.
“I think some of the best songwriters are able to combine the deeper issues with a strong element of whimsy to them… you can’t tackle them without humour,” Lawrie said.
“People have come up after shows and said how the lyrics have spoken to them,
“It’s something I really love in music, that sincerity,
“It’s those compliments that make you realise you’re not struggling.”
Lawrie scored the spot at Southbound thanks to the help of the Seed Fund and his manager.
“She’s steering the ship in a really nice way,” Lawrie said, laughing.
“I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity.”
The real nitty gritty was approached when we discussed with Laurie the do’s and don’ts of festival behaviour, throwing at him every scenario under the sun to react to.
Regardless of the scenario, it would have to occur after he has his pre-show fix of Berocca and Welcome to the Jungle according to Lawrie.
“I have to listen to high energy tunes, jump on the spot… I also have to remember to tune my guitar, which frequently I don’t.”
Urinating into a bottle, while an impressive feat is simultaneously a no go in Lawrie’s opinion.
“If you walk out with dry hands and you still have friends, you’ve done a good job,” Lawrie said.
High fiving strangers and holding your loved ones during a song where you can experience a ‘real moment’ is a thumbs up in the book of Laurie, with the joy caused from doing both only really found in a festival environment.
A buck’s night was once of the last things he thought he’d witness at an east coast festival, where stolen clothes, a lycra suit and some Viagra made for a formidable viewing experience.
Then the scenarios came in thick and fast towards Lawrie, such as what he would do if someone invaded his stage space.
“I’d think putting your arm around them and encouraging a sing a long was the only option for such a situation.” Lawrie said.
Refusing to be distracted, another scenario was thrown Lawrie’s way involving the crowd acting in a non community minded manner, blocking the view of his performance through sitting upon each others shoulders.
It was enquired as to what he would do to resolve this.
“I would like there to be an option where I could gently push them off into a crowd surfing scenario,” Lawrie responded.
It was then that Lawrie gave the handy hint that for him, it was standing nearest to the sound tent that gave the optimum viewing position at any festival.
We were left imagining Lawrie’s set to be a sparse number of two tiered audience members moving to the Circle of Life tune.
It’s an image he was more than happy to work with.
To join the pride, wander into Southbound’s Mainbreak stage just after 11am to see the Simba reincarnate play his dreamy tunes.
Southbound is on January 3- 4.
Tickets are available through the website.
