I recently had the opportunity to chat to Jarrad Brown from up and coming Melbourne tribe Eagle and the Worm. They're touring the East Coast in May/June, with The Gin Club and Dan Kelly - so keep your eyes peeled! I hear their live shows are pretty spectacular. In the meantime, let's learn a little more....

You recently released your double A-side single “Futureman/Good Times”! Congrats! Can you tell us what it means to have those tracks out, and what is was like recording them?

Yeah thanks Larry. It feels great to have some tunes out. On the shelf. It was a great recording experience - I was working with friends, great musicians - on a no rehearsal, jam out a good take scenario. Ive got fond memories of the recording.

I understand there are 9 of you in the group? That must incite mayhem on the stage!

Mayhem setting up for a gig - that's for sure. The music and shows tend to balance nicely somewhere between easy listening songs and loud and messy jams.

What should people expect from a Eagle & the Worm show? Cowbell?

*laughs* funny you ask. We have 2 cowbells. One on the kit, and one floating around the stage. A lot has been made of the plight of the cowbell! But I cant get enough. Its the best "bash the shit out of it" instrument that one can have in their arsenal.

You’re getting ready to tour around the country – where are you looking forward to playing most, and what have been some touring highlights to date?

The furthest we have toured so far is the Espy in St Kilda, so flying up the East Coast in May and June is going to be a big deal! It will be the first time we have played to anywhere other than Melbourne. I'm looking forward to going up north, I haven't been in a while, always a chance for nice whether. And both Dan Kelly and the Gin Club (whom we are touring with) are from Brisbane.

I’d like to learn a bit more about the band – How’d you meet & form – how did you become the 9 piece that you are today?

I put the studio album together first. I wrote the music, hooked up the recording dates, called in friends to play, and took the recordings home and finished it myself. I always wanted the live band to be a big band. A real show. Lots of sounds etc...i asked my favourite players to do a couple of live shows with me, and hence we are currently living happily as a nine piece.

Where did your name come from?

The Eagle and the Worm was an image I had in my mind for sometime... It is a metaphor for "highs and lows"...

It was also a case of the big question before we booked our first show "Hey what's your band called?"... And EatW stuck.

When playing support, you’re a 5 piece – what instruments get the cut? Or are you all just a lot busier on the stage?

We cut the horn section. Nothing much changes. Just flip some horn melodies to the keyboards, and fill out some vocal harmonies.

Some bands find it tough, other bands love it – how do you find the city of Melbourne to be as a place for emerging artists such as yourselves?

Pretty amazing. I mean - I come from Adelaide. I could have never had my music orientated life in Adelaide. I have been leading a life of good times, playing shows, and having minimal/shifty part times jobs since i was fifteen. I often wonder if i could do that anywhere else in Australia...

So you’re just getting started... what are some of the dreams you have for the band in the future. Everyone wants success, of course, but I’m talking about the “We’d love to play alongside so and so, or play Glastonbury” sort of dreams...

I don't really have those sort of dreams Larry. I dream of staying true to my thing- writing the songs I want to write, and always putting on a good show. Going to plan so far!

And finally, with the double A-Side under your belt, and a forthcoming tour, what else do you hope 2010 to bring for the band?

Well I guess the significant event will be the release of our debut album, penciled in for September. At the moment, being a new band - We are happy making new friends, and every show is exciting...so we can hopefully ride the year out on the live circuit, having a good time and getting to know our own songs. Its been a real pleasure so far...everyone in the band is getting along and the shows have been great. I'd be happy with more of the same to be honest!

Thanks for your time Jarrad!

Thanks Larry.