Aussie rock band British India have taken a swipe at Jack White. The Melbourne band are about to release their fifth album but lead singer Declan Melia says he finds it strange when artists like White demand to get paid.
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“I have a real problem with musicians like Jack White, for example, who say ‘you must pay for my record because I worked hard on it and I deserve to be paid.’ I think that’s fundamentally flawed. I don’t remember reading where musicians deserve to get paid,” Melia told Alive.
“We picked up guitars never expecting any kind of recompense for our time.
“I don’t think you should expect any (rewards). It’s what we do for a living but it’s called playing music for a reason because it’s terribly enjoyable. I enjoy honestly every aspect of it.”
According to the singer, playing music is reward enough for the band.
“We’d still do it if we didn’t get paid and we did that for a long time, and we probably will continue to when things start to change,” Melia said.
Ten years into their career and five albums later, British India are happily surprised they’re still here – considering how tough the music industry can be.
“It’s crazy because, now more than ever, it’s not really an industry that rewards longevity. I think that’s why it’s unexpected,” he said.
“It’s not an industry that rewards you in anyway.”
The band are proud of their new album, Nothing Touches Me, the follow-up to their successful 2013 record, Controller - from which they released their first gold single I Can Make You Love Me.
And the band feels this record is just as good as the last, if not better.
“If we released a record that wasn’t as good as the one we released before, we’d probably re-assess but until that happens we’ll keep going,” Melia said.
But they’re realistic about their potential staying power in the industry.
“When you look at the history of every other group, it’s pretty naive to think we can do this into our 40s and 50s but come that day I hope that we’re still motivated enough to want to make music,” Melia said.
Ahead of their upcoming show at the Cambridge Hotel in May, British India were this week added to the line-up for Byron Bay’s Bluesfest as a replacement for The Black Keys.
Bluesfest promoter Peter Noble said, “Whilst I attempted initially to get an international artist to replace The Black Keys, who pulled out due to issues with drummer Patrick Carney’s shoulder injury less than two weeks before the festival, we weren’t able to get a suitable replacement in time and have the visas issued.
“We contemplated getting an international or Australian artist already performing to cover, and finally decided the artist should be one who is not already performing.
“We have looked at scores of artists to play, and after much discussion within the company and the music industry have made our decision on who has been chosen.
“British India are achieving major interest right now as a result of their recent release, and they are fast becoming one of Australia’s foremost bands.
“We expect them to deliver a great show at Bluesfest.
“This major stage play will be an integral part of their rise to the top here.”
Nothing Touches Me is out now via Liberation Music.
British India return to the Cambridge Hotel on May 23.
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