Granite Island Discs: Taasha Coates
The Audreys’ Taasha Coates shares her favourite songs, album and music-related memories for this month’s Grantie Island Discs.
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What five songs would you take to a desert island?
Well, if I took my guitar, I could take ALL the songs, but I’m not going to be that obnoxious and assume you mean recorded versions. So, I’d pick ‘Wrecking Ball’ by Emmylou Harris, just for the sheer beauty of it. It’s from her 1995 album by the same name and produced by Daniel Lanois – think rich, lush guitars with Emmylou’s exquisite voice soaring over the top of it all. Then I’d take ‘The Story’ by Brandi Carlile so I could get my air guitar on; ‘Do You Love Me?’ by Nick Cave for a big dramatic sing-along; ‘Cover Me Up’ by Jason Isbell so I could have a big cry; and ‘Hard Times’ by Gillian Welch so I could have an even bigger cry (I’m stuck on an island at this point… ).
If you could only pick one, what would it be?
Ok, how about [Warumpi Band’s] ‘My Island Home’, so I could make peace with the whole desert island thing?
What’s your favourite album?
This is such a hard question, but I’ll go with my usual answer: Essence by Lucinda Williams. It’s sexy, sad, joyful, rocky, angry, folky, up, down, left, right – just ALL of the feelings. My band and I recorded an acoustic version of the first track, ‘Lonely Girls’, at a venue in Tasmania a few years back, which I think you can find on [The Audreys] Instagram page. She has a new record called Lucinda Williams Sings The Beatles from Abbey Road. However, given my recent declaration in our single ‘Beatles V Stones’ that I am firmly camp Stones, I haven’t been brave enough to listen in case it sways my allegiance and makes a liar out of me.
What’s your favourite song by an SA artist or band?
‘Winter In America’ by Doug Ashdown. It’s from 1974, but you can still hear it on country radio if you’re driving around Australia. I think it was actually quite a hit in the US at the time. Doug is from the pre-MTV phase of music (so think thick glasses and crazy hair), but this song is stunning and has beautiful, folky Harry Nilsson vibes. I discovered him via the SA Music Hall Of Fame in one of those “What, he’s from Adelaide?” moments. The last line of the chorus is “I wish I could have known enough of love to leave love enough alone”. Ouch, right? And it doesn’t outstay its welcome. It’s short and sweet with only two choruses, but he still fits in an orchestra AND a choir. Check it out.
Favourite music-related memory?
Sitting on the floor of my Dad’s house every night the summer after I finished school in front of his record player. [We’d have] all of his vinyls pulled apart and spread out around us like a big colourful sea, and [I] just [fell] completely in LOVE with songs and songwriting via the likes of Neil Young, Dolly Parton, Steve Earle, Bruce Springsteen, Emmylou Harris and Carole King.
The Audreys’ highly anticipated fifth album, Ruin & Repair, is out now on all streaming platforms. They play at The Gov on June 7 – tickets on sale now via oztix.com.au.
