In the Green Room: The Shadow Ministers

Interviews
Written By The Note
 

The Shadow Ministers are bringing rock ‘n’ roll back with their blues-stamped earworm of an album, Low Noise High Output. Guitarist/vocalist Paris Clark-Proud chats making music and ministerial duties.

Image supplied

Congratulations on your self-recorded album, Low Noise High Output! Tell us about it…

The Shadow Ministers started in 2020 when Jason [Mannix] and I started recording a blues album. It quickly became less blues and more songs with choruses. ‘I’m in Love’ was the first song we wrote together [and] it sparked something – we kept going until we had ten tracks. Some of the songs are us not wearing headphones with a speaker in the background; the actual bed track for ‘345’ is recorded off my old iPhone 4.

What were you listening to at the time?

Stuff we’ve listened to our whole lives. ‘My Desire’ has some Stones and Lenny Kravitz, ‘Stressed Out’ is more Smashing Pumpkins, Dominos and Hendrix meets Gary Clark Jr. But our motto when recording the album was ‘What would J.J. Cale do?’. We love him so much.

You’re going on a tour to celebrate the record, playing in Adelaide June 16. How does Low Noise High Output translate to the stage?

The album is just two people, so we had to put a band together to play live. We decided to not just go with two guitars but to use three. It’s cool… everyone stays in their own lane and plays in their own style. It makes it more interesting because you all have to play differently.

So, you guys are The Shadow Ministers. What departments are you in charge of?

Yes, definitely! Jase is the Shadow Minister for the Environment because he’s a bit of a Greenie and a vegan. Sean Martin [drums] is the Shadow Minister for Aged Care because he loves helping that community. Kynan Duke [bass] is the Shadow Minister for the Arts because he’s a creative genius. Fazz [guitar] is the Shadow Minister for Health and Safety because I think it was something to do with his job. And I’m the Shadow Minister for Education because I’m a teacher.

Catch The Shadow Ministers at the Milledge’s Distillation Café & Venue June 16.

Featured
SoSo: Dreams, Dedication and Defying the Odds in the Australian Music Scene
SoSo: Dreams, Dedication and Defying the Odds in the Australian Music Scene

November marks the defining moment in the career of Sydney pop punk underdogs SoSo. The quartet are dropping their much-anticipated debut album, So Much For Second Chances. Ahead of the release, frontman Rhys de Burgh spoke to The Note about the creation of the record, the grind of being a working musician and collaborating with acclaimed producer Stevie Knight.

Teenage Joans: Keeping Up With the Joanses
Teenage Joans: Keeping Up With the Joanses

Rocking broken hearts, scraped knees and bloody teeth through their new single ‘My Heart’s Dead!’, Adelaide’s pop punkers Teenage Joans catch up with The Note to chat new music, DIY-ing it, insane support slots and Harvest Rock.

From Bubblegum Punk To Industrial Pop: Inside the Evolving World of Cry Club
From Bubblegum Punk To Industrial Pop: Inside the Evolving World of Cry Club

Genre chameleons Cry Club are hitting the road this November in support of their latest single, ‘This, Forever’. Ahead of their Adelaide visit, vocalist Heather Riley and guitarist Jonathon Took answered some questions for The Note about their latest release, the visual side to their music and supporting The Darkness.

The Return of M.I.A.: Connection, Controversy and the ‘MAYA’ Era Reborn
The Return of M.I.A.: Connection, Controversy and the ‘MAYA’ Era Reborn

The artist behind ‘Paper Planes’ talks digital takeover, Julian Assange and finding joy through music.

Liz Stringer Is Coming Home
Liz Stringer Is Coming Home

The folk-rock veteran talks about the severity of Australia’s housing crisis, performing with the legendary Midnight Oil and the joy of being reborn through music. 

Fanny Lumsden Gives Us Her Blood, Sweat and Tears
Fanny Lumsden Gives Us Her Blood, Sweat and Tears

The ARIA Award-winning country singer dishes on touring with Paul Kelly, growing up in isolation and life on the road. 

Live, Layered, and Limitless: The War on Drugs
Live, Layered, and Limitless: The War on Drugs

Ahead of their anticipated return to Australian shores, The Note caught up with The War on Drugs frontman Adam Granduciel to talk reinventing records live, new music, Leonardo da Vinci and Harvest Rock. 

In the Green Room: The Tullamarines
In the Green Room: The Tullamarines

We’re calling it now. The Tullamarines are going to be the next biggest export out of SA, armed with anxious pop tunes and safety blankets. Swinging by, they chat about their sophomore EP and tour

Thrice: Illuminating New Horizons
Thrice: Illuminating New Horizons

Michigan’s post hardcore luminaries La Dispute have just unleashed their cinematic fifth studio album, No One Was Driving The Car. Vocalist and lyricist Jordan Dreyer connected with The Note to discuss the new full-length, imaginative storytelling, the generational diversity of the band’s devotees, film and so much more.

Parkway Drive: The Only Way Is Onwards and Upwards
Parkway Drive: The Only Way Is Onwards and Upwards

It’s never been a better time to be a fan of Parkway Drive. The Byron Bay metal titans have been non-stop since their 20th anniversary in 2024 brought them to Australian arenas in a powerful way.

bbno$: It’s Pronounced Baby No Money
bbno$: It’s Pronounced Baby No Money

bbno$ talks creativity, viral success, and staying authentic in our exclusive interview with the internet’s favourite rap innovator.

Thick Skin, Big Heart: Baker Boy’s Next Chapter
Thick Skin, Big Heart: Baker Boy’s Next Chapter

Chatting with The Note ahead of the release of his second album DJANDJAY, Baker Boy opens up about the beginning of his music career, the making of the album and the impact the result of the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum had on him.

Dave Graney: Rock ‘n’ Roll Chameleon
Dave Graney: Rock ‘n’ Roll Chameleon

Touring the country in celebration of The Soft 'n' Sexy Sound, SA icon Dave Graney spoke with The Note about the making of the album, his upcoming tour and winning an ARIA Award.

The Rions Are Now A Real Band
The Rions Are Now A Real Band

Amidst the release of their debut album, the rising indie-rockers talk brotherhood, toxic masculinity and what “indie rock” really means. 

Granite Island Discs: Olly Raggatt
Granite Island Discs: Olly Raggatt

The Note’s head honcho goes into detail about his five favourite records, why Lou Reed’s Transformer is the perfect album and his experience seeing The Darkness as a young whippersnapper.

 
The Note https://www.thenote.com.au
Previous

Carla Lippis: Mondo Psycho
Next

DEM MOB Go Global