Who is Brian Nankervis?
Performer, producer, radio broadcaster, writer, music fan. Rockwiz, The Friday Revue on ABC Radio Melbourne. Formerly of Hey Hey It’s Saturday (poet Raymond J Bartholomeuz), and Let the Blood Run Free. Ex primary school teacher who fled the classroom after 6 years to be a waiter at The Last Laugh Theatre Restaurant and fell into performing. Proud family man. Frisbee enthusiast, swimmer, reader, dog walker, and kick to kick enthusiast.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
Perhaps I could have got out of my pyjamas a little earlier and those pancakes tasted better yesterday, so maybe I should have done a new mixture. Probably three or four too many anecdotes in that last phone chat. Breakfast was pretty good apart from the pancake mix, but nobody else said anything, so no need to do that differently. The pear I cut up for the muesli was a little hard, so I’d reach for the apple next time. I listened to Patti Smith sing Because The Night four times in a row, really loud. Three was probably enough, but what a song!
Who inspires you and why?
Writing this script for RocKwiz Salutes The Music of NYC – I’m rushing headlong into the musical melting pot that is NYC, from the jazz days to the Greenwich Village coffee shops, the punk dives, Broadway, disco, hip hop and rap. And the Brill Building! Where Carole King led a dream team of amazing songwriters. They are playing on my speakers, playing in my head and hopefully through my keyboard into the script.
So much inspiration … today I’ve written questions and introductions for artists like Talking Heads, Debbie Harry, Bob Dylan, Bing Crosby, Duke Ellington, Patti, Madonna, Cindi, Lou and Dion. Paul Simon, telling Tom to get his plane on time, he knows his part will go fine. I feel fine.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Just back from the tropical north a day or so ago and I’m yearning for those palm trees swaying against the blue sky. The beach and the mountains meeting. Swam in the Mossman River and rode bikes north along Four Mile beach at twilight, screaming and laughing and looking for crocs. Runner up destinations… Bermagui, Byron Bay, the Sunshine Coast, the eastern beaches of Sydney, Phillip Island, Paris, and Greece.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
Our Tasmanian friends were over for the weekend so we invited them over for 3pm cheese scones and tea. There was champagne, some juggling, vigorous discussions and long and detailed anecdotes, lots of scrolling through photo collections on iPhones.
The last 20 minutes of Collingwood v Essendon. Talk. Children in underground caves. Our children. A quick brown rice and fish curry with beans. Windy Peak, more tea, more talk. Had they specifically asked us to take them to an attraction, we might have taken them over the road to the park for frisbee.
What are you currently reading?
One hundred pages to go in Boy Swallows Universe – a debut novel by Canberra journalist and now, author, Trent Dalton. It has totally got me in it’s thrilling, frightening, hilarious, moving grip. Last week I read Calypso by David Sedaris – which was perfect for the beach.
What are you currently listening to?
Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore’s new album, Downey to Lubbock. Loving it! As I said in an email to their record company to try and get an interview … “I’m currently LOVING the new Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore record. Such a fabulous release! And the Steve Young and Chris Gaffney covers are sublime. I’m a big fan of both Dave and Jimmy. Saw the Flatlanders years and years ago and worked with Dave at the Byron Bay Bluesfest a few years ago. (I produce and co host a quiz show called RocKwiz and Dave and his brother did a song with us before their Bluesfest set. In fact the Flatlanders did our show a year or so earlier!. Anyway, I know I’m coming across a bit nutty, but I’m not” Fingers crossed. Yours, Brian.
Happiness is?
A reply from Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore’s record company.
What does the future hold for you?
Trying to work out how the producers at the ABC radio will feel about me spending 20 minutes talking to Dave Alvin and Jimmy Dale Gilmore. Believe me, I could do an hour twenty!
Brian joins Julia Zemiro, the legendary RocKwiz Orkestra and a cavalcade of special musical guests in RocKwiz Salutes New York in the State Theatre – Arts Centre Melbourne for one-night-only on Friday 20 July 2018. For more information, visit: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au for details.
Image: Brian Nankervis