Who is Adrian Stout?
A musician, mostly a double bassist, with The Tiger Lillies since 1995, sometimes a musical saw player/teacher, and Thereminist.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Finish the philosophy degree I started in 1994. It would have been better to juggle my playing in the Tiger Lillies with my studies as a mature student but unfortunately I didn’t have the mental capacity for touring former Soviet countries and reading Plato and Kant, so I dropped out 18 months before the end of my degree course. I do regret not completing the course, but I don’t regret why I left as I’ve had an incredible life as a result of the band.
Who inspires you and why?
The people of Ukraine and Iran attempting to survive under war or their repressive government. I have been to Ukraine twice since the start of the war and I had PTSD after being in air raid shelters for a few nights. How the Ukrainian people can withstand it and fight back is very inspiring. We also meet a lot of people from Iran at concerts and they are an inspiration too.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I’m not sure I’m in a position to make much of a difference in the world, but hopefully playing the music we do all over it makes a small difference to our fans lives.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Much of my life could be considered a hobby, but I recently took up scuba diving and I’ll be having 2 dives at Byron Bay this week, so I’d say anywhere with good diving would count as a favourite. I also like going on holiday in Mexico, I just came back from Oaxaca which was lovely and has great food.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
The local pub first of all, then a music venue. I live between Prague and London so I have a few favourite locals, The Chesham Arms in London and Bukowski’s Letna in Prague. Both great local bars serving the community and acting as a hub for people, arts and culture. Then either off to Moth Club in Hackney or Lucerna Music Bar in Prague for some live music. Both places have unique interiors and present amazing contemporary artists.
What are you currently reading?
Seichō Matsumoto’s Inspector Manishi investigates.
What are you currently listening to?
Finnish pop music covers from the 1970/80s for my DJ set at Adelaide Festival, I’m putting a playlist together of songs for a short DJ set and my Finnish wife has played me some great pop songs sung in Finnish which I’m adding to it by artists like Mona Carita, Taiska, Päivi, Laila Kinnunen.
Happiness is?
A warm cat.
What does the future hold for you?
Holding my cat and not getting on a plane for a month.
Adrian can be seen in The Tiger Lillies – who are currently touring Australian in a series of concerts including: Brunswick Ballroom, Melbourne (28 February), The Vanguard, Sydney (1 March), Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide (5 & 6 March) and Theatre Royal, Castlemaine (7 March). For more information, visit: www. tigerlillies.com for details.
Image: Adrian Stout – courtesy of the artist