THE FAMOUS ELSEWHERE QUESTIONNAIRE: Timberwolf

Australian singer-songwriter Timberwolf -- aka Chris Panousakis -- got some very good news recently. He was invited by Gin Wigmore to open for her in Melbourne and Sydney  . . . and on her forthcoming New Zealand dates (see below).

That will mean some big crowds, but the Adelaide-based musician is familiar enough with that: He has played Womadelaide, the Big Pineapple Groovin the Moo and other major events across the Tasman.

With his roots in classic Sixties rock and blues, but pushing into indie-folk, Timberwolf first came to attention in Australia with his debut EP Man and Moon (songs picked up by Triple J among others) and most recently has been back in the studio, this time with a full band, to record another EP, Flux.

Time then for Timberwolf to answer our Famous Elsewhere Questionnaire . . . 

The first piece of music which really affected you was . . .

Crossroads by Cream.

Your first (possibly embarrassing) role models in music were . . .

Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Buckley.

Lennon or Jagger, Ramones or Nirvana, Madonna or Gaga, Jacko or Jay-Z?

Lennon, Nirvana, Madonna, Jacko – Any day of the week!

If music was denied you, your other career choice would be . . .

Well I’d always still write and play, but hopefully something still in music. I’d love to own my own studio filled with vintage guitars and equipment.

The three songs (yours, or by others) you would love everyone to hear are . . .

Stranded by Timberwolf, Loyal Lover’s Waltz by Banjo Jackson, and World of Sun by Stolen Violin.

Any interesting, valuable or just plain strange musical memorabilia at home?

I’ve got a vintage Selma valve amp from the 50s, it was my dad’s from when he used to play and it’s so beautiful.

The best book on music or musicians you have read is . . .

Cash.

If you could get on stage with anyone it would be . . . (And you would play?)

Fleetwood Mac, it would be a dream to sing a duet with Stevie.

The three films you'd insist anybody watch because they might understand you better are . . .

Donnie Darko, Harry Potter, Forrest Gump.

The last CD or vinyl album you bought was . . . (And your most recent downloads include . . .)

Alabama Shakes – Sound & Colour, also listening to a lot of Marika Hackman at the moment

One song, royalties for life, never have to work again. The song by anyone, yourself included, which wouldn't embarrass you in that case would be . . .

Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen, I think Jeff Buckley’s version is a beautiful interpretation.

The poster, album cover or piece of art could you live with on your bedroom forever would be . . .

The Kramer snapshot from Seinfeld.

You are allowed just one tattoo, and it is of . . .

I can’t give that away because I haven’t got it yet, and then people would steal it. Trust me it’s cool though.

David Bowie sang, “Five years, that's all we've got . . .” You would spend them where, doing . . .?

Falling in love and dancing with as many people and coastlines as I possibly could around the world.

And finally, in the nature of press conferences in Japan, “Can you tell me please why this is your best album ever?”

I haven’t made one yet! But I know it will be my best, because it will be sincere.