Wizards from oz

While many musicians play lip service to the idea of playing in Ireland, it’s hard to the doubt the genuine enthusiasm that George’s Tyrone Noonan is displaying for the prospect. As the name might suggest, he and sister and fellow band member Katie are of Irish ancestry. Not only that, but Tyrone spent a couple of years living and playing music in Dublin before returning to Australia and become part of George – a band that evolved rather than formed in the mid ’90s.

Making their debut as part of a nationwide band contest, the five piece have risen through the ranks of the Australian music industry to score a number one album with this year’s Polyserena – an intriguing mix of anthemic adult pop and off the wall influences. Not that it was the easiest of journeys, as Tyrone explains.

“There’s probably less than half the venues that there used to be. That’s taken away a lot of the avenues for playing, which is a shame. There was a much healthier live scene a few years ago, but to compensate for that we have a government funded national youth radio network called JJJ. It’s quite unique from what I can gather, a platform for the youth of the nation to speak out that’s funded by the government. We were very lucky that they got behind us early in our career. It enabled us to seriously consider playing and touring beyond our home turf.”

Talking of which, George will soon be heading for foreign pastures with an extensive European tour. Part of the tour will take in a date in Dublin, the first time that Tyrone has been back for nine years.

“1993 was the last time I was in Dublin and I saw changes then. I’ve heard that I better be prepared for a bit of a shock. I remember when I was living there if you were a musician you’d get tax breaks. What other countries in the world have governments that encourage you to be creative?”