OutInCanberra caught up with Amy Meredith guitarist Joel Chapman – on the road for their Higher Education tour.

As a band, you’ve come a long way in a very short period of time. What has been the highlight for Amy Meredith so far?
There hasn’t really been just one highlight. There’s been a few moments in the last year or so, where you have to kick yourself though. Playing Big Day out earlier this year; recording in the same studio in LA where Michael Jackson recorded Thriller; hanging out in Jay Z’s studio in New York – the same spot where 2Pac was shot! So many surreal moments!

The band had quite a few award nominations last year – what award would you love to win?
I guess we don’t really make music with intentions of winning awards. We just wanna have fun and keep doing what we’re doing. But personally, I would love to win the Nobel Prize.. I’m not sure if the band will allow me to do that.. But one day it might happen..

You’ve just embarked on your biggest tour to date – what are Amy Meredith like on the road?
There’ve been lots of after parties on this tour, and our rider is getting more excessive these days. So we’re trying not to get too carried away, and still squeeze in fun day time activities, as well as night time activities. When we’re on the east coast of Australia we’ve always got surfboards in the trailer!

You have a reputation for amazing live performances – how do you keep the energy levels up when you’re touring?
We have a case of red bulls on our rider at each venue.. Maybe that has something to do with it.

Do you have much time during the tour to see the sights?
Lots of the days are spent in transit, but we usually try to allocate days off before and after we fly out of a city, so we can try and relax a little. Margaret River in West Australia is a beautiful place!!

What’s planned for the rest of 2011 after the tour wraps up?
We’re off to London straight after the tour, then back to LA, where we have been earlier this year, to finish working on the second record. Which we’re VERY excited about!!

Catch Amy Meredith at ANU Bar on Friday 10th June 2011, from 8:00pm with special guests Tonight Alive. Tickets from www.ticketek.com.au.

Win tickets!
We have a double pass to Amy Meredith at ANU Bar on Friday 10th June 2011 to give away. For your chance to WIN simply answer the following question:

Q: Why should you win the double pass to Amy Meredith?

Send your answer plus your full name and postal address to [email protected] with ‘Amy Meredith’ in the subject field. Only winners will be notified by email. Competition closes 5.00pm, Wednesday 8th June 2011.