You’ve recently christened your band the Endless Sea? Why’s that?
I like what it implies. The Endless Sea of musical possibilities that awaits us as a band. It’s a beautiful image too. I love the feeling of standing alone looking out to sea – like looking at the stars – it puts everything in perspective. Iggy Pop recorded a song called “The Endless Sea”, I remember hearing it for the first time on the Dogs in Space soundtrack when I was a wean, although I always thought he was saying “The Embassy” like he was a spy.

What impact have they had on the songs since the EP was recorded? Are they the exact same band that recorded the EP, or slightly different? How have the songs changed since you’ve been on the road?
The Endless Sea are the same band that played on the Permanent Marker EP. I also invited a lot of guests in because I wanted to have as much fun as possible, experiment and learn. I think as a band we are starting to develop a sound. One that has come from playing together in this line up for a solid year now. There is a synchronicity developing which leaves a lot more room for experimentation. I think we get better with every show we play and I think the upcoming tour will pull our sound even closer.

Speaking of which, you’re about to hit the road with Mia Dyson, who plays lap steel on “Longing Song”. How did you meet her? You’ve got very divergent styles – she’s far more bluesy, but do you think you go together well? Will she be playing as part of your band on the tour for that song?
I gave Mia a call about three years ago after seeing her play a show in Brunswick. She is an exceptional guitarist and has a powerful, distinctive voice. I was really impressed that someone so young was so in touch with the soul of music. I don’t see music as styles. Good music to me can be any style. I just like good music. Mia and I have been supporting each other over the years so it felt natural to head out on tour together. It has been lucky timing that we have both had releases out around the same time. Michael Hubbard our guitarist plays lapsteel and dobro so he will be taking care of those duties. I will be moonlighting as a back up singer in Mia’s band for the tour so I better start practicing my best Renee Geyer vocal…

New Zealand songstress Bic Runga also guests on the single, “Rain”. How did you come to know her?
I heard her second album Beautiful Collision which she produced. She ended up winning producer of the year at the NZ music awards for that album. Pretty tasty for a then 27 year old! Bic is a huge talent, I thought it would be great to work with her. I sent her a demo and she called to say she was interested so when she was in Melbourne touring her album we hooked up and did some work in the studio. I like working with other young women in the studio. There’s a cool camaraderie to it and it gives you the opportunity to watch your peers in action!

Why’d you choose “State Trooper” to cover from Nebraska? Was it something about the song in particular? Are you a big fan of ‘the Boss’ as well, or simply the intimate ‘Bruce Springsteen’ of Nebraska and Devils & Dust?
I like a good story in a song. Songs like Leonard Cohen’s “Famous Blue Raincoat”, Laura Veirs’ “Enraptured” and Bruce’s “State Trooper” are pedigree examples of telling a story that is so riveting it hurts to listen. Gillian Welch, Nick Cave and Will Oldham are also fine purveyors of desperate, intimate stories.

How have you found that there are misconceived notions about what it is to be a female singer-songwriter in the Australian music scene? Have you had advice from anyone in particular, from Renee Geyer to Kasey Chambers to Mia Dyson?
No advice as far as pertaining to being a woman in this industry. It feels like there are a lot of excellent female singer-songwriters receiving the good press they deserve right now. It isn’t going to stop either, pretty soon the media will have accepted that there are just as many female singer-songwriters as there are male singer-songwriters. What the artist has to say, as opposed to their gender, is what will always bring music lovers to shows.

What’s next for you? Do you plan to record a debut album soon?
Next up is a full-length album which we are adding the finishing touches to as we speak. We finish the last song on the album next week with Paul McKercher so I guess that answers the next question – I would work with Paul McKercher again! We embraced Paul and I think he has helped us hone our sound. He has been a silent director and I have learnt so much from watching him in the studio. He really does have golden lobes.

If so, who with? Would you like to work with Paul McKercher again? What did you learn from recording the EP? Do you have enough songs for an album; are you prolific or do you exert a tight quality control on yourself?
I have learnt to trust my instincts a lot more. No-one knows my music better than I do. That’s been a good exercise in trust. I am not highly prolific, this may change but either way, it’s not worth worrying about. I always find when I finish a song a new one is waiting in the wings to be dressed, given some good lines and sent onto stage to move some people.