The Beautiful Girls' superb cocktail of blues, roots, hip hop and reggae has hit a chord with fans and the public alike. First formed in 2001, the trio has established themselves firmly amongst their peers, as well as etched out a solid following from their constant non-stop touring that have included numerous Stateside jaunts. After a couple of EP releases, which found much critical and commercial favour, The Beautiful Girls finally hot pay dirt in 2003 with the release of their highly acclaimed debut album Learn Yourself . Their most recent outing, 2005's We're Already Gone , has further propelled the band into the upper reaches of mainstream success. During the band's most current US tour, I caught up with the group's singer-guitarist Mat McHugh to chat about all things Beautiful…

We're Already Gone has seen The Beautiful Girls evolving from their folky beginnings to something a little darker and dub sounding, what sort of influences both musically and personally played it's role in this evolution?

I think the main thing is that we would all get really bored just repeating ourselves. We all listen to a broad range of music and our first album was different to our second and so on. Hopefully they'll all be different. It's important to keep trying to push yourself creatively I think.

You also co-produced the album do you find you're harder on yourself as a player and the other band members when you're in the producing role?

We're all really aware of what's good enough to be kept on the record. So probably the main difference is you have to try and get an idea of the big picture as well as focusing on the tiny details. You have to know when to stop obsessing over something and move on. It's really all a giant learning curve.

There has been a resurgence in recent years of acoustic roots based music particularly in Australia, how much of a part has this played in The Beautiful Girls being able to rise through the ranks and sustain a successful career?

Well I would definitely consider it a double edged sword. On the one side, we were right at the start of that scene becoming popular and I guess a lot of peoples' attentions were looking for a band like us. On the other hand, I don't think any of us really felt comfortable being considered a part of any scene. Scenes seem to me to be pretty restrictive. I will just say that we're extremely thankful that people listen to, and get something from our music. My hope is that we're still around long after any kind of scene has come and gone.

Do the constant comparisons to Ben Harper, Jack Johnson and Nick Drake ever bother you?

Well I think it's a pretty lazy comparison but everyone is entitled to their opinion. I think all those guys are great.

What inspired you to pick up the guitar?

I'm not really sure. I started really young playing music. For a while my main thing was playing saxophone and reading music but I think I after I saw the movie 'La Bamba', I started putting a little more emphasis on the guitar. The cool thing is, about a week ago we supported Los Lobos in Belgium and they played all the songs that they actually recorded for the movie soundtrack. So it kind of came full circle.

You play Maton guitars. How did you come to playing Matons?

I actually had never even owned a decent acoustic guitar as it was all electric and then resonator guitars. I walked into a guitar store one day and ended up buying a beat up old second hand Maton CW80 they had sitting on the shelf. It's actually the guitar I used to record Learn Yourself with.

Can you tell us about the Maton guitars you play?

I have a couple of CW80 acoustics and a Mastersound electric.

Why do you choose to play Matons and what sort of benefits do they bring to your music?

To tell you the truth, the main reason is that they are Australian and in my opinion they sound the best of any Australian guitars I've tried. Plus, they're really reliable and I throw mine around a little and it hasn't broken yet. Touch wood.

On what tracks can the Maton guitars be heard on We're Already Gone?

You know what? It's all a bit of a blur. The electric is all over the record and I used an old 70's Gibson Les Paul and a Fender Jazzmaster too. All the acoustic stuff is my new CW80. I just love that thing.

What sort of process do you use when it comes to songwriting, do ideas come from jamming with the band or do they come to you while fiddling around on the guitar?

They occur in my brain and then I have to sit at an instrument and try to bring them alive in the real world. They never really come from any jamming.

Are there any specific recording techniques you utilize in the studio when it comes to capturing the sound of your acoustic guitars?

There definitely is but I'm keeping them top secret.

In 2001 you spent time living in New York , how much of an influence was living in a city that is musically at the forefront of the music scene, have on your musical outlook?

It was a huge influence. Up until then I was a laid back Aussie surfer. When I saw how passionate everybody was and how much amazing music was being played there, it set a huge fire under me. I went there to try and copy Chris Whitley and busk in Washington Square Park . It made feel part of a tradition that I had always looked up to. I felt like I was in it and not just looking at it from the outside.

The band is very much a touring outfit, as you've done numerous tours overseas and currently are in the States again, how important is touring to you?

Touring is almost everything. The feeling that has been in the room at some of our shows is indescribable. I love listening to records but nothing can match that feeling. It's a privilege and an honour to be able to go out and play for people every night. It's real and you're right there and being a part of it, the band and the audience equally. I don't want to sound like a hippy but it's just an amazing feeling.

How do the overseas audiences compare to those in Australia ?

The amazing thing is how similar people are and not how different. It's a good feeling to know that there are people all over the world we can relate to on a pretty cool level.

You've toured with the likes of Pepper and Fishbone, what other bands have you toured with and who were the most fun to tour with and why?

G Love and Special Sauce were damn good. They change their set every night and it was fun to watch and see what they would come up with next. Mason Jennings was also amazing. And so was Jack Johnson.

If you had the choice to pick any band or bands to tour with who would you pick and why?

Maybe Midnight Oil or The Fugees just because I'd love to sit side stage and watch them every night. And Fiona Apple too.

How do you keep your sanity out on the road considering the rigors of touring are harsh?

You just got to find some space where ever you can. Just take a breather every now and then. That and not look too far ahead or behind. I find that if I just focus on the moment and whether or not I'm enjoying it, then I'm much happier.

In the five years that the band have been around, the industry has changed enormously particularly with the advent of the internet age and myspace. What have you noticed have been the major issues and changes that every musician needs to be aware of in order to survive in this tough industry? How have Beautiful Girls approached these similar issues head on?

I don't know man, we keep it pretty simple. We pretty much put records out and tour. We have a website and a myspace page like everyone else but we just try and focus on making decent music. Word of mouth is the strongest tool. If you're making music that people want to hear, then it doesn't take too long to find it nowadays. That's a good thing.

What's your most prized possession?

I try not to prize my possessions

What is your favorite album of all time and why?

John Coltrane - A Love Supreme . It's just purely devotional. It's also purely emotional and outside of any other ambition other than transcendence. It has amazing spirit and energy. I always laugh when I listen to it. And sometimes scream too. As well as sometimes cry.

What philosophy, if any, do you adhere to in regards to living your life both professionally and personally?

Just be good to people and to live life with an honest, open heart. Take your wounds, keep your scars. Lift your head up and keep walking.

If you were granted three wishes, what would you wish for and why?

It would be grace, wisdom and love.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

I try not to think about that.

By Joe Matera
www.joematera.com

Fri 22nd Sep 2006