From dumpster diving to stage diving around the world, life is now pretty sweet for Wil Wagner.
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The singer/songwriter for rock outfit The Smith Street Band can now boast being the support act for Midnight Oil in Los Angeles and Melbourne, playing to thousands in America and Europe, and having two songs make Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown this year.
Before Wagner formed the group with Tom Lawson, Lee Hartney, Jimi O'Loughlin and Chris Cowburn (who has since left the band) he was working as for an environmental company “analysing garbage in a skyscraper”.
He said playing with The Oils has been a major highlight of his career and was in awe of how professional and how nice Peter Garrett and the team were.
“I was just freaking out the whole time, it was so exciting and cool … you sort of feel like you’re in a movie,” Wagner said.
“They all went out of their way to remember our names and come in and say g’day … that was the thing I just took away from it most was how sweet and down to earth all those dudes were.
“It was like a master class in how to be in a band watching them play.”
The biggest lesson learned from this school of rock opportunity was to not to take success in the music business for granted.
“How lucky they are, we are, and basically anyone who gets to make music for a living. Like you’ve got to never forget and always appreciate how how [much of a fluke] and lucky and a ‘stars align’ kind of thing that doesn’t happen for many people,” he said.
“I totally got that vibe off them - and also a few dance moves from Peter Garrett.”
Before touring Europe again this year The Smith Street Band will be visiting every corner of Australia with Stanwell Park musician Bec Sandridge.
Wagner said there was no question about bringing Sandridge (who is now based in Melbourne) on tour, calling her an “absolute legend”.
“We just love her … we think her music’s really cool and unique, she’s got a real Talking Heads kind of vibe. We thought she would bring a cool and fun upbeat energy to our shows,” he said.
“She was everyone’s first choice actually for the tour.”
The Smith Street Band with Bec Sandridge play at the UniBar at UOW, March 22. Tickets via www.moshtix.com.au