Sam Shinazzi

STORIES: MEETING EVAN

October 8th 1999

What follows is an incredible memory for me. If you think it is anything more or anything less than you might want to stop reading right about now. At some point in mid 1999 I recorded some solo songs in my kitchen, straight to tape. They were primarily to get shows as well as for FBI Radio in Sydney. I chose my best songs at the time and recorded them as best I could. Leah Dunstone drew a wonderful black and white illustration of a boy and girl, all awkward under the moon to accompany it.

I had written the song ‘GP’ after reading ‘Hickory Wind:The Life and Times of Gram Parsons by Ben Fong-Torres’. I discovered Gram's music through my love of the Lemonheads. Evan Dando was always covering his songs and wearing that T-shirt, so it was only natural that I'd be curious. Pretty soon I too fell under the spell of Gram; nothing over the top but his ballads and mid-tempo songs were just beautiful. After reading his fascinating story I wrote ‘GP’. It was mostly about him, a little about me and even Evan himself. You see, about halfway through writing it I just thought it was something that Evan would be ideal to sing. Of course, the chances of that were slim to none but I finished it with him in mind. Most of my friends loved it, and one who shall remain nameless didn't even think that I had written it.

In late September I found out that my friends Peabody were playing at the Glenworth Valley Festival, the same one that Evan Dando would be playing at. I was going to be their helper (roadie) so I was very happy to hear that Evan and Peabody would both be performing on the one stage the same night.

Friday 1st October 1999

We all camped out at the site. (My one and only camping experience). Peabody were awesome. My equal best friend Graeme Trewin had only just joined the group but they played great, especially considering bassist Ben was stung by a bee on his finger about forty five minutes before their set. It was one of the most courageous things I've seen.

I had brought along some CD's of the solo recordings I discussed at the start of this story. My target was Evan Dando. I saw him an hour before his set but I backed out of approaching him. I cannot remember if I asked my friend Bruno or if he just offered; either way he ended up giving the CD and a cassette version of GP to Evan. Bruno was incredibly drunk and warned me that although Evan was friendly enough, the fact that he (Bruno) was more than tipsy may have harmed the opportunity more than helped. I was just appreciative that Bruno had done me this favour when many others wouldn't have. From that moment I put it out of my head and enjoyed the rest of the weekend.

Sunday 3rd October 1999

Graeme and I arrive back at my house. My Mum greets us outside, asking how it all went. I ask if there are any messages and Mum says "I spoke to your American friend last night". I figure she is referring to my buddy Matt Braaten and reply "How is Matt?". Mum says "No, his name was Evan". (Keep in mind that she is totally normal in declaring this and that furthermore she is perfectly aware of my admiration for Evan). Graeme and I drop our bags. I am silent. Graeme mutters "Bullshit". Turns out Evan liked what he heard and called Saturday night whilst we were still at the three day festival. For the entire dialogue you'll have to ask Ma or myself, but she said he was lovely and that he really like the CD. They spoke for ten or so minutes...Evan and my Mum.

As excited as I was, the cynic in me came out and thought perhaps someone was playing a joke on me, but when I repeatedly questioned my Mother it became obvious that this was indeed all true. The following week was a treat. I told my immediate friends and they naturally told their friends. On the Monday it was my birthday. I honestly don't usually enjoy my birthday; getting older and all that but this time 'round I had no reason to feel unhappy. I recall having a family dinner with Alice, Graeme and Beth joining us at home. From what my Mum had told us, I had some sort of approval from someone I really admire. Despite not having too much happening musically at this time, it would instill a confidence in me that I needed.

Thursday 7th October 1999

We all attended a show at the Hopetoun. Peabody played with Brisbane band Sekiden; Tom Morgan and Adam Yee from Smudge were doing an acoustic set in between. (The next evening Smudge were doing their last show for years at the Newtown RSL with Evan Dando in support). I remember sitting under the bar watching them, and a friend pointed out that there was Evan, at the back of the smallish crowd. I was going to say hello to him but didn't; he looked happy enough with his friends and I felt sure that I'd have the courage to introduce myself the next night. (The absolute truth is that I was too shy).

Friday 8th October 1999

I am a massive Smudge fan. I was sad to see them playing what would be their final show for a long time. It felt like I knew every second person there that night. My closest friends all asked if I was going to talk to Evan and of course I said yes, even though deep down I wasn't so sure. By the time he played the venue was sold out, with perhaps seven hundred people there. His set was beautiful and he had the crowd in the plam of his hand. Just like at the Glenworth Valley festival a week before, I stood there mesmorized.

Smudge played a long set of songs that were as familiar as home. ("I know this routine like the back of my hand"). I was so sad to think that this would be the last Smudge show...and I was weirded out to see them playing to such a large crowd. Don't get me wrong, they deserved that amount of people to watch them play but where were they every other time they played? These negative thoughts were lost in their brilliantly melodic songs, and I soaked up every word.

After the show about half the crowd were milling about. Many of my friends were heading up the road to the Town Hall Hotel, the drinking establishment of the inner city rock elite and not so elite. I remember talking to Alice and Leah whom I had watched the show with, and then talking to Ben from Peabody right near the vending machine close to the entrance. We were looking at Evan who was standing in the middle of the RSL floor. He told me I should go talk to him. I wanted to obviously but was just hesitant for some reason. Ben knows me pretty well because in the end he looked me straight in the eye and said something to the effect of "If you don't do this, not only will you live to regret it but I am going to kick your ass".

I am not sure if it was the first part of that statement or the second that convinced me. Either way, I nodded and without a word walked over standing right near him. There were several women talking to him, and then some guy started a conversation with him before ending it just as quick. I tap him on the left shoulder and as he turns around towards me I say "Hi Evan, my name is Sam...my friend gave you a tape and CD of mine last week". He looks puzzled for about five seconds and then he goes "Oh, you're not..." and I say "The C-Minus Project; you called my house and spoke with my Mother..." and his eyes light up. Suddenly this is really happening. I don't care what you have heard about him; he is one of the nicest, most genuine human beings I have ever met.

He immediately treated me like some new friend, standing really close to me and looking me in the eye. He asks about how the CD was recorded. "Was that done in your bathroom?". "No, my kitchen" I reply. He says "Oh, you have such a great voice and a beautiful sound". On the inside I am spinning out and have probably never felt more proud. On the outside all I can say is "Thankyou". He tells me he gets unreleased music all the time and usually it's not very good. We talk about the country covers he has been recording, discuss tonight's show and his other new solo songs. I tell him how great they sound.

He sees his girlfriend (now wife) and says "Hey Elizabeth, this is ... sorry...what's your name...Sam?". "Sam" I say nodding. "This is Sam, we've been listeing to his CD. You know, the 747 song?". I feel giddy because my songwriting hero knows one of my songs but laugh quietly because his American accent pronouces it "Seven forty seven". Shes says they have been listening to the CD over the last week. Evan asks where I am from and I tell him from down the south of Sydney, near Cronulla. He thinks he has been there once, mentioning the beach. I tell him about the song GP and he says "Yeah, your friend (Bruno) told me. He was pretty drunk but he got the message across". He keeps telling me how good the songs are and I keep thanking him. I think he knew how important this was to me. Realising this, I tell him how much this meant to me for him to be saying this and for calling my house. He says "Thank you for coming up and introducing yourself" and then

saying something like "I know it wasn't easy" referring to me being a tad shy about it all. He looks me in the eye the whole time, showing sincerity. This is a moment, a moment I am keeping. I can see Alice and Leah peering over all super smiley. Evan looks so healthy and happy. I tell both Evan and Elizabeth how great it was to meet them. (I am positive he doesn't remember meeting years before on a few occasions through mutual acquiantances...hopefully anyway. I was young and silly and unable to mutter much at all...as much as I hate the ageing process, sometimes maturity is good). I shake their hands and say goodbye.

Alice, Leah and I go to the Townie for a beer. I am on a cloud. I recall sitting by the window upstairs behind the staircase and only absorbing half of the conversation. I was smiling. This was such a great night. On the way back to the car from the pub, Alice and I are walking near the school on King Street. Across the road walking up past the Sandringham Hotel we see Tom Morgan, Alison Galloway, Evan and Elizabeth. I say to Alice something to the effect of "Look at that group of champions", not waving and for some reason playing it cool. Tom looks at me, gives me a wave and I clap, yelling out "Great show, great show". Then Evan gives me a wave and a friendly grin. My night is complete. The final touch if you will.

An unforgettable night.