Following the break up of platinum-selling band Short Stack, Shaun Diviney began working on solo material, which he is finally ready to unleash on the world.
Although hugely successful with his old band, Diviney became dissatisifed with the way things were done and the restrictions placed upon him.
“The band had to follow a formula when it did things, and I didn't really like to work that way. I wanted to branch out as a writer. We all wanted something different out of it and it wasn't fun anymore. It's the best job in the world, so when it's not fun you know something's wrong.”
The pop-punk trio had a hoard of devastated teenaged female fans when the news broke about their split.
“I think they were pretty upset, to say the least. You sort of underestimate how much it affects people. But every time one of my favourite bands have broken up I've also been upset, so I understand it.”
Despite going their separate ways, the relationship between Shaun and his ex-bandmates Andy Clemmensen and Bradie Webb remains friendly.
“It's cool. We don't really see each other as much as we'd like to because we all live in different parts of the state – Bradie's in the city being a producer, Andy's up north, and I'm here on the beach! We talk to each other every now and then and we're still mates.”
As for his solo venture, Shaun is excited about the new opportunities open to him.
“We've headed overseas, which is something Short Stack never really did and we've had quite a bit of interest from there, which is flattering. The other thing is that Short Stack had loads of pressure – we had gold albums and platinum records, and we had to try and replicate that success, whereas now it's really about having fun and experimenting with musicianship.”
With this new freedom comes a chance to experiment with new influences.
“I definitely still listen to Blink 182 and NOFX like I did when I was younger, but I don't listen to it religiously. I really like Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5, and Prince – bands where there's a lot of groove and it's all about a beat, rather than a wall of sound. I think my solo sound has an element of dance music to it.”
Recording in Los Angeles and New York has certainly been an interesting experience for Diviney.
“It seems like the pinnacle of the musical world to some people. At the same time it's kind of weird, because you can realistically record something that's the same quality in your bedroom these days. It's crazy. First and foremost I want to be a songwriter, so I got to write with people over there who've written for Chris Brown, so that's really cool and important to me.”
Shaun Diviney Tour Dates
Brisbane, Saturday January 5, The Old Museum.Sydney, Saturday January 12, The Lair @ Metro Theatre.
Melbourne, Saturday January 19, Ding Dong Lounge.
