INTERVIEW: DAVE GRANEY CELEBRATING LOU REED: THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO
Interview by Cecilia Pattison-Levi
What makes the music of Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground and Nico still sound so dynamic and important? It was music written when rock ‘n’ roll was still fresh, new and bubbling with creative innovation. The music, the lyricism and the style were products of the youth cultural revolution. And Lou Reed was one of the most influential musicians of that movement. He had style and swagger – and his talent matched his ambition.
Lou Reed, Nico and the band are no longer with us. But people want to hear those songs and experience the power of that music. The musicians Dave Graney, Robert Forster (The Go-Betweens), Mick Harvey (The Bad Seeds), Rob Snarski (The Blackeyed Susans, The Triffids) and Stefanie Duzel are going to bring their musical skill to the force that spanned more than five decades in music back to life.
“He had such a long career,” stated Dave Graney. “We were asked to pick what songs we would like to sing in homage to Lou Reed. I have chosen songs from his 1970’s solo period from 1973 to 1979. I was a teenager and his music was exciting. I love the Transformer album. For me, I understood him as a pop performer. He was part of a thriving rock ‘n’ roll scene”.
“I think these songs deserved to be heard,” said Dave Graney. “People and musicians appreciate the music and it’s great to hear it in a live situation. We won’t be mimicking Lou Reed or Nico. The other singers, and myself, we will bring new interpretations to the songs”.
“The performance will also be relaxed,” explained Dave Graney. “We are all friends and we are looking forward to performing together to deliver these shows and songs. I am doing the upbeat groovers but I am not singing ‘Walk On The Wild Side’. Someone else is doing that one. We are glad that people are responding to the shows and seem positive about the respect we are undertaking in bringing these songs to life in our own ways”.
As well as this series of shows bringing the sounds of Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground and Nico back into our consciousness, Dave Graney has just finished a two-month tour of Australia and is also working on a new album for release in 2026.
“It will be a rock ‘n’ roll album,” said Dave Graney. “I like to write songs and once you’re in the flow and tone, the songs come. I have never really fussed with youth culture and write what I want and how I want”.
Now, that sounds very Lou Reed. He had that attitude as well: I will talk about what I want to, write the music I want to, and be what I want to be. He was a fascinating and engaging man. If you can project that vision, I have no doubt that Dave Graney, and the other singers and musicians, will deliver those songs and sounds just right.
The Man. The Myth. The Music: Celebrating Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground & Nico is on at the venues below.
Saturday 24 January – The Metro, Sydney, NSW
Sunday 25 January – The Triffid, Brisbane, QLD (Sold Out)
Monday 26 January – The Triffid, Brisbane, QLD (2nd show)
Friday 30 January – 170 Russell, Melbourne, VIC (Sold Out)
Saturday 31 January – The Gov, Adelaide, SA
Friday 6 February - 170 Russell, Melbourne, VIC (2nd Show)
Tickets are on sale now via Metropolis Touring.
