Harvey wears
jacket, $3490,
and shorts, $690, and shorts, $690,
both by both by GucciGucci..
MMonteonte wears wears
sweater, $725, sweater, $725,
shirt, $1575, pants, shirt, $1575, pants,
(sold as part of (sold as part of
a suit) $3060, a suit) $3060,
loafers, $1220, loafers, $1220,
socks, $205, socks, $205,
and ring, $525, and ring, $525,
all by all by GucciGucci..
HairHair M Madison adison
Voloshin at Viviens Voloshin at Viviens
Creative using Creative using
V76 by Vaughn.V76 by Vaughn.
SkinSkin Charlie Kielty Charlie Kielty
at Wat Work Agency ork Agency
using Musing MAC.AC.
Props StylistProps Stylist
Sophie Fletcher Sophie Fletcher
at B & A.at B & A.at this year’s Splendour in the Grass, where local acts out-performed
the international headliners – Client Liaison included.
“The international acts cruise in with their No.1 hits and
a big lighting rig, and that’s their smoking gun. Whereas acts like
ourselves sit in a room for a month preparing the most epic show possible.
While they’re touring around the world and slowing down, we’re at this
advantage where we can just go bonkers. That was actually what was
quite telling about where Australian music is right now.”
Perhaps the biggest misconception surrounding this band, and
arguably one they’ve actively railed against, is the idea that Client
Liaison are one-dimensional ’80s enthusiasts. “We like to move
with more of a model of a digital agency,” says Morgan, noting the
importance of social media engagement and staying up-to-date with
the ever-changing algorithms, researching concepts, filming and
critiquing each show and working to make the next one bigger and
better – Client Liaison is all business and 360-degree narrative
is what is setting them apart.
It helps Miller and Morgan both have art-school backgrounds. “Bands
have to act like this now. We try to present a multi-sensory experience, so
you can bite down as hard as you want,” says Morgan. “You can cruise on
the surface, have it wash over you. Or, like some of our mega-fans, dig
deep and get in the whole world that we’ve established.” n“Live music is flourishing and
aa lot of bands are ema lot of bands are ema lot of bands are ema lot of bands are ema lot of bands are ema lot of bands are emlotofbands areembracingbracing bracing bracing bracing bracing bracing
more theatrical elements.”
Ultimately, their schtick is Australian cringe culture-made-cool –
rendered with refreshing conviction, and without a trace of parody.
“We could incorporate so many other theatrical elements, it’s
crazy – there’s always more to add,” says Miller. Morgan agrees:
“Sometimes it’s self-generating. We’ve created this show and the wheels
are turning and they just are kicked in this direction and you just throw
ideas into it,” he says. “We’ve got this one idea, where we fake our own
deaths before the tour, then reappear. All this stuff, like coming down
out of coffins, zip lines, and flying around, there’s a lot more. Think
David Copperfield mid-’90s in Las Vegas.”
Think, Spinal Tap. “Oh, we’ve had many Spinal Tap moments,”
laughs Miller, recalling a time they had an Esky filled with dry ice and
Foster’s descend from the ceiling at a show. “It was a big deal. But it
was the tiniest Esky that barely held a six-pack. It descended from the
roof and it was this little lunchbox.” There’s also a mention of driving
Morgan’s car (a Toyota Soarer, naturally) off a cliff. Stay tuned.
“Australian music’s in a healthy spot,” states Miller, the band
having just returned from a world tour and the international release
of Diplomatic Immunity, which has been universally praised. But it’s
on stage that the duo really gets to flex their creative muscles.
“Live music is flourishing and a lot of bands are embracing
more theatrical elements,” says Miller, pointing out the mood
160 GQ.COM.AU MEN OF THE YEAR 2017