by Karen Shamban

We asked Oracle OpenWorld Music Festival performer Dave Wakeling of The English Beat to answer some of our burning questions about what it's like leading the life of a musician. Here are the questions ... and Dave's insightful answers. 

Q. What do you like best about performing in front of a live audience?
A. Being in the moment is the aim for all of life.

Q. How do you use technology in creating and delivering your music?
A.  We use it behind the art, not instead of it.

Q. Do you prefer smaller, intimate venues or larger, louder ones?
A. I enjoy 'em all, big and small.

Q. What about your fans surprises you?
A. Their diversity, decency, and open mindedness.

Q. What about your live act surprises your fans?
A. That we are as good or even better than they had heard!

Q. There are going to be a lot of technical people (you could call them geeks) in the Oracle crowd - what are they going to love about your performance?
A. Geeks all have an inner diva, sometimes suppressed until they start to dance at one of our shows!

Q. What's new and different in the music you're making today, versus a year or two ago?
A. No difference. Only connect, forget the rest!

Q. Have you been on tour recently? If so, what do you like about touring, and what do you dislike?
A. Touring Australia at the moment ... I love the 2 hours onstage and get bored by the rules and regulations of the other 22 hours.

Q. Ever think about playing another kind of music? If so, what, and why?
A. No, my music is only ever a reflection of my soul.

Q. What are the top three things people should know about your music?
A. Dance, think, then dance some more! Limbic is good for us!

Get more deets:

Oracle OpenWorld Music Festival

The English Beat