Get to know… Graeme Leak of Spaghetti Western Orchestra

Graeme Leak is one fifth of Spaghetti Western Orchestra – a bunch of brilliant and ingenious Australians who have made Ennio Morricone’s iconic soundtracks their own – with a bit of help from an unlikely list of ‘instruments’ including cornflake packets, coathangers and rubber gloves…

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Which mobile number do you call the most?
My children’s.

What – or where – is perfection?
Getting the egg, the coffee and the toast plated up at the same time.

Who is your favourite hero from fiction (book/comic/film/opera) – and why?
Lisbeth Sandler [heroine of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy] – misunderstood genius, appallingly mistreated, stays true to herself.

What’s your favourite ritual?
Setting up my stage gear for a Spaghetti Western Orchestra show.

What do you fear the most?
The exchange rate.

Which living person do you most admire, and why?
David Byrne – unique artist, always exploring, a constant inspiration, he leads the way.

What other talent or skill would you like to possess?
Financial and accounting.

Tell us about a special memory you have of Southbank Centre
Playing to sold out QEH houses in our first ever London shows – unforgettable.

What’s your favourite website?
OneAcross (anagram generator).

If you could programme your ideal Southbank Centre show, which artists (living or dead) would you bring together?
The Spaghetti Western Orchestra with special guest appearance by Clint Eastwood support David Byrne as headline act.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Don’t worry about it – let it go.

What is the most played piece of music on your MP3 player or in your CD collection?
Disc One – French in Three Months.

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Spaghetti Western Orchestra is at Queen Elizabeth Hall from Tuesday 26 – Friday 29 October. Click here for more details and online booking.