What do you do?
In answering this question, I tend to sound like I don't have a real job. I really do — many, in fact — though most of them are quite unconventional. My background is in arts marketing and publicity, and I've recently made an accidental transition into producing and writing. I have a number of projects at the moment, including part-time roles as Communications Manager for Expressions Dance Company and Publicist for Brisbane Eisteddfod, and my longterm colleague and close friend Naomi Price and I unintentionally started a production house called the little red company.
With little red, we're currently touring Australia with our original Adele cabaret, Rumour Has It: Sixty Minutes Inside Adele, which has enjoyed sellout seasons in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Noosa and on the Gold Coast. I'm also about to start a contract as an Online Producer on Big Brother. It's a juggling act.
Why do you do it?
I do it because I genuinely love it. Isn't that the way it should be? I studied journalism at QUT and had every intention to be a television journalist. I then fell into a marketing job at La Boite Theatre Company (crossing over to the dark side, my journalism lecturers warned), and fell in love with the work and the people. The arts crowd is an inspiring one. They're cheeky. They're ambitious. They make magic from nothing. They know how to party. It's a lifestyle, and I think if you're spending most of your waking hours working towards something it's best that it's the thing you enjoy most.
What do you love about the city you live in?
I love that Brisbane is a city of great opportunity. I love that the arts and entertainment scene has skyrocketed in the past few years. I love that I have 10 favourite cafes on rotation for mid-week breakfasts. I love that I live with two best friends a stones throw from the city. I love that my friends and colleagues are kicking goals and constantly providing me with great nights out. I love that 95% of my favourite people in the world choose to live here.
Where did you go for your last holiday?
My last holiday seems like an age ago… I spent a year in the UK from 2010-11, and I guess that was my last holiday in a sense. In saying that, I'm very lucky in that I travel interstate quite a bit for work. I had a mini-break with friends last month in Sydney, and will be in Melbourne this month for Melbourne Cabaret Festival. As a freelancer, though, there are literally 20hrs each week that I physically have to be somewhere, so I suppose I don't need holidays as much as I once did.
What's your favourite item of clothing? Why?
A scarf from All Saints in London. My best friend bought it for me one Christmas. It's literally 10ft long, masks un-ironed clothes and doubles as a blanket at the movies.
What was your favourite TV show when you were a kid?
Dungeons and Dragons. Or Power Rangers.
If you could travel back in time for a day, where would you go?
15 April, 1912: middle of the Atlantic Ocean. I'd tell Rose to move over a bit.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook for us?
The Palace has an open door policy and has had over 700 check-ins at last count. I had friends over last night and made a chicken and chorizo pesto pasta, with garlic bread. It uses up all your cheat meals for a year, but it's life-changing. And even better the next day cold. I'd probably make that.
What's the best lesson you've ever learned?
You can make someone's day ten times over before lunchtime. And your world will be richer for it.
Tell us one thing about yourself that nobody else knows...
I'd struggle to find something that nobody knows. I'm terrible at keeping things to myself — I need to talk everything through. One story that I like to tell strangers, though, is that I once tried to convince Vince Vaughn that he knew me. It was 2am one morning at a bar in Beijing during the 2008 Olympic Games. I was drunk, and he was tuning the captain of the USA women's soccer team. Or the goalie. Whoever she was, she gave a 'tell all' about athletes acting up in some men's magazine during last year's games and hinted at secretly shagging a celebrity. I figure that if I knew she did it (well, I assumed she did), then it's not as secret as she thinks.
Are you happy with your work/life balance?
I love it. My work and life are essentially in an open relationship. The boundaries are well blurred.
How do you define success?
Success is jumping out of bed each morning because you genuinely look forward to the day ahead. And getting paid well for it. That's important too.
What's your spirit animal?
A giraffe.
Image: Dylan Evans
Adam Brunes - scenestr of the day
