The Q in FAQ stands for Questions. The FA may stand for Frequently Asked, Formerly Answered or Fucking Annoying. It never stands for Friskily Animalistic, Fleetingly Antisemitic or Glibly Responsive. The questions below are listed vaguely in order of how frequently they are asked.

If your question isn’t answered below, I can’t recommend strongly enough the Angry(Feet) page. It has loads of info, all my lyrics, heaps of pics and downloads, and a huge bloody forum where people talk about all sorts of stuff including quite a lot of stuff about my stuff.

Where can I find sheet music of your songs?
I don’t really write my stuff down. One day I will and when I do I shall publish them in a large leather-bound volume entitled, “Minchin Masterpieces”. However, I love that people want to learn to play my songs, and would suggest one of the following options:
[1] Work it out by ear. I believe transcribing is the fastest way to becoming a good musician, even if you’re just transcribing my silliness.
[2] Go here.

Do you run your own website?
Do you reply to your messages yourself or do you have a PA?
At the moment, I manage all content on this website. All posts and messages from here are forwarded to my email and I try to read as many of them as I can. I also largely deal with my Myspace page. My Myspace Fairies deal with spam and accept friends for me, but I read my own messages. Unfortunately, I have become less able to reply to messages since I lost my right arm in a logging accident. (nb. After the word “since” in that last sentence, the truth is overwhelmed). My website is designed and built by this wonderful mob and hosted by this fantastic chap.

Why is your DVD not available from the UK and US?
Does your Australian DVD work in the UK and US?
How do I buy Merchandise in the US?
My DVD, So Live works in ALL regions, but only on PAL machines. This means it will always work in the UK. It will only work in the US if you have a PAL player… most machines there are NTSC. You can import other merchandise to the US - all you need is a credit card.
The reason So Live is only available in Australia (or on import from Australia) is that I am signed to a development deal with Universal in all regions except Australia and New Zealand. Therefore, I produced an independent DVD in Australia for the fun of it, but won’t release anything elsewhere until I, my management, and Universal think enough people will buy it to justify the cost. Boring huh?

Why do you not wear shoes?
Where does your “look” come from?
How do you get your hair like that?
I don’t wear shoes cos I went barefoot one day and liked it. I like wearing eye makeup cos it make my eyes look weird / nicer / more easily seen from the audience. I like my long coat cos it makes me feel like a proper pianist. I get my hair permed straight, then put a bit of muck in it, back-comb it chunky style and spray it with hairspray. After a few shows I don’t have to do anything to it; it just stays like that. I also enjoy the theatricality of performance - not just the narrative content. To an extent my onstage persona is a character, and his appearance contributes to a removal from reality which allows me to say what I want to say on stage without annoying (most) people.

When did you start playing the piano?
What grade did you reach?
Where did you learn?
I did up to Grade 2 (AMEB) as a kid. I then mucked around a bit and got a bit better for about 8 or 9 years. When I was 19, I did an “Advanced Diploma of Contemporary Music” at the WA Conservatorium.

Where can I buy a copy of the Timmy the Dog album, Sit?
I’m afraid Sit is out of print. I am happy for it to be passed around by those who can be bothered. You might find someone to steal it off here.

When are you next coming to Melbourne / London / Kent / Philadelphia etc.
I will endeavour to keep my Gigs page as up-to-date as possible. I only post there when shows are locked in and confirmed. If you particularly want me to play in your city, you are most welcome to send me a message to let me know. It’s nice when that happens.

Where do you get your ideas from?
This gets asked loads, and I don’t really know what it means. My ideas are just distillations of my thoughts, and my thoughts are a by-product of consciousness. In other words, I get my ideas the same way you get yours. If you’re looking for inspiration, my advice is to read books then go walking.

More answers to FAQs will be added here as we go.

tx