words Wal Reid
“Post Modern Jukebox is not a band – it’s a Universe.”
Postmodern Jukebox, also widely known by the acronym PMJ, is a rotating musical collective founded by arranger and pianist Scott Bradlee. PMJ is known for reworking popular modern music into different vintage genres, especially early 20th century forms such as swing and jazz, if you’ve ever heard their Jazzed infused version of Lorde’s Royals with Puddles Pity Party Clown (Mike Geier) singing , you’ll know exactly who I’m talking about.
Pop/Jazz singer Aubrey Logan is about to embark on her first tour to New Zealand with the group who have amassed over 1.2 billion YouTube views and 4 million subscribers. She is excited about the prospect of visiting ‘Middle Earth’, well the closest thing to it anyway.
“I want to see the Hobbit I want to see The Shire with The Hobbits, I want to so bad. I’m about the height of one. (laughter)
“I have never been on a Post Modern Jukebox Tour to New Zealand,” she confides. “I’ve only been to Australia with a different tour, but you know what? PMJ is a whole lot of singers revolving in and out of tours.”
Each week, Postmodern Jukebox releases a new video on YouTube. Although originally most were filmed casually in Bradlee’s living room, sets became more elaborate over time. The band has covered songs by artists ranging from Lady Gaga and The Strokes to Katy Perry and the White Stripes. Since their beginnings as a small group of friends making music in a basement in Queens, New York, Postmodern Jukebox has gone viral around the world.
“You know what? Bohemian Rhapsody inspired me a lot. Yep, I loved it. It was hopeful, truthful and ALL the good things.”
“I’m really looking forward to the shows to be honest.” She readily admits. We’ll probably get on a plane most every day very little time to explore so I have to make the most of the fact that I’m on a show with some of my close friends. I have not been a part of a PMJ Tour for a couple of years, so, this will be my return and I’m so ready for the family reunion to be honest, that’s going to be my favourite thing.
“It’s like an extended family, we’re all artists and we do our own shows, I’ve been on the road doing my album tours but its time to reunite with my very close friends. Post Modern Jukebox is not a band – it’s a Universe.”
I ask her if the touring takes a toll on her daily life or marriage. It seems Logan has a penchant for touring and singing which she makes no qualms about.
“No if he came on tour we wouldn’t hang out at all.” she jokes. “It’s hard when we’re in a different city everyday. He visits me occasionally if I have a couple of days somewhere and somewhere really cool that he hasn’t been. He’ll pop over and we’ll hang out, we have to give and take, because I’m on tour all summer here and he’s visiting me for several shows, he has a job too believe it or not.”
Right Aubrey, I’m going to ask a series of spontaneous questions: You ready?
What is your favourite colour?
“Red. Because I can see it. I always notice it, it says “listen to me.” (laughter)
What is your favourite dish?
“Rib eyes on the grill.”
What is your pet peeve flying?
“I hate when you land and the plane sits on the tarmac however long, before going to the gate.”
Do you have any food allergies?
“No, I don’t.”
What is your favourite TV show?
“Breaking Bad.”
What is your favourite movie?
“You know what? Bohemian Rhapsody inspired me a lot. Yep, I loved it. It was hopeful, truthful and ALL the good things.”
Who are your favourite singers?
“Ella Fitzgerald, Al Jarreau, Don Henley, Whitney Houston, Linda Ronstadt, Frank Sinatra, I could keep going. I have quite a Jazz background. I sang musical tutor as a kid then when I picked up a trombone as a teenager, I learnt to play Jazz then learned to sing Jazz.”
What are your hobbies?
“Well if I’m not performing I’m writing songs, that’s more my full time job than anything but it takes so dang long. I do a lot of Crossfit and I cook a lot, those are my fun things I do, those are my outlets.”
Who you could choose anybody, who would you perform a duet with?
“Michael McDonald. I covered one of his songs on my recent album.”
She is adamant that she will return for solo tour of New Zealand in the future, but first up is the Australia and New Zealand leg of PMJ’s world tour. Hopefully she would’ve seen a few Hobbits by then – with or without Hubby