Superjesus’ Sarah McLeod celebrates 20 years of Sumo success

MOVING from state to state this Aussie rock princess has lost none of her spark

The Superjesus frontwoman Sarah McLeod reflects on a rock ‘n’ roll life as she is set to embark on a 20th anniversary tour of debut album, Sumo. Pictures: Chris Groenhout

• WHO: The Superjesus frontwoman Sarah McLeod

• WHERE: Two-bedroom cottage in Melbourne

• FAVOURITE THING: There were a whole bunch of puppies at the pet shop, but one ran under the Coke machine. I went over to pick her up and Take On Me by A-ha came on the radio. Chachi and I have been together ever since

• INSPIRATION: I am good at making stuff out of junk

• HOME IS: I give so much of myself on stage, that home is my absolute solitude

TWENTY years on, The Superjesus’ Sarah McLeod is still living her rock n’ roll dream, and there’s no slowing her down. Together with the band, she has embarked on a anniversary tour of their platinum selling album Sumo. The original album has even been reissued on vinyl with a rock cover of Kylie Minogue’s Confide In Me.

Aside from preparing for a national tour, she’s recently wrapped up playing the role of
St Jimmy in the stage production of Green Day’s rock musical American Idiot, and has also moved to Melbourne. It’s a lot to take in, but as Sarah says, “I have ants in my pants and just need to keep moving”.

“I was homeless, well I was living with my mum during American Idiot, and before that I was in Sydney,” she says.

AT HOME WITH NELLY ROBINSON

Originally from Adelaide, Sarah refuses to put down roots in any one place.

“I like to move around. I have lived in Melbourne before and have considered Brisbane,” she says. “My dad is in Sydney, my mum and band are in Adelaide. I thought Melbourne was a good in-betweener.”

Sarah has moved into a two-bedroom cottage in the inner-city, which is also a bit of a novelty. Having spent a sleepless night on her sister’s floor (TV presenter Leah McLeod), she dashed out to the see the realtor just as her sister left for the school run the next day.

“I usually go for a 1950s retro-style home, and this looks like a lady’s cottage with French doors and a garden,” she says. “It was the first home I saw and I took it straight away.”

Not that she’ll get much chance to acquaint herself with her new place. The Sumo tour kicks off next week in Adelaide and NSW dates are lined up from October 13 at various venues.

More:thesuperjesus.com

Sumo platinum award: That’s a special award and the centrepiece of my studio. At the moment it sits above my piano, right next to a framed picture of Elvis.

Piano: I am teaching myself to play the piano. If I pick up a guitar, it’s to practise or write a song — I look at it as my job. But if I sit down at the piano it’s for recreation

OG Guitar: This guitar was given to me by Billy Thorpe and I butchered it to be able to play both bass and guitar. I think he would be happy with my modifications.

1973 Gibson SG guitar: This was my first guitar, and I love the old dog. I didn’t know a thing about guitars when I bought it, I just liked the look of it. It still sounds and feels amazing.

Chachi my dog: There were a whole bunch of puppies at the pet shop, but one ran under the Coke machine. I went over to pick her up and Take On Me by A-ha came on the radio. Chachi and I have been together ever since

Candle: My sister made it. I am highly strung and I need to do whatever I can to calm down when I am working. Now, if that candle is not burning, I feel I won’t be able to have any good ideas.

Salt lamp fireplace: What’s the point of an ornamental fireplace? This is my solution. I have put salt rocks in there and stuck a globe underneath it so it looks like glowing hot coal.

Grundig record player: It doesn’t matter what you play on it, it sounds like a ‘50s record. It has the absolute best sound.

Bad Valentine range: I make my own clothes to wear on stage. I would chop up old tops or draw on them. I officially launched the brand in February, but I have been doing this for me, forever.

Outdoor setting: I like to pretend I’m like the old people in Florida sipping pina colada in the backyard. I’m in front of the computer a lot, so it’s nice to sit outside and stare at the stars.