It’s not hard to figure out why Andrew Kornweibel has called himself Friendly. On his latest album titled ‘10 things you need to know about friendly’ he thanks his family scattered across the globe and those that have played, reviewed and booked him. As well as Kid Kenobi and the Australians who have supported him. He is “lovin’ you all,” but why is Friendly, friendly?
Rewind a couple of years. The persona of Friendly is born. Kornweibel releases a solo album, ‘Hello Bellybutton’ in 1998 that earns him an Aria nomination. He becomes the first Australian to sign over to Zomba Records and things look great. But how things can change so quickly in the world of music. A management shuffle at Zomba brings with it a change in music direction. Friendly no longer fits their sound. He is musically homeless and starts again in London. DJ gigs pay the bills and his mixing, songs and bootlegs are noticed. Fresh, party, breaks.
Forward a couple of years. It is 2003 and it’s the year of break beat. Local acts Nubreed, 1200 Techniques, and Stereophonics make the Aussie music charts and international tours by The Plump DJs, Freq Nasty and Jungle Brothers send many break lovers to ‘break’ heaven. Music programs are airing more clips and the genre continues to diversify and multiply. Looking at the trend, one has got to ask, is it raining break beats?
“Break beat is still fresh,” says Kornweibel. “With breaks, you can bring in so many different elements…drum ‘n’ bass, house…you can do whatever you want.” He describes his sound as “funky break beat, with some electro,” but forgets about the other elements he uses. His first release on Fat! Records is ‘Glottal Stomping’ and includes a voice hook that could not be any simpler. Clipped, electronic, synthesized vowel sounds that do not include the letter ‘i.’ The song is flipped on the decks by Soul of Man, Stanton Warriors and Rennie Pilgrem and for good reason. 
Friendly is the guy with the quirky beats and samples. The guy is ahead of his time. Many are not used to his style. It’s sudden. Not quite break beat, with house and female airport lounge voices. Not quite house with ragga and rudeboy stylin.’ Friendly’s musical collection of beats and samples are breathtaking and infinite. Every time you listen to the album, there is a new blip, agh, and eh, a new aural sensation.
Does it have to do with one of the first records he bought, A Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy? Or the Queen album he used to rock out to? No. “Once I discovered The Art of Noise, I was ‘off’ after that.” Meaning, on a mission of some sort.
If he could go ‘off’ and work with any musician at anytime it would be Stevie Wonder, 20 years ago. “Old Stevie Wonder is fucking amazing…his lyrics are brilliant and he has a lot to say. He has an uplifting and funky way when singing about deep songs in a happier way. It gets the message across.”
What’s Kornweibel doing at the moment? “I’m DJing and producing and spend all day in the home studio. You actually feel like you never leave work.” Which is a good thing, in a way. He was probably so bored he stared at his sneakers a lot.
Friendly has produced a song in ‘ode’ to the ‘sneaker freak’ called ‘Sneaker Sex.’ He has tapped into an obsession amongst ‘sneakerologists’ who socially analyse the cult of runners, give tips on sneaker maintenance and swap and trade thousands for a particular vintage shoe. Friendly is the guy with the interesting ideas as well.
Friendly touring dates:
Wednesday January 14th, Nutshell Breaks, Newcastle
Friday January 16th, Jetz, Coolangatta
Sunday January 18th, Big Day Out, Gold Coast
Thursday January 22nd, Kerfuffle, Manly
Friday January 23rd, Big Day Out, Sydney
Friday January 23rd, Bustin, Wollongong
Saturday January 24th, Big Day Out, Sydney
Sunday January 25th, Blowpop vs Throwdown, Sydney
Monday January 26th, Big Day Out, Melbourne
Friday January 30th, Big Day Out, Adelaide
Friday January 30th, The Lounge, Melbourne
Saturday January 31st, Ambar, Perth
Sunday February 1st, Big Day Out, Perth
