With the release of their 2008 album ‘Births, Deaths & Marriages‘, Brisbane indie rock band 26 were introduced to more than 7,000,000 people in 25 countries. Their song ‘A New Beginning’ was heavily featured in the final episode of NBC’s police procedural drama ‘Life‘. This year, 26 have been releasing a 4 part album ‘26×365‘: 3 songs every 3 months for 1 year, exclusively to iTunes. With Parts 1 & 2 already released, 26 have been rewarded for their efforts by receiving the honour of winning the Q Song 2009 - Rock Song of the Year for their song ‘Bring On the Colour Guard‘. We asked 26’s frontman Nick O’Donnell four questions for One Movement Word.

Nick, what’s your favourite song this week?

‘Thump’ by Bertie Blackman. [video embedded below]

The songwriter in me thinks it’s a great bit of interesting music, a little bit pop, a little bit dirty… 3:33 of goodness. The producer/engineer in me says… “Holy crap that mix stands up so well… it sits about 6 inches in front of the speakers… love it!”

What do you hope to gain from the One Movement festival and conference?

Meet people, make connections; an audience, friends, comrades, industry folk that fall in love with what you do and will go into battle for you later down the track.

Which artists’ showcase sets are you most looking forward to watching?

Bertie Blackman of course…. We’d like her to do a duet on our next record too…. Bertie - My number is 0408 *** ***…. Call me.

One Movement’s tagline is “Artist, Industry, Fan United.” What do you think needs to change in order to unite the music industry with its artists and fans?

Pushing the titles aside I think the biggest thing I have realised over the years is that we are all in it for the same reason…. we love music and can’t live without it. It’s got under our skin…. enough so that we have parted with money at times we probably should have paid the rent, our phone bills or even food with but instead we bought an album, a ticket or a T-Shirt. Artists and industry were once “fans” and for the most part still are. I think the majority of us are in it for the right reason…. The love of music and to feel like we are connected.

26 play the Breakthrough Stage at 12.45pm Saturday, October 17 2009 (full timetable here). Catch up with the band on MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, and their website; view a live video of their song ‘Aloha’ below.