Interview with Pete Devine of Pete’s Rock News and Views (http://petesrocknewsandviews.com)
PD: How would you describe yourself or your band as an artist?
LDOU: Lost Dogs Of Ultimo started out as a street art and music project collaboration capturing the sights and sounds of Melbourne Australia as we navigated Covid lockdowns, bringing together street art and composing music / soundtracks to complement them. I also write and record with The Crushed Puppets and Flip That Groove
PD: Can you tell us briefly about your background – i.e. where you’re from, how you came to make music, etc.
LDOU: I am from Australia but did grow up in Manchester UK returning to Oz in the 80s with a bag of punk records and a desire to make music self taught bass / Guitar starting off busking ( The Worlds worst busker ) then got a job in The White Room Rehearsal studios in Sydney meeting most of My current collaborators
PD: Who and what inspires you to make music, both in terms of musical and other influences? What do you like to write about in your songs?
LDOU: My biggest influences started off with The Clash & Paul Simmonen bass on Sandinista was mind blowing for me fusing punk & reggae and experimental aspects of composing in the studio i also love Jah Wobbles style and Alan Vega (Suicide).
I tend to write and create in themes as i absorb books and music/ bands in my own life these inspirations tend to emerge in My songs Ive recently covered topic like Surf Punk, Death ,Serial killers and Mental Health
PD: What are your aspirations as an artist?
LDOU: Im trying to develop relationships with other artists, musicians and activists to continue to create collaborations and develop pieces of Music and visual Art using and using the audio and visual for collective expression
PD: What is the proudest moment in your music career so far?
LDOU: Getting to work with Rob Younger ( Radio Birdman ) He produced the album Taste This when I was in Bits Of Kids a Sydney Punk band The studio production and engineering world at that point blew my mind 
PD: Promoting one’s music is such a challenge these days, especially with so many new artists emerging from bedrooms in the day of the home studio. How is that going?
LDOU: Music promotion has always been difficult as an independent artist without Label or management support . Id rather have more artists being creative in the world than Armys and War. I think the digital era has opened up more opportunities for a lot of more isolated musicians and thats a good thing. I just try to keep making my music sharing the process with other artists and releasing hopefully it can reach out to someone and resonates with them
PD: And how do you book and promote yourI live shows and tours? Any performances coming up?
LDOU: Networking with other independent musicians and sharing resources I’m currently trying to access funding and support to put on a audio visual show on one of the many festivals we have here in Melbourne
PD: What do you think about downloading music online? What about streaming sites like Spotify?
LDOU: Its very hard to get income for a lot of bands / artists through streaming but its the way to connect with people who hopefully find you and want to come to a live gig. I never set out to write a song to create economy I always write a song to say something or make a point. So my expectation of monetising is removed and that takes a lot of pressure off myself. This frees me up artistically
PD: What song do you wish you’d written and why?
LDOU: I love so many songs every week I hear something and wish I was brave enough to write that or clever enough to put something together. But the current track is The Subways Shake Shake because it just rocks my core such a powerful driving track I feel like I want to dive into the Mosh pit hearing it.
PD: Is there anything you don’t like about the music industry, which you would change if you could?
LDOU: I think any industry has bad or negative elements hopefully I can navigate around the shit that I dont agree with. Respect each others art and journey.
PD: So, what are you working on at the moment?
LDOU: My current project for Lost Dogs Of Ultimo is The Smells Like series where I record and release My version of tracks that inspired me on my journey. The first release in January 2023 was The MC5s Looking At You What a band and track they were way ahead of every body with energy and attitude. The March release is The Clash and Junior Murvin song Police and Thieves from My old busking days Then It will be X Ray Specs Identity Polystyrene was an exceptional singer and artist I miss Her
PD: Where can we learn more about you and buy your music/merch online?
LDOU: BandCamp: https://lostdogsofultimo.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lost_dogs_of_ultimo_/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0XwoN8qkF3CNq5aQoYf3EC?si=lkEaJOLjT4iqwNMjVqhsGg
Lost Dogs of Ultimo links:
Band/Artist location – Melbourne, Victoria
Facebook – You Tube – Soundcloud – Bandcamp –
Twitter – Instagram – Apple – Spotify – Amazon – Deezer –
Check our page for Lost Dogs of Ultimo
