New Times: You're named after your alien green cards. Whose idea was that?
Kym Warner: We try to not take ourselves too seriously. It was our first ever gig and we didn't have a name. The promoter said, "What's your name?" We said, "I don't know. We can call ourselves the Greencards, I guess."
NT: Why'd you guys decide to move to the U.S. eight years ago?
Warner: Commercial country music is one thing in Australia, but when you start branching off into roots and acoustic music with somewhat of a bluegrass style -- this band wouldn't have survived back home. We'd have half a dozen dates a year.
NT: How do you find American audiences compared to Australian audiences?
Warner: They're much more educated about music. Very responsive. Once again, you don't get the opportunity to play this stuff at home. When you do, it's normally in the corner of a casino or in a lounge while people are watching football above you or playing the pokies.
NT: Do you think Keith Urban's success has helped the Greencards at all?
Warner: The success he's had is phenomenal. You shouldn't even be using our names in the same breath. But yeah, I think he's helped open the door, so people go, "Oh, he's Australian. What else have you got?"
NT: Do two Aussies and a Brit playing traditional bluegrass country music in the country that created it ever seem ironic to you?
Warner: (Laughs.) It seems normal to us, because we grew up listening to this stuff. But to come over here and land in Austin and make what is a predominantly American form of music. Yeah, I can definitely see the comedic aspect of it.
