Melbourne electro-pop duo Mink Engine aka the ever so charming Askii  (left) and Touch Me Tiger (right) impress us with their back flips, wolf whistles and of course their musical ability!

Tell us about the first time you were really inspired by music?
Askii: Hearing music made by synthesisers, like Wendy Carlos, Jean-Michel Jarre and Kraftwerk. Then I heard Herbie Hancock's RockIt and I became obsessed with drum machines.
TMT:  If I was being honest about this I would say it was The Smurfs Album. I had a mini cassette player that I would put in my basket on my BMX, and ride around the neighbourhood singing 'Pink toothbrush'. My brothers called me "Powderpuff with Rockets in Her Socks". I still know every word of 'Pink Tooth Brush'!!! Later on it was The Velvet Underground, their synthesis of music and art was a very exciting concept.

What do you consider to be your greatest skill?
Askii: In dreams, flying. In reality, cooking.
TMT: Creative thinking and travel with impractical shoes.
 
Name two albums you keep very close to hand.
Askii: from what my iTunes play count tells me, Vitalic's - Flashmob, and Wendy Carlos' - Switched-On Bach
TMT: Classic Grace Jones  - The Universal Masters and LCD Soundsystem - Sound of Silver.
 
The road to musical success is often long and hard. What is one lesson you have learnt along the way that changed the way you saw things?
Askii: The road goes both up and down, and left and right, all the way up the mountain.
TMT:  If you want to do it, go for it. Never wait for things to happen - make them happen. Being true to your own vision is the most important thing, design your own dreams.

Who inspires you? (Both in life and in music)
Askii: I'm really inspired by migrants, who leave their native countries to start a life in a completely different part of the world, but bring their cuisine & culture with them to share, and to help deal with the homesickness.
TMT: John Waters (The Film Director), Keiichi Tanaami, Le Tigre, Askii, my friends and family.

Tell us a quirky fact about yourself no one else knows!
Askii: I can do back-flips on the trampoline. All day.
TMT: I can wolf whistle.

If you could have two wishes come true what would they be?
Askii: Live in space for a bit. Own an outrageous supercar (and be able to afford to run it).
TMT: Peace on earth and a Space age house by the ocean with endless time to make art and smell the flowers with Askii.

Before you step on stage for a gig, what do you do to prepare?
Askii: Yawn. A lot. Helps my nerves.
TMT: Try to zone out Askii's yawning by doing some high kicks, jump around and then change the batteries in my Keytar... just in case.

What do your parents think of what you do? Have you ever taken them along to a gig?
Askii: My mum was always one of my greatest fans, and she was always in awe of what I did. She saw us perform at the National Gallery of Victoria once, and I think the connection with art and music finally made sense!
TMT: They love Mink Engine and are extremely supportive. They came to the National Gallery gig too, in fact so did my Grandma...

If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be?
Askii: Sounds corny, but making people happy.
TMT: Being a major contributor to a rich and vibrant Australian Arts landscape

Having spent so much time on aeroplanes, are you an official member of the mile high club?
We don't kiss and tell.

Mink Engine's outrageously fun debut album 'Acres of Diamonds' is out on 6th March.

http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/acres-of-diamonds/id344093512 - buy it here!
http://www.minkengine.com/
http://dickchicken.com.au/