Home Stories: Chris Endrey

Posted on 14 October, 2019

In this edition of Home Stories, Ashley and Cass visit the inner north home of multi-faceted musician Chris Endrey.

You know it’s going to be an interesting home story when the owner greets you at the door in a loose-fitting fluffy pink robe.

Chris exploded out of his front door after I rang the doorbell with plenty of enthusiasm and smiles for a Sunday morning. “Sorry about this, I forgot you were coming over and I just got out of the shower, I’ll quickly get changed!”.

“Don’t worry about it,” I smiled while Cass giggled in the background. “It will make the story even more fun.”

I used that word ‘fun’ for a reason, as Chris had just got out of the shower because he was getting ready to get dressed up in a shiny ensemble, before heading to a gig with one of his three bands—‘Fun Machine’.

Chris and I met when we both played Foreshore Music Festival many years ago. We laughed that—his being the first band on—they played to some guy setting up a stall and another on a lawnmower. Mind you, I played to those guys too—though by the time I finished 45 minutes later, there was a maddening crowd of 1,000 people bouncing to a dance music set. Ahhh, the good old days.

But enough about that, and back to Chris and his little quaint weatherboard cottage in O’Connor, which he shares with two flatmates, a cat and a dog.

“We moved here a few months ago just across from Lyneham,” explains Chris. “We love this location and also these styles of older homes that have plenty of character.”

I can see why—everyone I met had plenty of character too; from the two guys deep into a computer game to a friend that popped over to check the drums for today’s gig and to grab some hot soup.

Wait, hot soup on a Sunday morning? Yep, Chris is famous for them and judging from the aroma that wafted through the house I can see why. Whatever it was, it smelled healthy and delicious. Not exactly what you expect from career musicians living in a share house, right?

But then there’s lots about Chris that’s not what you would expect. He’s not a party guy; rather a creative soul that surrounds himself with constant music and people that promote that creativity. When he relaxes, he cooks and watches history documentaries—but then again, Chris rarely relaxes.

Staying active is a conscious choice, as he runs the ‘Canbeurovision’ battle of the bands, play multiple gigs with multiple bands, organises footy games for musicians and plenty of other things we didn’t even touch on.

“It’s clearly not for the money, but the freedom of self-expression that music brings is really important to me and so many people I’m involved with,” says Chris. Looking at his sequinned top lying in the grass, I asked if perhaps fashion was another vehicle for this too. “For sure, it’s good to be bold and a little fearless and bring a point of difference to people’s lives.”

Despite his home being a transient place full of people and life, it is not just for instruments and stage clothing. On the contrary, it’s a place that keeps Chris grounded.

The kitchen is a place to think and get creative (this is where the soup comes in), the soft worn-in couch a place to exercise the mind by learning about the past, the backyard a big relaxed space to admire the nature in its spring glory.

Yes, Chris’s life is as full as the back of his car (jammed tight with keyboards and footies) but his home is a simple and stripped-back place to stop, recharge and think of the next creative project.

When Cass and I were leaving, Chris admitted that he purposely didn’t read my previous Home Stories to make sure that he didn’t have a preconception and would come across as genuine. So, what you’re getting is a true representation of Chris, his life and his home, and that pink robe made a whole lot of sense after all. I’m just glad it wasn’t a windy day.