06.09.16 Music / Arts / Lifestyle / Culture
Brisbane / Free / Incorporating
2016
Issue
126
SEPTEMBER 7TH
BIGSOUND LIVE SEPTEMBER 8TH
BIGSOUND LIVE SEPTEMBER 9TH
SHOW US YOUR KNOWLEDGE - THE QUIZ SHOW SEPTEMBER 10TH
2SXC4U DJ NIGHT (FREE ENTRY) SEPTEMBER 15TH
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RAINBOW CHAN SEPTEMBER 23RD
LOADED PRESENTS GUANTANAMO BAYWATCH SEPTEMBER 24TH
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SOLD OUT
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11/02 -
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BIGSOUND 2016 / The Parties
Dew Process/The Music After-Party Presented by Dew Process and The Music (us!), get on down this Thursday at Woolly Mammoth. DJ sets will come from L K McKay & Dom Allesio, Lord Fascinator & Cleopold, Australia – The Band (The DJ Set) and Dew Process DJs. Cleopold
Mushroom Free For All
905
Fun guys unite for Mushroom Free For All this Tuesday at The Flying Cock. Capping off the massive line-up are ALTA, The Belligerents, Kyle Lionheart, Tiny Little Houses and DJ sets from Soothsayer and I OH YOU. Holy shitake!
The amount of artist wristbands on the loose Red Bull Sound
DZ Deathrays
Gawurra
Select Presents The Elephant Hotel host a mammoth show this Wednesday, courtesy of Red Bull Sound Select. DZ Deathrays, Sampa The Great, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever and B Wise will all be there for a huge show of good tunes and vibes.
18 • FOR THE BUZZ ON BIGSOUND: THEMUSIC.COM.AU
BIGSOUND 2016 / The Parties
Credits Publisher Street Press Australia Pty Ltd
Coopers/BIGSOUND
Group Managing Editor Andrew Mast
Official Closing Party
Gideon Bensen
Mallrat
National Editor – Magazines Mark Neilsen
This is your last chance to party BIGSOUND style, so head to The Triffid this Friday and make sure you don’t miss out! Live sets from Flowertruck, Good Boy, Alex Lahey, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever and Gideon Bensen.
The Oztix BIGSOUND Party The massive, allfemale line-up for The Oztix BIGSOUND PARTY will definitely set The Brightside alight with massive tunes this Thursday. Head on down and catch Olympia, Alex Lahey, Gabriella Cohen and Mallrat.
Editors Mitch Knox, Bryget Chrisfield, Brynn Davies, Sam Wall, Neil Griffiths, Uppy Chatterjee, Cyclone Wehner Culture Editor Maxim Boon Sales Leigh Treweek, Brad Summers, Antony Attridge, Braden Draper, Nicole Ferguson, Georgina Pengelly, Sammy Blades-Moore sales@themusic.com.au Art Dept Ben Nicol, Felicity Case-Mejia Admin & Accounts Meg Burnham, Ajaz Durrani, Emma Clarke accounts@themusic.com.au Distro distro@themusic.com.au Subscriptions store.themusic.com.au Contact Us Phone: (07) 3252 9666 info@themusic.com.au www.themusic.com.au Street: The Foundry, 228 Wickham St, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006 Postal: Locked Bag 4300 Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 Head Office: Level 1, 221 Kerr St, Fitzroy VIC 3065 Locked Bag 2001, Clifton Hill VIC 3068 Tel 03 9421 4499
Golden Age Of Ballooning
Tiny Little Houses
CAAMA Music Showcase Australia’s longest running Indigenous record label returns to BIGSOUND for another massive showcase. Gawurra, Catherine Satour, Apakatjah and more hit Ric’s Backyard this Wednesday.
Pandora Charged Get electric at Woolly Mammoth this Tuesday as Pandora Charged is set to get thunderous. A massive night of music will see Ecca Vandal, Alex Lahey, Fazerdays and Golden Age Of Ballooning lighting up the stage.
FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 19
BIGSOUND 2016
Big White Fresh off a much-anticipated showcase at BIGSOUND, after which they found themselves on our BIGSOUND buzz list, Sydney band Big White found another reason to celebrate when they signed an international booking deal with Belgium-based Tout Partout.
What BIGSOUND Means
1321 The number of delegates registered for BIGSOUND, at the time of writing : 1,200 Australians and 121 internationals.
BIGSOUND — What has happened and what will happen.
188 The amount of conference speakers at BIGSOUND this year, of which 117 are male and 71 female.
Tiny Little Houses Following their fantastic showcase at last year’s BIGSOUND, Melbourne folk/rock quartet Tiny Little Houses announced some great news from their camp — they had signed to Ivy League Records, joining the likes of The Rubens, Bad//Dreems and a heap more.
151 The number of Australian artists showcasing at BIGSOUND: 63 from Vic, 41 from NSW, 30 from Qld, nince from WA, four from SA, three from Tas and one from NT.
20 • FOR THE BUZZ ON BIGSOUND: THEMUSIC.COM.AU
3.1m The amount of dollars of spending generated to the economy via BIGSOUND tourism in 2015.
Gordi Sydney-via-Canowindra-based artist Gordi struck gold when she signed to one of the world’s highest regarded indie labels, Indiana’s Jagjaguwar. The then 22-year-old joined the likes of Bon Iver and Unknown Bone Orchestra just months after her BIGSOUND appearance.
Methyl Ethel At the 20 Questions panel last year it was announced that Methyl Ethel would be working with London’s Coda Agency. But the crowning moment for the Perth boys was being picked up by 4AD in March post BIGSOUND.
160
The number of showcasing artists, with 151 from Australia and nine from overseas.
Planete After a massive year that included Paradise, Strawberry Fields, White Night Melbourne and two BIGSOUND showcases, Niche welcomed Melbourne’s Planète (producer and musician Dion Tartaglione) to their local agency roster.
FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 21
BIGSOUND 2016
Welcome To BIGSOUND As BIGSOUND gets underway, here are Executive Programmers Maggie Collins and Nick O’Byrne to greet you at the door. Maggie Collins
Nick O’Byrne
W
I
hen I turned 15, all I got was a few more pimples and the ability to watch MA 15+ rated films. Bit of a non-event. For BIGSOUND, however, in reaching its 15th year it’s become more significant than ever before. What an honour it’s been to work on such a milestone moment in the history of this conference and festival for the past 12 months! One of the things that struck me throughout the process was, every time I had a meeting with someone in regards to BIGSOUND, it would end up in the most deep philosophical and ultimately feel-good conversation about this industry we work in – and that’s one of the themes I hope people take away with them from this year’s event. It also blows my mind how much Nick O’Byrne has put into this over the past few years for which we all are indebted. Massive respect to this guy who offered me such friendliness, advice and generosity of knowledge during this time! Together we have developed a collection of sessions so tantalizing, that I will not believe my eyes when I’m watching the likes of Kim Gordon or Jaddan Comerford’s keynotes; or seeing live sets from Tkay Maidza, KUCKA or A.B. Original. I look forward to this years’ BIGSOUND leaving me utterly inspired to deliver just as much of this standard in 2017. For now, dress pretty everyone! Because when it comes to 15ths, this is BIGSOUND’s Quinceanera, and it’s ready for a good time!
’ve been to every BIGSOUND conference since 2008. In fact the first time I ever visited Brisbane was when I flew up to attend BIGSOUND while I was doing an internship at AIR. That year I nervously met a bunch of people from labels and bands who were my heroes. I’ll never forget being frozen to the spot when I met Sub Pop’s founder Jonothan Poneman – I couldn’t manage much more than a squeak of admiration. BIGSOUND became an annual landmark for me – a way to track my increasing understanding of the way the music industry worked. Each year I saw learned new things, saw new bands, made new acquaintances and started developing and testing out my theories and opinions about how the industry worked. After five years of attending BIGSOUND as a delegate I successfully applied for the job of programmer in 2013 – which is basically a dream job if you love music and you are interested in the industry that surrounds it. I’ve had the joy of travelling the world and talking with enthusiasm about an event that I’d grown to love. My time at BIGSOUND has luckily coincided with an era of unprecedented success on the international stage for Australian artists. It gets easier every year to invite the world’s most influential labels, agents, festivals, publicists and publishers to come to Fortitude Valley and check out our incredibly diverse and high level music scene. 2016 is my last year at BIGSOUND with a programming role. I’ve worked with Maggie Collins this year who’ll take the event in new and exciting places in the future but right now I’m just stoked about the upcoming three days of inspiration and education and 160+ rad bands.
22 • FOR THE BUZZ ON BIGSOUND: THEMUSIC.COM.AU
Our Summer Ale is a thirst-quencher, low on bitterness but full of fruity, crisp characters. Roll on summer. Drink Responsibly.
BIGSOUND 2016
15 Act Set To Break Out From BIGSOUND We asked around delegates and staff to tell us which 2016 BIGSOUND acts they most expect to get industry-types excited. That’s resulted in this year’s must-have buzz list.
Alice Ivy
Middle Kids
BUOY
Good Boy
Lastlings
Remember last year’s BIGSOUND when everyone was tripping over themselves to get to Gold Class? Sydney indie trio Middle Kids are set to be THAT band this year.
Alice Ivy Is the Melbourne-based performer set to become this country’s first break-out multiinstrumentalist hero of future soul? Add her to the top of your must-see list.
Good Boy The buzz on these Brisbane garage punkers has risen to a screaming roar in the weeks leading up to BIGSOUND. Their Poverty Line track is a deadset Aussie dolewave anthem.
Braille Face This Melbourne singer/producer has quietly made his way into many delegates’ acts-to-see lists as chatter has spread about him in recent days. THAT voice!
Alex Lahey It could be argued that the Melbourne singer-songwriter has already broken out (thank you, triple j and Pitchfork). Lahey, Sampa The Great and Buoy were the names mentioned most by the delegates we spoke to. [Lahey is managed by The Music publisher Leigh Treweek.]
Flowertruck This Sydney quartet are bringing back all that was good about catchy, new-wave pop. People have noticed. This year’s Big White?
Lastlings Okay, so people are basically going nuts over these Brisbane siblings. Will their textural electroscopes make them this year’s Flume?
24 • FOR THE BUZZ ON BIGSOUND: THEMUSIC.COM.AU
BIGSOUND 2016
Sampa The Great
Young Tapz
The Belligerents
Middle Kids
Gabriella Cohen
Young Tapz
Columbus
BUOY
The New Zealand-based rapper last year featured on Hermitude’s The Buzz. This year he is ‘The Buzz’.
The Brisbane trio have already recorded with respected hardcore producer Jay Maas. They pack such a punch live we suggest you wear padding to their showcase.
Sydney’s Buoy has been building a rep on the underground electronic scene for some time now. But in the lead up to BIGSOUND her name seems to be on everyones’ lips.
West Thebarton Brothel Party A few years back Bad//Dreems made everyone at BIGSOUND take notice. Can these fellow Adelaide garage rockers repeat history?
Gabriella Cohen Ex-The Furrs singer has sent media and bloggers gaga (there’s been comparisons to Mazzy Star - say no more). Time for even more people to take notice.
Sampa The Great Already buzzing via triple j, Hype Machine, Spotify and BBC1, Sampa’s joyful hip hop is set to break out globally any second now.
Hideous Sun Demon Perth psych doesn’t get much more psycho than this. Could follow Tame Impala and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wiazrd onto the international psychedelic stage.
The Belligerents Brisbane’s The Belligerents are very much the tastemakers’ faves this year. If they replicate their energetic post-baggy indie studio sound on stage we could be looking at the next Jagwar Ma.
FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 25
BIGSOUND 2016
Learning Curve Ahead of his keynote at BIGSOUND 2016, Unified founding owner Jaddan Comerford chats to Uppy Chatterjee about not stealing Vance Joy’s thunder, who to meet at the conference and getting some great advice from Nina Las Vegas.
I
t’s no mean feat to direct metalcore and heavy acts like Northlane and The Amity Affliction to the #1 crown on the ARIA charts (the latter for three consecutive times), especially in an era where mainstream music is dominated by EDM kings like Calvin Harris or mammoth pop stars like Adele. But that’s exactly what Unified boss Jaddan Comerford achieved in the last year, the reason why his being shortlisted for the global MBW Young Executive Award was so impressive. Add to that list the global domination by sweet, lanky, honey-voiced Vance Joy, who is managed by Unified’s WAU, and it’s no wonder Comerford was enlisted for a BIGSOUND keynote this year - the man has secrets to share. He humbly explains that Joy’s success is all Joy, and he won’t be speaking “in too many specifics about each particular artist ‘cause, I guess, I’ve never really wanted to sort of take the artist’ spotlight”. “I don’t want to be trading up an artist’s successes, so although I’ll share some anecdotes, it’s not gonna be [me] just standing there talking about Vance Joy for an hour.” Comerford hopes that this year’s music industry pilgrimage to BIGSOUND will bring about some discussions about streaming and why we should stop painting it like the big bad wolf. “I think it’s really important that we as an industry in Australia start to really understand what streaming is doing to the market in a positive way. I think too many people are convinced otherwise, that it’s not good for the music business, not good for the future of artists. I’ll be talking about streaming in my speech for sure.” He also adds, “One of the topics we need to discuss less is festivals; we just spend so much time talking about festivals, and festivals are amazing. Most of them are doing really, really well, and people just love to complain.” Comerford’s hot tips for who to rub shoulders with this BIGSOUND include Marco Walzel, owner of German booking agency Avocado, and Matt Ash, Bring Me The Horizon’s manager. “It’s quite incredible how entrenched [Avocado has] become in Australian hardcore. But I’m sure a lot of young hardcore bands are gonna want to
meet Marco, he’s an absolute champion.” Having gotten behind local heavy acts like In Hearts Wake and Hellions early on, Comerford’s keynote will be a treasure trove of tips for those hardcore kids aching to become the next Northlane. “It’s a hard one to give advice on ‘cause if your band’s good then you’ll create opportunities for yourself... but a lot of our bands tour Europe very early on and it seems daunting, but there’s so many opportunities out there and if you know how to direct your contacts and your music, you just never know what might be possible.” It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for the label in the last year, though. The company’s uber-successful Unify: A Heavy Music Gathering festival was dealt hefty criticism for the lack of women on their upcoming 2016 iteration (only two bands with women were booked). Comerford says that “was probably one of the worst days of [his] life”. “We just booked what we believed was the best line-up for the festival - Tonight Alive was one of our headliners in 2015 - but the thing is, we don’t book our line-up to fill quotas or anything like that. We book our line-up to be the best it can be. We had a lot of females at the company quite upset about the allegations ‘cause they knew it’s not the way that we are, or who we are,” he clears his throat, visibly moved. “Sorry, I literally get upset when I talk about this.”
One of the topics we need to discuss less is festivals; we just spend so much time talking about festivals, and festivals are amazing.
He continues, “One person I spoke to about it was Nina Las Vegas... I was like, ‘Nina, what do I do?’” And she was like, ‘Jaddan, you’ve done nothing wrong. You’ve booked your festival and it’s awesome and it’s kickass and everyone’s gonna be stoked. And no one wants to be booked just because of who they are.’ But she said to me, ‘Just be more aware. Just try a little harder to find more females in bands.’” Comerford says he now makes “more of an effort” to check out bands with women to give them a fighting chance to get booked. “Ultimately the whole thing is really positive, ‘cause it has brought the topic to a head and it is something that we take very seriously.”
When & Where: 7 Sep, The Judith Wright Centre
26 • FOR THE BUZZ ON BIGSOUND: THEMUSIC.COM.AU
r food fros 20t%icokfeft holde until able up e Redee7mpmigonnigthht g
SEPTEMBER TUE 6
SECRET SOUNDS OPENING NIGHT PARTY - SELLING FAST W/TKAY MAIDZA, HARTS, OH PEP & ECCA VANDAL WED 7
TRIFFID ACOUSTICS (Desert Sessions) FREE IN THE BEERGARDEN W/COLIN LILLIE & APAKATJAH THU 8
ACOUSTIC BBQ - FREE IN THE BEERGARDEN W/TRACY MCNEIL & THE GOOD LIFE, WILLIAM CRIGHTON & TIA GOSTELOW FRI 9
BIGSOUND OFFICIAL CLOSING PARTY W/FLOWERTRUCK, GOOD BOY, ALEX LAHEY, ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER & GIDEON BENSEN SAT 10
JURASSIC JAM - SELLING FAST BENEFIT FOR AEIOU
SONGS YOU KNOW AND LOVE - FREE IN THE BEERGARDEN W/AMY B SUN 11
TRIFFID STRIPPED - FREE IN THE BEERGARDEN W/CAPRE
SIMPLE PLAN - SOLD OUT & FOREVER ENDS HERE WED 14
TRIFFID ACOUSTICS - FREE IN THE BEERGARDEN WITH KAHL WALLIS (THE MEDICS) THU 15
FROM THE JAM - SELLING FAST (Featuring Bruce Foxton) & THE STRUMS
TRIFFID VIRTUOSOS - FREE IN THE BEERGARDEN WITH TOM COMES FRI 16
JAMES REYNE & MARK SEYMOUR - SOLD OUT SAT 17
JAMES REYNE & MARK SEYMOUR - SOLD OUT SONGS YOU KNOW AND LOVE - FREE IN THE BEERGARDEN W/AMY B SUN 18
I LOVE LIFE - SELLING FAST (Poison City Weekender) - Featuring THE BENNIES, HIGH TENSION & MANY MORE TUE 20
ENTER SHIKARI - SELLING FAST W/HACKTIVIST & STORIES
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BIGSOUND 2016
The Black Brat Pack Adam Briggs and Daniel “Trials” Rankine tell Cyclone that AB Original are doing more than making “the blackest album that’s ever happened”.
A
dam Briggs, Australia’s first Indigenous polymath rap star and Daniel “Trials” Rankine (Funkoars’ MC/producer) are generating heat with their supergroup AB Original. But while they’re unleashing potent tracks like 2 Black 2 Strong and January 26 (featuring Dan Sultan), AB Original’s mission is even bolder. Briggs, a Yorta Yorta man from Shepparton, Victoria and Rankine, a descendant of the Ngarrindjeri peoples based in Adelaide, hope to stimulate future waves of Indigenous hip hoppers. Already 2016 has been monumental for the pair. Briggs has just scooped another National Indigenous Music Award with The Children Came Back, his sequel to Archie Roach’s Took The Children Away, named Song Of The Year. “I sent it back to my mum,” Briggs says. “I send all my awards to my mum.” Then both AB Original members were involved in Ryan Griffen’s engrossing TV series Cleverman — the part-dystopian drama, part-superhero saga drawing on tales of the Dreamtime. Although most hip hop heads would have recognised Briggs playing the hairy warrior Maliyan, they may not realise that Rankine toiled behind the scenes. “I was fortunate enough to soundtrack a lot of that first season, which is a dream come true — to soundtrack a sci-fi show with black fellas in it,” Rankine says. AB Original were responsible, too, for Cleverman’s theme, Take Me Home — blessed by Gurrumul’s vocals. Today the duo, each patched into a conference call from different states, joke about being part of what Briggs calls “a black brat pack”. “We’ll have to do The Breakfast Club!” he chortles. Rankine counter-quips, “the black pack!” Briggs has emerged as a compellingly articulate activist, decrying pernicious racism, but he also commands a sharp wit. Lately, he’s developed his flair for social satire on Twitter into an impressive sideline, writing for — and acting in — the ABC’s sketch show Black Comedy. But right now AB Original are gearing up for the release of their debut, Reclaim Australia, before year’s end — the recent single January 26 an Invasion (Australia) Day protest song. The album will drop on Bad
Apples Music, which Briggs launched to “nurture” Indigenous hip hop artists, under the auspices of Hilltop Hoods’ Golden Era. In the meantime, AB Original will be keynote speakers at BIGSOUND 2016, their session facilitated by Lindsay “The Doctor” McDougall. They’ve likewise scheduled a showcase. AB Original clicked early last year when Briggs and Rankine performed at Beat The Drum, triple j’s 40th anniversary concert, yet their partnership goes way back. Rankine has contributed beats to Briggs’ various projects — including 2014’s ARIA Top 20 Sheplife. “Me and Trials have been working together for the better part of probably ten, 15 years,” Briggs recaps. “I guess like now, when we did it, we just put a brand on it... We were like, ‘Yeah, this is our brand — it’s time to big this up.’” The MC stresses that AB Original “grew very organically”. “It wasn’t contrived — like, ‘Me and Trials need to get together and make the blackest album that’s ever happened.’ It was like, ‘Hey Trials, we’re already making the blackest music that ever happened — let’s put the blackest name on it and then be black’.” And AB Original are aiming to mobilise young Indigenous hip hop ‘gamechangers’. “It’s a platform that we feel is almost a little bit
Hey Trials, we’re already making the blackest music that ever happened — let’s put the blackest name on it and then be black.
bigger than us because now we get to try and inspire the kids and be the rappers that we wish we had when we were kids,” says Briggs. “I wanted to be the rapper that I could identify with and I could look up to.” In April, AB Original joined Hilltop Hoods’ Restrung arena tour — Rankine rhapsodising about the experience. “It was beautiful to see that many people, especially young kids, screaming 2 Black 2 Strong — whether they were or not.” Briggs is determined that Bad Apples’ next signing be a female rapper. “There’s enough dudes — it’s a dude party over here.” Rankine will commence work on sound for Cleverman, season two. And, intriguingly, there’s a chance Briggs might return to the show, Maliyan’s fate “ambiguous”. “I was shot, but was I killed?,” he teases. “Who knows...”
When & Where: 8 Sep, The Judith Wright Centre
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Secret Sounds Presents
The 24th Annual Music & Arts Festival
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BIGSOUND 2016
Top Five
Stage On Screen
Totally Unicorn
Oztix’s Top Five BIGSOUND Acts
Emily Wurramara This girl is one to watch, her songwriting and voice just take you away to a special place.
Totally Unicorn Who doesn’t love a man who gets down to his undies on stage?
NAATIONS For a bit of a night time groove – bit of electro pop with hints of MIA and Santigold.
I Heart Hiroshima Good to see this classic Brissy band on the circuit again!
The Oztix BIGSOUND Party (feat Alex Lahey, Olympia, Gabriella Cohen & Mallrat)
Voted the best BIGSOUND Party 3 years running. Self-ratings count, right?
Amongst the huge names hitting BIGSOUND next week is respected music segment producer for Conan O’Brien’s talk show, Jim Pitt. He tells Neil Griffiths the secret behind bands scoring gigs on the hugely popular show.
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lthough the popular TV program has showcased many acclaimed and up-and-coming acts over the years, Pitt says it is ideal for all bands and artists to already have some momentum behind them. “We do like something to be going on whether it’s critical or sales or online interest,” he says of booking acts for Conan. “That’s sort of the first hurdle. I like to keep in mind what Conan would like, frankly. He’s a real music fan. I can’t worry that every artist isn’t going to be up his alley because certainly we like to touch all the bases, but I do keep in mind that I want it to be something that if... he’s not a fan, he’ll appreciate the performance and know why it was good, why it was booked.” Pitt is heading to the country as one of the keynote speakers for BIGSOUND and he says it was a no-brainer to accept the offer. “For years I’ve been doing things here like SXSW and it’s always a great opportunity to see a lot of good music and talk to people,” he explains. “To be perfectly honest, the attraction of travelling to Australia, it just seemed like too good an opportunity to pass up! Over the years I have booked a number of artists from Australia and New Zealand and everyone I’ve met from there seems awesome.”
“I guess all I can offer is a little bit of insight into what I do and what it takes to do television in the States.” With over 25 years experience in the industry, Pitt has also worked on juggernaut skit show Saturday Night Live during the time of the hugely controversial Sinead O’Connor performance in 1992, as well as the TV network debut of a little band called Nirvana. “It was funny, I think I booked it in early December for a January appearance,” he recalls. “They were obviously bubbling and it was clear there was something going on. But when we went for the holidays for three weeks and came back - they were exploding! “The timing was just perfect,” Pitt laughs. “It was great, a little traumatic, I think, getting Kurt on stage, but it is a live show and if the camera comes on and there’s no lead singer there, that’s a problem!” Pitt was also responsible for the bookings of a number of Aussie acts on Conan, including Courtney Barnett and Tame Impala. “Oh my God, Courtney was phenomenal,” Pitt says.“And Tame were as well, they were both great. They were both totally happening by the time they got here so it wasn’t a case of, ‘We need to keep our eyes on them,’ I think it was pretty clear everyone was keeping their eyes on them.” As the guidance he’s offering at BIGSOUND, Pitt says getting on a show like Conan is just “one piece of the puzzle”.“These artists are already vetted, someone has already made an investment in them and made the decision that it’s worth putting their music out there,” he says of your typical Conan musical guest. “I could put someone on and honestly if it just happens in a bubble and there’s nothing else happening, it wouldn’t have that much of a positive impact for them.”
Where & When: 8 Sep, The Judith Wright Centre
30 • FOR THE BUZZ ON BIGSOUND: THEMUSIC.COM.AU
BIGSOUND 2016
Top Five
The five acts Sonic Sherpa are hanging to see at BIGSOUND festival.
These New South Whales Are they a bunch of genius auteurs playing at being a standard (albeit very fun) punk-rock band?
Sleepless In Seattle
When Grandstand Media & Management partner Dana Erickson told her dad she was dropping out of uni to pursue a career in the music industry, he warned, “There’s a lotta cocaine in that industry,” the BIGSOUND speaker tells Bryget Chrisfield.
Terrible Truths The self-titled debut album from this Adelaide-via-Melbourne trio was one of our fav albums from 2015 and they can back it up in the live sphere.
Alex Lahey The triple j Unearthed winner dragged more fans to the Sonic Sherpa tent at Splendour In The Grass than some of the bigger overseas bands!
Unity Floors There’s a brand new album in the offing so they’ll have new tunes to show off.
Thigh Master Because this list is in severe lack of some Brisbane polish.
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y favourite band is Wolf Parade and they played five nights in New York at The Bowery Ballroom,” Dana Erickson shares, “and I went every single night. And none of my friends were allowed to talk to me, and I stood apart from them because I did not want one person messin’ with my vibe... When it’s a band I love, I wanna be very present.” Acknowledging she’s “so lucky” to work with Grandstand Media & Management’s roster, Erickson points out, “I work with Dan [Boeckner] from Wolf Parade — obviously my favourite band — and, like, every time he calls me I can’t believe he even knows my name!” Music has always been everything to Erickson and, when asked how she scored her first music industry job working alongside Pearl Jam’s publicist, she chuckles, “So, as my parents would like to say, I lied and went to school in Seattle to be close to Pearl Jam, which is kind of true. I had — have you ever seen the movie Singles? It’s one of the most influential films of my entire life. I watched it and I was like, ‘Well, I have to live in Seattle’.” Erickson’s initial dream was to become a marine biologist. But then she attended a Deftones gig “at this venue called RKCNDY”
with “the only cool kids in the oceanography class”. “I was obsessed with [Deftones] and it was the hottest, sweatiest venue; Chino [Moreno] was screaming in my face,” Erickson recalls. The following morning, Erickson called her parents. “I was like, ‘Dad! I’m quittin’ this [course]. I’m going to work in the music business.’ And my dad said, ‘You’d be really good at PR,’ and I said, ‘Fine, sounds great’... My dad is very straight-edge — he was a basketball player. He was like, ‘There’s a lotta cocaine in that industry,’ so, alright!” she laughs. “So I quit my major. There was a posting in the communications department asking for, you know, a PR intern; I had no idea what it was for, there were no other details, and it ended up being with this woman Nicole Vandenberg who is Pearl Jam’s publicist... and she’s been my mentor since then. This was when I was 20 and I’m 37 now.” Erickson observes she’s “only worked for women”. Grandstand Media & Management is her current employer and Erickson extols, “There’s a few men, but the power-players in the company are all women”. “PR’s pretty female-centric”, Erickson continues. But booking agencies, in Erickson’s estimation, “are very male-heavy”. “I think it’s ‘cause it’s a little chauvinistic,” she ponders. “Like, promoters are mostly male and they are bulldogs.” Speaking of dogs, who’s looking after Erickson’s beloved canine while she’s at BIGSOUND? “Oh, Bernie!” she rues. “I’m looking at him right now. ChVrches’ manager is actually taking him in about an hour... It’s heartbreaking.” Lately Erickson has been working very closely with Dew Process, preparing to launch Tkay Maidza’s new Killer Mike-featuring single Carry On. “That girl is a breath of fresh air. I love her,” Erickson enthuses.
When & Where: 8 & 9 Sep, The Judith Wright Centre
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TAKING BACK SUNDAY
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BIGSOUND 2016
Top Five
The Music’s Top Panel Picks
Kim Gordon As the opening keynote of BIGSOUND 2016, we know the prolific Sonic Youth guitarist will have stacks of wisdom to impart from over 30 years of experience navigating the music industry, writing a book and also boasting a successful art career. SAE’s top picks for BIGSOUND...
7 Sep, The Judith Wright Centre
1. Sampa The Great “We’re cheering for team Sampa, she’s an SAE Sydney graduate!”
2. Jack Grace
3. Middle Kids
Festival Truths
Josh Roth speaker at Festival Truths, 20 Questions
This panel will pose hard-to-answer questions to festival promoters/buyers about showcasing new talent at festivals, gender imbalances and whether there’s a right or wrong time to book an artist. 7 Sep, The Judith Wright Centre
4. Rolls Bayce
5. WALLACE
AB Original
20 Questions
Expect the duo to dish out truth bombs about racism in Australia, their socially conscious album and why it’s imperative to give Indigenous musicians a voice.
This one’s the last panel of the year and asks a mix of BIGSOUND’s speakers to answer unprepared questions about the conference that was. Expect gossip.
8 Sep, The Judith Wright Centre
9 Sep, The Judith Wright Centre
Paige McGinley speaker at Should Live Music Be On Aus TV
Should Live Music Be On Aus TV? With Recovery making a comeback and The Big Music Quiz making its recent debut, the question on everyone’s lips is whether we need a resurgence of music shows. 8 Sep, The Judith Wright Centre
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NATIONAL TOUR OCTOBER 2016 WITH SPECIAL GUEST
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BIGSOUND 2016
KISS FM’s 2016 TOP 20 AUSTRALIAN TRACKS SO FAR BY TIMMY BYRNE
Ahmet Atasever Dr. Extrovert (Progtrak Records) ALTA Plans (Soothsayer) Banoffee I’m Not Sorry (Dot Dash/ Remote Control) Benson Step To Me (Sweat It Out) Darren Glen & Rob Care feat Shirley Davis Keep Lookin Up (IND) Dub FX Where I Belong (Convoy Unltd) Dysphemic feat Yiani Treweeke Spaceship Earth (IND) Elton Smith La Fiesta (IND) Evangeline My Kingdom (Razor Recordings) Hau feat Sarah Corry Sleep (House Of Beige) Kylie Auldist Family Tree (IND) Luke Chable VS The New Division Opium (Mesmeric Records) Luke Vecchio Inner City Hussle (IND) Nicky Night Time & Kaz James Lose Control (Club Sweat) Opiuo Sneakers (IND) Plutonic Lab feat Guilty Simpson The Crib (IND) Ponzu Island Super Koto (Redeye Records) Porsches Blood To A Shark (Sweat It Out) Rainbow Chan Nest (Silo Arts & Records) Remi feat Sampa The Great For Good (House Of Beige)
Top Five: Andrew Mast Group Managing Editor theMusic.com.au
Alice Ivy Doing that thing where a Melburnian travels to Brisbane to see a fellow Melburnian perform.
Allan Smithy
The Troubadours
Ryan Downey
Can’t decide which of these voices to be most excited about: Allan Smithy or Ryan Downey?
Charles Caldas Walking In Sunshine
Will I be the only one at this mini-keynote with These Future Kings vinyl to get signed?
Who doesn’t love doing a music industry conference when the weather’s this good (please don’t rain please don’t rain please don’t rain)..
Flowertruck This. Is. The. One.
Flowertruck
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BIGSOUND 2016
Top Five
Top Five: Mitch Knox Editor theMusic.com.au
Life Finds A Way This is a simple one, but it’s just so nice to see the Valley so alive and full and bustling during the working week. Welcome back, everyone. Truly.
Oh Pep
QMusic’s Joel Edmondson’s Top Five Picks for BIGSOUND
Braille Face I’m not exactly sure what you’re going to get here live, but I find his music deeply touching and immersive.
PYNES Three wonderful Brisbane musicians making some brilliant, dark but hugely infectious psych-splashed indie-pop. Don’t miss them.
Emily Wurramara Such a beautiful person and it shines through in her music.
These New South Whales Take The Stab could possibly be the best punk song of the last decade.
AB Original All music is political whether it’s deliberate or not, and these guys are saying the things that really need to be said right now.
20 Questions Panel Step 1: Put a bunch of industry people on a panel after two days and nights of networking and heavy drinking. Step 2: Profit. There is no interim step.
Braille Face Jordan White has crafted one of the year’s most rewarding, beautifully layered listens with his debut LP Kōya. Prepare to be transfixed yet utterly transported at his showcase.
Oh Pep! If you’re into words and stuff, these ladies are good, eh.
Deja Who? Hugely looking forward to trying to figure out whether I should be greeting people with “Good to see you again!” or “Nice to meet you!”. Ehh -- it’s a 50/50 shot. Those are decent odds.
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BIGSOUND 2016
The Top Five: BIGSOUND Uppy Chatterjee Artists Radio Editor theMusic.com.au Played Last Week
Free Bacon & Bangers Because BIGSOUND organisers know you’re gonna be wrecked after just the first day of the conference, they’ve arranged to prod you back to life with the world’s greatest alarm clock: bacon.
All Radio 1. January 26 – AB Original 2. Let’s Be Friends – Mosquito Coast 3. Black Smoke – Emily Wurramara 4. Your Love – Middle Kids 5. The Thaw – Woodes
Triple J 1. Your Love – Middle Kids 2. Stranger Things – Luke Million 3. Ivy League – Alex Lahey 4. Power – Harts 5. Fingertips – Vera Blue
All The Gigs! There are so, many, damn, acts to catch. I’m looking forward to seeing Japanese Wallpaper, Alex Lahey, Prateek Kuhad, Ceres and Totally Unicorn, then falling into bed at 2am.
Community Radio 1. January 26 – AB Original 2. Your Love – Middle Kids 3. Hit & Miss – The Laurels 4. Give and Take – Unity Floors 5. Work – Rainbow Chan
Monitoring airplay across over 150 radio stations around Australia including commercial, community, digital and more. For more information contact stephen@radiomonitor.com
Putting Faces To Names I’ve Worked With All Year My first year last year was a colourful, exhausting blur. This year, I’m hoping to retain more of the names and faces I meet so I know whether to give you what you want back at work on Monday.
The 20 Questions Panel It’s literally the last panel of the conference and the panellists seem to be a little more loose-lipped with news and announcements so they can send BIGSOUND out with a bang.
Doing Interviews Out Of The Sailor Jerry Airstream Have you seen this thing?! The shinest, most badass trailer I’ve ever seen with more spiced rum than you can shake your wooden leg at. And they’ve been known to do haircuts and tattoos out of there.
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Australian Institute of Music
Is proud to be a sponsor of
aim.edu.au
CRICOS 00 06 665C
BIGSOUND 2016
Canadian Music Week
Top Five Music Conferences You Should Attend As nominated by Sounds Australia’s Millie Millgate Barrack Obama speaking at SXSW 2016
Canada’s biggest new music festival Canadian Music Week hits off next year from 18 - 22 Apr, at the Sheraton Centre Hotel, Toronto, and they want YOU to apply to perform! Connect with industry personalities, music supervisors, promoters, talent buyers, booking agents and reps from Canada and across the globe. This is your chance to perform in front of thousands of the industry’s best from Canada and around the world. Early bird pricing ends 25 Oct 2016, final deadline 29 Dec.
There’s nothing better than a working holiday. Shoot this list to your boss, book your tickets and pack your dancing shoes. The Great Escape, Brighton, UK A three-day music festival held in Brighton and Hove every year in May, The Great Escape features 450+ emerging artists in 30 venues within walking distance around the city. Take part in the convention run alongside the gigs with insightful panels, topical debates, keynote speeches and networking opportunities in abundance. In 2016, The Temper Trap, Jagwar Ma, DMA’s, Bibi Bourelly, Gang Of Youths, Julia Jacklin, Kim Churchill plus more performed.
SXSW, Austin, USA South By Southwest represented over 67 countries in 2016, with artists performing in bars, parks, churches, hotels, clubs and pretty much anywhere you could fit an amp around Austin, Texas. The 2017 conference has been streamlined into topics with the Interactive, Film, Music and Comedy festivals bringing opportunities for industry personnel and punters alike.
Reeperbahn Festival, Hamburg, Germany Coming up soon from 21 - 24 Sep, Reeperbahn Festival is Germany’s biggest club festival,;a meeting point for music and digital industires in Europe. There are over 600 events in more than 70 venues including concerts, arts programs, a business platform and conference for industry heads. The tenth edition this year is expecting over 30,000 visitors!
Music Matters, Singapore The sixth edition of Asia’s premier indie music festival will hit Singapore from 12 - 15 Sep for four free days of music from the world’s best up-and-comers. Music Matters is in line with the All That Matters conference surrounding music, sports, digital entertainment and marketing in Asia. Chexk out My Life As Ali Thomas from Thailand, Hush from Taiwan, Alex Cuba from Canada, Nucleya from India, Quest from the Philippines, The Souls from Switzerland and our very own Slumberjack, among others.
WOMEX, Santiago de Compostela Galicia, Spain This World Music Expo, an international networking program for the music industry, kicks off from 19 - 23 Oct this year. The fiveday event hosts a showcase festival, trade fair, conference, film program and a bunch of award ceremonies. The event has travelled across Europe since 1994, through Brussels, Marseille, Sevilla, Rotterdam, Budapest and more.
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Nothing to do this weekend? Don’t worry, The Music has you sorted.
Head to events.themusic.com.au to see what’s coming up.
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The BIGSOUND S 32.0
o, you’ve made it to Fortitude Valley for BIGSOUND. You’ve got your hotel booked. You’ve got your conference guide. You’ve got some beer dollars in your pocket. You’re cocked, locked and ready to rock, right? No my friend. No you is not. You might think that all you need is a pair
of working ears, your BIGSOUND wristband and the wits your mama gave ya to make it through the next few days, but BIGSOUND can be bloody borked if you’re not clued up. Lucky for you, The Music has got your back – this is not our first rodeo. Over the years our team have attended many a BIGSOUND and, while we’ve had our
fair share of fuck-ups, cock-ups and piss-ups, there’s still plenty of tread left on our tyres. We’ve mulled over our war stories, pondered our many jaunts up to Brissie, and distilled the laughter and tears from BIGSOUNDs past into this straight-down-the-line, bullshit-free survival guide. Stick with us, grasshopper. Wax on. Wax Off.
Before you even step out the bloody front door
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Download the BIGSOUND app
Get a portable phone charger
Memories are overrated. Let this app do the heavy lifting while your brain gets fast and loose with whichever bar tab you’ve managed to mooch off. Available on the App Store and Google Play.
Chances are you’re going to see very little of your hotel room, and that means access to your charger is going to be pretty patchy. A decent portable battery, like the APC 1000 mAh, will set you back around $50 and will more than triple your phone’s life.
Take your personal hygiene regime on the road
Don’t be late to the panels; don’t talk over the acts
How do we put this nicely? There’s a good chance that at some point during BIGSOUND you’re gonna be a completely rank, if you’re unprepared. Networking with death breath and pits on the bulge is not going to make those leg-up connections. Get yourself some Freshburst Oral Care Strips Pocketpacks by Listerine and Rexona’s Clinical Protection Summer Strength. Future you will thank you.
We hate to sound like a stick in the mud, but the panels are why you’re at BIGSOUND, so don’t rock up half an hour in (especially if you’re hanging and look like Tales From The Cryptkeeper). And when bands are on, pull your head in and show them their dues by not talking over them. There’s plenty of time for pow-wows later in the night.
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Survival Guide 32.0
We’re not going to get too preachy with you, but if you fail to plan, you’re planning to fail. Yeah, we know, boring. But, there’s some simple stuff that you’re going to be thanking us for when you cross that BIGSOUND finish line more or less unscathed.
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It’s bloody hot. Dress like it! It’s Queensland, brah. It’s fucking roasting! It’s okay to dress like it (even if you might cop a bit of flack). In our book, shorts are a must-pack item. That said, but let’s be honest, at some point things are likely to get messy. This is BIGSOUND, after all.
Look the part In the words of our sage and worldly Advertising Director Leigh Treweek, “Some of the best business at BIGSOUND happens between midnight and 2am.” (He said other things too, but we’re not legally allowed to print them.) Stay the distance and make sure you’re keeping schmick while looking like a stayer by having some virgin G&Ts: hydrating and alcohol-free.
End up in the right place
Line up a hangover cure that works
If you hadn’t heard, Queensland has gotten itself some shiny new lockout laws (because that worked out so well for Sydney). Make sure you’re in the place you want to spend the rest of your night by 2am, or risk a serious case of professional FOMO.
Your body is going to hate your guts at some point during BIGSOUND, so make sure you have supplies for the morning after. We recommend a witches’ brew of Berocca, Dioralyte, soluble asprin and coconut water. Failing that, the $6 brekkie at Ric’s should get you up and running.
Have a great BIGSOUND, y’all! FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 45
BIGSOUND 2016
Speaker Picks
Buoy
Who the industry will be checking out at BIGSOUND
Rich Moffat, Band Booker, Way Over There: The Belligerents, Dorsal Fins, Gabriella Cohen, The Gooch Palms, Lanks, Mallrat, Sampa The Great.
Elspeth Scrine, LISTEN Board of Directors, Huntly: Brissy badass — Mallrat. Sampa The Great who I somehow haven’t seen yet. Then some local Melbourne mates like Corin and Habits who I can certify are total game-changers.
Ben Dennis, Director, Myriad Management: I’m looking forward to getting the red-hot tip from some peers on some acts I don’t even know exist yet! They are always the most exciting ones.
Tim Shiel, Label Manager, Spirit Level: I’m biased, but two bands I work very closely with — Braille Face and Telling — are playing back-toback on Thursday night, alongside Broadway Sounds and Rat & Co. A huge Melbourne line-up.
Michael Smith, General Manager, CAAMA Music: BUOY, Emily Warramura & Gawurra!
Southbank Lagoon
Craft Beer
Life’s A Beach
Hop Along
It may only be early spring, but out-of-towners from the chillier parts of Australia shouldn’t waste their chance to soak up some vitamin D while in the Queensland sun. With an average spring temp of 25 degrees, there’s absolutely no shame in stripping off. No time to get to a real beach? No problem! The Southbank’s lagoon beach, a manmade seaside getaway in the heart of the CBD, is just a kilometre from Fortitude Valley.
When you think about Aussie craft beer, you could be forgiven for assuming Melbourne reigns supreme. But changes to Brisbane’s licencing laws in recent years have seen a bunch of boutique bars and laneway gems pop up, which has brought with it a surge in local interest in craft beer. Brisbane boasts four artisan breweries in the inner-city: Green Beacon and Newstead Brewing Co in the riverside suburb of Newstead; and Brisbane Brewing Co and Catchment Brewing Co, both on Boundary Street. Swing by and grab yourself some suds.
48 • FOR THE BUZZ ON BIGSOUND: THEMUSIC.COM.AU
BIGSOUND 2016
Speaker Picks
Sampa The Great
Who the industry will be checking out at BIGSOUND
Yoon Young Kong, Founder, Zandari Festa: DZ Deathrays, Hot Spoke, I Heart Hiroshima, King Social, Mid Ayr, Rolls Bayce, The Gooch Palms, Tigertown, West Thebarton Brothel Party.
Tim Hollo, CEO, Green Music Australia: Heaps of them! As many as possible!
Kentucky Fried Duck
Brisbane Street Art
Get Stuffed
Street Sm-Art
Brisbane is a city that really can give you the world on a platter. There’s way too many top-notch eats to give you a comprehensive culinary bucket list but, while you’re in town, try not to miss out on the KFD (Kentucky Fried Duck — thank you food-Jesus!) at Public, the Moreton Bay Bug Curry at Longtime, a perfect blend of local ingredients and Asian flavours, or the daily rotating special at The Survey Co: The Death Row Meal. So good, it’s grub to die for.
Fortitude Valley just so happens to be one of the most pimpedout locales for graffiti and street art in Brisbane. There’s barely a surface that isn’t tagged, graffed or painted, so keep your eyes peeled for works by street art legends like Mik Shida, Lister, Drapl, Treazy, Beastman, Fintan Magee and InstaGuss, as well as a host of up-and-comers. You may not know art, but we know what you’ll like.
Alex Young, Head of Marketing, Dew Process: Tkay Maidza, Jack Grace, Harts, Middle Kids, Moreton, Tash Sultana plus many others!
Johann Ponniah, Founder/ Director, I Oh You: The Belligerents, Alex Lahey, Ceres, Middle Kids, Fortunes.
Thomas Heymann, Head Of Artist & Industry Relations ANZ, Pandora: Ecca Vandal, Alex Lahey, Harts, Fazerdaze, Gabriella Cohen, I Heart Hiroshima, Polish Club, Sarah Connor, The Ruminaters, Young Tapz, Totally Unicorn, Kim Gordon.
FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 49
WILLIAM CRIGHTON
OFFICIAL BIGSOUND SHOWCASE
WED. 7 SEPT • THE EMPIRE HOTEL @ 9.40 PM
THE TRIFFID ACOUSTIC BBQ
THURS. 8 SEPT • THE TRIFFID @ 3.20 PM
“MESMERISING DEBUT ALBUM” ****1/2 STARS > THE MUSIC “CRIGHTON IS A MAJOR TALENT” ****1/2 STARS > THE COURIER MAIL
FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 51
52 • FOR THE BUZZ ON BIGSOUND: THEMUSIC.COM.AU
FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 53
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2016 OCTOBER LONG WEEKEND
BRIAN CADD
HENRY WAGONS & THE ONLY CHILDREN THE BROTHERS COMATOSE (USA)
~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~
THE WILSON PICKERS THE EASTERN (NZ) MELODY POOL JORDIE NE SPOOKY ND CHARLES JENKINS JESS RIBEIRO WILLIAM CRIGHTON RAISED BY EAGLES THE HELLO MORNING
JAMES THOMSON & THE STRANGE PILGRIMS TRACY MCNEIL & THE GOODLIFE SKYSCRAPER STAN & THE COMMISSION F TS LEAH F NAGAN DAVEY CRADDOCK & THE SPECTACLES KARL S. WILLIAMS
~ IRISH MYTHEN (CA)
~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ WWW.DASHVILLE.COM.AU
FRANK SULTANA & THE SINISTER KIDS ANDY GOLLEDGE BAND JASON WALKER MAGPIE DIARIES LYLE DENNIS EXPRESS WILLIAM JOHN JR BLUEGRASS BREAKFAST DASHVILLE PROGRESS SOCIETY
~
+ Kickback Onsite Camping, + Songwriter Collabs & Tributes.
+ Classic Cars & Bikes + Americana Inspired Grub.
BIGSOUND 2016 Eat/Drink
Grill’d Healthy Burgers Answered by: Gemma, Marketing Average meal price? $16 Sum up your food in three words: Burgers done good. What, on your menu, makes the perfect hangover cure and why The Big is the best cure for anyone’s hangover. The combination of beef, cheese, egg and bacon is the perfect hangover breakfast burger, and it’s balanced with the sweetness of beetroot. If you’re looking for that extra kick, don’t forget to add some of our fresh Australiangrown avocado. The Big was made for those morningafter cravings!
Get Your Fill Bloodhound Bar Answered by: David, Owner Average meal price? $15 What, on your menu, makes the perfect hangover cure and why? The Chicharron Burger. Free range pork belly topped with orange glazed sweet potato, salsa criolla and wholegrain mustard. Served with sweet potato fries and a panca chili mayo. What do you reckon is the best mid-gig refuel you offer and why? Tequenos. Fried wonton pastry pillows filled with haloumi, mozzarella and jalapenos, served with house made guacamole.
What’s your personal favourite from your menu? A plate of mixed tacos, being ox tongue, adobo chicken and darkbeer braised beef cheeks. Are you rolling out anything special for the hungry masses at BIGSOUND? Kitchen specials all week. Come down and see! What’s your must-see gig from this year’s BIGSOUND line-up? Our pre-BIGSOUND party on Tuesday night! What’s your top survive-the-fest tip for BIGSOUNDers? Enjoy as much of the festival as possible. Oh, and don’t go too hard on the first night!
56 • FOR THE BUZZ ON BIGSOUND: THEMUSIC.COM.AU
Eat/Drink BIGSOUND 2016
What do you reckon is the best mid-gig refuel you offer and why? The Simon Says. The combination of crispy bacon, chicken and avocado leaves you wanting more after every bite. The Simon Says is satisfying and not so filling that it will stop you from bouncing to the beats at any gig. What makes the ideal late night munch on your menu and why? Our perfect bite size sliders are perfect for those late night hunger pains paired perfectly with a beer and our famous rosemarysalted chips.
What’s your personal favourite from your menu? This year we’ve added some new burgers to our repertoire. The Smoky Blackbird schnitzel burger has become not only a crowd favourite, but also a personal favourite of mine. The zesty slaw, spicy jalapeños and chipotle mayo is an explosion of flavours for anyone’s taste pallet. A must-try for any burger fanatic. Are you rolling out anything special for the hungry masses at BIGSOUND? Yes, the $15 Big Sound burger and beer deal — what’s better than a burger and an ice cold beer?
What is your favourite thing about the BIGSOUND crowd? Everyone is out for a good laugh and a great time while enjoying the best tunes out there. What’s your top survive-the-fest tip for BIGSOUNDers? Keep yourself hydrated with plenty of water and your stomach satisfied with a Grill’d burger (to help you keep dancing all day long). Don’t forget that appropriate footwear also deserves a massive tick on your packing list, no one wants blisters when running around the festival.
They say music is food for the soul, but when you need food for your belly, here are the top places to chow down at BIGSOUND 5 Dogs “Meat x Vegan x Fries” Answered by: Robert Hueston, Franchiser Average meal price?$8.5 Sum up your food in three words: Hot dogs, fries, vegan. What, on your menu, makes the perfect hangover cure and why? Poutine with added bacon. Nothing beats fries covered in cheese gravy and bacon to wipe out any hangover. What do you reckon is the best mid-gig refuel you offer and why? Hot dog as we serve all types including meat and vegan. It’s the perfect eat-on-therun food.
What makes the ideal late night munch on your menu and why? German dog meal deal!Bratwurst with fries and a bottle of water to keep you powering through the evening What’s your personal favourite from your menu? My personal favourite is the chili dog, made with a chili-infused bratwurst and homemade chili con carne topped with diced onion and cheese. Sauce it up with mustard and aioli. Are you rolling out anything special for the hungry masses at BIGSOUND? We have $5 lunch deals that run up to 3pm every day.
FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 57
BIGSOUND 2016 Eat/Drink
Oporto Fortitude Valley Answered by: Logan, Store Manager Average meal price? $12-15 Sum up your food in three words: Fresh not frozen. What, on your menu, makes the perfect hangover cure and why? Our Double Otropo burger is probably the best cure for hangovers. With pineapple and bacon, two fillets of our freshly grilled chicken, lettuce, mayo and cheese. What do you reckon is the best mid-gig refuel you offer and why? Chicken Rappa or the new spicy Embruhlo Rappa with jalapeno and lime sauce. What makes the ideal late night munch on your menu and why? Everything late night is made fresh to order. What’s your personal favourite from your menu? Double Otropo with chilli sauce in a large meal with garlic aioli dipping sauce.
Are you rolling out anything special for the hungry masses at BIGSOUND? Just ask us for our Bondi Box! You get: one single fillet bondi burger, one small chips, one bondi bite, one regular spicy rice, one can of soft drink — all this for $10.00.
What’s your top survive-the-fest tip for BIGSOUNDers? Eat Well. Live Spicy.
Kerbside
What’s your personal favourite from your menu? You can’t go past our beef burger, best washed down with one of our craft beers.
Answered by: Ian Kissane, General Manager Average meal price? $12 Sum up your food in three words: Tasty pub grub. What, on your menu, makes the perfect hangover cure and why? Our chicken parmigiana (in our opinion, the best in Brissie) with its lashings of delicious homemade napoli sauce and mountain of melted cheese — your eyes will be bigger than your stomach for this meal. What do you reckon is the best mid-gig refuel you offer and why? Our nachos — quick, tasty and filling! They come in beef and vegetarian versions
Are you rolling out anything special for the hungry masses at BIGSOUND? Show your BIGSOUND 2016 lanyard and get a free refreshment with meal purchase (T&Cs apply, one per person and excludes dinner deals). What’s your top survive-the-fest tip for BIGSOUNDers? Keep hydrated! Schedule in some regular breaks at your favourite drinking hole — Kerbside!
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Eat/Drink BIGSOUND 2016
Bear Bones Specialty Coffee Roasters Answered by: Rosco, Owner Average meal price? $10 What, on your menu, makes the perfect hangover cure and why? Avocado, feta, balsamic reduction and a lemon wedge. It’s a healthy fatty start to the day. What do you reckon is the best mid-gig refuel you offer and why? Smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and carrot jam. A little something that’s not to heavy and not to light.
What’s your personal favourite from your menu? We do a fantastic scrambled eggs. Are you rolling out anything special for the hungry masses at BIGSOUND? Any breakfast with coffee for $12. What is your favourite thing about the BIGSOUND crowd? Their energy! It’s so infectious and intoxicating. What’s your top survive-the-fest tip for BIGSOUNDers? Play hard and enjoy the amazing talent on offer. Look after your friends and get home safely so we can see you for a coffee in the morning.
Chur Burger Brisbane Answered by: Trent — Marketing Average meal price? $16 Sum up your food in three words: Gourmet, epic and satisfying. What, on your menu, makes the perfect hangover cure and why? Any of our freshly prepared burgers but the standout is the Chur Beast of two succulent beef patties layered with double bacon and double cheese. Wash that bad boy down with a hair of the dog from our fully stocked bar and if you are still hungry, smash a few mac and cheese croquettes. What do you reckon is the best mid-gig refuel you offer and why? You can’t go past our Southern free chicken, chill mayo, mint slaw and lime taco or even the salt and pepper squid with cucumber and lime salsa with jalapeño mayo. What makes the ideal late night munch on your menu and why? Heading out for a night in The Valley? Burgers and chilled beats at Chur late into the night. For those with a sweet tooth, check out the chocolate brownie ice-cream sandwich with salted caramel and a peanut crust or our banoffee pie — made the Chur way with salted caramel popcorn.
What’s your personal favourite from your menu? The Signature Burger of crispy pork belly, chili caramel, slaw all topped off with a big serving of aioli.
What’s your top survive-the-fest tip for BIGSOUNDers? Keep yourself hydrated, peeps.
Are you rolling out anything special for the hungry masses at BIGSOUND? Show your BIGSOUND delegate pass to receive a burger from our everyday menu, chips and post mix drink for just $18 — excludes burger special, signature and Chur Beast burgers, 7 — 9 Sep.
FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 59
BIGSOUND 2016 | What The Bands Say
Andrea Szew
Tinpan Orange Emily Lubitz, Melbourne: So many things! So many tiny triumphs and little moments of luck that add up to a ten-year career in the music biz. But who knows, tonight might be the best night of our lives...
Bec Sandridge Stanwell Park: BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus Organisation: Szew Law Group, Founder & Managing Attorney How did you start in the music business? As a US immigration lawyer in the entertainment field I work with artists in the music industry from all over the world who are looking to come work, perform, tour or even live in the USA.
I learnt how to make fairy floss the other day at a gig. Scoring the Montaigne tour support was pretty amazing also.
Leanne Tennant Cairns/Brisbane:
Biggest industry change in the past year? In my field there has been a significant rise in the number of artists applying for visas to come to the United States.
Being featured in Rolling Stone, Sydney Morning Herald and Courier Mail. Supporting legends such as Cold Chisel. Scoring Double J rotation. BIGSOUND! Releasing Red Wine, Late Nights...
Biggest industry issue for the coming 12 months? The continuing issue of revenue sharing.
LANKS
Tips for young people starting out? Ask as many questions as you can of experts in the field so you are well-informed and you have sufficient, accurate information to make a good choice about your future. What will you be talking about? US immigration tips for artists wanting to tour in the United States. What visas should they apply for, how much does it cost, how do they get it, and how long will it take? What will people learn from your panel? Accurate information about the US visa process! What do you hope to learn? A feeling that I helped move someone one step closer to making their dreams come true!
Will Cuming, Melbourne: Singing the song I wrote with Just A Gent at Splendour. Hearing thousands of people singing your lyrics back to you is an amazing feeling, on par with performing it for Like A Version.
What is the that’s happe your ban Chronolyth Alex Nisiriou, Brisbane: We’re super excited about showcasing at this year’s BIGSOUND Festival of course, although a past career highlight would have to be Soundwave Festival 2014.
Jordan White, Melbourne: Seeing people have really emotional reactions — good and bad — to songs that were never intended to be heard by anyone but myself has been incredibly humbling.
Braille Face
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BIGSOUND 2016 | What The Bands Say
Pixie Weyand Caitlin Duff, Melbourne: We built a recording studio called Elysian Fields and released our debut that we recorded there this year. Also, our trip to Japan in 2015 and releasing remix EP The Tokyo Sessions inspired thereby.
Manor Columbus Alexander Moses, Brisbane: We had the opportunity to play the main stage at Brisbane Soundwave 2015, and it was such an amazing experience.
e best thing ened to you/ d so far?
BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus Organisation: The Zoo, Director How did you start in the music business? I was brought up in a super musical family, my dad was a muso so it stuck with me growing up. It was always always something I wanted to do.
West Thebarton Brothel Party
Ray Dalfsen, Adelaide: Hearing a sea of punters singing your lyrics back to you, in your favourite pub, on your favourite weekend of the year, with your favourite bartender skipping work to stand on a barstool to watch.
Totally Mild Melbourne: Having an audience that connects emotionally with our songs.
Saatsuma Jakubi
Cesar Rodrigues, Melbourne:
Adam Kelly, Melbourne:
Being in a position to regularly make music.
Multiple headline US tours, signing with EPIC Records out of the US and reaching a million views on a track for the first time.
Biggest industry change in the past year? I have noticed a lot of venues starting to work together and support each other, which is so great. It’s a small community and I believe it’s only going to work if we support each other. Biggest industry issue for the coming 12 months?The lock out laws? I try not to put my energy into it and focus on The Zoo and how we can make our night life in Brissy a place people want to continue visit. Tips for young people starting out? If you are passionate and are persistent enough you will get there. Just keep going. What will you be talking about? I will be advocating Feed Music — watch this space. I will also be speaking on a panel discussing environmental sustainability in the music industry. What will people learn from your panel? How they personally, through a small action, can make a huge difference to the music industry. What do you hope to learn?I love meeting new people and am super excited to make connections from all over the place who share the same love — music.
FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 61
BIGSOUND 2016 | What The Bands Say
Sharna Taylor
Braille Face Jordan White, Melbourne:
WALLACE
Middle-class anxiousness disguised as atmospheric collage-based pop music.
Wallace Gollan,Wellington: It’s been described as “jazz-influenced, soulful vocal, a dynamic artist who exhibits absorbing vocals and clever songwriting”.
BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus
Give us descrip your m
Organisation: Caloundra Music Festival, Manager How did you start in the music business?I started my own small event management business running community events. I needed to cash to pay for my uni degree and I wanted to do something fun and choose my own hours. Biggest industry change in the past year? It’s been sad to see so many venues close and festivals fall over.
NAATIONS Nicky and Nat, Los Angeles: One part vocals, one part machines with a strong nod to an island grit and verses that delve into the human condition.
Biggest industry issue for the coming 12 months? I’ll think on it.
William Crighton
Tips for young people starting out? Get involved! Volunteer, grab small contracts and work your way up.
Tumut:
What will you be talking about? The environmental impacts of disposables at music events and our responsibility to create change.
I write and play with all I have. It’s not flash, but it’s honest.
Tinpan Orange Emily Lubitz, Melbourne: Bittersweet, lo-fi folk. Harmonies. Warm guitar tones. Silvery vocals and virtuosic strings, all creating melodramatic moments of mirth.
What will people learn from your panel? Sustainable is the new norm. What do you hope to learn? I love finding new groovy bands.
Cairns/Brisbane: Songs inspired by a nymphomaniac and named after a 1927 Blind Lemon Jefferson blues number. What’s not to get excited about?
Leanne Tennant
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BIGSOUND 2016 | What The Bands Say
Charles Caldas Will Blackburn, Sydney: Happy-sad garage pop. Spit-shined indie-rock.
Flowertruck Emma Russack Melbourne: Sexy folk.
a short ption of music.
BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus Organisation: Merlin, CEO
Wellington:
How did you start in the music business? I played in a band, packed boxes for a record distributor, sold records to shops, worked at Shock for 16 years and somehow found myself living in London running Merlin. None of it was planned.
A three-piece electronica outfit from Wellington, NZ, who make intricate and considered electro music and bring improvisation to their live performance.
Biggest industry change in the past year? The widespread adoption of an ever more viable and lucrative streaming subscription market.
Groeni
Jakubi Adam Kelly, Melbourne: A combination of jangly guitars/hip hop beats/synth rhythms; melding the sounds of a talk box one minute and reggae-inspired guitar next.
Alex Lahey West Thebarton Brothel Party Melbourne:
Ray Dalfsen, Adelaide:
I write songs about shit that has happened to me and employ liberal use of fuzz pedals.
Monolithic garage punk freakouts to readjust your cerebellum and make you quit your day job.
Biggest industry issue for the coming 12 months? On the supply side, major labels continuing to buy indies for market share, which damages the indie sector globally. On the retail side the battle for consumers via exclusives, which damages consumers globally. Tips for young people starting out? Pause, think, read, listen, question everything and find your own way of doing things. What will you be talking about? I’ll be sharing our experience of representing independents globally in the digital market. What will people learn from your panel? Hopefully people will get a firsthand look at the realities of the digital market for independents globally. What do you hope to learn? An up-todate understanding of the views and the thoughts of the Australian indie sector. A cure for homesickness.
FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 63
See an ever-changing line-up of indie, pop, folk, alternative, country and rock each Sunday at Livespark. Then mix it up on the last Sunday of each month with Mixtape, a unique collaboration between singer-songwriters. September features Youngsmith, The Invisible Numbers, Fresco, Megan Cooper, Daniel White + more.
SUNDAYS FROM 3.30PM PRESENTED BY BRISBANE POWERHOUSE, BRISBANE AIRPORT AND APRA/AMCOS. BRISBANE AIRPORT IS KEEPING THIS FREE.
FREE
BRISBANEPOWERHOUSE.ORG
BIGSOUND 2016 | What The Bands Say
Simona Castricum WALLACE Wallace Gollan,Wellington: I leave the industry stuff to my manager. He better be learning all the lessons.
PYNES Mel Tickle, Brisbane: BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus Organisation: Musician How did you start in the music business? I DJed at my own events during university, started playing live in nightclubs and releasing music independently. Biggest industry change in the past year? The emergence of visibly queer and gender non-conforming bands, DJs and autonomous musical communities with access to independent radio, the ongoing rise of gender diverse participation in micro-festivals, clubs to organisations and the implementation of safe space policy. Biggest industry issue for the coming 12 months? Independent festivals/ radio and grass-roots bookers are more representational of women, artists of colour, gender non-conforming artists. Tips for young people starting out? Keep making music and performing, don’t let anyone tell you you’re shit. Persistence; you will find community, safety and your audience. What will you be talking about? Celebrate our gender diverse musicians and musical communities, call for greater access to agency and representation. What will people learn from your panel? If gender diverse music confronts you, good; art should do that.
We’re really looking forward to hearing Kim Gordon and A.B. Original speak, along with taking away new touring and promotion tips ahead of touring later this year.
Bec Sandridge Stanwell Park:
What industry you like to ta the BIGSOUND
I somehow always stomp out my pedals or my bassists, so learning how to tape things properly or learning how to stomp more gracefully would be great.
Flowertruck Will Blackburn, Sydney: What the heck does publishing actually mean?
Manor Caitlin Duff, Melbourne: How to network! We’re both shy and introverted so we know we have to work on that, and where better?! Also, how to stay awake for four days, that will come handy for future tours.
Chronolyth
Alex Nisiriou, Brisbane: Understanding how other likeminded industry professionals approach, manage and work towards achieving their musical goals.
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BIGSOUND 2016 | What The Bands Say
Roger Shepherd Alex Lahey Melbourne: Perhaps getting a better idea of what international opportunities are available and how best to take them. Also, how to maximise free food opportunities in all environments — professional or otherwise.
Groeni
Wellington:
lessons would ke away from D conference?
How to get people engaged to a level where they want to support our music with all of their energy.
LANKS Will Cuming, Melbourne: I really want to keep meeting more people from the industry, get to know what others are doing, how we can collaborate and move forward. I’m also keen to catch other acts and get inspired.
Saatsuma
Columbus
Cesar Rodrigues, Melbourne: We would like to learn about the options available to us that we may not have considered in the past.
Alexander Moses, Brisbane: I’d love to learn more about songwriting, marketing and creating a unique image for your band
Organisation: Flying Nun Records, Director How did you start in the music business? I got a holiday job in a record shop in 1976. I was hooked when I discovered punk-inspired live music. Starting a label to release records by my favourite bands seemed totally logical. Biggest industry issue for the coming 12 months? Reconnecting the music audience to the actual music as the allure of vinyl peaks and hopefully fades rather than crashes. Tips for young people starting out? Work with people you like and music you love. Have some fun and keep in mind that nothing works for long without sales, which represent a tangible positive response to your taste and enthusiasms. What will you be talking about? My recently published memoir In Love With These Times, which is a personalised history of Flying Nun Records, the record company I founded in 1981 and which is still going strong. What will people learn from your panel? Everything has changed but remained remarkably the same. The hard lessons I learnt developing Flying Nun are universally the same ones affecting anyone trying to run a music focused independent record company today.
Melbourne: How to be tougher and ask for what you want, how to seem more chill.
BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus
Totally Mild
FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 67
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BIGSOUND 2016 | What The Bands Say
Deb Suckling
Braille Face Jordan White, Melbourne: I’m not a huge partier. I did go to a club once when I was 16. A friend dressed me up in that classic mid-2000s Ministry of Sound attire. I never recovered.
Tinpan Orange Emily Lubitz, Melbourne: BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus Organisation: SugarRush Music, Director How did you start in the music business? I first started out playing in bands about 17 years ago. We set up SugarRush ten years ago this year to release our own band and other local artists. Biggest industry change in the past year? The rise of streaming and a reduction in income from sync and licensing. Also the nature of pushing acts has become much more online focused than ever before. Biggest industry issue for the coming 12 months? Keeping up with new technologies and across all the platforms that keep coming almost everyday. Tips for young people starting out? Be across every single platform that you can be. What works for some artists doesn’t work for others so you need to be as strategic and as creative as you can. What will you be talking about? I am facilitating the Indigenous pathways panel. We will be exploring existing opportunities and potential opportunities with the rise of Indigenous music in this country and internationally. What will people learn from your panel? That Indigenous music and artists in Australia are gaining more recognition as we as a country are growing more culturally aware.
Pretty much. The parties at folk festivals are pretty epic. A lot of fiddles and caffeine-free tea
PYNES Mel Tickle, Brisbane: It’s pretty good, but to be honest there’s not nearly enough dogs at music industry parties.
Bec Sandridge
Has the part music indus you were hop in your c NAATIONS
Stanwell Park:
Nicky and Nat, Los Angeles:
I’m a bit of nana, but one who likes to boogie to hideous music, underneath a disco-ball. So, it has been a big party for the ‘Ridge, but there needs to be more disco balls.
Above and beyond.
Tumut: I’m always up for a party but I can’t say I had any expectations. My only real ‘hope’ is to play music as much as possible to people who give a fuck about it.
William Crighton
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BIGSOUND 2016 | What The Bands Say
Elspeth Scrine Totally Mild Melbourne: The party side of music was never something I hoped for, but it can be a distracting bonus. Bubbles never go to waste in TM.
Manor
Leanne Tennant Cairns/Brisbane:
ty side of the stry been all ing for so far career?
Yes. I only write music so I can get free tequila.
BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus Organisation: Huntly & LISTEN, LISTEN Board of Directors How did you start in the music business? I studied music after high school, and have been writing, playing and participating in “the industry” since then.
Columbus
Biggest industry change in the past year? Something I’ve noticed emerging lately is a sense of solidarity and collectivism among artists who share a similar ethos of inclusivity, regardless of the type of music they’re making. It’s super inspiring to me. Biggest industry issue for the coming 12 months? Ensuring that diversity (in gender, race and more) is a priority.
Alexander Moses, Brisbane:
Manor Caitlin Duff Melbourne: We didn’t set out to party when we started this band — we’re really serious people. The biggest party animal in the band is Joan (our greyhound) and she’s not allowed to come to shows.
Flowertruck
I think it has been better than I expected. We started a band to play and write music, but the partying and great times have been the best side effects.
West Thebarton Brothel Party
Will Blackburn, Sydney:
Ray Dalfsen, Adelaide:
It’s a gosh damn blessing to be able to meet new bands, make new friends and play alongside them. All the beer makes me a bit bloaty though.
With ‘party’ in our band name, I like to think the industry definition of ‘party’ is a photo of us at 5am.
Tips for young people starting out? Listen to those who have less power than you. What will you be talking about? Highlighting ways that expertise and power are perceived as a masculine quality, both consciously and unconsciously. What will people learn from your panel? That those who aren’t thinking about this stuff start thinking about it. What do you hope to learn? I want to play a hot and sweaty set with my band Huntly, and I hope to meet people who want to make the industry better, more inclusive.
FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 71
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BIGSOUND 2016 | What The Bands Say
Stuart MacLeod
Leanne Tennant Cairns/Brisbane: Middle Kids, Flowertruck, Mel Parsons, William Crighton and Luke Peacock.
Braille Face Jordan White, Melbourne: I’m really excited to check out as much as possible but I’m particularly excited about seeing friends Anatole, Broadway Sounds, Ainslie Wills, Habits, Jack Grace, Saatsuma, Lanks, Kira Puru, Olympia, Telling and Woodes.
BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus Organisation: RTRFM 92.1, General Manager How did you start in the music business? Saved up money to buy a computer. Saw a guitar hanging in a music shop. Fell in love. A spur of the moment decision that changed my life forever in the most delightful way possible. Biggest industry change in the past year? The exponential growth of streaming services and the shift of focus from mass marketing to individual marketing. Biggest industry issue for the coming 12 months? Something has to break with streaming services. I feel one will have to go under soon. Also, they need to rethink royalty models. Artists aren’t happy.
Bec Sandridge Stanwell Park: Alex Lahey and Tash Sultana.
NAATIONS Nicky and Nat, Los Angeles:
PYNES
Our lady Tkay.
Tips for young people starting out? If you’re starting a band, utilise community radio! It’s incredibly important and effective when you’re starting out. And play lots of shows, make friends/ connections. And listen to good music.
Mel Tickle, Brisbane: GL, Olympia, Rolls Bayce, Alex Lahey, Dorsal Fins, A.B. Original, DZ Deathrays, FOREVR, plus our pals Major Leagues at one of the pre-parties.
What will you be talking about? I guess I’ll just speak about music and community radio, and the future of that connection. What will people learn from your panel? That community radio provides local support for music, arts and culture that cannot be found elsewhere. What do you hope to learn? As small a hangover as possible. One can only hope.
What act looking fo checking BIGSOUND
Wallace Gollan, Wellington:
WALLACE
Can’t wait to see BUOY and 30/70 do their thing.
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BIGSOUND 2016 | What The Bands Say
Tim Price Emily Lubitz, Melbourne: Kira Puru, Lanks, Ainslie Wills and Gabriella Cohen.
Tinpan Orange
s are you orward to out at the showcase?
West Thebarton Brothel Party Ray Dalfsen, Adelaide: Unity Floors, Flowertruck, Alex Lahey, A.B. Original, Terrible Truths, Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, Good Boy, Mere Women and These New South Whales.
Organisation: Collision Course, Head Publicist & Founder How did you start in the music business? I started out in Rockhampton booking local and touring acts in 2006, moved to Brisbane in 2008, have done a variety of jobs since and started Pricewar Music in 2010 and Collision Course PR in 2013. Biggest industry change in the past year? The biggest change that I have seen in the music business in the past 12 months is definitely the prominence and dominance of heavy music releases and tours. Seriously, heavy music is killing it.
Chronolyth Alex Nisiriou, Brisbane: Our friends Hollow World will be a stand out no doubt! Also Circles, Columbus, Sanzu, DZ Deathrays, The Gooch Palms and Sydonia.
Melbourne:
Alex Lahey
BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus
Heaps — Middle Kids, Allan Smithy, Bec Sandridge, Fazerdaze, Sampa, Jarrow, Tash Sultana, A.D.K.O.B, Alice Ivy, Clea, Hot Spoke, Olympia, PYNES, Tia Gostelow, WALLACE, 30/70, Mallrat, Yumi Zouma. I’m going to nerd out so much.
Biggest industry issue for the coming 12 months? The biggest issue affecting the industry in the next 12 months will likely be that there are actually too many heavy tours and events and there will likely be more date clashes. Tips for young people starting out? Be bold. Send that email and ask that question. Be respectful and know your place, but know the moment to pose the question to ask for exactly what you want. What will you be talking about? I will be moderating the panel about heavy music the world over — we will be discussing the issues in and around Australian heavy music here — and taking it overseas.
FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 75
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BIGSOUND 2016 | What The Bands Say
Rich Moffat Cesar Rodrigues, Melbourne: Woodes, LANKS, Lucianblomkamp, Fortunes. Too many to mention. Looking forward to discovering things too.
Saatsuma
BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus Organisation: Way Over There, Band Booker
What act looking fo checking BIGSOUND
How did you start in the music business? Hustled my way in; no clue, no experience, but lots of hard work for minimal pay for a long, long time. Biggest industry change in the past year? I love the streaming world. Artists getting paid for the real consumption of their music. Listeners re-energised in their passion for music, both new and old. We are about to enter a golden age. Biggest industry issue for the coming 12 months? The live scene is at a low ebb it is harder than ever to run a sustainable venue or festival. The scene needs support from government and agencies rather than lockout laws, restrictions and sound limits. Tips for young people starting out? Build a community around what you do, both in the real world and in the online world. Everything in the online world should be to inform, not sell. What will you be talking about? We all need to understand how to protect and foster creativity and community. Live music brings people together. What will people learn from your panel? I hope people avoid doom and gloom discussion about changing market and embrace the inevitability of change. Change brings opportunity.
LANKS Will Cuming, Melbourne: Braille Face is one, his new album just dropped and is incredible. Also Vera Blue, I’m on tour with her right now and watching her live is incredible. She is the real deal.
Manor Caitlin Duff, Melbourne: Alice Ivy, Olympia, Corin, SUIIX — all killer lady musicians doing really diverse and interesting stuff. We’re playing as part of an awesome line-up, looking forward to sharing the stage with Wishes, Owen Rabbit, Fractures and Lucianblomkamp.
Flowertruck Will Blackburn, Sydney: Fazerdaze! Den! Gregor! Luke Million! Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever!
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BIGSOUND 2016 | What The Bands Say
Tim Shiel Melbourne: Terrible Truths, GL, HABITS, Simona Castricum, 100%.
Totally Mild
Columbus Alexander Moses, Brisbane: Ceres and Tash Sultana are the artists I’m most excited to see.
s are you orward to out at the showcase?
BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus Organisation: Spirit Level, Label Manager How did you start in the music business? I started a grunge band with my mates in high school. Biggest industry change in the past year? I think streaming and playlists are becoming increasingly central — that’s not exactly new in the past 12 months, but the general industry awareness around it has taken some time to catch up.
William Crighton Tumut: So many, but Clairy Browne, Emily Wurramara and Leah Senior.
Greoni Wellington: Corin, WALLACE.
Biggest industry issue for the coming 12 months? There’s more great music being made than ever before, which is fantastic, but also brings challenges for both artists and listeners. Tips for young people starting out? Listen to everyone and anyone, be patient and polite and make learning your goal. Try and make your goals realistic ones (this is hard). Surround yourself with warm, creative and honest people. What will you be talking about? I’m interested in finding ways to get the music community and the gaming/tech community to have better conversations.
Melbourne: Leah Senior, Julia Jacklin.
Emma Russack
What will people learn from your panel? There’s never been a better time for artists and labels to reach out to game and app developers to try and make cool stuff. I hope my panel plants that seed with some people.
FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 79
BIGSOUND 2016 | What The Bands Say
Michael Smith Alex Lahey Melbourne: Well, for one, we’re playing so many shows so you’ll have heaps of options. Furthermore, my band and I are all nice, polite guys who love their mothers. Don’t let the good guys come last.
William Crighton Tumut: BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus Organisation: CAAMA Music, General Manager How did you start in the music business? Playing drums in the Unearthed band Karrion (1998) was my first big venture into the industry, from there I found my skills were better suited to the management and business side of music. Biggest industry change in the past year? The take up of streaming and the fluidity and impact of digital media (socials). Biggest industry issue for the coming 12 months? The capacity and support of Australia’s touring and performance industries. Tours are expensive yet critical in artist development. Tips for young people starting out? You have to do it for the love until you find your niche. Don’t give up when it seems hard because success is just around the corner. What will you be talking about? Pathways and strategies available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait (ATSI) musicians in both the grassroots and national/international industries along with a few experiences to boot! What will people learn from your panel? An insight into the ATSI music sector. What do you hope to learn? More friends and associates.
Everyone has their own motivations. I don’t know, if you decide to come I’ll be very appreciative. But you’re right, there are a lot of cool artists so just go with your gut, no pressure.
Braille Face Jordan White, Melbourne:
Why shoul come and se amongst the bands at BI
If you’re into emotions and stuff, you’ll probably like it. If you don’t, there’s probably someone really great on downstairs. Also, my labelmates Telling are on straight after me. Do yourself a favour.
Greoni Wellington:
Flowertruck
Our live set in very engaging and interesting, incorporating live improvisation with hardware, electronic instruments where we have the freedom to make the recorded songs into live sonic experiences.
West Thebarton Brothel Party Ray Dalfsen, Adelaide: There’s a 50% chance you’ll hear the next Australian national anthem and a 100% chance you’ll go home a better, more efficient lover. It’s courageously chaotic and chaotically courageous.
Will Blackburn, Sydney: For the first time ever we’ll be performing brand new tracks from our upcoming album. We’re on at a very reasonable hour. We’re quite nice people.
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BIGSOUND 2016 | What The Bands Say
Yoon Young Kong Wallace Gollan, Wellington: People should just come check out this killer dress we sourced from a young fashion designer based in the UK — Natalie Dawson.
WALLACE
NAATIONS
ld people ee you from e many cool IGSOUND?
Nicky and Nat, Los Angeles: We have electronics and organics and our live show is gonna be dope! See ya there!
Emma Russack Melbourne: Because I’m not cool and people can relate to that.
Chronolyth
LANKS
Alex Nisiriou, Brisbane:
Will Cuming, Melbourne:
Chronolyth have been rapidly building a reputation for putting on an animated show, particularly regarding Hamish as a frontman. Failure to command a crowd is never an option in his eyes.
It’ll be fun. There’s a bit of everything in there: jazz flute, bangers and intimate vocal moments. See you there!
Organisation: Zandari Festa, Founder How did you start in the music business? When I was a student, I had so many musician friends, so I wanted to enjoy all together. So I started to make gigs for my friends. And I’m still making gigs for musicians. Biggest industry change in the past year? Grow up indie networking among countries. Biggest industry issue for the coming 12 months? By networking and exchanging indie musicians, the international scene can be very strong. Indie musicians can make a world tour by themselves because they already have networks in other countries. Tips for young people starting out? Honesty, confidence and passion. Develop your own style. What will you be talking about? The importance of networking and exchanging informations with people in the music industry. What will people learn from your panel? Culture and business; business is very important. But, culture is the most important. Music is not merchandise, music is culture. Respect music.
Cesar Rodrigues, Melbourne: Saatsuma are doing something different with and exciting and it translates onstage to a unique and dynamic band with a lot of music still to be made.
BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus
What do you hope to learn? I hope to experience strong energy from Australian bands.
Saatsuma
FILMING PARTNER BIGSOUND ISSUE • 81
BIGSOUND 2016
AIM’s Top 10 Things you can’t miss at BIGSOUND 2016 1. Unity Floors Be sure to catch this Sydney two-piece before the release of their new album Life Admin in Sep via Popfrenzy Records. When & Where: 7 Sep, The New Globe Theatre, 8pm
8. Vera Blue
4. Harts After packing out his showcase at BIGSOUND 2015, Harts has not slowed down since – following this appearance up by releasing several singles, touring relentlessly and dominating the festival circuit. All eyes will be on Darren and his own brand of funkinspired rock as he prepares to release new album Smoke Fire Hope Desire.
Vera Blue (aka Celia Pavey) is currently selling out shows all over the country with fellow BIGSOUND star Lanks. Come and see Pavey prove why she is one of Australia’s most promising young songwriters. When & Where: 7 Sep, The Flying Cock, 10pm
When & Where: 7 Sep, Coopers Brightside Outdoor Stage, 10pm
5. Middle Kids This Sydney three piece have been dominating the airwaves in 2016 with their hit singles Edge of Town and most recently Your Love. Catch them on the triple j Unearthed Stage before they head off on a huge national tour supporting City Calm Down.
2. William Crighton Reminiscent of Father John Misty, William Crighton is fresh off the back of a huge winter tour supporting his debut self-titled album. Get there early to watch this rising star. When & Where: 7 Sep, Empire Hotel, 9.40pm
When & Where: 8 Sep, triple j Unearthed Stage, Oh Hello!, 9.40pm
6. DZ Deathrays Get down early to watch the return of Brisbane thrash kings DZ Deathrays. With the premise of a new album coming soon this set is sure to be wild. When & Where: 8 Sep, The Zoo, 11.20pm
3. Alex Lahey It’s already been a huge year for Alex - her singles have been all over the radio, she’s opened up this year’s Splendour In The Grass and received praise from revered tastemakers Pitchfork. Come watch her kick off the B-Grade University tour to a packed house. When & Where: 7 Sep, triple j Unearthed Stage, Oh Hello!, 11.20pm
7. West Thebarton Brothel Party Luckily Oh Hello! And the Empire Hotel are only a stone’s throw away from each other, so you can duck out of Middle Kids set and watch the raucous that is West Thebarton Brothel Party.
9. Hideous Sun Demon Making the journey all the way over from Fremantle, Hideous Sun Demon are a wildcard pick but with a new album on the way mixed by Stu Mckenzie of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard you will undoubtedly be seeing more of them after this performance. When & Where: 7 Sep, Crowbar, 9pm
10. The Belligerents Another act returning from BIGSOUND 2015, these Brisbane locals are set to drop their highly anticipated new album Science Fiction later this year. Closing out the final night at The Flying Cock and performing new material live for the first time, this will be a special set. When & Where: 8 Sep, The Flying Cock, 11.40pm
When & Where: 8 Sep, Empire Hotel, 9.40pm
82 • FOR THE BUZZ ON BIGSOUND: THEMUSIC.COM.AU
3,400 capacity 3,500m2 three-tiered lawn Picturesque location near the heart of Fremantle
for bookings and enquiries contact andrew clark andrewc@fremantle.wa.gov.au
BIGSOUND 2016 Venue Focus
Alex Young
Venue Focus Answered by: Mike Gilbert, Hotel Manager The Venue: Miami Tavern Address: 2043 Gold Coast Hwy, Miami Capacity: 450 What makes your venue perfect for touring acts? We have a longstanding reputation to not only deliver the biggest and best live acts around, but also to also give upcoming acts a place to start. Home to Ozfest and Shakafest.
BIGSOUND 2016 Speaker Focus Organisation: Dew Process, Head of Marketing How did you start in the music business? I started reviewing shows for FasterLouder while at uni in Brisbane. When I graduated I moved to Sydney, got an internship at a label which evolved to a job and the rest came after that. Biggest industry change in the past year? The evolution of streaming and the changing landscape of partners and players in that space. Biggest industry issue for the coming 12 months? I think streaming will still dominate conversation, as more businesses start to fall away and others become more and more competitive. Tips for young people starting out? Gain as much experience as possible, be eager to learn anything about all aspects of the industry, expect to work hard but have fun as well. What will you be talking about? How marketing and A&R are more closely related and intertwined than ever before! What will people learn from your panel? Hopefully some tips for new artists on things they should be thinking about from a branding perspective right from the creative beginnings. What do you hope to learn? Catching up with new and old industry folks, seeing some great music.
Who are some notable acts that have performed at the venue recently? Donavon Frankenreiter, Bad//Dreems, The Peep Tempel, Skeggs, Grenadiers, Illy, The Preatures, Allday, The Delta Riggs, The Bennies, DZ Deathrays, Funkoars, Dinosaur Jr. What are the amenities in the surrounding area like? Beautiful beaches across the road surrounded by a huge array of diners, bars and cafes. Ample parking throughout the area and lots of outdoor activities in close proximity.
Miami Tavern What’s the load in and load out like? Easy load in and out access right to the stage and green room. What’s the main message you’d like to get across to BIGSOUND participants about the venue? We are really keen to have as many acts play as possible and are very experienced in dealing with all facets of the industry. How do we book a show at your venue next time we’re performing in your area? Contact can be made via email to sharlene.harris@ alhgroup.com.au or Facebook message Miami Shark Bar page. You can phone the hotel on 0755351644 or 0417774940. Website link for more info? miami.tavern. com.au/
Venue Focus Answered by: Ben Dyson, Venue Manager The Venue: The Backroom Address: 688 Ipswich Rd, Annerley Capacity: 800 What makes your venue perfect for touring acts? The versatility of the room is second to none and it boasts one of the best sound systems in Queensland. The size of the room allows for a good-sized crowd without sacrificing the intimacy of the performance. Who are some notable acts that have performed at the venue recently? Common Kings, Sons Of Zion, 28 Days & Area 7, Angry Anderson, Glen Matlock, and we’re home to the best heavy metal and punk bands in Queensland. What are the amenities in the surrounding area like? Good sized parking on site, close proximity to public transport and some good food in the area. What’s the load in and load out like? Other than some stair negotiation, loading in and out is fairly easy with no real time restraints
The Backroom and several stairwells giving direct access to the stage and green room. What’s the main message you’d like to get across to BIGSOUND participants about the venue? The Backroom is the unsung hero of Brisbane. Only 12 months old, the room has found its feet very quickly and is one of the best live music venues Brisbane has to offer. How do we book a show at your venue next time we’re performing in your area? To book a gig or talk to someone in regards to hosting an event, please contact Ben at Chardons Corner Hotel (07) 3848 4091 or email ben.dyson@alhgroup.com.au/ Website link for more info? thebackroombrisbane.com.au/
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BIGSOUND 2016 Venue Focus
Woolly Mammoth
Answered by: Uda Widanapathirana Address: 633 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley There’s a lot going on around town when BIGSOUND is on - how will you stand out from the crowd? The Official After Party on Thursday is always one for the books. Aside from music - great craft beer, shuffleboard, Bocce courts and Connect Four - come unwind.
Venue Focus Answered by: Ben Thompson, Band Booker The Venue: 170 Russell Address: 170 Russell St, Melbourne Capacity: 1,050 What makes your venue perfect for touring acts? 170 Russell is a 1,050 capacity concert venue conveniently situated in the heart of Melbourne featuring perfect sightlines from anywhere in the venue and world class production. Who are some notable acts that have performed at the venue recently? This venue hosts the biggest local, national and international touring acts coming through Melbourne. Every conceivable genre of music and every demographic of music fan comes through 170 Russell seven nights a week.
Is there a different vibe when people watch gigs during BIGSOUND as opposed to a gig you’d have on a normal week? How so? Hawks throughout BIGSOUND and seagulls every other day of the week.
What makes Brisbane the best place to host BIGSOUND? As many have said before, the proximity of venues in our blessed Valley. What acts are you looking forward to checking out that are at your venue while BIGSOUND is on? At Woolly I’m looking forward to Gregor, Rebel Yell, 100%, FOREVR, Alice Ivy, Anatole and Sparkspitter.
What industry lessons would you like to take away from the BIGSOUND conference? How to successfully nurture and cater to different genres of music that have not reached commercial viability in the broader scheme of live music.
What are the amenities in the surrounding area like? 170 Russell is based in the heart of Melbourne city surrounded by unlimited eating, drinking, accommodation and transport options. What’s the load in and load out like? Access to rear of venue. Goods lift. Ramps onto stage. Set up gear! What’s the main message you’d like to get across to BIGSOUND participants about the venue? 170 Russell is the premier mid-sized concert venue in Melbourne. The venue has a loyal subscriber database of over 100,000 live music fans in Melbourne plus broad social media reach and an inhouse publicist.
170 Russell How do we book a show at your venue next time we’re performing in your area? Contact Ben Thompson ben@170russell.com Website link for more info? 170russell.com/
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BIGSOUND 2016 Venue Focus
Arlo Enemark
Corner Hotel
Northcote Social Club
Newtown Social Club
BIGSOUND 2016
Venue Focus
Venue Focus
Venue Focus
Answered by: Jas Moore, programmer
Answered by: Jas Moore, programmer
Answered by: Jas Moore, programmer
The Venue: Corner Hotel
The Venue: Northcote Social Club
The Venue: Newtown Social Club
Speaker Focus Organisation: Xelon Entertainment, A&R/ Industry Promotions How did you first become involved in the music business and how did you end up where you are today? I brought a carton of Coopers Pale into the office and introduced myself. Six months later; I told them I was looking for work, “The bloke that brought in the slab? Give him a run!” What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? It’s becoming nearly impossible to know how to market a record. Any spend outside the platform the music is being consumed on seems frivolous, as all platforms are designed to stop people leaving that service. What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Create a smooth process for checking boxes and getting things done. Then you can be creative around the edges. What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference? The idea that there are fewer ‘middlemen’ now. The improved connectivity means the power is back in the hands of consumers.
Address: 57 Swan St, Richmond Capacity: 750+ What makes your venue perfect for touring acts? Excellent production, incredible staff, great promo. Who are some notable acts that have performed at the venue recently? Coming Up - BadBadNotGood, Triffids, Angel Olsen, Yellowcard, Half Moon Run, Holy Holy, The Peep Tempel, Atreyu, Big Scary, Ball Park Music, Dungen, Montaigne, Foy Vance, Black Mountain, Emma Louis, The Delta Riggs and Ladyhawk. What are the amenities in the surrounding area like? Great for eating, very close to city, very easy to get to with loads of public transport. What’s the load in and load out like? Easy. What’s the main message you’d like to get across to BIGSOUND participants about the venue? Swing by for a beer and a show! New rooftop beer garden coming soon! How do we book a show at your venue next time we’re performing in your area? Drop us a line. Website link for more info? cornerhotel.com/gigs
Address: 301 High St, Northocte Capacity: 300+ What makes your venue perfect for touring acts? Excellent production, incredible staff, great promo. Who are some notable acts that have performed at the venue recently? Coming Up Woodlock, Acid King, Alex Lloyd, The Coathangers, Robert Ellis & Joshua Hedley & Joe Pug, Sally Seltmann, Ceres, Bob Log III, Julien Baker, Blue Banded Bee Fundraiser ft. Jen Cloher, Courtney Bartnett. What are the amenities in the surrounding area like? Record Stores - Thornbury Records (T-Recs), Rathdowne Records, Records Etcetera. Great eating, lots of op shops. What’s the load in and load out like? Easy. What’s the main message you’d like to get across to BIGSOUND participants about the venue? Come catch a show and check out the new back deck - great for parties. How do we book a show at your venue next time we’re performing in your area? Drop us a line.
Address: 387 King St, Newtown Capacity: 270+ What makes your venue perfect for touring acts? Excellent production, incredible staff, great promo. Who are some notable acts that have performed at the venue recently? Coming Up - Magic!, Rainbow Chan, GL, Holy Balm, Gypsy & The Cat, Jen Cloher, Julianna Barwick, Tash Sultana, Sally Seltmann, Lisa Mitchell, The Soft Moon, Ceres, Julien Baker, Remi, Cass McCombs, Make Them Suffer. What are the amenities in the surrounding area like? Record Stores - check out Repressed and Resist! Op shops, cheap eats, nice people. What’s the load in and load out like? Fairly easy. What’s the main message you’d like to get across to BIGSOUND participants about the venue? Swing by for a gig and refreshments. No pokies here. How do we book a show at your venue next time we’re performing in your area? Drop us a line. Website link for more info? newtownsocialclub.com/gigs
Website link for more info? northcotesocialclub.com/gigs/
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LEANNE TENNANT Official Showcase Wed 7 Sept: 8:50PM The Empire
FOOTSTAMP PARTY ‘GOING UNDERGROUND’
Unofficial Showcase Thu 8 Sept: 7PM Greaser
www.leannetennant.com
Raena Lea-Shannon has handled all of my legal concerns, from contracts with the all of
MUSIC AT M ALTHOUSE THE ATRE
the major film studios both in Australia and overseas, — basically anything to do with the business of being a composer/producer. She is wise, she is good, she is a friend, and has to be one of the most intimidating legal minds you’ll ever meet. ELLIOTT WHEELER
TURNING STUDIOS / EXECUTIVE MUSIC PRODUCER — THE GET DOWN
MELBOURNE’S HERITAGE THEATRE BUILDING CARRIES A PRETTY GOOD TUNE, TOO. The Coopers Malthouse, Southbank Melbourne Call 03 9685 5111 with venue hire enquiries.
Fiery Maze with Tim Finn & Abi Tucker, Beckett Theatre, August 2016. Photo / Tim Grey
BIGSOUND 2016 Venue Focus Venue Focus
Venue Focus
Answered by: Marcus Dickson, General Manager
Answered by: Brad Inglis, Bookings and Promotion
Address: 1 Finnerty St, Fremantle
Address: 165 Duringan St, Currumbin
Fremantle Arts Centre
Capacity: 3400 What makes your venue perfect for touring acts? A boutique outdoor venue with a three-tiered, grassed space set against a backdrop of 1860s gothic architecture. FAC gigs are relaxed, picturesque and unforgettable for artist and audience alike. Who are some notable acts that have performed at the venue recently? Nick Cave, Tame Impala, Chet Faker, Passenger, Hot Chip, Bernard Fanning.
Soundlounge
Capacity: 750 What makes your venue perfect for touring acts? Soundlounge provides a range of setup options to be suitable for crowds from 100-750. Who are some notable acts that have performed at the venue recently? The Paper Kites, Paul Dempsey, British India, J Mascis, Marlon Williams.
What are the amenities in the surrounding area like? FAC is a twominute drive from the centre of Fremantle, a working port town.
What are the amenities in the surrounding area like? Walking distance to Currumbin Beach and located on the banks of Currumbin Creek.
What’s the load in and load out like? Easy access - production can drive right up to stage.
What’s the load in and load out like? Multiple entrances are available at Soundlounge.
How do we book a show at your venue next time we’re performing in your area? Contact FAC’s Events Coordinator Andrew Clark andrewc@fremantle.wa.gov.au/
How do we book a show at your venue next time we’re performing in your area? Contact Brad (brad@soundlounge.com.au 0422615810) or Alle (alle@soundlounge.com.au 0404692040).
Website link for more info? fac.org.au/hire-concerts/
Website link for more info? soundlounge.com.au/
events, arts festivals, awards nights, conferences and everything in between.
The Judith Wright Centre Right in the heart of Fortitude Valley’s nightlife precinct, The Judith Wright Centre boasts four premium performance and rehearsal spaces ready for your next gig! Home of the BIGSOUND Conference, look no further than The Judy for a tailored and intimate venue experience that’s as unique as your tunes. The Judith Wright Centre’s unique facilities can cater to creative meetings of minds, film shoots, screenings, workshops, launch
Offering the best combination of location, functionality, flexibility and originality, The Judy is the perfect venue for your next big gig! Contact us today via email or phone and chat to our friendly staff about options for your next event. Email info@ jwcoca.qld.gov.au Call 07 3872 9000. Discover everything you need to know at judithwrightcentre. com/
Brisbane Powerhouse
B
risbane Powerhouse is Queensland’s home for living art, ideas and experiences, representing the personality of contemporary Brisbane. We are a centre for contemporary culture based in a magnificent 1920s power station on the Brisbane River and are part of the vibrant, immediate urban world that is Brisbane. Audiences can visit throughout the year to
experience a program featuring music, comedy, writers, ideas, dance, film, visual arts, digital arts, theatre and musical theatre. We produce some of Australia’s largest events, including Brisbane Comedy Festival, Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM), Queensland Cabaret Festival, MELT Queer Cultural Festival and Wonderland. We open our doors to independent and emerging artists and help create events and experiences that couldn’t exist anywhere else. We are provocateurs, showmen and pop-culture intellectuals who embrace all creative disciplines and media. Our building is the hero of our story, its uniqueness is represented in everything our audience encounters.
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BIGSOUND 2016 Venue Focus
Manning Bar
Answered by: Dave Batty, Venue Booker Address: Manning Rd, University Of Sydney Capacity: 900 What makes your venue perfect for touring acts? State of the art PA and lighting. Great sightlines for patrons from anywhere in the room. Friendly security and staff.
Who are some notable acts that have performed at the venue recently? Kilter, Frenzal Rhomb, MANDY, Karnivool, Weedeater, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Tuka, Bootleg Rascal, Sunn O))), High On Fire, Battles, Built To Spill, Freddie Gibbs. What are the amenities in the surrounding area like? Loads of bars and restaurants in neighbouring suburbs Newtown, Leichhardt, Glebe, Chippendale. Hotels within walking distance. Plenty of parking.
What’s the load in and load out like? Very easy. It’s a flat load from the ground floor to a lift, which takes you to level two (the venue), and flat load from the lift to the stage. What’s the main message you’d like to get across to BIGSOUND participants about the venue? Incredibly versatile venue within the arts hub of Sydney. Fantastic audio and lighting in-house. How do we book a show at your venue next time we’re performing in your area? Email our venue booker, Dave - dave@ custommade.com.au/ Website link for more info? manningbar.com
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BIGSOUND 2016
Speaker Picks
To BIGSOUND And Beyond
Alex Lahey
Who the industry will be checking out at BIGSOUND
Cath Haridy, Director, Catherine Haridy Management: Roger Shepherd — Flying Nun, Tracy McNeil & The Goodlife, Alex Lahey, Dorsal Fins, Fait, Japanese Wallpaper, Olympia, Kim Gordon — Sonic Youth, Tigertown, Victor Van Vugt.
Angela Glaister, Head of Publishing, Sweat It Out: Kim Gordon, Alicia Sbrugnera from Spotify, BOUY, Ribongia, The Gooch Palms (like a bit of nudey with my music), Myf Warhurst (who doesn’t love her), DZ Deathrays, Chris Murray (as when do I ever see him in the day).
Arlo Enemark, A&R/ Industry Promotions, Xelon Entertainment: Coda Conduct, Buoy, Tkay Maidza.
Rev Moose, CoFounder, Marauder: I have obsessively gone through all 150+ artists playing this year. I’m not sharing my hot tips; put in the legwork yourself. Or don’t, because the odds are pretty good you’ll stumble into something awesome.
Julia Wilson, Director, Nice Rights/Midnight Choir/Rice Is Nice: Zac from Goner, Matthew Davis from Flying Nun!, Jaddan Comerford from Unified, Kim Gordon, The Laurels, DEN, Rebel Yell.
Antonio Celestino of ONELOVE chats to Brynn Davies about their new hip hop imprint WVS, his BIGSOUND tips and the evolving nature of the music industry.
T
hose Brisbane-bound for BIGSOUND this week will all have a chance to discover what is in store for the future of the music industry. In the ever-changing convergent media environment, it’s harder than ever to stay on top of your game and make a name for yourself. With ONELOVE’s new hip hop imprint WVS, Aussie hip hop acts will now have all the backing they need to crack the scene. “Evolution has always underpinned our entire operation,” says Antonio Celestino. “I think in recent years we were framed by - a popular narrow concept of - ‘EDM’, due to our involvement in the festival space coinciding with a global shift musically towards ‘overthe-top dance music’, but it wasn’t a single focus. The focus has been to follow sounds and scenes we simply like. To that end, we will always be driven by new sounds and sub-cultures...The music industry constantly evolves. Ten years ago we were moving hundred of thousands of CDs... now we wonder what will replace streaming?” Led by producer and writer Miracle, the Sydney-based label aims to shine a spotlight on the new generation of artists who are
creating hip hop and alt-R&B music and showcase them throughout the country and abroad. “We began talking to Mira [Samson Andah] about doing something, and he immediately turned us onto an incredible new wave of - mostly multicultural - talent that was simply doing its own thing out of a hub in Sydney’s North-East suburbs; underdog kids that aren’t rapping about BBQs or getting radio but making interesting future forward music with worldclass production in their own studios. We’ve always invested in new movements and WVS was born to be a platform for these new hiphop creative,” he explains. Celestino has some top tips for artists looking to the future at BIGSOUND: “If you want to be in music then you need to live in it: broaden your musical vocab. Go see more shows and talk to people you don’t know, check out interesting DJs, switch stations more. Above all make music you like to play even if nobody is at the show. And if you do all this then when ‘industry’ people finally become interested in what you’re doing, don’t be afraid to grab an opportunity and see where music can take you.” Sounds like a pretty decent excuse to go on a venue crawl around the festival! “We cancelled our party this year just so we can go see shows since there’s that much talent performing this BIGSOUND! I love this Melbourne band called Teeth & Tongue. And I think Harts, Fortunes, Terrible Truths, GL, Ribongia, LASTLINGS, Polish Club, Alice Ivy, Alex Lahey, Cleopold, Lanks, Wet Lips, Habits, Woodes, Ivan Ooze, could all be acts that take off in the next year. Vera Blue has just done a track with our artist Slumberjack which will be good to see live before she becomes huge.”
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BRISBANE’S NEWEST INDIE RECORD STORE
NOW OPEN 12/360 LOGAN RD STONES CORNER (in car park of Stones Corner Hotel) Phone: (07) 3397 0180
www.sonicsherpa.com.au
VINY VI NYL NY L-CDS-B -BOO BOO OOKS KS--DV KS DVDS DS-M -MUS MUS USIC IC--STU IC TUFF FF A great place for your artists next Brisbane instore. THE T HE MUS M MUSIC 31ST T AUGUST AUG GUS UST T 2016 • 3
BIGSOUND 2016
Rock Posters
S
treet posters, rock posters, bill posters, fly posters - they go by many names around the world and are one of the oldest forms of advertising. Street posters really started to come into prevalence in Australia in the late eighteen hundreds to promote shows, markets and events in the major cities. Fast-forward a hundred years to 1986 and the company Rock Posters was born. Rock Posters have been printing and
installing street posters for 30 years now and still remain the market leader for advertising within the arts and entertainment industry. The company has seen many changes over the years but one thing still has not changed in all that time: a well-designed poster has a big impact on how effective your street poster campaign is. Here are three things to remember when designing a street poster campaign: • Keep it simple: A lot of people make the mistake of trying to cram too much information on to their poster. That works if your ad is in a magazine or online when people have time to take it all in but when your ad is up on a wall along a highway or a railway, you only have a few seconds to get your message across, so keep it simple. For example if you are advertising a tour keep it to the essentials – who, where, when, website.
• Keep it bold: Another mistake people make is choosing a font that is hard to read from a distance, or too hard to read while driving, riding, or walking past. Choose a font that is easy to read. • Keep it bright: You want people to notice your poster so they show up to your gig. Some of the most effective posters you see on the streets have been two colour any fluro colour and black is number one. This colour combination stands out on the street and catches your eye over any other design. The added bonus is that two-colour production is much cheaper than full colour production. For any further help or tips on street posters contact Rock Posters, your leader in Street Poster Advertising. Rockposters.com.au/
Master / Publishing contracts: Before signing any royalty agreements, talk to a musicbased accountant or solicitor to discuss.
The Guild Group
B
IGSOUND can be a great springboard to propel a band’s/artist’s/group’s career to the next financial level. For those on the verge of signing a deal or seeing their music income grow, I would like to share a few business and accounting points for consideration:
Income Averaging Tax Offset: Musicians have the ability to access an income tax averaging offset for their performance- and royalty-based income. The greatest benefits of income averaging are usually obtained in the first four years of deriving music income. Financial planning: A business cash flow forecast is crucial in determining any surplus cash that can be sucked out of the business to start a personal wealth accumulation strategy. It’s easy to see money evaporate if you don’t have a clear financial plan in place.
Matrix Vinyl
M
y first music job involved the manufacture of cassettes, which quickly led to working in a vinyl pressing plant – the Festival Records plant in Pyrmont, Sydney. I was sad to see it go, but one thing I learnt was how fucking hard it was to make a decent quality record day in day out. Matrix Vinyl
has pressed many other incredible Australian artists for major and indie labels from Ball Park Music’s latest LP to The Cat Empire , DZ Deathrays, Violent Soho, The Rubens, Jimmy Barnes and more. We press vinyl alongside artists like Neil Young and Metallica who insist on all their vinyl being the best in the world. So do we. Name dropping aside, what I still care about, and get probably more personal enjoyment from, is helping newer acts turn their music into a playable format that lives up to the hype of vinyl. BIGSOUND is a great opportunity and showcase for Australia’s music of the future. It’s pressing those records that haven’t been recorded yet that excites me most.
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Proudly Representing Artists: Alex Lahey, Marlon Williams, Clairy Browne, C.W. Stoneking, The Jezebels, Xylouris White Venues: The Croxton Promoters: Beyond The Valley and Lennard Promotions Festivals: Beyond The Valley Campaigns For: Caroline Australia and Cooking Vinyl Australia Contact: info@riothouse.com.au
BIGSOUND 2016
Music Express
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usic Express at Mount Gravatt are full of surprises. With new brands being added to their already massive musical instrument range across two locations, it’s an exciting time for the crew. A quick snapshot of the last 12 months has seen the arrival of Paul Reed Smith
Guitars, Martin acoustics, Nord keyboards, Electro Harmonix effects pedals, Soldano amplifiers, DW drums and (in recent weeks) boutique amplifiers from New York City, Supro and Schecter guitars. “We are really trying to cater to musicians from a wide variety of genres and levels of ability!” says Joel Ralph, part of the guitar team. “It’s great to see so much more pro gear in the store these days and the Brisbane music community are really responding!” AAA – Access All Areas guitar nights see the Logan Road store staying open after hours. As well as killer entertainment from surprise guests, there’s free reign to try out some new gear.
Nightlife Music
T
he latest innovation from Nightlife Music, in partnership with Spotify, crowdDJ is a modern-day jukebox that empowers consumers to personalise a venue’s music offering in real-time. Throughout BIGSOUND, attendees will be invited to take part in crowdDJ every day at Beach Burrito, as
well as influencing the music between band sets at The Brightside – a worldfirst innovation for a live event. Punters will be able to pick their favourite songs via crowdDJ kiosks or a free mobile app and even link their Spotify account to access their favourite playlists and take the setlist home with them. Director of Licensing & Business Affairs at Nightlife Music, Stuart Watters says, “It’s great that we can bring this sort of innovation to the table. Apart from giving the audience choice, we are creating a new precedent around the use of a commercially licensed platform in a live music setting, triggering a rights flow that has so far been largely swept under the carpet by the industry.”
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With world-class facilities, leading teachers and the latest tools, SAE can turn your passion into an exciting career.
CRICOS: 00312F RTO: 0273
DEGREE, DIPLOMA & CERTIFICATE COURSES IN:
Enrol now sae.edu.au Course enquiries call 1800 SAE EDU Brisbane | Byron Bay | Sydney | Melbourne | Adelaide | Perth
BIGSOUND 2016
checked there are no artist(s) using the same or a confusingly similar competing name.
Andrew Fuller myEntertainmentLawyer.com
Top five tips for artists 1. Join APRA/AMCOS and PPCA: The first thing you must do to earn money from your music and it’s free. 2. Stake your claim to your name: It is a good idea to register your name as a domain early, once you’ve
3. Don’t sign anything unless you understand what it means: It’s easy to transfer ownership of your songs or recordings by signing a document. 4. Make sure you reach agreement with someone in writing: A written agreement should be an accurate reflection of the intentions of the parties and the source document for what was agreed if there’s a dispute or disagreement down the track. 5. Get your business right: I recommend that all bands and collaborators sign a band or partnership agreement early on.
application of copyright in the music industry is very complex and varies from country to country.
LeaShannon Legal Top three music industry legal tips 1. Know your IP and common law rights: Band names, and more often now key song titles are the ‘brand’ and therefore need to be registered as trademarks. Some merchandise may need to be registered as a design under the Designs Act. The
2. Secure your IP: Do thorough availability searches of band names and key songs then register trademarks. Keep full records of all work done on original compositions and first recordings to verify ownership of copyright. 3. Maximise return on your IP: Register your copyright with every available collection society locally and where applicable overseas. ie. APRA/AMCOS, Screenrights, PPCA (if you own copyright in recordings); SoundExchange (for US Statutory Digital Royalties for streaming).
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www.heliportstudios.com
Australia’s Premier Recording, Writing and Mixing facility
info@heliportstudios.com soundcloud.com/Heliportstudios
Ph. +61 7 5445 5600 facebook.com/Heliportstudios
BIGSOUND 2016
Sydney TAFE Music = Fast Track
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usic careers take one of two paths. Learning on the job is slow way, it can take ten to 20 years to get into decent pay. Getting fully trained first helps you start higher up and helps you progress ten times faster. Quiet achievers Sydney TAFE Music have been making big sounds for years,
AGME
T
he Australian Guild of Music Education (AGME) is for real musicians! Students can study online or at the campus. Students are provided the skills required for the 21st century musician. We provide individual instrumental/vocal tuition in classical and contemporary genres and styles. You will learn skills in aural awareness, theory, history, ensemble performance,
helping develop people like Lanie Lane, Gideon Bensen, Matt Mason, Elizabeth Rose, Tuka, Nathan Farrell, Nick Findlay and countless more. There’s a steady stream of free short courses, plus Certificate II through Advanced Diploma in Music Performance, Music Business, Audio Production, Live Production and Electronic Music Production. Free? Really? In short courses you can learn to record bands for free in a professional studio. You can learn to make sick beats in any genre using the extremely powerful and popular Ableton Live, learn to play guitar or keyboard from scratch or take your singing to a whole new level. You can even learn to make music videos on your smartphone! All for free. Head Teacher Kerry Furlong says people have a hard time understanding that those courses really are free of charge. “I have to tell
music technology, music business and music education. In the third year of study students can select their major to specialise in either music performance, musical composition or music technology. The Kooyong campus boasts two recording studios, a concert stage, computer lab, practice rooms and recreation areas. Our courses are vocationally oriented and in line with current industry practice. In addition our, specialist and qualified staff are available to support and guide you throughout your studies. The Guild offers certificate courses (I, II, III and IV), a Diploma of Music, Advanced Diploma of Music, and a Bachelor of Music. See guildmusic.edu.au/
them, TAFE is still the king of concessions, we get government funding, so short courses are free starting 10 October.” “Even our full-time TAFE courses have insane discounts now. All our diplomas are now only $4,010 for the whole year, with the government paying TAFE the other $6,000. And a Vet Fee Help student loan means no money to pay up front. That’s a total of 34 weeks of training over the year, compared to others who I’m told give 22 weeks total over nine months at something like four times the cost.” Sydney TAFE’s electronic music production diploma has gotten huge really fast. Their dream team of teachers like Eric Chapus, Damien Goundrie, Rick Bull and others help students like Sam Burns produce songs like Cut Sick by Jannah Beth (another alumni), which has over 340,000 spins on Spotify. Furlong personally hosts info sessions at 6.30pm every Tuesday in October and November. See sydneytafe.edu.au/careers/music or email sydneytafe.music@tafensw.edu.au/
Heliport
J
ames Russell, Studio Director at Heliport Studios Heliport Studios is now one of the top studios in Australia with a gear fit out that’s world class. It sits on 64 acres of lush rainforest on the Sunshine Coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean and boasts onsite accommodation so artists can get recording done efficiently. Heliport Studios is a stone’s throw from the Sunshine Coast tourist strips, and it has its own
helicopter pad if you prefer a movie star entrance. We installed an SSL Duality (the world’s best mixing console) seven years ago and it has stamped an indelible print on the sound we produce. Heliport has become renowned for its drum sound, which is something that can’t be replicated any other way, and we’re frequently booked specifically to achieve this. Heliport has gained a reputation for its ability to achieve an optimum studio sound at all stages of the recording process, meaning clients can get brilliant analogue recordings, whether its a whole project, tracking only or finishing their mixing or mastering stages. We can cater for most budgets. See heliportstudios.com or facebook.com/Heliportstudios/
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220-232 Oxford St Paddington Sydney 2021 www.paddorsl.com.au
The Sydney Venue that once hosted INXS, Henry Rollins and more is now back! Showroom Capacity: 500 The Comedy Loft Capacity: 200
Easy parking and walking distance from the CBD events@limehq.com 0413 748 443
BIGSOUND 2016
Speaker Picks
IT’S A SUMMIT
Olympia
Who the industry will be checking out at BIGSOUND
Clairy Browne, Artist: Kim Gordon’s keynote speech, Sampa The Great, Olympia, Ecca Vandal, Saatsuma, Kira Piru.
Travis Banco, Co-Booker/ Manager, Laneway Festival/ Lunatic Entertainment A.B. Original (performance & keynote speech), Alex Lahey, Fortunes, Bec Sandridge, B Wise, Fascinator, Sampa The Great, Tash Sultana, Groeni.
Jess Beston, Founder/ Director, Tiny Monster: Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth), Lars Murray (Pandora), Charles Caldas (Merlin), Ainslie Wills, A.D.K.O.B, Allan Smithy, Lanks, Mallrat, Mid Ayr, Middle Kids, Oh Pep!, Olympia, Rainbow Chan, Tiny Little Houses.
KUCKA, Artist: Speakers: Peanut Butter Wolf & J-Rocc, Imran Ahmed from XL. Panels: Power Hungry: The Call For Equal Gender Representation, From Artistry To Industry, Touring UK and Europe: One Size Doesn’t Fit All. Performers: Friendships, BUOY, Fait.
Melbourne music conference Face The Music is now in its ninth year. Co-programmers Zac Abroms and Ash Sambrooks tell Uppy Chatterjee it needs an overhaul.
“I
t extends beyond mere semantics,” Zac Abroms explains. “A conference, in the form of Face The Music’s previous iterations, carries the connotation of a top-down communication model where attendees passively soak up information from the talking heads on stage, whereas a summit is more closely aligned with our desire for a re-developed Face The Music. To be a true meeting of the minds and real-time knowledge exchange with practical and measurable outcomes for all.” Unlike BIGSOUND, which Abroms says is “without question the premiere conference event”, Face The Music will boast a “distinctly Melbourne flavour” to uphold the city’s status as “Australia’s music capital”. Having announced their first set of speakers recently - including American music vlogger Anthony Fantano (The Needle Drop), VICE’s Ricki Askin and Bandcamp’s Andrew Jervis - Sambrooks admits they were relieved when none of their speakers declined their invitation, as they chose a set of industry figures “who [they] think have something genuinely special to share”. Sambrooks believes it’s not just the execs from the multi-national companies we have to watch out for. He chuckles, “[It’s the] upcoming young folk!... Some of the new local labels popping up are super-exciting and we can’t wait to see where they’ll take their releases and artists. Spirit Level, Neat Lawn, Night High Records, Good Manners, Solitaire and so many
others are releasing incredible music.” After some probing, the pair drop a few hints as to Face The Music’s pending keynote announce. “[We’ll have] a one-of-a kind international emotive pop idol, the world’s most forward-thinking music analytics think tank and someone who has shared stages with Kendrick Lamar and the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2016 without ever having made a sound,” they say cryptically. Having made a commitment to traipse “uncharted territory” this year, approaching Face The Music as a summit, Abroms says they’re not afraid to touch potentially contentious issues in their panels and keynotes. “Any self-respecting music summit should task itself with tackling issues on the frontier of the music business and this year at Face The Music our program incorporates a number of such areas from empowering communities through leadership, sustainability in music, social media and online data analysis, music and emotional health, creating genuine access at music events for the hearing impaired, creating safe spaces, as well as extending an olive branch to our cousins in the video gaming world, to name but a few.” With a new partnership with Melbourne Music Week this year, Abroms and Sambrooks divulge there’ll be “music morning, noon and night across both days of the summit in delightfully unconventional spaces,” centred around the super-secret new Melbourne Music Week Hub venue, yet to be announced. “We’re introducing more innovation, more business opportunities and a greater international focus - ‘cause there’s never been a better time to show the rest of the world what we’ve got,” Sambrooks notes proudly. “To be a true meeting of the minds and realtime knowledge exchange with practical and measurable outcomes for all.”
When & Where: 17 - 18 Nov, Face The Music, Melbourne Music Week Hub
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BIGSOUND 2016
Island Vibe
Mullum Music Festival
icture BIGSOUND on a sub tropical island, with a massive program showcasing the finest of reggae, soul and bass music in the Pacific region and beyond. Spanning three days at the tail end of whale watching season in October, Island Vibe features over 80 acts, four stages, a funky market village, food fair, cocktail bar, workshops and eco space and is all ages. For its 11th edition, Island Vibe Festival is once again bringing together the cream of Australian and international talent. New additions to the now complete line-up include New Zealand’s greatest reggae export Katchafire, drum’n’bass producer Soulware (NZ), 4’20 Sound ft Jamalski (NYC), Dub Princess, SK Simeon, Mista Savona, Kenta Hayashi (JPN) and Bobby Alu to name a few. But Island Vibe is more than just a music festival. Through its strong cultural program the festival invites community groups from around Australia and the Pacific to engage in a cultural exchange with the Quandamooka people of Stradbroke Island. Island Vibe is also aiming at becoming Australia’s Greener Festival, having won several coveted Greener Festival Awards for its eco and sustainability practices in the past. For full program and all general enquiries go to our website at islandvibe. com.au/
good way to shake off any looming post-BIGSOUND blues is to start making plans to get to Mullum Music Festival, 17 - 10 Nov, where BIGSOUND artists Tash Sultana, Olympia and William Crighton will be playing along with over 60 international and national artists including Gareth Liddiard of The Drones, Lior, Henry Wagons & The Only Children, Julien Baker (US), Eilen Jewell (US), Harpoonist & The Axe Murderer, Julia Jacklin and Nattali Rize (Aus/Jamaica) of Blue King Brown. Now in its ninth year, Mullum Music Festival is one of those little festival gems that flies under the mainstream radar and is loved for its adventurous programming and laidback community atmosphere. In a similar form to BIGSOUND, Mullum Music Festival takes over the cafes, pubs, clubs, halls and streets of the little coastal town of Mullumbimby 15 mins north of Byron Bay so punters can get up close to the music. (Extra bonus is the drinks are cheap, the loos are real and the parking is free!) Like BIGSOUND, Mullum Music Festival has always been a champion of emerging artists with Tinpan Orange, Clairy Browne, Daniel Champagne, Oh Pep!, Raised By Eagles and Tracy McNeil all having played Mullum in previous years.
P
A
Wollombi Festival
A
s far as regional festivals go, Wollombi Music Festival shows that if you provide punters with a great mix of bands in a beautiful setting, throw in free camping, a designated Kidsfest - and other fest-y accoutrements like quality food and a fully stocked bar - you can be a success. In its seven-year history, this little-festival-that-can has managed to sell out for the last two years and showcase a whole heap of Australian acts including, in 2016, Hot Potato Band, The Lachy Doley Group, The Fumes, Kallidad and more. Wollombi Music festival is definitely one of the Hunter Valley’s best festivals. Experience all the musical goodness on Saturday 24 Sep.
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BIGSOUND 2016
Park Sounds Bliss N Eso
W
ith just over a month since the announcement of Park Sounds music festival, Bliss N Eso are chomping at the bit to get back on stage for their only 2016 Brisbane show. Hot off the heels of a huge BIGSOUND showcase, Park Sounds brings some of Australia’s best live artists with a tonne of new music. It’s been far too long since
Bliss N Eso have brought their distinctive live presence to Queensland, and the Sydney hiphop trio are ready to tear it up on the Park Sounds main stage on Saturday 12 November. “After spending more than 12 months in the studio working on our new album, we are really excited to finally be getting back on stage and where better to do it than sunny Queensland,” says Bliss (aka Jonathan Notley). Brisbane has always been a special place for Bliss N Eso who have a string of sold-out shows under their belts. “Brisbane has always been one of our strongest markets,” says MC Eso (Max MacKinnon). “And our fans up north are definitely some of our rowdiest.” And these fans might just have something to get extra rowdy about with the group hinting at debuting some long-awaited new music.
“Park Sounds is going to be our first opportunity to perform some new music from our new album and we can’t wait!” Park Sounds is gearing up to be a huge showcase of new music with Drapht recently dropping his latest album Seven Mirrors. Already hitting number four on the ARIA charts, Drapht’s latest offering further establishes him as one of Australia’s great hip-hop artists, and Park Sounds fans will be treated to a live dose of his new music. Added to the already impressive Park Sounds line-up are Nicole Millar – her new single Tremble has been streamed over two million times on Spotify; Running Touch – dubbed “the best kept secret in Australian Dance Music”; Pon Cho – from the celebrated hip hop group Thundamentals; and GG Magree – known for crushing decks the world over supporting Pharrell and WuTang Clan to name a few. Park Sounds tickets are on sale now for $70+BF from parksounds.com.au.
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