05.09.17 Music / Arts / Lifestyle / Culture
Brisbane / Free / Incorporating
Issue
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PROUD PRESENTING FESTIVAL PARTNER OF BIGSOUND
AUSTRALIAS LARGEST STREET POSTER NETWORK
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AT LAST, THE SISTINE CHAPEL OF THE VISIONARY TAXIDERMY MOVEMENT HAS ARRIVED AT MONA.
10 JUNE 2017 – 2 APRIL 2018 An exhibition of art from the edge Kittens’ Tea an andd Crro roq oquet et Party ty,, c. 11890 890 9 , Walt 90 Wa er Pott terr, Muse u um um of of Ev Every ryt ytthing.
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UNTITLED GROUP & TRIPLE J PRESENT
SCHOOLBOY Q* • THE PRESETS* • MATT CORBY* • STORMZY* MURA MASA* • LITTLE DRAGON* • STEPHAN BODZIN (LIVE) IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER 2MANYDJS (DJ SET)* • ADANA TWINS • ÂME (LIVE) • AMY SHARK ANDHIM • B.TRAITS • CROOKED COLOURS • CUB SPORT • CUT COPY DEAN LEWIS • DMA’S • DOM DOLLA • FKJ • GEORGE MAPLE • GL HARVEY SUTHERLAND & BERMUDA • HAYDEN JAMES • HOT DUB TIME MACHINE IVAN OOZE • JACK RIVER • LASTLINGS • LATE NIGHT TUFF GUY MAREK HEMMANN • MEG MAC • NAO • PATRICK TOPPING • PLEASUREKRAFT PRINCESS NOKIA • RUBY FIELDS • SAMPA THE GREAT • SAN CISCO SKEGSS • THE BELLIGERENTS • THE PREATURES * =ONLY VIC SHOW 28 DEC 2017 1 JAN 2018 LARDNER PARK BEYONDTHEVALLEY.COM.AU
PRESENTS
Fri 27th October Soundlounge - Gold Coast Sat 28th October
new album available now
kimchurchill.com
THE KITE STRING TANGLE
production yet� Rolling Stone
Headline Show
Fri 13th October The Debut Album featuring
+ Supporting In September
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SECRET SOUNDS PRESENTS
THE 25TH ANNUAL MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL FFLUME LU (NO SIDESHOWS) • FLEET FOXES • RUN THE JEWELS • THE KOOKS • GLASS ANIMALS (NO SIDESHOWS)) PPEKING DUK • ANGUS & JULIA STONE • FOSTER THE PEOPLE • LIAM GALLAGHER • VINCE STAPLES JUNGLE JUNG • DUNE RATS • THE SMITH STREET BAND • DRAM • DARYL BRAITHWAITE • EVERYTHING EVERYTHING ALLDAY • THE JUNGLE GIANTS • THUNDAMENTALS • METHYL ETHEL • SLUMBERJACK • D.D DUMBO • ANNA LUNOE DZ DEATHRAYS • CONFIDENCE MAN • JULIA JACKLIN • BAD//DREEMS • COSMO’S MIDNIGHT • WINSTON SURFSHIRT LUCA BRASI • ALEX LAHEY • CAMP COPE • FLINT EASTWOOD • ECCA VANDAL • DAVE • TOTAL GIOVANNI + PLUS LOADS MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED
LORNE MARION BYRON FREMANTLE BAY 28 DEC BAY 06 JAN 29 DEC 30 DEC 31 DEC
29 DEC 30 DEC 31 DEC
31 DEC 01 JAN 02 JAN
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FESTIVAL CAMPING • FOOD TRUCKS & GLORIOUS GOURMET FARE • POP UP BARS & BEER GARDENS INTERACTIVE ARTS • MAKERS MARKETS • YOGA & WELLBEING PLUS LOADS OF OTHER AWESOMENESS
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Vale Hotel | Black Bear Lodge | Raintrees Tavern | Pub Lane Tavern | Glenmore Tavern Caloundra Hotel | Capalaba Tavern | The Zoo | Alderley Arms Hotel | Upper Ross Hotel | Miami Tavern Shark Bar | Max Watt’s | Springwood Hotel | Mission Beach Resort | Dalrymple Hotel | Norfolk Tavern | Allenstown Hotel | Pelican Waters Tavern | Royal Hotel Gatton | Bloodhound Bar | Federal Hotel |Chatswood Hills Tavern | The Foundry | Australian National Hotel | The Great Western Hotel | Edinburgh Castle Hotel | Benowa Tavern | The Triffid | Belmont Tavern | Deception Bay Tavern | Kirwan Tavern | The Gap Tavern | Chermside Tavern Breakfast Creek Hotel | Smithfield Tavern | Blue Mountain Hotel The Edge Hill Tavern | Villa Noosa Hotel | Wynnum Tavern | Redbank Plains Tavern |Melbourne Hotel | Parkwood Tavern | |Imperial Hotel | North Lakes Tavern | Prince of Wales Hotel | Lonestar Tavern | Russell Tavern |Club Tavern | Emerald Star Hotel | OMalleys Irish Bar | Oxford 152 Coomera Tavern | | Chardons Corner Hotel | Palm Beach Hotel | Ferny Grove Tavern Hamilton Hotel | | Pacific Hotel | Warner Tavern | Kedron Park Hotel Newmarket Hotel’ | Mount Gravatt Hotel Transit Tavern | | | Victoria Point Tavern | Sunnybank Hotel | Noosa Reef Hotel | Commercial Hotel | Jimboomba Tavern | Irish Finnegans | Royal Exchange Hotel | Austral Hotel | Magnums Hotel Waterfront Hotel | Coolum Beach Hotel | Bellbowrie Tavern | Brunswick Hotel | Cecil Hotel |Indooroopilly Hotel | | Springfield Tavern | Mt Pleasant Tavern | Oxley Tavern |Stones Corner Hotel | Nudgee Beach Hotel | Surfers Paradise Beergarden | Centenary Tavern | Captain Cook Tavern || Highfields Tavern | Pacific Pines Tavern | Kallangur Tavern | Yamanto Tavern | | Lawnton Tavern | Kondari Hotel | Quality Hotel Mermaid Waters | Old Sydney Hotel | Dog and Parrot Tavern | Oxenford Tavern | Harvey Road Tavern Woree Tavern | The Brightside | Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall | Kawana Waters Hotel | Solbar | Junk Bar | Holland Park Hotel | Varsity Lakes | Alexandra Headlands Hotel | Camp Hill Hotel | Sonnys House Of Blues | Albany Creek Tavern | Wharf Tavern | The Four Mile Creek Hotel | Pub Mooloolaba | Victory Hotel | Buderim Tavern || Anglers Arms Hotel | Miami Marketta | Petrie Hotel | Racehorse Hotel | Brook Hotel | Albion Hotel |lPROUD | Wilsonton Hotel Forest Lake Tavern2017 | Morrison Hotel | SPONSOR OF|BIGSOUND FESTIVAL NightQuarter | Bay Central Tavern | Eatons Hill Hotel | Broadbeach Tavern Royal Hotel | Redland Bay Hotel | Balaclava Hotel | Golden Beach Tavern | Blue Pacific Hotel | The Coolangatta Hote | Hinterland Hotel / Motel | The Flamin Galah Bar | Kensington Junction Burleigh Heads Hotel | Crowbar | Atherton Hotel | Coutts Commercial Hotel | Dublin Docks Tavern
If you’re going to an event in Queensland, chances are you’re getting a ticket from us
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JONSON STREET BYRON BAY
SATURDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER
1ST SEPTEMBER
OCEAN ALLEY
SUBTRAKT PRESENTS: SVEN WEISEMANN (GER)
THURSDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER
PIERCE BROTHERS
2ND SEPTEMBER
FRIDAY 8TH SEPTEMBER
HARLEM, BLEEDING KNEES CLUB
GOOD MORNING, DAG, SAN MEI
5TH SEPTEMBER
DON’T MISS free live music every Sunday from 3.30pm.
BIGSOUND LIVE
03 SEP
SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER
DROP LEGS, THUNDER FOX, THE BONNY DOONS SATURDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER
KARL.S. WILLIAMS
6TH SEPTEMBER
Mason Watts EP launch + Requin
BIGSOUND LIVE
10 SEP
6TH SEPTEMBER (LATE)
Melissa J Evans + Parissa Bouas
BEDLAM RECORDS PRESENTS: MIDNIGHT MISFITS
17 SEP
7TH SEPTEMBER
Jo Davie + Krameri
THURSDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER
DAN SULTAN
BIGSOUND LIVE
24 SEP MIXTAPE
FRIDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER
ALI BARTER SATURDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER
TIJUANA CARTEL
8TH SEPTEMBER
Blue Child Collective + Tenzin Choegyal, Taro Terhara + Shen Flindell
WHILE BIGSOUND GENTLY WEEPS 8TH SEPTEMBER (LATE)
MELLUM TURNS 1
All ages welcome.
9TH SEPTEMBER
JACUZZI BOYS (USA) Brisbane Airport is keeping Livespark free. Mixtape is proudly supported by APRA AMCOS.
TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE WWW.THENORTHERN.COM.AU
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WWW.THEFOUNDRY.NET.AU THEFOUNDRY.OZTIX.COM.AU 228 WICKHAM STREET, FORTITUDE VALLEY
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New Music From Your Friends At
PLUS GREAT NEW MUSIC FROM RICE IS NICE, FARMER & THE OWL, MISTLETONE, KOBALT, STOP START, SPIRIT LEVEL AND MORE.
Airling Hard to Sleep, Easy to Dream
Bonobo Migration
Cigarettes After Sex Cigarettes After Sex
Horrorshow Bardo State
Jen Cloher Jen Cloher
Kelela Take Me Apart
Public Service Broadcasting Every Valley
Queens of the Stone Age Villains
The Smith Street Band More Scared Of You Than You Are Of Me
Alex Cameron Forced Witness
Ali Barter A Suitable Girl
Ásgeir Afterglow
Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile Lotta Sea Lice
Father John Misty Pure Comedy
Gold Class Drum
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard Sketches of Brunswick East
The National Sleep Well Beast
ODESZA A Moment Apart
The xx I See You
Representing the world’s best independent music.
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#livecoolatiglu
www.iglu.com.au
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P A R T I E S
1,500 For a regular hit of news sign up to our daily newsletter at theMusic.com.au
P A R T Y
G U I D E
The average number of delegates that attend BIGSOUND Alta
Tuesday Women in Music - Welcome To BIGSOUND Event feat. Leanne de Souza, Jo Pratt, Deb Suckling @ Eleven Rooftop Bar Social State Welcome Party feat. WAAX, Bris 182, Evan Klar, Royal & The Southern Echo @ The Brightside Worst Tribute Ever feat. Dan Cribb & The Isolated @ The Brightside
Wednesday
Ziggy Ramo
Red Bull Sound Select Presents Brisbane Red Bull Sound Select are taking over the The Elephant Hotel once again to showcase the cream of Australia’s hip-hop crop. Get there on Wednesday to see Jonti, Manu Crook$ and Alta in action.
Inaugural BIGSOUND Music Tech Showcase @ Cloudland CAAMA Music Showcase @ Cloudland
BIGSOUND HIGHLIGHT
Alice Skye, Apakatjah, KND
Mel Tickle
HUB Digital Distribution Launch @ Eleven Rooftop Bar
Bigfish. tv – Designer (BIGSOUND Rebrand) BIGSOUNDs attended: 2010 onwards
Levi’s Music Prize Launch Party feat. Hockey Dad, Maddy Jane, Winston Surfshirt, Ruby Fields @ The Brightside
Kirin J Callinan in a wedding dress at The Troubadour in 2012, Violent Soho’s incredible show on the QMusic stage, Kimbra in a tiny room and The Middle East’s show at Family Nightclub all stand out as vivid memories from past BIGSOUNDs. I’m also fortunate enough to be playing my fourth BIGSOUND this year as Holiday Party.
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B I G S O U N D The Mountain Goat Beer Closing Party
P A R T I E S
The Harpoons
Mountain Goat’s Closing Party is your last chance to get your BIGSOUND shake on, so get down to Woolly Mammoth Friday and make sure you don’t miss out! Live sets from The Harpoons, Sad13, Alta, Exhibitionist.
SAT 12 SEPT
Home Some of Australia’s finest Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander artists are headed to Ric’s Bar Thursday for Home. Archie Roach opens straight after his BIGSOUND keynote before Ziggy Ramo, Kardajala Kirridarra and Tia Gostelow take the stage.
A FIST FULL OF ROCK FT. HOODO GURUS, YOU AM I, JEBEDIAH & ADALITA
FRI 8 SEPT TORY LANEZ
SAT 9 SEPT
HIGH SCHOOL REUNION
SAT 15 SEPT
DASHBOARD COFESSIONAL
SAT 16 SEPT AFI
THUR 21 SEPT
MAX & IGGOR CAVALERA
FRI 22 SEPT YOU ME AT SIX
FRI 22 SEPT
TRAP & BASS NIGHT FT. JACKAL
FRI 29 SEPT THE GAME
MON OCT 2 AT THE DRIVE IN
SAT 14 OCT ANDY GRAMMER
SUN 15 OCT MAYDAY PARADE
SAT 28 OCT PENNYWISE
THUR 9 NOV 80ÊS MANIA
FRI 10 NOV KHALID
Tassie BIGSOUND Lunchtime Party
Ewah & The Vision Of Paradise
Post up at The Brightside’s outdoor stage on Wednesday to catch Violet Swells, Slow and Ewah & The Vision Of Paradise doing their southern state proud for the Tassie BIGSOUND Lunchtime Party.
THUR 9 NOV
THE ULTIMATE WILD TOUR
(07) 3325 6777 TICKETS & INFO GO TO: EATONSHILLHOTEL.COM.AU EATONSHILLHOTELPAGE 646 SOUTHPINE RD EATONS HILL
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P A R T I E S
Didirri
Cattleyard’s Backyard BBQ
P A R T Y
G U I D E
Thursday Bacon & Bangers feat. Xander Holmes, Cold Pie, Lucy Dron @ Music Industry College BEMAC Showcase feat. Jesswar, SK Simeon, Matt Hsu’s Obscure Orchestra @ Ric’s Bar
The sausages won’t be the only thing sizzling at Ric’s Bar come Wednesday. Annie Bass, Didirri, Tia Gostelow and Pandamic are all performing, so head along, snag a beer and settle in for Cattleyard’s Backyard BBQ.
Gold Coast Showcase feat. Ivey, Ella Fence, Eliza & The Delusionals @ The Brightside AMIN Lunch feat. @ Pig ‘N’ Whistle Beer Garden Parlour feat. Jess Locke, Jim Lawrie, Clea @ secret location Nightlife Music Presents An Industry Mixer @ Beach Burrito Co Made In Adelaide feat. Lonelyspeck, Heaps Good Friends, Electric Fields @ Ric’s Bar
The Big PA
Sounds From Chile @ Eleven Rooftop Bar Brisbane City Council Presents: The QUBE Effect Showcase feat. Mary Handsome, Wolver, O J Mengel, Fight Ibis, Cloud Tangle @ The Foundry
Friday
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Bloody Marys & Brunch @ IMA Courtyard
The number of BIGSOUND showcasing acts at the time of writing
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Dan Cribb
P A R T I E S
The Simpsons Tribute Gig With Dan Cribb & Friends This year The Music’s very own Dan Cribb teamed up with everyone from Alex Lahey to Ecca Vandal on his Simpsons covers project, Worst Tribute Ever. Tuesday night he’ll play it live with an array of special guests at The Brightside - what a vibe!
IV League
The Oztix BIGSOUND Party Oztix’s BIGSOUND party line-up kind of speaks for itself. They’re packing two stages at The Brightside with The Teskey Brothers, POW! Negro, Machine Age, IV League, Introvert, The Hunting Birds, Sarah Hogan and a mysterious headliner on Thursday.
Secret Sounds/The Music After Party (From Midnight)
30
Secret Sounds and The Music (hi!) are presenting the official BIGSOUND After Party. Head down to The Triffid Thursday to catch DJ sets from Joyride, The Big PA, Maz Tappuni and more.
The percentage of BIGSOUND speakers that are from overseas
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BIG Welcome With everyone’s fave music festival and industry conference underway, here’s BIGSOUND Programmer Maggie Collins saying come on in.
H
ello friends and welcome to BIGSOUND 2017! This year brings BIGSOUND Festival to a whole new level. An extra night of showcases, the Levi’s Music Prize and a new focus on the tech industry are just some of the ways the festival and conference has gone into hyper-drive in 2017. The process of programming this event over the past 12 months brought me to many corners of the globe (USA, UK, Singapore, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Norway). It was my honour to spread the word about Australian music to everyone I met – not that they need much converting these days. Now it’s my pleasure to host music industry reps from all of those areas in Brisbane, my home city! I look forward to hearing our international and domestic speakers talk on topics from how tech will change the future of music and how data can be used as a commercial weapon, to more social topics that follow on from last year’s discussions on mental health in music, as well as culture, creativity and categorisation in the industry. I also can’t wait to hear from our esteemed Australian keynotes Archie Roach and Tina Arena, who will share their wealth of experience covering their careers in our industry and abroad. We had about 1,070 artist applications this year and I read and listened to every single one. I can’t describe how hard it was to narrow it down to about 150 acts, but one thing’s for sure, you could step foot into any venue at any time across the showcasing nights and be assured that you are watching one of the most promising acts in the country. And that’s the essence of this event that must never be mistaken for stereotypical industry asskissing. BIGSOUND is what you put into it and, after 12 years of attending it myself, I’ve never seen anyone walk away that hasn’t gained an industry win or a new friend.
Maggie Collins BIGSOUND Programmer
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25 OCT–04 NOV Tim Rogers’ Roger Ro ger ge e s’ s iconic album i nicc a ico al l bum b um m brought brough bro u g t tto ugh ug o life lif ife if e on o n sstage. tag ag g e. e.
Featuring turing
LIVE L I VE BAND B D
BY AIDAN FENNESSY, FENNES SSY, MUSIC AND LYRI LYRICS R CS BY TIM RO ROGERS OGERS
PRESENTED BY BRISBANE POWERHOUSE A MELBOURNE THEATRE COMPANY PRODUCTION
IMAGE: JO DUCK
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BIGSOUND
There isn’t a band at BIGSOUND that doesn’t represent the absolute best of Australia’s booming music scene. Among the country’s hottest acts, we reckon these are the ones throwing off the most heat.
Okay, so we slept on the jangly prettiness of Cab Deg back n 2016, but we’ve more than made up for it with repeat listens this year and we reckon we won’t be the only ones waking up to Good Morning at BIGSOUND.
G O O D M O R N I N G >
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Amyl & The Sniffers Every music industry type in Melbourne is falling over themselves to drop this self-described “Pub Punk Sharpie Rock” band’s name. Post-BIGSOUND that buzz is set to spread nationwide.
RVG With this year’s A Quality Of Mercy album making them a solid hometown favourite it’s time for the confessional post-punk/new-wave songs of RVG to find an even wider audience.
Didirri The voice. It’s all about that voice. Once heard, never forgotten. This Warrnambool wunderkind could be the sleeper hit of BIGSOUND ‘17.
Clea We’ve had this Bris singer’s Bright Blue on high rotation since it dropped earlier this year. When a quality voice is matched with songwriting this bright we expect big things.
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The Beautiful Monument A LOT of folk think The Beautiful Monument might be THE break-out heavy band of BIGSOUND ‘17.
Haiku Hands While a lot of Australia’s indie-electronic acts are working to a formula that guarantees airplay on a certain radio station, Sydney three-piece Haiku Hands hark back to a time when dance music played by no one’s rules.
Cub Sport Okay, this QLD combo don’t belong on a buzz list as they have gone way beyond buzz. But with O Lord seriously heading toward Song Of The Year status, their showcases are gonna be the hottest tickets in town.
Total Giovanni Really, if the rest of the country hasn’t yet realised why TG are Melbourne’s favourite party band then they probably just don’t know how to party. We expect them to be festival hopping around the globe soonish.
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Sharp funk faves who are so close to blowing up you can smell the nitroglycerin.
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It just feels like Lumsden’s time has come. Likely to be the country break-out star of BIGSOUND ‘17.
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P O W ! N E G R O >
P E R T H
WA’s buzziest band of the moment are set to bring their psych funk fusion to the east coast. Trust us, people are going to take notice.
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Winston Surfshirt Living under a rock? No? Then you already know that this Sydney stoner-soul outfit are riding the biggest Next Big Thing wave of any other act on their way to this year’s BIGSOUND.
Caiti Baker There’s a reason Caiti Baker is a go-to for collabs. She’s got the chops that count. She also won the NT Song Of The Year in July. Now is her time.
Holiday Party It’s one of Little Scout with one of The John Steel Singers. You know you have to be in the room for this Brisbane act.
Body Type There’s not a big market in Aus for the kinda dreamy lo-fi scuzz’n’roll that BT do so well. But there’s a lot of indie industry love out there for them and the smart money is on overseas markets.
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Just a few weeks ago everyone was suddenly talking about this Tassie singer-songwriter. Hit play on No Other Way and the song will be stuck in your head long after BIGSOUND.
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The buzz on this metalcore outfit from Sydney is almost as loud as the band themselves. Watch them explode post-BIGSOUND.
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Dear Seattle Their beer’n’bong grunge punk is set to make Dear Seattle the next Northern Beaches band to go national... then international.
Ruby Fields Note Fields’ showcases down among those that the industry is putting the highest expectations on. Expect some sort of agent/A&R tussle.
Boat Show Boat Show’s sound recalls the classic ‘70s era pub punk of The Revillos. Barely a year old, the WA combo bring us a refreshing slap of audacious brattiness.
West Thebarton Last year, as West Thebarton Brothel Party, the Adelaide garage rockers were a BIGSOUND highlight. This year they present a new line-up and a tidied up name and we are just as excited.
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BIGSOUND HIGHLIGHT B I G S O U N D
Niqui Toldi
The Great Indoors
Bigfish.tv — Designer (BIGSOUND Rebrand) BIGSOUNDs attended: 2015
There’s no doubting the power of community when it comes to building a music career — it’s just that, as Mitch Knox finds out from Bandcamp Chief Curator Andrew Jervis, that community doesn’t necessarily have to be in the same room as the artists it supports.
I
t’s a little hard to believe that Bandcamp has only been around for ten years. Though its growth has unarguably been incremental, the site — part streaming service, part merch store, part news platform, all music champion — has nonetheless assumed a position as an integral part of the global music industry. The company’s Chief Curator, Andrew Jervis, is about to make his second trip to Australia in as many years for
“
It’s that t fan-driven fan-dr recommendation that really makes Bandcamp take.
”
BIGSOUND, having made the trek to the antipodes for Face The Music last November. Given how big the site has become over the past decade, filling a role such as chief curator is no small feat; between overseeing artist and label relations, hosting his regular discovery program, Bandcamp Weekly, being a driving force of the site’s introduction of accounts for record labels, and all the other duties that Jervis fields on a daily basis, it raises the question as to whether he ever gets to just sit with an artist or album for more than a fleeting moment. “During the week, my ears are always open, I’m always making notes about things to check out,” says Jervis. “I think it’s really important to try and have some personal
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Maybe I’m being biased (most definitely), but seeing my mates from Major Leagues on The Winn stage at the official BIGSOUND party was a pretty big highlight for me. Nepotism aside, they are amazing musicians and songwriters in their own right. Plus, who doesn’t love an outdoor bar during a Brissy September!
listening because I really do enjoy music and I don’t want to get burned out on it. It’s very easy to sit here and put together a show based on listening to a few tracks for a quick snip through; [but] it’s not really about the music at that point, it’s about churning out a show. So as long as I make time to listen — and some weeks that’s harder than others — but I get by.” Crucial to that ability to “get by” is Bandcamp’s mighty user base, whose contribution to the site’s operations is, in Jervis’ terms, “huge”. Indeed, while there’s no discounting the impressions formed at a physical gig, it would be naive to think that those who engage online aren’t equally important contributors to the success of an aspiring artist. “Somewhere between 20 to 25% of sales on Bandcamp — so somewhere between $5.5 million to $6 million every month — comes from the community aspects of Bandcamp,” Jervis reveals. “So, fans following other fans, fans having a music feed that they can tap into and see what the fans that they’re following have just bought, fans having public collections that you can go and look at and see, you know, what have they bought, what have they written about those releases, who else has bought those records? It’s that fan-driven recommendation that really makes Bandcamp take, and helps me do my job, too.” All of that bustling community, the site’s growing scope nd the barrier-breaking nature of the digital environment — can only mean good things for our own budding local musicians. “In Australia, it’s been really great to see how much the site has been able to help labels and artists that are based in places that maybe, you know, music businessspeaking, were formerly seen as ‘remote’,” Jervis concurs. “The challenges facing those artists and labels are still the same, but maybe we’ve helped make them a little bit easier.”
When & Where: 6 Sep, Cloudland
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ON SALE NOW VIA
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57 SWAN ST, RICHMOND, 3121
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10/09 - THE GETAWAY PLAN SOLD OUT 15/09 - WEEKENDER FEST ‘17 SOLD OUT 16/09 - MOTEZ SELLING FAST 20/09 - POND SELLING FAST 21/09 - POND SOLD OUT 22/09 - POND SOLD OUT
23/09 - TIRED LION 27/09 - SWOLLEN MEMBERS CANADA 28/09 - DALLAS CRANE + MORE! 29/09 - KIM CHURCHILL SELLING FAST
30/09 - VAN WALKER, EVIL DICK + HEAPS MORE! 01/10 - SHONEN KNIFE JAPAN
03/10 - PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT UK - SELLING FAST 05/10 - WAFIA
06/10 - AGAINST THE CURRENT USA - SELLING FAST 07/10 - ME FIRST AND THE GIMME GIMMES USA - SOLD OUT
08/10 - ONE OK ROCK JAPAN - SOLD OUT 09/10 - ME FIRST AND THE GIMME GIMMES USA - SOLD OUT 12/10 - PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT UK - SOLD OUT 13/10 - PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT UK - SOLD OUT 14/10 - PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT UK - SOLD OUT 15/10 - SON VOLT USA 18/10 - ALEX LAHEY SELLING FAST
19/10 - THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN USA - SOLD OUT 20/10 - THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN USA - SOLD OUT 21/10 - SASKWATCH 22/10 - HMK SOUND SYSTEM FT. MISTA SAVONA 25/10 - THE KITE STRING TANGLE SELLING FAST 26/10 - THE BRONX USA - SELLING FAST 27/10 - THE KITE STRING TANGLE SOLD OUT 28/10 - THE SCIENTISTS 04/11 - BUSHMAN JAMAICA 05/11 - JAMES REYNE MATINEE - SELLING FAST 05/11 - SEVERED HEADS + SNOG SELLING FAST 06/11 - JAMES REYNE SOLD OUT 09/11 - THE BLACK SEEDS NZ 10/11 - TONIGHT ALIVE SELLING FAST 17/11 - WINSTON SURFSHIRT SELLING FAST 18/11 - THE AINTS PLAY THE SAINTS (’76-’78)
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CIGARETTES AFTER SEX
PETER HOOK & THE LIGHT
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UK 08/12
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USA - 06/01
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24/11 - DEAN LEWIS SELLING FAST 03/12 - FAT NICK USA 07/12 - PISSED JEANS USA 08/12 - DON BROCO UK 15/12 - KLLO 16/12 - PARADISE LOST UK 06/01 - CIGARETTES AFTER SEX USA - SELLING FAST 14/01 - FUTURE OF THE LEFT WALES 17/03 - BIG COUNTRY SCOTLAND
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WITH SPECIAL GUESTS 15/09 - THE HARPOONS SELLING FAST 16/09 - PVT SELLING FAST 18/09 -‘WIND IT UP’ WITH SPECIAL GUESTS 21/09 - CHERRY DOLLS 22/09- KARL S WILLIAMS 23/09- SAATSUMA 27/09- CARUS THOMPSON + LOREN 01/10 - SAL KIMBER & THE ROLLIN’ WHEEL MATINEE 05/10- SONS OF THE EAST 11/09 -‘WIND IT UP’
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I Am What I Am “I am not Madonna. I am Tina.” Tina Arena discusses her musically adventurous 40-year career with Cyclone.
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ina Arena has long been many people. She is the former child star, a pop diva and Australian music’s great survivor. And, lately, she’s emerged as a feminist icon. In April, Arena presented the lavish collection Greatest Hits & Interpretations to mark her storied 40-year career, even dueting with Dannii Minogue on a new glitchtro version of Sorrento Moon. Now the pop queen is embarking on the accompanying Innocence To Understanding tour. “I don’t know when I’ll be touring next, it might be a while,” Arena declares, amid preparations. “So I just say, ‘Let’s have a good time and have a party.’ And that’s what it will be, it’s a celebration.” However, in her BIGSOUND Festival 2017 keynote, the 49year-old will likely share some behind-the-scenes tales.
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It’s not an easy thing being a woman in the music industry, because you can be treated like an object.
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Arena was raised in an Italian-Australian family, nestled in Melbourne’s humdrum outer suburbs. At nine, she found instant fame on joining the TV show Young Talent Time. “Tiny Tina” cut records as early as 1977. All grown up, Arena majorly reinvented herself with the hi-NRG hit I Need Your Body. But she arrived as a singersongwriter with 1994’s mega-platinum second solo album Don’t Ask. Routinely miscast as an adult-contemporary act, Arena’s discography reveals a chameleonic musical identity — spanning house, soul, rock, pop and power
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balladry. “I have been musically a little adventurous,” she notes, pleased. Still, Arena never consciously adapted to pop’s shifts. “I think it’s a bit dangerous to follow musical trends,” she starts. “So I’ve always tried to just do what I think is right musically... I’ve avoided [following trends] ‘cause it just doesn’t suit my personality.” In fact, Arena has often been ahead of her time. She worked with Chic’s Nile Rodgers on 2001’s Just Me — comparable to the confessional electronica of Madonna’s Ray Of Light — well before Daft Punk came calling. “He’s a hugely intelligent man,” Arena remembers. “I had a really great connection with Nile. It was a great experience. I knew even back then that his time would come again.” For 2013’s Reset, she solicited Alex Hope — the ‘It’ songwriter currently associated with Troye Sivan. “I guess I have, in some ways, an uncanny ability to be able to smell or know what is going on.” Recently, Arena collaborated with kitsch electro-popsters Client Liaison on their song A Foreign Affair — performing alongside them at Splendour In The Grass in an OMG move. “They’re the new hipsters,” Arena extols. “I think the boys are very clever.” Her late ‘90s LP In Deep phenomenally successful in France, Arena relocated to Paris. European fans didn’t have preconceptions about her, which was liberating. Making French-language albums, Arena would rival Celine Dion. But, a few years ago, she brought her family back to Australia. “I kind of miss the anarchism of France, really, ‘cause they’re a bunch of anarchists — and I like that!” Arena laughs. “I’ve actually learnt a lot through that culture about myself and about things I love... They’re incredible thinkers. They’re really progressive thinkers and they’ll think outside the box.” When, in 2015, this progressive thinker was inducted into the ARIA Hall Of Fame by another Minogue, Kylie, she called out the music industry’s misogynistic ageism in a widely reported acceptance speech. Arena is unsure of its impact. “I think change is slow.” At her “peak”, Arena was “confronted” with the image-driven marketing of female artists — “a brutal realisation”. “It’s not an easy thing being a woman in the music industry, because you can be treated like an object — and there’s a human being behind that object.” Today, Arena — who’s published her autobiography Now I Can Dance — has a receptive millennial audience for such insights into popdom. “I feel that it’s a responsibility that I have as a human being to be able to talk very honestly and openly about that, and to demystify the fantasy that is created, and to get back to the art and the craft and why are we doing what it is that we’re doing?” Arena has a potential ally in Madonna — who’s subversively campaigned against ageism, even as her manoeuvres are mocked. Yet, while lauding Madonna generally, Arena stresses, “I am not Madonna. I am Tina. I’m a girl that’s lived a different life to her — but I’ve worked really hard as well — and I don’t believe in ramming that down anybody’s throat.”
When & Where: 7 Sep, Judith Wright Centre
B I G S O U N D :
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CURRENTLY TOURING
BREAKIN G BREAKIN ACTS. G BREAKIN MARKETS. G GROU ND.
ALANIS MORRISETTE BEN FOLDS ELTON JOHN FEIST OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW ROBBIE WILLIAMS SIA TODD TERJE & SO MUCH MORE!
PROUDLY PRESENTING TOURS WITH LANEWAY PRESENTS ROB POTTS ENTERTAINMENT EDGE PENNY DROP GAYNOR CRAWFORD & DESTROY ALL LINES
LIME CORDIALE
HUGE NATIONAL TOUR THIS OCTOBER + DEBUT ALBUM OUT OCTOBER 13!
CHUGGENTERTAINMENT.COM
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Michelle Padovan QMusic — Marketing Manager BIGSOUNDs attended — Every year since 2010
New Paradigms Garnering a fanbase in your home country is one thing, but to establish and maintain it overseas is a whole other ballgame. Paradigm Talent Agency’s Jackie Nalpant tells Neil Griffiths how Australia’s own Tash Sultana and Middle Kids are leading the way.
T
he veteran music agent is set to make her first-ever flight to Australia for BIGSOUND, having nurtured the careers of Tash Sultana and Middle Kids in the US market, who both performed at the Brisbane showcase last year. While those heading along to BIGSOUND will get to see Nalpant engage in a panel discussing how to sell out gigs, the New York native says the key for bands to make a name for themselves in the US is, simply, consistency. “If you look at [Middle Kids’] tour for America, it’s not gonna sell out, but it’s very reasonably priced and they
“
There’ a There’s lot of great bands that come out of Australia.
”
have good will, which you can’t pay for,” Nalpant says. “So whether or not they sell out, they’re working like an American band which is important.” Middle Kids ticked off a huge milestone zthis past February by making their US TV debut on Conan; a result of being scouted by the show’s then-music producer, Jim Pitt, at BIGSOUND 2016. “A lot of people don’t really realise that they’ve been here so often and have been accessible,” Nalpant continues. “I don’t know why they can but they’ve been able to stay for a while... to take opportunities as
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Too many to mention, so I’ll start with my first! Seeing The Jezabels pack out Black Bear Lodge off the back of their first three EPs and hearing that there were some very important people outside that couldn’t get in! I moved to Brisbane the following year and I’ve never missed a BIGSOUND since.
they come. They’re flexible, they seem to really not mind the travel. Even like random little festivals, they’ll do. Like Lollapalooza, which was big, but then they can do a little one like LouFest or Life Is Beautiful in Las Vegas in September. Usually a band from Australia is like, ‘I can’t do Lollapalooza and then come back in September. That’s not possible.’” While Nalpant’s client roster also boasts the likes of Vulfpeck, Walk The Moon and Cold War Kids, it’s fair to include Sultana at the top of the list, due to the promise her career shows. After her debut EP, Notion, charted at #8 on the ARIA Albums chart last year, the 22-year-old Melbourne artist has since sold out shows all around the country and, as Nalpant notes, the same results are appearing in the States. Nalpant says its only a matter of “availability” before Sultana too makes her US TV debut, comparing the songwriter to global superstar, Ed Sheeran. “I think she’s so extraordinary,” Nalpant begins. “I think there’s a lot of people that sit in bedrooms and do loops, but she’s not one of them. She’s a vibrant, amazing, multi-instrumental player... [her live show] is completely engaging. She is a force.” As for her impending trip to Australia, Nalpant says she is not only excited to engage with the Australian music industry, but there are some bands she has noted as potential candidates for the Paradigm roster. “It looks like a really great diverse group of people. I think I’m gonna learn a lot. People might have their guard down a bit. “The only place in America where all these people exist is SXSW and it’s such a cluster that you don’t really have a minute to have a conversation. So, I’m looking forward to making strategic, meaningful conversations and connections. There’s a lot of great bands that come out of Australia. I’m really excited.”
When & Where: 7 Sep, Cloudland
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Party Dozen
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Billy Davis and The Good Lords 9:10–9:40
8:50–9:20
nyck
8:10–8:40
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Angie McMahon
ALEHOUSE STAGE @ WOOLLY MAMMOTH
11:20–11:50
Why We Run
ELKI
BOAT SHOW
THE BRIGHTSIDE
Cousin Tony’s Brand New Exhibitionist Firebird 8:20–8:50
THE BRIGHTSIDE OUTDOOR STAGE
11:40–12:10
The Beautiful Monument
RVG 10:30–11:00
8:50–9:20
8:00–8:30
Feels
THE TBC CLUB
11:30–12:00
Sløtface
9:40–10:10
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Donny Benét
8:10–8:40
Merk
MANE STAGE @ WOOLLY MAMMOTH
9:00–9:30
Seavera
8:10–8:40
Vandetta
MANE STAGE @ WOOLLY MAMMOTH
11:30–12:00
Yoko-Zuna
10:40–11:10
Joyride
9:50–10:20
Two Steps On The Water October
Isabel
8:20–8:50
Spirit Bunny
THE FOUNDRY
11:40–12:10
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10:50–11:20
Endless Heights
10:00–10:30
Drown This City
9:10–9:40
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Odette
8:10–8:40
Kardajala Kirridarra
THE ELEPHANT HOTEL
11:30–12:00
POW! Negro
Golden Vessel
10:40–11:10
WAAX
9:50–10:20
Good Boy
9:00–9:30
Obscura Hail
8:00–8:30
Emerson Snowe
BLACK BEAR LODGE
11:20–11:50
Slow Dancer
10:50–11:20
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Spirit Bunny
Willaris. K
10:40–11:10
Ziggy Ramo
10:00–10:30
Machine Age
9:40–10:10
nyck
9:50–10:20
DOBBY
Ara Koufax
10:30–11:00
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Alexander Biggs
9:10–9:40
Tempest Rising
8:50–9:20
Seavera
Oh Mercy
9:00–9:30
8:50–9:20
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AlithiA
8:00–8:30
Angie McMahon
ALEHOUSE STAGE @ WOOLLY MAMMOTH
Resin Moon WEST THEBARTON
8:10–8:40
THE BRIGHTSIDE
8:50–9:20
8:20–8:50
Fierce Mild
IV League
THE BRIGHTSIDE OUTDOOR STAGE
Jess Ribeiro
Jesswar
8:10–8:40
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THE TBC CLUB
Annie Bass
BLESSED
THE FOUNDRY
8:00–8:30
THE ELEPHANT HOTEL
Jim Lawrie
BLACK BEAR LODGE
9:10–9:40
Annie Bass
8:20–8:50
Resin Moon
HEYA BAR
11:40–12:10
Teischa
10:50–11:20
Nick Hill
10:00–10:30
Lupa J
9:10–9:40
Odette
8:20–8:50
Donald Hugh
HEYA BAR
8:50–9:20
Body Type
8:00–8:30
Bespin
THE ZOO
11:20–11:50
Clowns
10:30–11:00
INTROVERT
9:40–10:10
Pandamic
8:50–9:20
PLTS
8:00–8:30
Horace Bones
THE ZOO
9:00–9:30
Oh Mercy
8:10–8:40
Slow Dancer
RIC’S BIG BACKYARD
11:30–12:00
Peter Bibby
10:40–11:10
Abbe May
9:50–10:20
Sloan Peterson
9:00–9:30
DARTS
8:10–8:40
High-tails
RIC’S BIG BACKYARD
9:10–9:40
Karl S. Williams
8:20–8:50
Didirri
LARUCHE
11:40–12:10
Caiti Baker
10:50–11:20
Karl S. Williams
10:00–10:30
Tom Stephens
9:10–9:40
Laura Jean
8:20–8:50
Didirri
LARUCHE
11:20–11:50
Confidence Man
10:30–11:00
Holiday Party
9:40–10:10
Thandi Phoenix
8:50–9:20
ALTA
8:00–8:30
Aurelia
9:00–9:30
Teischa
8:10–8:40
The Harpoons
8:50–9:20
The Comfort
8:00–8:30
Osaka Punch
THEMUSIC.COM. 256 WICKHAM AU STAGE @ THE FLYING COCK
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The Creases
10:40–11:10
Good Morning
9:50–10:20
Hatchie
9:00–9:30
Dream Rimmy
8:10–8:40
Wild Honey
THEMUSIC.COM. 256 WICKHAM AU STAGE @ THE FLYING COCK
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Baker Boy
8:10–8:40
Holiday Party
TRIPLE J UNEARTHED STAGE @ OH HELLO!
11:30–12:00
Dear Seattle
10:40–11:10
RUBY FIELDS
9:50–10:20
Maddy Jane
9:00–9:30
Stella Donnelly
8:10–8:40
Nice Biscuit
TRIPLE J UNEARTHED STAGE @ OH HELLO!
9:10–9:40
Mama Kin Spender
8:20–8:50
Ariela Jacobs
EMPIRE HOTEL
11:40–12:10
Fanny Lumsden
10:50–11:20
The Cactus Channel
10:00–10:30
Andy Golledge
9:10–9:40
Apakatjah
8:20–8:50
Paddy McHugh
EMPIRE HOTEL
10:40–11:10
Belle Haven
9:50–10:20
Deadlights
9:00–9:30
Pagan
8:50–9:20
WHARVES
8:00–8:30
IV League
9:00–9:30
Dear Seattle
8:10–8:40
Driven Fear
THE NEW GLOBE CROWBAR THEATRE BRISBANE
11:30–12:00
Amyl and The Sniffers The Comfort 11:20–11:50
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WHALEHOUSE
9:40–10:10
Obscura Hail
8:50–9:20
Daggy Man
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Cousin Tony’s Brand New Easy Life Firebird 8:10–8:40
THE NEW GLOBE CROWBAR THEATRE BRISBANE
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Brightness
Miss Blanks
WHARVES 10:00–10:30
Wild Honey
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sleepmakeswaves 11:40–12:10
Peter Bibby
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ALTA
Hockey Dad
Donny Benét
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Press Club
Clea
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RVG
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Body Type
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The Harpoons
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Mammals
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Bespin
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Aurelia
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Jess Locke
Braille Face jade imagine 9:00–9:30
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SUPER CRUEL
Why We Run
Nick Hill
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ALEHOUSE STAGE @ WOOLLY MAMMOTH 8:00–8:30
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Horror My Friend
Mansionair 11:20–11:50
Isabel Emerson Snowe
THE BRIGHTSIDE
11:40–12:10
POW! Negro
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DOBBY
Yoste 10:30–11:00
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BLESSED 10:00–10:30
Feels
THE TBC CLUB
11:30–12:00
Cub Sport
10:40–11:10
Hayden Calnin
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Merk
THE FOUNDRY
Kylie Auldist
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The VANNS
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High-tails
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Alexander Biggs
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10:30–11:00
9:40–10:10
The Cactus Channel
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Mama Kin Spender
8:00–8:30
Kardajala Kirridarra
DOUBLE J @ BLACK BEAR LODGE
11:40–12:10
Maribelle
11:30–12:00
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Party Dozen
10:50–11:20
Horace Bones
10:30–11:00
Jesse Porsches
jade imagine
Midas.Gold
10:40–11:10
11:20–11:50
10:30–11:00
Press Club
9:40–10:10
10:00–10:30
Lupa J
9:40–10:10
Sloan Peterson
Lonelyspeck
9:50–10:20
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Jesswar
Jess Locke
11:30–12:00
Mansionair
10:40–11:10
Yoste
9:50–10:20
Evan Klar
9:00–9:30
Lonelyspeck
8:10–8:40
OKBadlands
MANE STAGE @ WOOLLY MAMMOTH
11:30–12:00
Winston Surfshirt
10:40–11:10
Taj Ralph
9:50–10:20
Polographia
11:40–12:10
Amyl and The Sniffers
10:50–11:20
Stella Donnelly
10:00–10:30
Jess Ribeiro
9:10–9:40
WHALEHOUSE
8:20–8:50
BOAT SHOW
HEYA BAR
11:40–12:10
Carmouflage Rose
10:50–11:20
Ara Koufax
10:00–10:30
Willaris. K
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October
11:20–11:50
Hayden Calnin
10:30–11:00
A.D.K.O.B
9:40–10:10
Tia Gostelow
8:50–9:20
Brightness
8:00–8:30
ELKI
THE ZOO
11:20–11:50
Good Morning
11:30–12:00
OKENYO
10:40–11:10
Midas.Gold
9:50–10:20
Ziggy Ramo
9:00–9:30
Billy Davis and The Good Lords
8:10–8:40
Taj Ralph
RIC’S BIG BACKYARD
11:30–12:00
Joyride
10:40–11:10
Two Steps On The Water TOTAL 10:30–11:00 GIOVANNI
9:40–10:10
Big White
11:40–12:10
Fanny Lumsden
10:50–11:20
Andy Golledge
10:00–10:30
Ariela Jacobs
9:10–9:40
Suicide Swans
8:20–8:50
Apakatjah
LARUCHE
11:40–12:10
Tom Stephens
10:50–11:20
Suicide Swans
10:00–10:30
Jim Lawrie
11:20–11:50
Polaris
10:30–11:00
Belle Haven
9:40–10:10
Drown This City
11:30–12:00
Tigerilla
10:40–11:10
Haiku Hands
9:50–10:20
Miss Blanks
9:00–9:30
Maribelle
8:10–8:40
Thandi Phoenix
11:20–11:50
The Creases
10:30–11:00
Washington
9:40–10:10
Maddy Jane
8:50–9:20
The Teskey Brothers
8:00–8:30
Ocean Alley
THEMUSIC.COM. 256 WICKHAM AU STAGE @ THE FLYING COCK
11:30–12:00
Mammals
10:40–11:10
Evan Klar
9:50–10:20
Yoko-Zuna
11:30–12:00
MUTO
10:40–11:10
Alex The Astronaut
9:50–10:20
Hatchie
9:00–9:30
RUBY FIELDS
8:10–8:40
EMPIRE HOTEL
11:40–12:10
The Teskey Brothers
10:50–11:20
Kylie Auldist
10:00–10:30
Caiti Baker
11:40–12:10
Abbe May
10:50–11:20
Dream Rimmy
10:00–10:30
Nice Biscuit
9:10–9:40
Daggy Man
8:20–8:50
Carmouflage Rose Laura Jean
TRIPLE J UNEARTHED STAGE @ OH HELLO!
11:30–12:00
Manu CROOK$
10:40–11:10
MUTO
9:50–10:20
Haiku Hands
11:30–12:00
Pandamic
10:40–11:10
Clowns
9:50–10:20
INTROVERT
11:20–11:50
Osaka Punch
10:30–11:00
Scalphunter
9:40–10:10
Pagan
8:50–9:20
Driven Fear
8:00–8:30
Deadlights
11:30–12:00
Endless Heights
10:40–11:10
The Beautiful Monument
9:50–10:20
Tempest Rising
9:00–9:30
AlithiA
8:10–8:40
Fierce Mild
THE NEW GLOBE CROWBAR THEATRE BRISBANE
11:20–11:50
Ocean Alley
10:30–11:00
The VANNS
9:40–10:10
Horror My Friend
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Playing It Safer We all expect a safe and enjoyable time at live music venues, but Speedy Ortiz frontwoman Sadie Dupuis tells Steve Bell that sometimes we may need to interject and come to the aid of punters we suspect are being harassed.
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he life lessons that Sadie Dupuis has experienced as frontwoman and songwriter for excellent Massachusetts indie rockers Speedy Ortiz - as well as her time spent as mastermind behind politically infused pop provocateurs Sad13 - manifest not only in her empowering music but also in the imprint that her band’s safer spaces initiatives have left on the wider musical community. In 2015 Speedy Ortiz opened a help hotline for fans to text if they felt safe or needed assistance during shows and in the intervening years they’ve introduced even more strategies to make live venues as safe as they can possibly be.
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Sometimes as a performer you see things happen in the crowd and you have to call them out and you have to sometimes even summon security.
” “I think it’s sort of a learning process for people on all sides of the stage, whether that’s the performer or someone managing a venue or just someone attending a show,” Dupuis explains. “I think the nice thing behind the expression ‘safer spaces’ is that we’re always learning how to treat each other better and treat more people with respect. As the past few years have gone by, we started off doing this hotline and then we started posting just very loose safer-space guidelines and, more recently, I’ve been including de-escalation strategies and bystander intervention strategies that I leave at the merch table. “What’s been really heartening is that a few years
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ago it was very rare to play a venue or a festival and see anything posted about safer spaces, whereas this year for instance at the Warped Tour they had a booth there teaching people about safer spaces and how to prevent assaults at festivals like that. So I think more people have seen this and realised that it could be a good thing for their venue or festival and are rolling with it. “Certainly when I send a contract or our rider to a venue, it’s always great to have them respond back that they already have their own safer-spaces policy instituted or that they already have gender-neutral bathrooms. It’s just great to show up and realise that everyone is working together to make concerts a better experience for more people.” The mere fact that people are exposed to these safer-spaces guidelines and strategies at concerts is bound to have a positive flow-on effect. “That’s definitely been the case in our experience,” Dupuis concurs. “Along with this hotline, once we started implementing this we required safer-spaces guidelines to be posted as well, which include how to look out for one another and how to intervene if you hear language that’s discriminatory or even just how to look out for someone who’s experiencing harassment. “And certainly I wouldn’t say that Speedy Ortiz shows are the most upsetting or violent things, but sometimes as a performer you see things happen in the crowd and you have to call them out and you have to sometimes even summon security, but I’d say that I’ve seen that way less since we started posting these guidelines.” The bystander intervention strategies are an interesting concept, giving people ideas on how to properly interject themselves into a situation when it becomes clear that third-party intervention is warranted. “It’s the idea that you’re looking out for other members of your community,” Dupuis offers of the concept. “So for instance if you see someone who you think might be experiencing harassment but maybe you think you might escalate things by intervening, or sometimes people don’t intervene just because they think it might be awkward, which is a really sad reason not to give someone help - but there are a number of different tactics that you can use... One of the ones that I think is best is just interjecting in the conversation and pretending that you recognise the person that is experiencing harassment, you can say, ‘Oh, it’s so great to see you here’. Even just making that presence known if someone is experiencing harassment really kind of shows that other people are watching. “I think if you are trying to intervene when someone’s being harassed people will sort of latch onto any opportunity to extricate themselves from a dangerous situation, so that’s one way that you can intervene at a show if you see someone perhaps being touched excessively and it seems like they’re not consenting to that. It’s always worth trying to help if you can.”
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When & Where: 6 Sep, The Judith Wright Centre
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Music Matters The unsung heroes behind Breaking Bad, Weeds and more, music supervisors and consultants Michelle Johnson and Amine Ramer tell Daniel Cribb why we might be hearing more Aussie acts on screen after BIGSOUND. Amine Ramer
fun to do the various creative work and I honestly have fun nerding out on budget stuff too,” she’s quick to add. As Ramer explains, it’s important to understand and have a passion for film, TV and music and how they relate to each other as well as studying up on the music industry. “With more people entering the industry, a lot of things can go wrong,” she says. “I’ve heard so many stories where people will fight to get a song then they’ll be told after the song is in the film that the band said it was their song, but it turns out it’s a cover song.” Which bounces off Johnson’s comments in regards to diving headfirst into Spotify binge sessions. “It’s always good to know as much about music as you can, not just the current music but old music — even if you don’t like it,” she explains; no doubt advice she utilised while working on Breaking Bad and is continuing to hone while working on prequel Better Call Saul. “If there’s a genre you don’t like, learn about it because you will be tasked to find music in that genre one day.” It can be a hard balancing act in terms of choosing a song that won’t bore but also won’t take away from the story unfolding. “As a viewer, if I don’t notice the music in a film,
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istening to music and watching TV all day might sound like a dream job, and on the surface, that’s what the role of a music supervisor and consultant appears to be, but as New Zealand-based BIGSOUND speaker Amine Ramer (Faking It, Weeds) is quick to point out, it goes far deeper. “I don’t want to be Debbie Downer and tell people how much paperwork is involved, but I probably will a little bit,” she laughs. Likewise, US talent Michelle Johnson — who is also heading to Australia for the first time for BIGSOUND — says it’s “a lot of work”. “But I really do love it and it’s really
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With more people entering the industry, a lot of things can go wrong.
” that usually means it was so perfect that it just moved the scene through or it was so perfect for the scene that you may respond but you’re still fully involved in the visuals,” Ramer explains. In all of the aforementioned shows, both Johnson and Ramer played a key role in moving the story forward. “It’s impossible for me, working as a music supervisor, to not think of music in terms of what show it would work on,” laughs Johnson. “Besides
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Credits Publisher Street Press Australia Pty Ltd
Michelle Johnson
the fact of, ‘I dig that song’, I’m always thinking, ‘That song would be great on Love or that song would be cool on Grace & Frankie or that would be cool for Better Call Saul.’ Each show has a different need and so you’re always compartmentalising your taste for that show.” “I’ve been ruined,” Ramer laughs. “Even the radio, my brain is set on hardwired to think, ‘That songs worked there, or it didn’t, that would be great for a montage scene.’ It’s on automatic now when I listen to music. I have to go to live performances to just hear the music sometimes.” Which is where conferences like BIGSOUND come in handy. “I love listening to independent, new and emerging artists because you find some of the best music,” Johnson says. “[Independent bands] are always a great well that we visit because a lot of times we are looking for more affordable music to licence and that comes from newer, independent artists. We’re always willing to look at that.”
Behind The Scenes
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With so many acts on this year’s BIGSOUND bill, there’s every chance Ramer and Johnson will be making notes for potential placement down the track. “Going to something like [BIGSOUND], you are going to hear things that haven’t been sent to you, or seeing how the audience responds to a song might change your mind about how you initially heard it,” Ramer adds. So, what can the BIGSOUND buzz bands do to ensure they maximise their chance of scoring a place on a show like Better Call Saul? “The best way is to get in through independent companies that know how to service to music supervisors, just because we’re such a fast moving industry,” Johnson explains. “It’s not only just hearing something and going, ‘I love it, I want to use it,’ and then hitting them up about it — you have to then make sure that they have their shit together, too,” Ramer adds. “It’s an investment in a sense of wanting it bad enough that you want to use it and have the band get out there that way, but also being careful that you’re not going to get yourself in a situation.”
When & Where: 5 — 8 Sep, BIGSOUND, Fortitude Valley
After a closer inspection, it’s clear the role of a music supervisor and consultant is intense and makes it nearly impossible to just sit back and watch a movie or TV show without meticulously analysing it (unless you chuck it on mute and turn on the subtitles). But, as Johnson explains, the perks are well worth it.
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“We’re working right now on Love season three. They finished shooting last month and had an episode that has a lot of live music throughout so I was able to be on set, working with the band and liaising with the director and it was really cool. You find those moments when you’re doing this job and you have to pinch yourself that it’s happening.”
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Group Managing Editor Andrew Mast National Editor – Magazines Mark Neilsen Editor Mitch Knox Arts & Culture Editor Maxim Boon Gig Guide Editor Justine Lynch gigs@themusic.com.au Contributing Editor Bryget Chrisfield Editorial Assistant Sam Wall, Jessica Dale Senior Contributor Steve Bell Contributors Anthony Carew, Benny Doyle, Brendan Crabb, Caitlin Low, Carley Hall, Carly Packer, Chris Familton, Cyclone, Daniel Cribb, Dylan Stewart, Georgia Corpe, Guy Davis, Jack Doonar, Jake Sun, Liz Giuffre, Neil Griffiths, Nic Addenbrooke, Rip Nicholson, Roshan Clerke, Sean Capel, Sean Hourigan, Tom Hersey, Tom Peasley Photographers Barry Schipplock, Bec Taylor, Bianca Holderness, Bobby Rein, Cole Bennetts, Freya Lamont, John Stubbs, Kane Hibberd, Markus Ravik, Molly Burley, Stephen Booth, Terry Soo Sales Leigh Treweek, Antony Attridge, Brad Summers, Brad Edwards sales@themusic.com.au Art Dept Ben Nicol, Felicity Case-Mejia Admin & Accounts Meg Burnham, Ajaz Durrani, Bella Bi 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
— Brisbane
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The Dos & Don’ts of Hi! This is your conscience talking. Yes, there’s lots of fun stuff to distract you here in Brissy, but if you’re going to get the most out of your BIGSOUND experience, you’re going to need to be smart about it. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back. Here are the five top tips all delegates need to stick to.
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Stay Hydrated Look, this one seems pretty obvious, but it can be really easy to forget to drink enough water to cope with all the activity you’ll be undertaking. Beer and coffee are great and all, but stay topped up with H2O, lest you find your kidneys reminding you of your failure halfway into the second night of shows.
Pace Yourself BIGSOUND is bigger than ever this year, and you don’t want to be the person too hungover to take meaningful part in panels and meetings by day two because you partied yourself out on the first night. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Sidewalks Not Side Talks For Brisbane locals, there is nothing more frustrating than simply trying to walk along Brunswick Street, minding your own business, and having to dodge a million industry types who have gathered en masse to hold streetside discussions about nothing that couldn’t be said at a table at one of the many nearby cafes.
Explore The Nooks & Crannies Go to the smaller venues, see the lesser-known acts, expand your intellectual horizons at sessions you might not immediately think are up your alley. BIGSOUND is as much an experience of discovery and learning as it is about seeing things you already know you’ll like. Live a little. (But not too much; see point one.)
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Please Have Loud Conversations In Public Yes, we know what we just said, but you’re going to ignore it anyway, and this just really makes our ‘Overheard At Bigsound’ pieces a lot easier to write, honestly. Help us help you.
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So yeah, you could listen to that dead shit goody two shoes over there, but we both know this ain’t your first rodeo. So, if you’re a BIGSOUND veteran who’s no stranger to a toasted all-nighter, why not try your hand at BIGSOUND Bingo. Reckon you can pull off all five of these?
Crash A Party There’s a lot of shindigs during BIGSOUND, including some you’re probably not invited to. But while most people might say that there’s just too many classy soirees for one human to possible survive, those lightweights can eat a bag of dicks and fuck off while they’re doing it. We recommend pretending to be a member of Cub Sport to get past the door man.
Start Like You Mean It And Get Shitfaced On Tuesday Night
Lose All The Business Cards Of Those Important Industry Contacts You don’t need those annoying bits of card clogging up your pockets. Print is dead mate. Besides, if you stick to your BIGSOUND Bingo plan, you’re gonna be leaving pretty much every delegate with a lasting impression. PRO TIP: Get a sharpie and write your deets on your shirt early in the night. That way, you’re networking even when you’re unconscious.
There’s a very good reason for this one: if you ruin yourself ASAP, right at the start of BIGSOUND, your brutal hangovers will eventually plateau by the end of the week. Sure, you’ll have fuck all recollection of Wednesday or Thursday, but you’ll be going off like a frog in a sock by the end of the conference. Winner winner chicken dinner.
Drop Some #FakeNews To Fuck With Your BIGSOUND Mates Get Cooked AF At The Secret Sounds / The Music BIGSOUND After Party At The Triffid I can say, with total unbiased impartiality, that the BIGSOUND After Party is legit gonna be the most amazing rager ever laid on by man or beast in the history of humanity. Last year the bar tab (a few tens of thousands FYI) was smashed in under ten minutes. Let’s see if you can total it in under five.
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Everyone’s looking for a scoop at BIGSOUND, so let’s bloody well give ‘em one (or a few). For example: Daniel Johns and Elton John and Olivia Newton John are doing a surprise secret gig together in the front bar of RG’s. Now who doesn’t want to go to that gig, I ask you!? So put those thinking caps on and make shit up, the more fucked the better. It even makes for a fun drinking game: skull a shot for every time it gets retweeted. Fake News is the gift that keeps on giving.
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Success Stories UK manager to the stars Simon Napier-Bell chats with Steve Bell about artist fragility and why even famous ‘leopards’ don’t change their spots.
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K entrepreneur Simon Napier-Bell has been at the musical coalface now for over five decades, whether writing hit singles, penning tomes on the music industry, producing hit musicals or directing documentary films (among many other pursuits). But it’s through his long-serving role as a manager that Napier-Bell has made the most impact, having helmed the careers of an amazing array of artists including The Yardbirds, T Rex, Ultravox, Asia, Wham!, Boney M, George Michael, Sinead O’Connor, Japan and countless others. Incredibly — despite these years of battling the art versus commerce dichotomy on behalf of his clients — Napier-Bell still harbours a personal love for music as a form (although it’s inevitably viewed through a lens of commercial viability). “It’s really difficult to listen to any new music ever without thinking of its potential,” he admits. “If I listen to old music, it’s just what you do as a fan and you can appreciate it for what it is. But when I listen to new music, really, I’m not just wondering whether I like it but also where it sits in the current trend of what things are, and how commercial it is, and what people should be doing with it and so on. I’m sure if you’re an architect you can’t walk past a building without thinking, ‘Who designed that rubbish?’ or, ‘How beautiful!’ It’s business and you need to analyse it, but I still love music.” Strangely, Napier-Bell believes that the role of the manager hasn’t changed substantially in recent years, even as technology has inexorably changed the way that music is both disseminated and monetised. “A manager is still a manager,” he tells. “A manager still has a relationship with an artist and needs to learn about that artist and how they work and think and develop and their problems — and there are plenty of those with every artist — and you have to coordinate that with the industry and the current method of selling music and making money from it and promoting it. “It’s always changing and while it seems that the landscape is so different right now, it really isn’t: instead of selling records you sell downloads or impressions on
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a streaming service, but you still have to deal with the industry high-ups at the record company — if that’s the way you’re going — or perhaps directly with the people at Spotify. You have to learn a few new things, but the basis of the work is dealing with an artist and knowing how to deal with creative people and break them within the commercial industry, and that hasn’t changed at all.” Napier-Bell’s management ethos has always been that it’s not his job to make the artist happy, he’s there to make them successful. “Well, an artist comes to you because they want a manager, because they want to be successful in the music business,” he reasons. “If they weren’t really chasing that they’d be singing in the dark to the birds — they want something and your job is to get that for them. And what they want is what you could call ‘commercial success’, although what they really want is to be adored by the public and get up on stage to get all that love or whatever it is that they missed in their earlier lives (because nearly all artists come from some sort of childhood trauma or lack of something in their lives). “Now they’ve decided that they want this success in this industry to make them happy, so you shouldn’t be sitting around thinking, ‘Oh my artist is really unhappy, I’m not serving my purpose,’ because that’s not your job; they’ve come to you to make them successful. They’ve made the decision that this is what they want for their lives. So I feel that the manager shouldn’t get too involved in trying to cure the artist of whatever ills caused them to want to be an artist in the first place.” So is fame all it’s cracked up to be? Do his clients who hit the big time usually find happiness at the top? “No. Well they don’t often say ‘thank you’, that’s for sure,” NapierBell laughs. “Every person is who they are — they don’t change. If somebody grumbles because they’re not a star, they’re going to grumble when they are a star — it will just be about something else: they don’t like their hotel or they’re not being paid enough or, ‘Why do we have work so hard? I thought being a star you didn’t have to work hard.’ Grumblers grumble, happy people are happy — who you meet the day you meet the artist is who they’re going to be when they’re successful.”
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Who you meet the day you meet the artist is who they’re going to be when they’re successful.
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When & Where: 8 Sep, The Judith Wright Centre
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Beating Panels There is a treasure trove of speakers and panels at this year’s BIGSOUND, and here we highlight a few of the must-sees.
Nkechi Anele
Colour-Coded: Culture, Creativity & Categorisation In The Music Industry For all its self-professed aspirations of diversity, the music industry remains a white male-dominated space. This panel will undoubtedly raise some incredibly important — and necessarily uncomfortable — discussion about addressing this racial and cultural imbalance, and what can be done to achieve greater equality across the board. Panellists: Musicians Ziggy Ramo, Jonathan Hermawan (Apakatjah), Nkechi Anele (Saskwatch); Rhianna Patrick (ABC Radio) When & Where: 6 Sep, Judith Wright Centre
BIGSOUND HIGHLIGHT Tina Arena
Johann Ponniah I OH YOU – Founder BIGSOUNDs attended: 2010 onwards I think 2010 was my first time at BIGSOUND and I was super-pumped for it, but I didn’t really know anyone in the industry. So, in an attempt to not feel awkward, I used to stand outside The Judith Wright Centre and pretend like I was on my phone talking to someone about something vaguely important. One time I was on an ‘important business call’ for about five minutes and then mum called and my phone rang super-loud and everyone knew I was full of shit. That was a real treat.
Keynote: Tina Arena One of the nation’s most decorated performers, Tina Arena has experienced it all. This talk promises to be a true eye-opener for both the fanatical and the merely curious as she discusses the state of the music industry and her remarkable journey from Young Talent Time to Client Liaison guest vocalist and everything in between. When & Where: 7 Sep. Judith Wright Centre
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BIGSOUND HIGHLIGHT Pixie Weyland The Zoo/ Feed Music – Director BIGSOUNDs attended: 2014 onwards
Elspeth Scrine
Gender In Music: Quotas & Bridging The Confidence Gap
There were so many highlights over the years. I think the special thing about BIGSOUND is the super-intimate setting in which you get to see artists who are just about to blow up – specifically, Confidence Man at Heya Bar, Tash Sultana at Oh Hello and Ecca Vandal getting up with DZ Deathrays at The Zoo was insane. So many surprises!
Nearly two decades into the 21st century, we’re still a long way off achieving gender parity in the music industry. Expect a wide-ranging exploration of everything from the effectiveness of quotas to the importance of multi-gender representation on aspiring artists to be discussed as part of this socially conscious conversation. Panellists: Ash Kerley (Girls Rock!), Dr Jess Carniel (USQ), Sullivan Patten (Booking Agent), Triana Hernandez (Mellum PR), Bob Van Heur (Belmont Bookings), Elspeth Scrine (LISTEN)
Jackie Louez Schoorl
When & Where: 6 Sep, Judith Wright Centre
Archie Roach
The Changing Future Of Music: AI, VR, Robotics & Blockchain
Keynote: Archie Roach Archie Roach is nothing short of an Australian music industry legend, having given a voice to countless marginalised people over his career that has spanned almost 30 years. Made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2015, he’ll open up about the role music plays as a healing and empowering force, and you don’t want to miss it. When & Where: 7 Sep, Judith Wright Centre
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The technological landscape is undergoing some of the most exciting, and rapid, changes in decades, and contemporary music is not immune to its forces. Learn more about how the future’s looking for modern artists, and how they can best capitalise on new and emerging technologies to stay ahead of the pack in a crowded, competitive field. Panellists: Eoin McCarthy (Hydric Media), Jacqui Louez Schoorl (Jaxsta), Matthew Wilson (Novus Res), David Grice (Musitec), Stephen Phillips (Popgun) When & Where: 6 Sep, Cloudland
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What’s The BIG Deal?
BIGSOUNDing is hungry (and thirsty) business. But worry not delegates, Fortitude Valley’s best eateries and bars are on hand to keep you fuelled-up and ready to rock. And what’s more, you’ll get a tasty, exclusive discount when you show your BIGSOUND delegate ID. Pretty sweet, huh? Check out these mouth-watering offers.
5DOGS MEAT X VEGAN X FRIES 290 Brunswick Street Mall What’s the nosh? We sell hot dogs and fries. You have a selection of handmade bratwursts, kranskies and chilli brats all made from sow stall free QLD pork, a true American hot dog, and beef or chicken rolls. We also have a selection of vegan hot dogs - including the secret off-menu vegan chilli dog! Love fries? We do poutine, fries and gravy and chilli fries - which can all be made vegan as well! BIGSOUND Offer: Get your lunch for just $5! Traditional hot dog or hot roll with a small drink until 3pm every day, or on Wednesday pick up a vegan hot dog for $5 ‘til 10pm.
LUCKY EGG 27 Warner Street What’s the nosh? The tastiest lunch ‘til late purveyor of damn fine #cluckingdelicious fried chicken. Situated inside The Brightside’s beer garden, Lucky Egg takes a strong KoreanAmerican focus on burgers, wings and late night booze sponges. BIGSOUND Offer: Grab yourself a burger, fries and your choice of soft drink for $17, from 11am - 5pm daily.
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Stephen Green SGC Media Group – Owner BIGSOUNDS ATTENDED: EVERY YEAR Watching the songwriting panel in 2009 with Van Dyke Parks, Robert Schneider (Neutral Milk Hotel, Apples in Stereo), Jeff Martin (Tea Party), Mark Callaghan (Gangajang), Romy (Noise Addict, Macromanics) and Charles Jenkins (Ice Cream Hands) riffing on about the artistry of songwriting. One of those dream panels where you have to pinch yourself at how much talent and wisdom is in the room at one time across generations but sharing one experience. Then the same year watching The Middle East at Family Nightclub as an entire room of 800 people watched in complete silence having their minds blown.
SAVILE ROW 667 Ann Street What’s the nosh? Cobbler’s younger sister, Savile Row is a cocktail and spirit bar. We have been open for three months and we are already in the Top 10 Brisbane bars on various different sites and lists. We have a cocktail menu of 20 drinks, but we can make more than 200 classics. We also have a back bar with about 900 bottles, 500 of them being whiskeys. We are open seven days a week ‘til 3am. BIGSOUND Offer: Unwind with the BIGSOUND signature cocktail at Savile Row for just $18 when you show your BIGSOUND pass at the bar.
OPORTO FORTITUDE VALLEY Shop 1, 282 Brunswick Street What’s the nosh? Flame grilled chicken is what we do best at Oporto. So, whether you are looking for a whole flat grilled Portuguese chicken and delicious sides and salads for a group meal... a tender chicken fillet burger or wrap with chips... or perhaps a Portuguese chicken salad... Oporto has you covered for brekkie, lunch, snacks, dinner or a late night well-deserved burger...Oporto.... Live Spicy. BIGSOUND Offer: 10% off for any meals for all participants. Just flash your BIGSOUND ticket/lanyard/ pass to get the offer.
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BEAR BONES SPECIALITY COFFEE AND ROASTERY 68 McLachlan Street What’s the nosh? The best way to start the day. We serve up specialty coffee, breakfast, and lunch, 7.00am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday, so whether you’re fuelling up for the day or grabbing a quick bite between speakers, this is the place to come. Come try this week’s El Salvadore - Finca San Joaquin Single Origin as an espresso, or nitro brewed on tap. BIGSOUND Offer: Pick up our Avocado Breakfast with any coffee for just $12.
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MORNING AFTER SOS Let’s face it, during BIGSOUND you’re likely to pull up one morning a little dusty. But forget hair of the dog or the inevitable morning-after pizza order. In the 21st-century, the world’s great minds have science’d the shit out of the humble hangover. But, do these next-gen cure-alls live up to the hype? We got loose to put them to the test.
IV DRIPS
MAGIC PILLS
PRE-BOOZE PROTECTORS
As showcased on the Showtime hit Billions, getting stuck with a needle is the Rolls Royce solution when you’ve had a gut-load of grog. The science is sound: hangovers are caused by dehydration and a depletion of electrolytes, and an IV (that’s an intravenous drip if you want to get technical) is pretty much the fastest way to get those precious liquids into your ailing bod. Once upon a time, such luxurious services were reserved for the mega-rich, but good news Joe Blow, a bunch of IV clinics have popped up on the high street in recent years, bringing the IV revolution to the masses.
Health fads aren’t usually marketed to heavy boozers, but recent buzz around a common health food supplement has caught the attention of those looking to avoid those hangover blues. Activated charcoal has many reputed benefits, including whitening teeth, improving IBS symptoms and reducing joint pain. But who cares about that — it’s what it does to a belly of beers that really impresses. This little black pill has the power to trap toxins and chemicals, carrying these nasties out of the body. It’s been in use for years in emergency medicine to treat poisonings and overdoses, so taking care of that last round of Sambucas you just necked is a walk in the park for this miracle drug.
As some annoyingly smug bastard once said, failing to plan is planning to fail. And indeed, a little thinking ahead can save you from a world of pain where a hangover is concerned. There’s a range of different products on the market that claim to be the perfect wingman for a night out on the lash. These work by either giving you a super-dose of the electrolytes your hijinks are going to rob your body of, or by removing some of the bad shit hiding in your favourite tipple, such as wine drops that remove sulphides and other preservatives.
Verdict: There’s a bit of a paradox hanging over this hangover cure. This is a procedure that requires trained practitioners, and thus needs to be pre-booked, so this is really only an option for those of us willing to forward plan our poor life choices. The procedure itself is straight forward enough, but the result isn’t as miraculous as it’s often promised to be, and with a price-tag that can run into the hundreds, it’s a pretty pricey way to recover.
Verdict: By jingo, this is the real deal people... well, sort of. Some of the symptoms of a raging hangover, such as headaches and nausea — those associated with the toxic qualities of alcohol — are easily dealt with. But those symptoms associated with dehydration and lack of sleep, such as dry-mouth, lethargy and loss of concentration, are still going to be an issue. So make sure you drink plenty of fluids, of the non-alcoholic variety, if you want to truly pull up the next day feeling fresh as a daisy.
Verdict: We put the top-rated products on the market — Hydrodol and Pure Wine anti-sulphide drops — to the test, and the results were very favourable. However, these products, while not bank-breaking, are not all that cheap either. Given that the jury is out on whether sulphides are really all that hangover inducing, and that coconut water is an equally well credentialed yet cheaper source of electrolytes, you may want to consider if investing in specialist products is really value for money.
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MATT WALTERS
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Joyride I installed CO2 cannons in my fucking nipples for the sake of my art. I’m not necessarily gonna use ‘em at BIGSOUND, but who knows what I’ll do if the mood is right.
BIGSOUND 2017 Speaker Focus Organisation: Parlour Founder & Director What’s been the biggest change in the music business you’ve seen over the past 12 months? Artist remuneration. Musicians make an average of $7,200 in Australia. We need to create more opportunities for artists to connect with fans and be paid for it. What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? There just seems to be so much music out there. Cutting through the noise is getting harder and harder for artists.
Hatchie
Hatchie Harriette Pilbeam Because we’re fresh outta the oven, busting to share our live show and ready to burst some eardrums!
What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Follow your interests and your obsessions. What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference and what are you hoping that people will be able to learn from your panel? New live music models. Regional touring. Regional accounts for about 60% of gigs that artists play on Parlour.
Horror My Friend Tom Gordon We’ll probably be more awkward in between songs than the other bands and louder during songs, maybe?
Why shoul come a you amo many coo at BIG
Jess Ribeiro For the nudity.
Body Type Sophie Because our set will be savage, sweet like a chic-a-cherry cola, like superstars and cannonballs running through your Darren Hayes haircutted-head circa 1997.
POW! Negro
What do you personally hope to take away from your time at BIGSOUND? It’s my first one! I’m looking forward to checking out as much music as I can. Which acts are you most looking forward to checking out at BIGSOUND? Jess Locke, Clea, Didirri, Peter Bibby, Fierce Mild. When & Where: 6 Sep, Judith Wright Centre, 2pm.
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POW! Negro POW! Negro is the soundtrack you’ll want for jumping when the dancing just won’t cut it.
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Golden Vessel Max Byrne Haha umm... If you like the music, I guess. I’ve put a lot of thought into how to perform electronic music in an engaging way with lots of transitions and surprises.
Golden Vessel
ld people nd see ong the ol bands SOUND?
Caiti Baker
BIGSOUND 2017
I believe that the music I make, my performance style and my story makes me a refreshing, raw and authentic artist not to be messed with in the Australian music scene.
Organisation: UNIFIED Music Group Chief Operating Officer
Tia Gostelow I have a really cool new band thing happening that I haven’t tried before and I guess I have some cool shirts.
Jesse Porsches People should come and see me because it will be a good music and high vibes.
The Creases
MUTO
The Creases
Miles Davidson
Joe Agius We have a hot new album out and we are ready to party.
I will be handing out free hugs. Also, may have a little surprise in store.
Speaker Focus
How did you first become involved in the music business and how did you end up where you are today? My first music job was at the legendary Brisbane record store, Skinny’s Music. I learned my trade at Media Arts Lawyers, worked in-house at Mushroom Group and then stepped up at UNIFIED. What’s been the biggest change in the music business you’ve seen over the past 12 months? Labels’ approach to album campaigns; they are now 24 months, not six to 12 months. The first week isn’t that relevant and they expect to earn the same money over four years that used to be earned in one. What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference and what are you hoping that people will be able to learn from your panel? The panel I am moderating is about the current state of the copyright reform debate. It could get heated if we have a few pro-safe harbour people on the panel. The industry is facing a massive challenge and need to rally on this topic. What do you personally hope to take away from your time at BIGSOUND? A few record deals! Seven to be exact. And a catch-up with some new and old friends from around the world. When & Where: 7 Sep, Judith Wright Centre, 3.35pm.
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NEIL ROBERTSON
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WAAX Tom Bloomfield Super keen to see Boat Show, Hatchie, Brightness, Clowns, Cub Sport, Baker Boy, Dear Seattle, Ruby Fields, etc... Seriously there’s so much gold!
BIGSOUND 2017
Alexander Biggs
Speaker Focus Organisation: Music Glue Head Of A&R Australia What’s been the biggest change in the music business you’ve seen over the past 12 months? The prevalence of streaming has made the presale vitally important. It’s hard to sell records when they’re available to stream for free(ish). So you’ve got to make sales before then. What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? Just the same as society in general; increasing amounts of power falling into the hands of a decreasing amount of people.
Angie McMahon, Hayden Calnin, Body Type, Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird, nyck, and Tom Stephens to name a few. There’s gonna be so many friends there!
Press Club Rufio MacRae
Which acts are you most looking forward to checking out at BIGSOUND? Exhibitionist, Haiku Hands, Party Dozen, Obscura Hail, Body Type, Sloan Peterson, RVG, Ara Koufax and OKBadlands.
What act your must at BIG
Horace Bones are good lads. Wanna have a beer with West Thebarton. We played with WAAX last month, could grab a beer with them if they’re keen. CTBNFB are mates.
Golden Vessel
What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Have enough confidence in your work not to feel you have to grab every apparent opportunity. If your act is as good as you think, then other opportunities will come along. What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference and what are you hoping that people will be able to learn from your panel? I think we’ll be discussing how to use technology to gather and benefit from data.
WAAX
Max Byrne My pals OKBadlands, super keen to see Lonelyspeck for the first time, Cub Sport, Hatchie, Willaris K! What a line-up!
Horror My Friend
IV League
Horror My Friend Tom Gordon Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird, Good Boy, our m8s Hockey Dad and Nice Biscuit sound pretty good!
Isabella Venutti Good Morning, Brightness and Hatchie and Splashh, who I have been waiting to see live for like a billion years.
When & Where: 7 Sep, Cloudland, 2pm.
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POW! Negro Ziggy Ramo, Feels, Stella Donnelly, Boat Show, The Cactus Channel, Winston Surfshirt and Ocean Alley to name a few.
Washington
Washington
s are on see list SOUND?
I’m excited to see Odette. She is good, like, actually properly good. And properly clever. I think this is one of her first shows ever so I want to see. Also Oh Mercy.
Joyride Haiku Hands, Manu Crook$, Stella Donnelly. But also everyone. What a privilege it is to be able to see the cream all in one place at one time.
So many! Cub Sport, Alex The Astronaut, Golden Vessel, Boat Show, Haiku Hands, Body Type, Confidence Man, Didirri, Hockey Dad, Maddy Jane, Peter Bibby, Taj Ralph - I am gonna be V busy!
Drown This City Alex Reade
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Polaris, Pagan and Confidence Man! Apart from that I’ll be sussing every single random showcase I can stumble upon, keen to expand my taste to some new genres!
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Speaker Focus Organisation: RIP Society & Repressed Records - Founder & Co-owner
Tia Gostelow
Tia Gostelow
BIGSOUND 2017
I might be playing too many shows to hover around watching bands but if I get a chance, I’ll try to see Party Dozen, Good Morning and Body Type.
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How did you first become involved in the music business and how did you end up where you are today? By accident. Repressed Records was my dream part-time uni job, so much so I stayed there long after I graduated. RIP Society was filling an empty hole in Australian music. What’s been the biggest change in the music business you’ve seen over the past 12 months? A lot of the practices that are becoming normal or even seen as progressive in the music industry are bad for any music culture of substance. What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? The greatest challenge for independent artists/labels is finding a way to communicate what you do to a potentially interested audience without it being diluting or tarnished by music industry practices. What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Think about the music culture you’d like to exist and only act in ways that will strengthen that culture. Which acts are you most looking forward to checking out at BIGSOUND? Sarah Spencer of Blank Realm. When & Where: 6 Sep, Cloudland, 11.20am.
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Jade Imagine Jade McInally I’m keen to meet anyone and everyone who can teach me anything about this crazy old thing called the music industry. I’m serious. What’s it all about?
Joyride
Joyride I wanna learn how to convincingly tell someone they played a great set when I didn’t actually see them. Real industry shit.
BIGSOUND 2017 Speaker Focus Organisation: Musitec Managing Director How did you first become involved in the music business and how did you end up where you are today? I sang on my first record at age six, which led me on a lifelong journey in music including being a recording artist, studio engineer, festival booker, to now being involved in music and technology. What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Keep your eyes open, have an attitude of anything is possible and above all else look for multiple ways to create income. What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference and what are you hoping that people will be able to learn from your panels? I’m the programmer for Music Tech at BIGSOUND this year. I hope that delegates come away with practical insights into the key technologies that will shape the future of the music business. My hope is the conversations started this year will build new business opportunities for the industry in the years ahead. Personally looking to maximise opportunities.
The Cactus Channel Lewis Coleman We’ve been self-managed for a long time now. We’re super proud of where we’ve gotten with that, but we think it’s a good time to look for management/booking agent opportunities as we put out more/look at overseas touring.
What in lessons w like to t from the confer
RVG Romy Vager I’m pretty new to all this and I don’t really know much about the industry at all. I’m like a sponge that hasn’t been put in the sink yet. Press Club
Good Boy Alanain Beverly Poots
What do you personally hope to take away from your time at BIGSOUND? I’d dearly love to see the Music Tech showcase become something of significance in the program this year.
How to endure 4000 handshakes.
Press Club Rufio MacRae Not many. We’re not very ‘industry’-centric. It would be nice to learn who in the industry likes our band. Wouldn’t mind walking away having learnt that we’ve scored ourselves a bunch of good shows.
When & Where: 6 Sep, 11.20am; 7 Sep, Cloudland, 3.35pm.
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IV League Isabella Venutti We’d love to gain insights on tips unbeknownst to us that make being a working musician sustainable and accessible. I’d also like to speak to as many kickass industry career women as I can!
ndustry would you take away BIGSOUND rence?
Big White
Big White Nicholas Griffith I don’t know what to expect in the line of ‘lessons’ but hopefully they’re not the kind of lessons where you have to make a mistake first.
Washington I find BIGSOUND really energising. Music is a pretty solitary pursuit when you’re a solo artist like me, so being among my peers and talking shop, getting vibed up is what I’m looking forward to.
Body Type Sophie How to use our voices to effectively convince people in positions of power in the industry - radio programmers, festival bookers, A&R people, etc - of the importance of diversity and inclusivity in a music scene. Alexander Biggs
Alexander Biggs
sleepmakeswaves
I’m not even sure yet, but I love nerding out over the panels at BIGSOUND. Get around me if you need a study buddy!
Otto Wicks-Green How much partying could a post-rock band party if a post-rock band could literally not stop partying. SEND HELP.
BIGSOUND 2017 Speaker Focus Organisation: Deathproof - Director, Publicity & Creative How did you first become involved in the music business and how did you end up where you are today? Interning at Beat magazine brought me here. What’s been the biggest change in the music business you’ve seen over the past 12 months? The industry is being held accountable for lack of female support, acknowledgement and representation. Finally. What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? From a PR perspective, the lack of media opportunities for artists presents a whole new challenge. What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Try and avoid one field of speciality. The most employable people out there have experience across the board, from marketing to management and PR. What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference and what are you hoping that people will be able to learn from your panel? The unique challenges presented to heavy artists in today’s music industry. Which acts are you most looking forward to checking out at BIGSOUND? Amyl & The Sniffers, West Thebarton, Pagan, Dear Seattle. When & Where: 6 Sep, The Judith Wright Centre, 10am.
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Jess Ribeiro I am not good at maths.
Jess Ribeiro
RVG BIGSOUND 2017
Romy Vager
Speaker Focus Organisation: New Community Management & Roc Nation - King Of The North
I think we’re gonna play the songs as well as we know how to and instead of partying I might go to the museum and sit under the whales for as long as I can.
What’s been the biggest change in the music business you’ve seen over the past 12 months? It’s nice to see the labels spending money again. Signing more acts, making more records. What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? It would be nice to see a fairer distribution of streaming cash to the songwriters. What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Forge your own path. The exciting thing about the business now is that you can create the new paradigm - if you want to. What will you be primarily discussing during your appearance at the BIGSOUND conference and what are you hoping that people will be able to learn from your panel? I’m on an artist management panel with some really good managers. I tend to ask questions myself... I generally figure if I can learn something from the panel then the folks in the audience will too. What do you personally hope to take away from your time at BIGSOUND? I wanna hear new music. I’ve been lucky to work on some great Aussie stuff over the years. Gimme more.
sleepmakeswaves
sleepmakeswaves Otto Wicks-Green We take partying so seriously it counts as business.
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Washington I don’t know who wrote these questions but to whoever you are: the problem with the music industry is that IT’S ALL THE SAME THING.
Alexander Biggs I don’t think I’ve ever done business with anyone that couldn’t have a bit of fun, so I’d say 100% party as the biz can happen amongst it.
The Cactus Channel Lewis Coleman
When & Where: 7 Sep, Judith Wright Centre, 3.35pm.
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What do y your per mix of bu partying at BIG
All business, no leisure, come on now.
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Joyride My business is partying. What a tonedeaf and disrespectful question.
Drown This City
ou reckon rcentage siness vs will be SOUND?
Drown This City Alex Reade A healthy balance of both! I plan to gain as much on a professional level from the conference itself as I can, but once our showcases are done... party time.
Good Boy Alanain Beverly Poots I would have to say hopefully a combination of 100% neither. I don’t think I can endure the ID scannerzzz.
IV League Isabella Venutti I think it’ll be a healthy mix of both - it’s too great an opportunity to throw away solely on partying! IV League
Jade Imagine
WAAX
Jade McInally
Tom Bloomfield Considering that we’re in the business of partying it should be a pretty mixed bag.
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110% party on Wayne.
BIGSOUND 2017 Speaker Focus Organisation: Bear Parts Music - Director How did you first become involved in the music business and how did you end up where you are today? After managing and playing in my own band, I realised how much I enjoyed the management side. I started BPM with much help and guidance from friends and colleagues. What’s been the biggest change in the music business you’ve seen over the past 12 months? More and more heavy music is being played on commercial radio stations. Heavy artists are selling out larger venues and more heavy Australian artists are being recognised overseas in both sales and touring. What do you think will be the biggest issue affecting the music industry in the next 12 months and why? The music industry is always changing and new things pop up all the time. I guess streaming is an ongoing issue that while bringing more fans to the table decreases record sales. What advice would you give young practitioners in your area starting out today? Be passionate, work extremely hard and give it your all. Have fun but remember it’s a business What do you personally hope to take away from your time at BIGSOUND? A week of great experiences. Amazing live music. When & Where: 6 Sep, Judith Wright Centre, 10am.
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BIGSOUND HIGHLIGHT
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Patrick Balfe The Foundry — Venue Booker BIGSOUNDs attended — Every year since 2014 — 2016 was a highlight year.
Face Time Try Not To Freak Out, but Norway’s Slotface are making their debut trip to Oz with their debut LP. Rod Whitfield makes plans with singer Haley Shea.
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orwegian band Slotface appear to like pop and punk music in pretty close to equal measures, if their music, attitude and general aesthetic are anything to go by. And when this concept is put to explosive frontwoman Haley Shea, she is quick to agree. “Yes, I think that’s definitely fair,” Shea says, speaking from her home in Stavanger, Norway. “Musically, we’re obviously more of a pop band and a rock band, but we’re very inspired by, and try to take part in, the punk ethos of the DIY attitude, doing things yourself and standing up for things you believe in. So we like to think that our lifestyle is
Last year Control Zine held a ping pong tournament at The Foundry. It stood out to me because there was a great mix of artists and punters casually hanging out and relaxing away from the hustle and bustle of BIGSOUND. I think Dorsal Fins won.
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It’s pretty much just our mantra to ourselves, that hopefully other people can relate to, too, just reminding yourself to keep it all together.
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more punk and our actual music is more pop.” The band have only been together for about five years and they are just about to release their debut album Try Not To Freak Out. Many bands go to extraordinary lengths to complete their first record, and Slotface is certainly one of these. “We’re all still at university, so we all took six months off and moved back in with our parents,” she says with a mock shudder, “just to be able to finish a full album. We were very strict with ourselves about wanting to write as much as possible and then keep cutting it back.” And this plays into the title of the record. “The album deals with the anxieties of being in your mid-20s,” she reveals, “and not knowing what you’re going to do with your life. So it’s just our mantra to ourselves, that hopefully
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other people can relate to, too, just reminding yourself to keep it together. But we also thought it was kind of a cheeky first album title, we’re self-deprecating enough to think that Try Not To Freak Out is a good joke.” Slotface will be here in Australia for the first time in early September. It will be the first time for any member of the band to visit our shores in any capacity and Shea has a philosophical way of looking at the fact that they will spend approximately 35 hours in transit just getting here. “We’re consoling ourselves with the fact that it will be on an aeroplane, because we’ve done drives that have been that long without stopping or sleeping. At least on a plane you can lay down, watch movies, someone serves you food and so on,” she laughs.
What: Try Not To Freak Out (Caroline) When & Where: 5 Sep, The Brightside
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FirstLive LivePerf Perorma formance nce ofof new First new albu album m
My Queen Queen (MGM ) My (MGM) O Out September 15 15
Sunday Sunday Septembe September 17th Nimbin Roots Roots Fest Fest(DUO) (DUO) stage 2.30pmm Nimbin Bush Theatre stage 2.30p Phoenix Rising Cafe && 9pm 9pm Phoenix Cafestage stage
My Queen (MGM) - Out September 15
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Branko Cosic 4ZZZ — Announcer BIGSOUNDs attended: 2010 onwards
Stepping Out Of The Studio The Music Podcast’s Dave and Neil are leaving the safety of the Sydney studio and hitting the Valley.
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he Music Podcast With Dave & Neil is set to venture outside of its Sydney studio nest for the very first time this week as it broadcasts direct from BIGSOUND in Brisbane. Podcast hosts, Neil Griffiths and Dave Burrowes, will be chatting to more speakers and acts from the 2017 conference than they can count straight out of Brunswick & Ann in Fortitude Valley. “Dave and I can’t wait to get up to Brisbane and rip straight in,” says Griffiths. “We’re looking forward to it. We aren’t looking forward to the lack of sleep and being able to generally function for a week, but we’re told that’s what BIGSOUND is all about. And if that affects our
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We aren’t looking forward to the lack of sleep and being able to generally function for a week, but...
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ability to talk on the podcast and deliver quality shows, then it only costs us our jobs. No pressure!” Dave and Neil will deliver one podcast each day throughout the week, keeping attendees up to date with all of the gigs and conferences happening around the Valley. Some of the BIGSOUND 2017 acts confirmed to appear on The Music Podcast so far include The Cactus Channel, Cub Sport, Fanny Lumsden, Caiti Baker, Polaris and RVG.
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2012 — Violent Soho. On my way to the QMusic Outdoor Stage (which has now turned into a high-rise complex) to catch their set I bumped into James Tidswell (guitarist/pal) and asked him if he needed any assistance carrying gear. He handed me his brand new vaporizer and asked if I could hand them ‘a hit’ during their set. I had no idea what I was doing, but kindly obliged. I’m standing side-of-stage and James points to me after the second song of the set. I nervously hand James ‘the hit’ and he tries to inhale the bare contents of the bag. I watched the rest of the set pondering the life that I could’ve led as a Violent Soho Weed Tech.
The Music Podcast With Dave & Neil launched in early-2017 and the boys record out of Sydney’s premier studio, Studios 301, each week. Highlight guests from the show so far include Queens Of The Stone Age, Royal Blood, Slipknot’s Corey Taylor, Amy Shark, Peking Duk, Northlane, Arj Barker and Briggs. After two years together in community radio (where they somehow scored interviews with the likes of Will Ferrell and Steve Carell), and an internationally recognised web series under their belt, Griffiths, who also serves as The Music’s Sydney Digital Editor, says the idea for a podcast was too good to pass up. “At The Music, the team just speaks to too many cool and interesting figures from music, film and arts on a daily basis. After running the idea past the bosses, I called up Dave and we were both excited to get back into it. The only reason we stopped doing community radio in the first place is because we needed actual jobs that paid actual money. I’m not sure if people know this, but most people need that to live.” As well as continuing to grow the podcast, Griffiths is developing a new TV show with Burrowes, who graduated from NIDA with a degree in directing in 2015 and has since directed music videos for the likes of Tonight Alive as well as the official clip for Australia’s Eurovision 2016 contestant, Isaiah Firebrace. If you’re in the Valley this week, be sure to swing by Brunswick & Ann to say hi, but do not be surprised if a microphone and/or camera is thrown in your face. Just roll with it, you’ll be great.
The Music Podcast With Dave & Neil at BIGSOUND is brought to you thanks to Dr Martens, Fender and Studios 301.
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with Maxim & Sam
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BIGSOUND HIGHLIGHT
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Joel Edmondson QMusic — Executive Officer BIGSOUNDs attended — 2010
BIG Plans
Wandering into Artisan Carpark after being at a dinner and watching Hungry Kids Of Hungary and realising all of a sudden that I was at BIGSOUND
BIGSOUND’s future is looking bright with additional funding secured until 2020. Joel Edmondson to Jessica Dale explains what’s next for the event.
“B
y 2020, BIGSOUND will attract 2,500 conference attendees and an additional 10,000 members of the public.” This is the vision and goal that BIGSOUND have set for themselves to round out the decade. The man at the helm of this is QMusic executive officer Joel Edmondson, and for 2017, changes are already in place.
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We’ll continue to improve on those things from here
” With additional funding for the industry event secured until 2020 - $350,000 a year from Arts Queensland and $280,000 a year from the Australia Council - BIGSOUND have this year ventured into visual arts and music technologies in hopes to attract new interest from not only the music industry, but also the wider public. “The two big changes are the visual arts showcase and the music tech showcase. Their part of a broader strategic aim that we have to, I guess, use the event as a way of opening up the Australian music industry to a broader group of people and in this case, it’s visual artists and people who work more on the technology side of things,” explains Edmondson. “Year one is us dipping our toe in the water and figuring out how
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people respond to it, and we’ll continue to improve on those things from here but nevertheless we’re very excited about it.” When it comes to BIGSOUND furthering itself as a destination event, Edmondson believes it’s important for the event to develop in that way. “I think we really, really believe in the festival experience as people in the industry seem to enjoy it. While we don’t ever want to grow to the size of something like a South By Southwest, we really feel like it is in the interest of the bands to expose them to as many people in the public as well. And certainly we’ll be kind of keeping limits on that so that it doesn’t disrupt the delegate experience but we’re definitely trying to increase the amount of public engagement in the event. I mean partly as well, that’s about trying to get the general public to also understand the music industry better, because we believe that’s really important too.” In addition to the ventures in the arts and tech, BIGSOUND are also planning to expand into other fields that benefit the industry. “I think continuing to find new ways of diversifying the event so that it delivers new value for new groups of people that can then create more value for the music industry. Certainly fashion and film are so deeply connected to the music industry and in future, we’ll be exploring how we bring them in but at this stage it’s really just about seeing how this year goes and to consolidate what we’re building right now.” “I’m very, very passionate about the potential of Fortitude Valley as a place. I think BIGSOUND brings this particular flavour into the Valley for those four days and because of the new things that we’re doing, particularly around the visual arts showcase, for people who live and work in the Valley that will be a proud moment because it’s important to us that we show what’s possible with love and investment in the place.”
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DAVE, NEIL AND THE TEAM HANG OUT WITH ALL THE BANDS AND SPEAKERS IN BRISBANE AND MAY EVEN SHARE A DRINK OR TWO (OR 12).
STREAM IT DAILY ON:
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Rock Posters charge for these spaces. The standard two and four sheet posters are still going strong, however now the arts and entertainment industry has the opportunity to book a few hero sites to complement a traditional street poster campaign. With booking periods of one week to one month, this cost effective large format comes with flexibility. As the entertainment industry continues to grow in this country so to does Rock Posters, continuing to bring new opportunities to the market. It really is exciting times for the industry!
F
rom humble beginnings in a back garage in the western suburbs of Melbourne in 1986, Rock Posters has driven the street poster industry to what it is today, a well-recognised advertising medium that has to be the most cost-effective advertising channel in the Australian market. Over the last 30 years we have seen street posters step into the foreground of mainstream advertising. Something that was previously seen as a a low-brow, back alley method to promote a gig is now a staple for the arts and entertainment industry when looking at marketing plans. Though more and more corporate players are wanting to get into this space, Rock Posters never forgets its grass roots and always strives to provide innovative advertising solutions for the arts and entertainment industry at a cost effective price point. As we continue this evolution, Rock Posters is now moving into the world of super site billboard advertising. As the likes of APN and oOh! Media move into the Digital billboard landscape, we have seen an opportunity to offer the traditional large format static billboard at a fraction of the cost that other companies
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GOLD COAST MUSIC AWARDS
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Mountain Goat
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ountain Goat has been celebrating Australia’s music scene almost as long as they’ve been brewing. It’s been almost 20 years since founders Cam and Dave were first able to throw a few bucks to their local radio station and they’re still supporting community radio today, championing local artists whenever they can and sponsoring music awards and festivals around the country. It’s a little-known fact that the reason their Summer Ale was released in
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cans back in 2013 because the Goat brewers wanted to bring their own beer to music festivals. These days it’s hard to imagine a festival without the sea of those orange cans in the crowd. Mountain Goat loves grassroots music and being a part of where it all begins. You can find Goat around the country, having a beer with Music Victoria, the Australian Music Prize, Mountain Goat Valley Crawl, Leaps & Bounds Festival, Cans & Bands, Jungle Love Festival, River Rocks, Perth Reclink Community Cup, Goat Island Sounds, Hills Are Alive and Feed Music, amongst other great events. Now, they are back on board with BIGSOUND, Australia’s leading new music festival and industry conference. From 6 —
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8 Sep, Brisbane comes alive with venues throughout Fortitude Valley stocking up on the official beer of BIGSOUND Festival. Mountain Goat are also hosting the official Closing Party on Friday, 9 Sep at Woolly Mammoth, with an incredible line-up and plenty of cold Goat beers. For their 20th celebrations, Mountain Goat will be heading on a Birthday Tour, which starts at the brewery home in Melbourne on Friday, 6 Oct with festivities continuing on to Sydney, Hobart, Perth and Adelaide. Brisbane’s celebrations will be held at Archive Beer Boutique on Saturday 14 Oct. All details can be found at www.goatbeer.com.au. It’s been a big 20 years for Mountain Goat but the most important things haven’t changed — they are still dedicated to supporting emerging and established Australian artists, having good beer with good folks doing great stuff. Cheers!
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YES The Music Supports LGBTQ musicians and their right to equal dignity.
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Dice, Roll: Art and Music at Mona
L
ooking at art used to be boring. It still is, maybe, but at least at Mona, the Museum of Old and New Art, you can drink wine and behave like a total rock star. Located a short ferry trip up the river from Hobart, Mona’s subterranean architecture showcases the highlights (and lowlights) of professional gambler David Walsh’s $110 million private collection of art and antiquities, as well as hosting a busy exhibitions program. Mona is also home to the Moorilla winery, Source Restaurant, bars, cafe, luxury accommodation pavilions and more (plus Moo Brew, an off-site brewery). Until April 2019, Mona will play host to an astonishing exhibition of art objects selected and curated by The Museum of Everything - the world’s first wandering institution for the untrained, unintentional, undiscovered and unclassifiable artists of the 19, 20, and 21 centuries.
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But wait, there’s more! Mona also hosts two festivals. Each January, the Mofo summer festival unleashes an eclectic mix of music and art around the museum and all about town, curated by Brian Ritchie (yes, he who hails from Violent Femmes). Over the years, Mofo has played host to the likes of PJ Harvey, Philip Glass, David Byrne and St Vincent, Elvis Costello, Peaches, The Flaming Lips, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Kev Carmody, Paul Kelly, Kate Miller-Heidke and many more. Come June, Mona’s Dark Mofo winter festival delves into centuries-old winter solstice rituals and celebrates the dark through art, music, food, film, light and noise.
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Many artists have braved the winter for Dark Mofo, including Martha Wainwright, Antony and the Johnsons, You Am I, Chrysta Bell, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Sunn O))), Diamanda Galás, The Preatures, The Irrepressibles, ZHU, Mogwai, Ulver, Einstürzende Neubauten, AB Original and Pussy Riot. The Museum of Everything Until 2 April 2018 Mofo Returns January 2018 Dark Mofo Returns 15–24 June 2018 Visit the website for more information mona.net.au
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JMI ased in Brisbane, Jazz Music Institute (JMI) is a specialist jazz school delivering courses in jazz since 1997. Our method is designed so that anyone of any standard can improvise and also learn about music theory/harmony and its application to performance. Not only do you learn to improvise you will also unravel the complexity of music theory and harmony with a logical, systematic and easy to understand approach. JMI enjoys a reputation throughout Australia as one of the best jazz institutes in the country, producing graduates with
B
the musical and business skills needed to thrive in the live jazz performance industry. All courses offered at JMI, from Certificate to Bachelor, are fully government accredited and are delivered by experienced and enthusiastic lecturers who have performed around the world with some of the biggest contemporary names in jazz.
Brightside, featuring Ivey, Ella Fence and Eliza & The Delusionals, “The Gold Coast knows how to party baby. And, if the talent at last year’s showcase is anything to go by, we can’t wait to see what these artists have in store.” Also on her BIGSOUND radar, “WAAX, POW! Negro, Mama Kin, Cub Sport, Suicide Swans and The Vanns. Fierce Mild sent me a lovely email, so I’ll make sure I get along to see them too. That personal touch goes a long way.” As for the conference, Kitty is keen for the Hook-Up events, “Being a woman in the music industry, I will absolutely take part in the important gender conversations at BIGSOUND this year too, as well as those
valuable sessions around release, marketing and distribution strategies. We have a few clients showcasing at other events this year, so we’ll be soaking up as many of those related panels and official festival showcase events as possible.” As a beer, burrito and bass lover, finding Kitty at BIGSOUND will be a breeze, “Lunch at Beach Burrito, of course! Come join us.”
Kitty Kitty Bang Bang
K
itty Kitty Bang Bang works with a diverse bunch of bangin’ indie musicians and major music events on their publicity, including Gold Coast Music Awards, Luka Lesson, Van Larkins and award-winners Buskers by the Creek, Hanlon Brothers and Being Jane Lane, to name a few. Rated by the Aussie press as one of the leading women behind our booming music scene, agency owner and publicist Kylie Cobb also writes a monthly music column in Blank Gold Coast, freelances for Tone Deaf and is on the Board of Directors for a very cool notfor-profit charity called Scar Stories. Known by most as ‘Kitty’, Kylie and her team will be hitting the ground running at BIGSOUND, “We are so pumped for BIGSOUND this year! It is such a great opportunity to run amok with the music community, connect with friends and colleagues, old and new, not to mention the massive live line-up and killer selection of panels and workshops on offer.” Kitty’s top pick is the Gold Coast showcase on Thursday, 12.30pm at The
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BIGSOUND OFFICIAL R ETAI L OUT L ET, VAL LEY MALL Open Tues – Thurs 12pm – 9pm STONES CORNER SHOP NOW OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
12/360 Logan Rd Stones Corner (in car park of Stones Corner Hotel) Phone: (07) 3397 0180 | Web: sonicsherpa.com.au
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What Rhymes With Cars And Girls
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rom ‘90s rock scene to the theatre, Tim Rogers’ iconic album What Rhymes With Cars And Girls takes form as a musical stage production, in a contemporary Australian tale of love. The Melbourne Theatre Company production at Brisbane Powerhouse weaves together the poetic songs from the You Am I frontman’s debut solo album with words by award-winning playwright Aidan Fennessy.
Pic: Jeff Busby
An intimate musical gem, complete with a threepiece band led by Musical Director Tim Rogers himself, this raw urban romance plays solace to anyone who has ever been in love. It’s a modern love story of two class-crossed people brought together by a combination of the stars and a pizza delivery gone weird. The live band is accompanied by the poetic vocals of Johnny Carr as pizza delivery guy ‘Johnno’ and Sophie Ross as a wannabe singer ‘Tash’. Warm, evocative and witty, this poetic musical success has played to rave reviews and delivers a considerable emotional punch. Brisbane audiences can also sit down with Tim Rogers on Monday, 30 Oct at 7.30pm for an intimate conversation with Paul Barclay as part of Brisbane Powerhouse’s Writers+Ideas series. Tim Rogers will share insights into his life, career in music, and recently published memoir Detours - an offbeat and immensely charming literary memoir.
Pic: Jeff Busby
What Rhymes With Cars And Girls is playing from Wednesday 25 Oct to Saturday 4 Nov.
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A r t i s t
THE TESKEY BROTHERS
IV LEAGUE
Answered by: Isabella Venutti — frontwoman
Answered by: Liam Gough — drummer
Hometown: Melbourne
Hometown: Warrandyte
Give us a short description your music: Pop with a shoegaze-esque ‘90s guitar influence. The ferocity of the Pixies mixed with the subtlety of Mazzy Star.
Give us a short description your music: Our music is a mix of soul groove and rhythm and blues.
What is the best thing musically that’s happened to you/your band so far? I think either playing Laneway Festival thanks to triple j Unearthed at the beginning of the year or being added to high rotation on the j’s would win hands down as our musical hallmark moments! What industry lessons would you like to take away from the BIGSOUND conference? We’d love to gain insights on tips unbeknownst to us that make being a working musician sustainable and accessible. I’d also like to speak to as many kickass industry career women as I can! Why should people come and see you among the many cool bands at BIGSOUND? Our live set is quite unique, as it is high focus and energy without compromising the fun four 20-somethings should be having when they hop up on stage. Also, I love to scream. What acts are on your must see list at BIGSOUND? Good Morning, Brightness and Hatchie and Splashh, who I have been waiting to see live for like a billion years. What do you reckon your percentage mix of business vs partying will be at BIGSOUND? I think it’ll be a healthy mix of both — it’s too great an opportunity to throw away solely on partying!
What is the best thing musically that’s happened to your band so far? I think the best thing has been selling out all of our shows on our latest east coast tour including four shows at Corner Hotel in our hometown of Melbourne! What industry lessons would you like to take away from the BIGSOUND conference? We are excited to rub shoulders with industry people such as labels and promoters and hopefully gain some insight into not only the Australian music industry but the rest of the world too! Why should people come and see you among the many cool bands at BIGSOUND? People have said that our live show is a more powerful experience than just listening to our latest album Half Mile Harvest. But you can decide for yourself. What acts are on your must see list at BIGSOUND? RVG, Angie McMahon, Didirri and the Cactus Channel to name a few! What do you reckon your percentage mix of business vs partying will be at BIGSOUND? 50/50 if I have it my way! There is so much great music to experience this year! When and where is your BIGSOUND showcase? 6 Sep, The Empire Hotel; 7 Sep 256 Wickham.
When and where is your BIGSOUND showcase? 5 Sep, The Brightside; 6 Sep, New Globe Theatre.
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THE CACTUS CHANNEL
Answered by: Lewis Coleman — vocalist and guitarist Hometown: Melbourne Give us a short description your music: Longtime friends schooled in ‘60s/’70s funk/ soul with cinematic and ‘alternative’ elements, starting to write more sung music recently. What is the best thing musically that’s happened to your band so far? Maturing as a group and exploring some different sonic territory. We’re coming to terms with our strengths and what we can explore further musically, the last EP and upcoming album have been influential in this. What industry lessons would you like to take away from the BIGSOUND conference? We’ve been self-managed for a long time now. We’re super proud of where we’ve gotten with that, but we think it’s a good time to look for management/booking agent opportunities as we put out more/look at overseas touring. Why should people come and see you among the many cool bands at BIGSOUND? I guess we’re a pretty fun/goofy and energetic time, there’s stuff you can dance to, then stuff to step, and sway to. Maybe points where you’ll just stand there, hopefully not too much of that. What acts are on your must see list at BIGSOUND? Braille Face, Ziggy Ramo, Kylie Auldist, Good Morning, Angie McMahon, Clea, Jim Lawrie, Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird, Oh Mercy, Peter Bibby, The Harpoons, Washington. What do you reckon your percentage mix of business vs partying will be at BIGSOUND? All business, no leisure, come on now. When and where is your BIGSOUND showcase? 5 Sep, Empire Hotel; 7 Sep, Black Bear Lodge.
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THE MUSIC, MINNOW & CO, COLLECTIVE ARTISTS AND INERTIA MUSIC PRESENT
ONE FOOT IN TOUR SEPTEMBER 2017 WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
25 AUG 01 SEP 02 SEP 08 SEP 09 SEP 15 SEP 16 SEP
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22 SEP 23 SEP 28 SEP 29 SEP 30 SEP 01 OCT
THE NORTHERN, BYRON BAY BRISBANE FESTIVAL, BRISBANE OXFORD ART FACTORY, SYDNEY THE SMALL BALLROOM, NEWCASTLE YOURS & OWLS, WOLLONGONG TRANSIT BAR, CANBERRA
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Comedy / G The Guide
Ali Barter
Tue 05
Closure In Moscow
Yoko-Zuna: Barbara Bar, Fortitude Valley
Greenwave Beth + Spike Vincent + Sunscreen + Babey + Cody Munro Moore + Bored Shorts + Phanosland + Darts: Bloodhound Corner Bar, Fortitude Valley
The Music Presents Mew: 10 Sep The Triffid Dan Sultan: 21 Sep The Northern Byron Bay; 22 Max Watt’s Ali Barter: 22 Sep The Northern Byron Bay At The Drive In: 2 Oct Eatons Hill Hotel Caligula’s Horse: 7 Oct The Triffid Mono: 8 Nov The Triffid Mullum Music Festival: 16 - 19 Nov Mullumbimby Festival Of The Sun: 7 - 9 Dec Port Macquarie sleepmakeswaves: 8 Dec The Zoo Alt-J: 10 Dec Riverstage
Babey + Bored Shorts + Chakra Efendi + Cody Munro Moore + Greenwave Beth + Phanosland + Spike Vincent + Sunscreen: Bloodhound Corner Bar, Fortitude Valley The Gutterbirds: Crowbar (Crowbar Black), Fortitude Valley Footstomp Music Party with The Bear Hunt + Smoking Martha + PC & The Biffs + Tay Oskee + Clovr: Greaser Bar, Brisbane Mark Sheils: Samford Valley Hotel, Samford Village Spring Acoustics with Jim Lawrie: The Triffid, Newstead
Wed 06 Unofficial BIGSOUND Showcase feat. Jess Ribeiro + Jade Imagine + RVG: Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley Jade Imagine: Bloodhound Corner Bar, Fortitude Valley
Closure In Moscow are bringing their pop-rocking beats to your ears 10 Sep at The Triffid. Catch them before Mew hit the stage to launch their latest album Visuals. Footstomp Music Party with Cheap Fakes + Bearfoot + Ivey + Doolie + Sametime: Greaser Bar, Brisbane Early Show with Mark Olson + Ingunn Ringvold + Halfway: Junk Bar, Ashgrove Late Show with Mark Olson + Ingunn Ringvold + Halfway: Junk Bar, Ashgrove
Pete Murray: Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
Follow the Sun feat. Cheap Fakes + Yoko-Zuna + Bearfoot + Tay Oskee: Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
Footstomp Music Party with Leanne Tennant + Alae + Tia Gostelow + James Bennett + Georgia Reed: Greaser Bar, Brisbane
Rosie Waterland: Sit Down Comedy Club, Paddington
Goddamn Lonely Love with Leanne Tennant + Fanny Lumsden + Suicide Swans: Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
The Montgomery Brothers: Solbar (Lounge Bar), Maroochydore
Illy + Kuren: Solbar, Maroochydore Tina Arena: The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley Spring Acoustics with Jess Locke: The Triffid, Newstead
Thu 07 Cody Munro Moore + Dag + Darts + Phanosland + Spike Vincent + Sunscreen + Thigh Master: Barbara Bar, Fortitude Valley Jazz Singers Jam Night: Brisbane Jazz Club, Kangaroo Point Hanny J + Adam Nigro: Crowbar (Crowbar Black), Fortitude Valley Greta Stanley: Foundry Records, Fortitude Valley
92 • THE MUSIC • 5TH SEPTEMBER 2017
Mewscow
Redfest 2017 feat. Troy Cassar-Daley + Justice Crew + Donnelle Brooks + The Junkadelic Brass Band + Murphy’s Pigs + Casey Barnes + Sal Kimber & The Rollin’ Wheel + more: Cleveland Showgrounds, Cleveland Touch: Crowbar (Crowbar Black), Fortitude Valley Grim Rhythm: Crowbar, Fortitude Valley Ashley Bathgate + Big Dead + Kupka’s Piano + Rosa Guitar Trio + more: Cupo, Fortitude Valley Tory Lanez: Eatons Hill Hotel, Eatons Hill
Illy + Kuren: Solbar, Maroochydore
Kitty Flanagan: The J, Noosa Heads Bravo Victor + Jo Davie + Kieran T Stevenson: The Milk Factory Kitchen & Bar, South Brisbane Spring Acoustics with Daggy Man: The Triffid, Newstead Graves: Wharf Tavern (The Helm), Mooloolaba
Fri 08 The Last Exposure: Bloodhound Corner Bar, Fortitude Valley Caxton Street Jazz Band: Brisbane Jazz Club, Kangaroo Point Smoking Martha + The Lockhearts: Chardons Corner Hotel, Annerley
Katchafire + The Sea Gypsies + DJ Red: Kirwan Tavern, Kirwan Fire & Rain: Logan Diggers Club, Logan Central Shag Rock: Miami Marketta, Miami Blind Man Death Stare + Fire Away + Up The Anti + The Drop Ins: Miami Tavern (Shark Bar), Miami Matty Rogers + James Bennett: Night Quarter, Helensvale Iterim: Ric’s Bar (Backyard), Fortitude Valley Tay Oskee: Royal Mail Hotel, Goodna Sleepmakeswaves: Solbar, Maroochydore The Tommyhawks: Sonny’s House of Blues, Brisbane Pete Murray: Tanks Arts Centre, Edge Hill
Gigs / Live The Guide
Peter Bibby + Party Dozen: The Bearded Lady, West End
Riff Showcase feat. Hobo Magic + Transvaal Diamond Syndicate + Devil Electric + Grim Rhythm + The Royal Artillery: The Brightside, Fortitude Valley KB Theory: The Flying Cock, Fortitude Valley
Kitty Flanagan: The J, Noosa Heads Graves: The Met, Fortitude Valley Georgia Reed + Clovr + Alae: The Milk Factory Kitchen & Bar, South Brisbane Illy + Kuren: The Mills Precinct, Toowoomba Tina Arena: The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley A Tribute to Bob Dylan feat. Oh Mery + Jess Ribeiro + James Bennett + more: The Triffid, Newstead
Minimum Wage Club with +Sleepmakeswaves: Miami Tavern, Miami
King Social + ROO + Fragile + The Counterfeit Umbrellas: New Globe Theatre, Fortitude Valley Illy + Kuren: Night Quarter (The Paddock), Helensvale
Mick Buckley & The Stray Hapcats: Night Quarter, Helensvale Transvaal Diamond Syndicate + The Royal Artillery: Palmwoods Hotel, Palmwoods Burlesque Day with Bertie Page Clinic: Royal Mail Hotel, Goodna Pierce Brothers + Reuben Stone + Asha Jefferies: Solbar, Maroochydore James Bennett: Solbar (Lounge Bar), Maroochydore
Blind Man Death Stare + Shutup Shutup Shutup + Hound: Sonny’s House of Blues, Brisbane
Sat 09
Goon On The Rocks + Plan Of Attack + Bazooka Fist: The Bearded Lady, West End
Ingrid James Quintet: Brisbane Jazz Club, Kangaroo Point
Jacuzzi Boys: The Foundry, Fortitude Valley
ITES + 1814: Chardons Corner Hotel, Annerley
Kitty Flanagan: The J, Noosa Heads
Jeff Rosenstock + Jess Locke + Sweater Curse: Crowbar, Fortitude Valley
Lee Kernaghan + The Wolfe Brothers + James Blundell + Tania Kernaghan: Empire Theatre, Toowoomba Sundr + Siberian Hell Hounds + Blind Girls + Empress: Fat Louie’s, Brisbane 80s Nightclub Reunion with +Various Artists: Hamilton Hotel, Hamilton
Lazy Days Tired Lion are at it again, hitting the road with their new EP and mates Foodcourt and Foam in tow. First stop on the Dumb Days tour is Woolly Mammoth so swing over there on 15 Sep.
Apakatjah: Miami Marketta, Miami
Brisbane Festival presents: Young Hearts Run Free - 20th Anniversary of Romeo + Juliet Soundtrack Live: The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley
Mew + Closure In Moscow: The Triffid, Newstead
Jurassic Jam 3: The Triffid, Newstead
Americana Sessions with Montgomery Church: The Triffid (Beer Garden), Newstead
Blindman Death Stare: The Zoo, Fortitude Valley
Kreator + Vader: The Zoo, Fortitude Valley
Bullhorn + Kingfisha: Verrierdale Hall, Verrierdale
Mon 11
360: Woolly Mammoth, Fortitude Valley
Placebo + Deaf Havana: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall
Sun 10
Tue 12
King Social: Bearded Dragon Tavern, Tamborine
Ariana Grande: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall
Brisbane Big Band: Brisbane Jazz Club, Kangaroo Point
Mark Sheils: Samford Valley Hotel, Samford Village
Tina Arena: Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
Brisbane Festival presents: Starman feat. Sven Ratzke: Spiegeltent, South Bank
Ariel Kalma + Primitive Motion: Junk Bar, Ashgrove BASEQ Jam: Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane Jacuzzi Boys + The Royal Artillery: Mo’s Desert Clubhouse, Burleigh Heads James Bennett: Sonny’s House of Blues, Brisbane
The Tall Grass: Junk Bar, Ashgrove The Dynamics: Logan Diggers Club, Logan Central
Not only are Introvert playing three BIGSOUND showcases - 5 Sep, The Zoo; 6 Sep, Crowbar; 7 Sep, The Brightside - they’re also heading to Eatons Hill Hotel on 16 Sep to support American giants AFI.
Tired Lion
Matt Cochran + Isaac Rogers: Crowbar (Crowbar Black), Fortitude Valley 97.3FM High School Reunion feat. 1927 + The Chantoozies + Pseudo Echo + Mi-Sex + The Radiators + Shane Howard + John Paul Young + Real Life + Chocolate Starfish + Mark Williams: Eatons Hill Hotel, Eatons Hill
Introvert AF
In Store with The Tall Grass: Sonic Sherpa, Greenslopes
Fierce Mild: The Zoo, Fortitude Valley Pierce Brothers + Reuben Stone + Asha Jefferies: Woolly Mammoth, Fortitude Valley
Introvert
Atlas & The Attic + Phoebe Sinclair + Loren Kellie: The Milk Factory Kitchen & Bar, South Brisbane
Brisbane Festival presents: Oliver Up A Tree with Josh Earl: Spiegeltent, South Bank
Tina Arena: The Star (formerly Jupiters), Broadbeach
Small World Experience: The Bearded Lady, West End
Wed 13 The Royal Artillery: Humdrum Espresso, Eumundi The Beatles’ First Five feat. Kevin Mitchell + Jack Jones + Wes Carr + Paul Gray + Ciaran Gribbin + The Please Please Me Band: Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), South Brisbane Brisbane Festival presents: Starman feat. Sven Ratzke: Spiegeltent, South Bank
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Comedy / G The Guide
All Ages Show with Max (US) + Nick De La Hoyde + Vincent Sole + Joy In Motion: The Triffid, Newstead
Thu 14
The Taste: 4ZZZ (Carpark), Fortitude Valley
Why Wait + Lumens + Nicole McKinney: Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley
Fri 15
The Sleepyheads: Bloodhound Corner Bar, Fortitude Valley Out Of Abingdon: Brisbane Jazz Club, Kangaroo Point
Alexei Rumiantsev + Grace Mika: Brisbane Jazz Club, Kangaroo Point
James Bondage & The Safewords + Illicit Symphony + Flintlock + Lunchtime + Vivian’s Hamster + No Intelligent Life + The Blockades: Chardons Corner Hotel, Annerley
Gravemind + Blind Oracle + Initiate Jericho + Season Unending: Crowbar, Fortitude Valley
Justice For The Damned + Hindsight + Staunch + Honest Crooks: Crowbar, Fortitude Valley
Open Mic Night: Hamilton Hotel, Hamilton
Dashboard Confessional: Eatons Hill Hotel, Eatons Hill
The Cherry Dolls + Port Royal: Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane
Caught In The Act: Logan Diggers Club, Logan Central
Eugene Karolap: Solbar (Lounge Bar), Maroochydore
Hemingway: Miami Marketta, Miami
Karl S Williams
Quarterfest with Ivey + Eliza & The Delusionals + Coastal Lights + Sydney Rae & The Maples: Night Quarter, Helensvale Tylea + Almaryse & Mark Tropicana: Old Museum, Fortitude Valley The Wolfe Brothers + Baylou + Straalen: Racehorse Hotel, Booval Josh Wade: Riverway Arts Centre, Thuringowa Central
S For Super Karl S Williams, the musical fool with the phenomenal voice, is gonna take the stage at The Northern on 16 Sep. Better still, you can catch all his blues singing and guitar picking for free.
Brisbane Festival presents The Preatures: Spiegeltent, South Bank Karl S Williams: The Bearded Lady, West End
POW! Negro
I Know Leopard + Banff: Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley
Lucas Melhop: Royal Mail Hotel, Goodna The Taste: Solbar (Lounge Bar), Maroochydore Chris Flaskas + Khan Harrison: Solbar, Maroochydore Karl S Williams: Soundlounge, Currumbin Tex, Don & Charlie: Tanks Arts Centre, Edge Hill The Bear Hunt: The Bearded Lady, West End Bre & The Hive: The Flying Cock, Fortitude Valley
Tri-POW! Mark down these dates: Sep 5, The Elephant Hotel; 6 & 7 Sep, The Brightside. Those are your three chances to catch POW! Negro’s psychedelia/jazz hop during BIGSOUND, after which tickets might be harder to come by.
Sat 16 The David Bentley Trio: Brisbane Jazz Club, Kangaroo Point Valhalore + Tensions Arise + Blodmane + Toxicon + Hotel 44 + Devonian + From Crisis To Collapse + Speedracer + Those Who Endure + more: Chardons Corner Hotel, Annerley Country Music Race Day with Troy Cassar-Daley + The Wolfe Brothers: Doomben Racecourse, Ascot AFI + Basement + Introvert: Eatons Hill Hotel, Eatons Hill Johnny Cash Tribute Show: Hamilton Hotel, Hamilton The Double Happiness + The Neon Signs: Junk Bar, Ashgrove
Mufasa: Solbar (Lounge Bar), Maroochydore Brisbane Festival presents: An Evening with Tex, Don & Charlie: Spiegeltent, South Bank Baldwins + Captain Dreamboat: The Bearded Lady, West End New Clear Vision: The Brightside, Fortitude Valley City Calm Down + The Cactus Channel: The Triffid, Newstead Boss Moxi: The Zoo, Fortitude Valley
Motez
Tia Gostelow + Doolie: Lefty’s Old Time Music Hall, Brisbane In The House: Logan Diggers Club, Logan Central Pharoahe Monch + Pez + Jesswar: Max Watt’s, West End
Damien Dempsey + Mick McHugh: The Flamin’ Galah, Brisbane
Against Them + Sun In Alchemy: The Milk Factory Kitchen & Bar, South Brisbane
Maja: The Milk Factory Kitchen & Bar, South Brisbane
Motez + Mickey Kojak + Tigerilla: The Triffid, Newstead
Flynn Effect + Ages Of Earth + Ninth Of May + Ravens Lair: New Globe Theatre, Fortitude Valley
The Getaway Plan: The Triffid, Newstead
Tired Lion + Food Court + Foam: Woolly Mammoth, Fortitude Valley
The Junkadelic Brass Band + Fiona Boyes: Night Quarter, Helensvale
Devil’s Kiosk: Miami Marketta, Miami
Trombone Kellie Gang + Byron Short: Royal Mail Hotel, Goodna
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The Cherry Dolls + High Tropics + Big Whoops: Solbar, Maroochydore
Hotez Motez Holiday Iz After dropping his new single Praise Motez took the Future tour to North America. Now it’s Australia’s turn and the house producer is stopping at The Triffid on 15 Sep.
Gigs / Live The Guide
The Lockhearts
B
The Teskey Brothers
Harvest Moon Half Mile Harvest blew some serious minds this year and the record’s got nothing on The Teskey Brothers live. Be sure to make their BIGSOUND showcases: 6 Sep, Empire Hotel; 7 Sep, The Brightside; 7 Sep, 256 Wickham. Muto: Wharf Tavern (The Helm), Mooloolaba Shire Records Launch Party with Exit Strategy + Patrsn + Syntax Junkies + Skrub + Proto + Ascension: Woolly Mammoth, Fortitude Valley
The Wolfe Brothers + Baylou + Straalen: Lonestar Tavern, Mermaid Waters The Cherry Dolls: Miami Tavern (Shark Bar), Miami Joel McHale: Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) (Concert Hall), South Brisbane
Pierce Brothers
Brisbane Festival presents Charlie Lim & The Mothership: Spiegeltent, South Bank Rosie Burgess Trio + Andrea Kirwin: The Milk Factory Kitchen & Bar, South Brisbane Arcturus + Blood Incantation: The Triffid, Newstead
For The Record Jack and Pat Pierce (aka Pierce Brothers) are heading your way as part of their world tour for new EP The Records Were Ours. Head to The Northern 7 Sep to catch the talented twins in action.
Sun 17 Andrew White + Van Larkins: Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley
lues-rock outfit The Lockhearts have just dropped their first single Ride Home off their upcoming debut album Americana Doom Fuzz, and they’ve kept the rock real and raw. “I don’t think rock music should ever be synonymous with clinical perfection,” frontman Tim Meaco states of how rock’n’roll music isn’t perfect and shouldn’t be overworked in the studio. “It robs it of soul.” “You focus on capturing the energy from the performance on the record and build on that to enrich the experience,” he adds of how this perspective influenced the recording process for the single. “Ride Home represents the more upbeat side of the record,” he says on being inspired by Van Halen and early southern country music. “I don’t know if it made a difference, but I did start wearing pointier boots.”
Meaco reveals initially feeling “slightly embarrassed” about presenting the single to his band mates. “The other guys liked it and wanted it on the record, so we jammed. I didn’t even think it would make it to the recording studio at first.” Meaco illustrates the impact music had on him throughout his upbringing, sharing that “guitar was the only thing that made sense to me in high school. My parents always had records playing in the house, from Van Morrison, to Queen, to Osibisa. Music gave me a sense of belonging and songwriting became an outlet for personal demons.” “Thematically, this record is about wrestling with depression, expectations and what it means to find your place in the world.”
What: Americana Doom Fuzz (Independent) When & Where: 8 Sep, Chardons Corner Hotel, Annerley
Mon 18 Judah Kelly: Old Museum (Studio 1), Fortitude Valley Bert Kreischer: The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley
Tue 19 Brisbane Festival presents: Twilight Notes with Debussy String Quartet: Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) (Concert Hall), South Brisbane Mark Sheils: Samford Valley Hotel, Samford Village
Pepperazzi Big Band: Brisbane Jazz Club, Kangaroo Point
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