WAM INTERVIEWS ► WAMFest Friday Showcase promoters
A series of live music showcases presented in conjunction with, and carefully curated by, WA’s best promoters, organisations and venues, the Friday Showcases will cover every taste and the menu is larger than ever this year, with 13 events spanning Northbridge to Freo to Basso and back again. Entry to the all events is FREE with a WAMCon pass. WAM spoke to a number of WA promoters and organisations behind these mighty fine showcases, including Matthew Tomich from RTRFM, Lee Reader from Matchless Music, Brian Kruger from Colab and Erin Molloy from Emergence Creative about the WA music scene and their place within in it, recommendations of who to catch at #WAMFest, plus why Friday 4 November is one to mark in the diary…
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PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY THE CITY OF PERTH & LOTTERYWEST
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COURTYARD CLUB @ STATE THEATRE COURTYARD
Presented by Perth Theatre Trust & RTRFM
ANSWERED BY: Matthew Tomich
VENUE: State Theatre Centre Courtyard
ACTS: Rag n’ Bone, Catlips (DJ), Puck, Our Man in Berlin, Lana & Phocal
TICKETS: Free
Brief history:
We’re a radio station and we put on something like a dozen gigs & event series every year. We’ve been doing it for almost four decades, and this’ll be the third time we’re working with the Perth Theatre Trust to put a bunch of amazing bands in front of new audiences for Courtyard Club. We like to throw around gimmicky terms like “space activation” with tongues firmly planted in our collective cheeks, but seeing as we’re in a town that finds itself with a new venue crisis every half-decade, it’s mighty fortunate we have like-minded arts orgs like Perth Theatre Trust & the State Theatre Centre put local music at the forefront. What’s cool about Courtyard Club every year is the diversity of the audience. In past years I’ve seen a few regulars alongside families, office workers and inner-city locals digging on everyone from Methyl Ethel to Tourist Kid to Odette Mercy. It’s also cool to tie Courtyard Club to WAMFest again this year and put on a diverse bill – how often will you see dream-doom lords PUCK alongside a Catlips DJ set or the tripped-out avant-pop-weirdness of Lana? – and the fact that it’s all broadcast live, with help from our local music program Homegrown, is the cherry on top.
Describe the health of the area/scene/s you specialize in WA, and compared to Oz/world?
We’ve got 40+ programs so our specialty is everything. There’s amazing music being made in every possible aesthetic from every generation.There are artists who first emerged two-to-three decades ago doing phenomenal things: The Rosemary Beads just put out their first album in 20 years and Craig Hallsworth just produced an amazing solo record – who’d have thought? Dream Rimmy make Shoegaze feel as new as it did a quarter-century, and bands like Segue Safari, Verge Collection and Lucy Peach show a songwriting prowess far beyond their years. Mink Mussel Creek, Adam Said Galore and Mile End just played together for the first time in yonks, and experimentalists like orphans, Sean O’Neill and Akioka keep finding new ways to obliterate boundaries and blow minds. On the beat-front – listen for the locals on Full Frequency, Basscheck or Trainwreck and you’ll find a wellspring of talent. We like to sing all doom-and-gloom in the west, and there are inherent logistical and geographical challenges, but when it comes to homegrown music, we’re doing as well as ever. We just need the rest of the world to listen.
Advice for musicians trying to make it in the local industry, esp in your area of specialty?
Be easy to work with. Get all the simple stuff right: if you’re going to have a web presence, have a complete web presence. Put contact information on your Facebook page! Follow instructions and do your research when it comes to pitching yourself to radio, print media, promoters, etc. If you’re sending music to a radio station, don’t send them a crappy Youtube link where you’ve spelled your own name wrong – send them an email with a Dropbox link containing a track and an image, some info, a stream – all that stuff. Most importantly: put yourself in the shoes of the person you’re pitching to. If someone were sending you music, what would make it stand out? What would make them pay attention? What would incentivize them to give you their time?
Who should come to your show and why? Saying “everyone” would be a bit obvious, so:
- People who dig on riffs and beats + melody and noise in equal measure
- Punters who want a niche-but-vital snapshot of this particular time in Perth music
- Audiences who dig killer music for free
Lana, PUCK and Rag n’ Bone have all birthed some wondrous new tunes over the last month and it’ll be cool seeing them share the stage with a trio of very different acts in Our Man in Berlin, Catlips & Phocal.
Who shouldn’t? Buzzkills, narcs, etc.
Aside from your own event, which 3 #WAMFest performers/ #WAMCon speakers / facets are you most looking forward to catching, and WHY?
► We’ll have a few of our own repping at WAMCon including Breakfast presenter Caitlin Nienaber, Music Coordinator Will Backler, Trianing Coordinator and longtime presenter Sarah Tout, and Lusophone Beats presenter Jose Neves, so I’m keen to hear what they have to say at the conference, alongside a few old mates like Pete Guazzelli, Matt Johnson and RTRFM alumna Gemma Pike.
► On the Saturday Spectacular front – the bill at Badlands Bar looks pretty speccy (Tangled Thoughts of Leaving! Lanark! Skullcave! + heaps more), and the Boston looks like a heap of fun with names like Ah Trees, Bells Rapids & Hussy.
► And the awards should be fun too – Caitlin’s up for the Media Award, and we’re up for Most Popular Event for In the Pines. Vote early and often!
Best/funniest/most random memory from a previous WAMFest? The best is yet to come.
WASTED YOUTH @ BABUSHKA
Presented by MATCHLESS MUSIC
ANSWERED BY: Lee Reader
VENUE: Babushka
ACTS: Cursed Earth, El Capitan, Unravel, Push Me Under & Facile
TICKETS: $10 door or FREE with WAMCon Pass
Brief history:
Wasted Youth is a monthly residency / clubnight at Babushka Leederville run by Matchless Music. We are your go to club for anything Punk / Hardcore / Heavy and run live bands + guest DJ’s at every show. We use it as a base for local acts to step up to bigger shows and also for interstate acts that might not be ready to play 600 cap rooms but still want solid crowds.
Describe the health of the area/scene/s you specialize in WA, and compared to Oz/world?
The Heavy and Hardcore scene in Perth is so strong right now. Guys like Mitch Harding and myself at Matchless, Layton at Bad Noose and Adam at Annihilate throw a lot of support into the scene and the crowds are always strong. Our recent shows with acts like Polaris, Justice for the Damned, etc. have done just as good if not better crowd wise than their east coast dates which is bringing in a lot of interest from other touring acts that may of left the west coast out of their run in the past.
Advice for musicians trying to make it in the local industry, esp in your area of specialty?
Be humble, support your scene, go to other bands gigs and put some effort into promoting yourselves and your shows.
Who should come to your show and why?
Anyone that’s been on the Perth Hardcore scene over the last 10 years should come to this show. The bands on the bill are the ones to watch in Perth right now and we’re covering a pretty broad spectrum of hardcore from the heavier side to the more melodic side. Also the guest DJ’s Nick Horsnell (Miles Away), Layton Webber (Pilerats), Thomas Sweetman (Frankie Nolan) and Joel Padley (Denial) should be spinning some gems!
Who shouldn’t? Kids under 18 (we’ll put something on for you soon)
Aside from your own event, which 3 #WAMFest performers/ #WAMCon speakers / facets are you most looking forward to catching, and WHY?
► Seeing the legends in Tired Lion take home 6 awards
► The WAMCon Boat Party
► Scalphunter + Hideous Sun Demon are always solid acts to watch
Best/funniest/most random memory from a previous WAMFest?
I’ve managed to miss out on almost every WAMFest over the last few years due to other commitments but when Scalphunter too out best Punk act a couple of years ago that was pretty cool. Well deserved!
SKETCH THE RHYME VS COLAB @ ROSEMOUNT HOTEL
Presented by WAMFest
ANSWERED BY: Brian Kruger
VENUE: The Rosemount Hotel
ACTS: Sketch The Rhyme vs Colab (full band), The Stoops & Beckon.
TICKETS: $10 Presale | $15 door.
Brief history:
I’m a rapper / beatmaker / instrumentalist, performing under the moniker Empty. I organize Rap shows that feature unusual collaborations and offer something unique, such as ‘Mattress Money’ where rappers and producers are introduced to work together for a one off set, or ‘Openbars’ where freestyle rappers compete using a boxing scoring system over music by Perth beatmakers.
Describe the health of the area/scene/s you specialize in WA, and compared to Oz/world?
Perth actually has a very strong and diversified Rap scene. Everyone is surprisingly willing to support each other’s efforts in spite of differences in style.
Advice for musicians trying to make it in the local industry, esp in your area of specialty?
People are always going to be a few years behind where you are at. I don’t know if it’s because they need that time to understand the context of your music, or to develop belief in your vision, or some other unknown reason. Regardless, don’t worry too much about what they think now; just keep moving ahead.
Who should come to your show and why?
Sydney’s freestyle supergroup ‘Sketch The Rhyme’ VS Perth’s freestyle lords ‘Colab’! It’s a live art and interactive competition that features a phenomenal live band. What more can I say?
Who shouldn’t?
Honestly I don’t think anyone would not enjoy it. Even if you’re not a rap enthusiast, this is an ideal introduction to rap. Freestyle rap is a great way to understand how rap works and often a gateway for people that previously had no appreciation for rap.
Aside from your own event, which 3 #WAMFest performers/ #WAMCon speakers / facets are you most looking forward to catching, and WHY?
► Mathas, he’s the aged whiskey of Australian Rap.
► Mei Saraswati, she’s a singer / beatmaker that is enigmatic, pseudo spiritual, humble and yet provocative.
► POW Negro, he’s a relatively new to the Perth scene and doing great things, and I haven’t seen him perform live yet!
Best/funniest/most random memory from a previous WAMFest?
Playing with The Empty Cup in Northbridge Piazza on a Monday to people on their lunch break at work. Nothing like some rap with your lunch!
SOUTHWEST SHOWCASE @ FRIDAYS STUDIO
Presented by EMERGENCE CREATIVE FESTIVAL & CREATIVE CORNER
ANSWERED BY: Erin Molloy
VENUE: Fridays Studio
ACTS: Tom Day, Formidable Vegetable Sound System, Michael Triscari, Blue Child Collective & Kachina DJs
TICKETS: $10 door or FREE with WAMCon Pass
Brief history:
The Creative Corner is a not-for-profit organisation based in the South West of Western Australia. The organisation has a network of more than 150 local creatives who live and work in the South West region of the Bunbury, Geographe, Margaret River and Augusta area. Growing statewide, national and international interest in the Emergence Creative Festival (The Creative Corner’s pinnacle event each year) has stimulated The Creative Corner Inc’s reach to become the region’s premier vehicle for Cultural and Creative Industries development and networking, with a particular focus on providing skills in the cutting edge, emerging forms of creative production and services. This covers music, design, visual arts, film, photography and more.
Each year, the Emergence Creative Festival takes place in the Margaret River region, a 2-day world-class conference embedded in a 4-day festival, with hands-on workshops, out-of-the-box masterclasses and incredible satellite events. The festival aims to connect local and WA creatives (incl. musicians, producers etc.) with visiting industry – not only from their own industry, but other creative industries that utilize their services. It also aims to provide skills, inspiration and a platform to voice ideas, perform and network.
The festival and organization were born out of the realization of talent in the region – that didn’t know who each other were, and didn’t have a collective voice or support network. The Creative Corner now connects, provides services for and lobbies for a large group of diverse creatives in the South West region, with over 150 members.
Advice for musicians trying to make it in the local industry, esp in your area of specialty?
Being proactive and contacting organiser’s if there are events you want to play at or get involved with, getting involved in as much as you can and self-promotion – also, be on time and communicate regularly if you get a gig!
Who should come to your show and why?
WA creatives wanting to find out more about the Emergence Creative Festival, we will be officially launching the 2017 festival and announcing our first lineup of speakers and program.
People with an interest in photography and art – we have an incredible group of South West artists and photographers coming up to create a pop-up exhibition in our awesome venue (Fridays Studio). People who want to see some great up-and-coming West Australian music with the good vibes of the South West. Michael Triscari, Tom Day, Blue Child Collective and Formidable Vegetable Sound System will all be playing and Kachina DJ’s will be ending the night for us.
Who shouldn’t? Anyone who’s not willing to have a good time
Aside from your own event, which 3 #WAMFest performers/ #WAMCon speakers / facets are you most looking forward to catching, and WHY?
► Lilt – they played our opening night at Emergence this year and were incredible, looking forward to seeing them again
► POW Negro – They were awesome when they played at our showcase during Emergence earlier in the year. So much energy.
► Usurper of Modern Medicine / Psychedelic Porn Crumpets…both great live
Best/funniest/most random memory from a previous WAMFest?
Its always great meeting the crew at the regional roundtable – there’s some great things happening in regional WA and its cool to see what’s happening. There’s also always a great vibe from everyone amongst the backdrop of WAMFest
WAMFEST PRESENTED BY DRUG AWARE
PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY THE CITY OF PERTH & LOTTERYWEST
ALL PARTNERS HERE
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