BIGSOUND 2018 Artist Focus Total Pace

Total Pace

Answered by: Matt Somers - Vocals & Guitar

Give us a short description of your music: Loud, fast and with a few beers under its belt. Hopefully fun!

Which acts are on your must-see list at BIGSOUND? ARSE, Blank Realm, Bugs, Cable Ties, VOIID, Grim Rhythm, Loose Tooth, Moaning Lisa, Tape/Off, The Chats, WALKEN, and I've never heard their music but Psychedelic Porn Crumpets definitely seem like a necessary experience.

In your career to date, what have been the key watershed moments? Played a ridiculously fun show at Black Bear Lodge last month but mostly for us it's just been good times jamming/hanging out. I'm sure we all have separate stories of differing levels of watershed.

If you could give your younger self, starting out as a musician, a few words of wisdom, what would they be? Get music lessons! Seriously though, it would be BASS IS IMPORTANT (I played in I Heart Hiroshima with no bassist and damn is it easier playing music with that layered goodness).

Why should people come and see you among the many amazing bands at BIGSOUND? We aim for fun, party and fun - these are things that all humans can appreciate.

What industry lessons would you like to take away from the BIGSOUND conference? I honestly couldn't say... Hopefully something!

What do you identify as the most pressing issue impacting the Australian music industry at present? Diversity. I know we aren't doing much to help being a band full of white dudes but it's something we can all push toward through our actions and decisions.

What music trends do you think are dominating right now, and do you have any predictions for the coming year? Definitely a lot of secretly emo music (not that that's a bad thing!) at the moment - I'm hoping for a natural progression into fun partytime punk rock.

When and where is your BIGSOUND showcase? Tuesday 4/9 at The Zoo & Wednesday 5/9 at The Foundry. So keen!