Fathom ProfileSydney-based dream-prog band Fathom will be attempting to break the Guiness World Record for most shows (multiple cities) in 12 hours on Saturday, September 12.
But it’s not all for glory. Instead, they are utilising the significance of the endeavour to raise awareness for mental health, as well as focusing attention on regional music venues and the bands that populate those areas.
Two-piece Fathom have featured on triple j Unearthed and boast a selection of releases that traverse the terrain of dreamy, synth-heavy anthems. Weave in some indie rock, and you’ve neatly amalgamated the band's sound.
Cate Guirguis (lead vocals/bass) and Jaxon Italiano (keyboards) are the masterminds behind the project, and feel compelled to conjure up the uniqueness in their sound, but what feels perhaps more compelling is how they are preparing to use that drive to make ripples in the music scene of the east coast of Australia and perhaps the world.
The two have spent the past months mapping out and organising the necessities to bring together a world record attempt for playing the most shows (multiple cities) – nine in 12 hours – this coming Saturday, September 12.
There are certain rules required to be able to claim the world record, such as each show needing to be at least 50km apart, and each location performed in must have a minimum of 15,000 population, with half of the performance areas needing a population of at least 100,000.
The band will also be required to play for at least 15 minutes, with 10 people in attendance at each gig. Another layer that is mandatory in order to achieve the world record successfully is that tickets need to be sold to each show.
That’s where Guirguis and Italiano have incorporated a collaboration with the mental health awareness and support organisation Beyond Blue.
Instead of pocketing the profits themselves, 50% of the money made will be donated to this organisation, whilst the remaining 50% will go towards other expenses and paying support acts.
The latter is a crucial element to this world record attempt, as it’s been proving hard for Fathom to convince audiences to pay to see a 15-minute performance from an emerging band who have never played in their town before.
Fathom have also set up a fundraising link through Beyond Blue so that those who cannot attend shows have the opportunity to support the cause.
For those erring on being involved in this magnitudinous event, this layer provides a great opportunity to join in the conversation about mental health awareness and support through the application of music.
Guirguis and Italiano spoke to The Music about the world record attempt, their music released to date, the lives that feed into and support their sonic pursuits and how this undertaking has resulted in a multitude of relationships fostered.
“We are both excited and nervous because what I'm worried about is the helicopter,” outlines Italiano. “We have to get there before nightfall, otherwise they won't fly it.
“As long as everything before that goes well, we should be fine from there on, but everything before then, we need to be pretty much dead-on time. So, it's stressful, but you can't let that overcome you.”
The band have managed to charter a helicopter, a plane, and organised drivers for various legs of the movement between shows. It was the only way Fathom could ensure they have enough time to achieve the world record.
“We were trying to get our heads around which city was geographically possible to do this given the restrictions and guidelines we had to adhere to,” acknowledges Italiano. “We had a look at Queensland, or more specifically Brisbane, but there weren't enough cities with a population of over 100,000 nearby.
“The greater area of Sydney was probably the closest we could get. And we were pretty lucky, like every location is more or less 50 kilometres from each other as the crow flies. But there's obviously some big gaps, like Bathurst to Goulburn is quite a large distance.
“The only way we could do that is by a chartered plane, unfortunately. But that's just what it takes to do this record.”
Once the route had been mapped out, and Fathom had pieced together all the various layers of required transport, the fun of contacting venues and bands began – a process that was well received by most.
“We found most of the venues and the bands have been really on board,” mentions Guirguis. “They were really excited to join. Most of them think it's a really cool idea. We did have a couple of places – specifically in Canberra – who didn’t see the vision and were asking what was meant to be in it for them.
“That didn't really make a lot of sense because this is a massive live music event and so live music venues theoretically would be getting around it. But especially in the smaller regional areas, I was actually a little bit surprised because they were being really supportive.
“One of the venues is even organising a raffle for us to tie into the Beyond Blue donating aspect of the record.”
It’s no surprise though really, this feat has seemingly become more about shining a light on how regional music is a core part of the broader Australian music vernacular, and Fathom are managing to connect the threads between that and the urban expressions of music.
“It’s definitely a big community event,” Italiano notes. “We're like, ‘well, we can't just leave, do a 15-minute show, choof off, and expect everyone to be happy with that’. So, we'll try and get as many bands involved as we can to keep the atmosphere going and make it worthwhile for the venues.
Fathom will be releasing their latest single Record Breakers in conjunction with the world record attempt, an action they described as being a bit cheeky, but ultimately a great opportunity to remember this occasion.
“Having a tangible song act as a reminder of this really cool thing that we did, regardless of if we get the record or not, it's still something to remember the time by.”
It’s monumental, it’s significant, and ultimately, it’s a bold act that – irrespective of the outcome of the world record attempt – is bound to have a positive impact on music in Australia.
Support Fathom’s world record attempt via Beyond Blue, and buy tickets to this Saturday’s shows while following their efforts via Instagram.
Fathom – Guinness World Record Tour
Saturday, September 12th
11.00am – Horse & Jockey Hotel, Singleton, NSW
12.15pm – Hamilton Station Hotel, Newcastle, NSW
1.45pm – Funhaus Factory, Gosford, NSW
3.05pm – Sean & Dolly’s, Kings Cross, Sydney, NSW
4.25pm – Elton Chong, Penrith, NSW
5.20pm – The Donnybrook, Lithgow, NSW
6.25pm – The 1880 Tavern, Bathurst, NSW
8.00pm – Hibernian Hotel, Goulburn, NSW
10.00pm – Pot Belly Bar, Canberra, ACT
This piece of content has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body
