The Ups And Downs Of Being A Perth Musician At State Of The Art

The line-up is super diverse. You have bands like The Weapon Is Sound to You Am I to idiots like us!” Boys Boys Boys!’ Jerico Wallace begins.

Our Man In Berlin’s Haydn Mansell praised the inclusion of both bigger and smaller acts. “I think it does an awesome job of identifying newer bands on the rise and putting them on a line-up with some great established acts.” 

Legs Electric’s Kylie Soanes, meanwhile, is vibing on the setup. “It showcases heaps of fantastic WA bands with multiple stages that are easy to walk between and located right in the heart of Perth.”

The bands were also quizzed on who they were keen to check out at the event. “The Urban Orchard stage is looking particularly juicy for the historically-minded like me,” Robbie Jalapeno says, “With the Scientists and the Holy Rollers and Rob Snarski from the Blackeyed Susans ... My head is spinning already.”

"It’s that sincere willingness to share knowledge, help each other out and celebrate one another’s successes that makes it a real community."

“[I’m] really psyched to see Gareth Liddiard play; he’s a one of a kind lyricist and performer and I’ve always been a big fan of The Drones,” says Mt Mountain’s Glenn Palmer. 

Joni In The Moon’s Joni Hogan has a couple on her bucket list too: “I’m really looking forward to seeing Katy Steele – her new solo album is going to blow people’s pants off! Also the Community Supergroup are an awesome example of an artist collective getting it right and supporting and helping one another out.”

All the band members agree that Perth has its own unique sense of community. “One thing I’ve noticed when living and playing in a city that is so isolated is that you have to get creative when booking shows and putting on events which seems to break down some of the barriers between different genres, which definitely makes it feel like a much larger music community rather than segregated scenes,” Palmer explains.

“Perthians are often heard saying, ‘It’s a small town.’ This is way too true, but I think in a good way. Because our city’s music scene is so tight and everyone knows everyone, it’s easy to get to know fellow bands and be supportive of each other. And we’re all fighting for the same cause,” Wallace chimes in. 

Mansell agrees completely. “I guess the isolation gives us a bit of a ‘we’re all in this together’ kind of mentality.”

That sense of togetherness has been paying huge dividends for Hogan. “There’s an openness and friendliness about people here in general that you don’t find as much in bigger cities. I’m seeing and getting involved in more and more collaboration, particularly with other women in the Perth music industry, and that’s been monumental for me, learning from and working with other women who are already out there doing it. It’s that sincere willingness to share knowledge, help each other out and celebrate one another’s successes that makes it a real community.”

"The more young people know that live original music is an awesome option for entertainment the more will get involved"

It does, however, present a unique set of challenges that aren’t felt as harshly on the other side of the country. “Finance! Flights, accommodation, gear hire!” Mansell shoots. “Touring just kills the bank balance, and getting over east to promote your music is essential.” Everyone else agrees.

Thankfully, there’s plenty to be positive about, and moving forward as a local music community is of paramount importance to everyone involved.

“I think we’re all a bit bummed with the recent closure of well-loved venues like The Bakery and Devilles,” Wallace concedes. “So one of the most important issues we need to put our music-loving brains together to figure out right now is keeping local music venues alive. Support RTRfm and keep making rad music!”

Hogan endorses the addition of more all-ages venues. “[We need] collaboration, inclusivity, sustained funding and support from the State for the arts in general. I think more community engagement with youth would be amazing and would make the future much brighter but at the moment we’ve only got one all ages venue and it’s definitely in need of some TLC. The more young people know that live original music is an awesome option for entertainment the more will get involved and come to shows or start writing music themselves.”

“It’s been great to see the younger generation of the local scene putting on more DIY venues like The Corner Gallery or huge events such as Camp Doogs over the past couple of years,” Palmer concludes. “[It] makes it very exciting for the future.”