Sanitise Ballarat Is All About Celebrating Local Artists

Tell us a bit about yourself or your group

Honey Hunter: We are a four-piece rock/shoegazey outfit from country Victoria. Our music pays tribute to the best bits of the '90s.

Raro: Hip hop artist. I want to change the world through Shakespearean-like lyricism. Representing Pryde Rock 24. Live in effect.

Anticline: We're a hardcore/metalcore band formed in late 2017. We released our debut EP Hesitancy in 2018 which helped us gain a decent local following pretty early on. We've been been lucky enough to play some big shows since then, both locally and interstate, with some of our favourites artists.

Meraki Minds: Meraki Minds are a five-piece indie pop band renown for their electric stage presence. We formed during our high school years in Ballarat and have been close mates ever since. Meraki Minds live is our dreamy guitars, harmonious vocals and, of course, some groovy bass and drums.

Apex Bloom: A little modern, a little from the past. Kaine, BJ, and I (Tim) have been playing together for a few years under different names, Jak and Griffin joined more recently. This incarnation of the band, these songs, this gig; this is our first. We've worked really hard putting together an album. In February this year we found ourselves in the studio. We can't wait to show everyone what we've done. This gig will be a little taste of that. Apex Bloom is all about the beauty in a tipping point. You reach a point where you’re able to see where you’ve come from and the potential paths ahead. I feel like our music is about sharing the clarity of the past and working together to strive for something better.

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Floc: I've been performing live as Floc for nearly two years now and I've enjoyed the whole experience. I started off Floc as a side-project for my uni course to practise what I was learning and didn't really think I'd see myself with regular gigs or anything, but I've had them pretty frequently from the beginning which has been really fun! I describe my sound as experimental bedroom pop, if that even means anything! I write the beats and the vocals and all the strange stuff happening in between. I draw influence from artists like Caroline Polachek, GIRLI, Angel Olsen and Let's Eat Grandma.

Why should people tune in to see you on Sanitise?

Honey Hunter: Because our songs are super catchy and Floyd has a really good haircut ATM.

Raro: People should tune in to see Raro live because it's a unique style. I'm not like these other cats.

Anticline: Well we're the only heavy band, so if that's your cup of tea we're the only dose you can get. We like to think our live show might bring a different kind of energy to the other artists as a result of this.

Meraki Minds: We believe Meraki Minds have a sound like not many other music acts at the moment. We use smooth textured sounds for a dream-like quality behind a solid groove. Meraki Minds aim to stimulate the psyche and sing to the soul.

Apex Bloom: Because this is the beginning! It’s the beginning of us, our band, the first dedicated live streamed music event from a beautiful venue. It’s a taste of something normal, and will surely be delicious. The world, and music in it, are changing rapidly. As much as I’d love to bop on the dance floor to my favourite bands playing Sanitise - I’m happy to do it with my phone in hand watching Ballarat’s finest!

Floc: I'm often the black sheep in most of the lineups I play, whether that's good or bad I'll let you decide!

What affect has COVID-19 had on your 2020 and how does an event like Sanitise help?

Honey Hunter: COVID has been pretty disruptive for our band this year, postponing local and interstate shows and putting a hold on our plans to record some more music. Sanitise will make sure we don't lose momentum, and gives us something to promote so we can stay in regular contact with people who like our music.

Raro: COVID-19 has effected my ability to get gigs. Events like these help by allowing me the opportunity to generate an audience.

Anticline: COVID-19 obviously took away all the upcoming shows we had planned and kind of just bummed us out a bit. Sanitise will give us the opportunity to perform for an audience again, giving our current fans something to tune in to, and also giving us the opportunity to play to other people who may not have seen us perform before.

Meraki Minds: COVID-19 has prohibited us from regularly gigging and rehearsing together. It has been so much harder to unleash our creativity and be amongst other music lovers during this time. We miss the live music scene very much.

Apex Bloom: Music is a way of life. It’s hard to make a living from it but without, everything seems meaningless. 2020 was ramping up to be something special - a new line-up, an album on the way, fresh ideas, passion and drive. When we were all told to stay home, it seemed like an opportunity to really work on what was best for the band. We’ve recorded separately, video chatted, worked our way as best we could. We managed to do a lot of work but reached a point where it was obvious that in order to continue moving forward, we needed to be in a room together. We’ve made the best of an awful situation. We want to celebrate people and their experiences. One of the hardest parts of 2020 is the separation. While we may not be in the same room, we can all come together and watch people doing their best to put on a killer show for you all!

Floc: My 2020 started off full of gigs and event work, but that slipped away pretty quickly! I have enjoyed the chance to slow down and create at my own pace these past couple months though it gets pretty draining when pushing for deadlines and gigs all the time. I've also been offered some great opportunities I'd never have otherwise, like this one. Some very cool things happening this year!

What do you love about living in the region?

Honey Hunter: Country Victoria has a strong, exciting and loyal arts scene. Things also move at a slower pace than they do in the city, so you can really make your own success (or not) depending on how much work you put in.

Raro: I enjoy being able to link up with friends and work on music, and being able to see such a diversity of music that we have in Victoria.

Anticline: It's got some nice natural scenery and the fact it's not overly busy. There's a great sense of community here too, especially in the music scene.

Meraki Minds: We think living in the region has such a rich history of art and is full of supportive and loyal communities that seem to be harder to come by in the big city.

Apex Bloom: The coffee... And there’s always something going on. Whether big or small, Ballarat and surrounds have always got something happening. The best thing about this is the underlying arts and culture. You don’t have to look far to see some truly incredible art. Local photographers, painters, musicians; artists of all kinds are everywhere. If you’re willing to look, you’ll find some really amazing stuff. This goes for food and coffee too. There’s some awesome restaurants around the place. And the trees. You don’t have to go far to find yourselves in some stunning forest and settings.

Floc: I like that it's a convenient halfway point between rural and metro Victoria. I commute to Melbourne for uni then when I get home I like being able to go to for walks where there's plenty of trees and birds.

Where should people visit the next time they're visiting?

Honey Hunter: The Eastern in Ballarat for a show and a beer. Also Nandos and the art gallery.

Raro: Mount Buninyong lookout.

Anticline: There's some great food options here, including, but not limited to, Winner Winner, Moon & Mountain and Eureka Bistro pizza. While Volta and The Faux Social Club are some of our favourite late-night destinations.

Meraki Minds: We recommend checking out The Lost Ones bar or having a good drink and a dance at The Eastern.

Apex Bloom: If you like music, Volta and The Eastern have usually got something to indulge your senses. Go eat a curry from Aroma Of India, or coffee from all the coffee shops around the place. I’ve spent a lot of time walking around cities around the world. If you’re not from here, walk around the CBD and see what you find. Go check out the view at the corner of Boundary Road and Recreation Road at sunset - it’s better if you ride through Canadian to get there.

Floc: I think they should book in at the Saltbush Kitchen. It's great to taste Australian bush food and the interior is beautiful filled with colour and Australian plants.

Sanitise kicks off tomorrow from 6pm. For more information on the event and how to watch, head here.