Look Out, BIGSOUND - Some Of WA’s Best Acts Are Coming For You

WAM and Tapped By Otherside are throwing their support behind local talent once again, helping a number of WA’s best acts get to BIGSOUND next month.

Up-and-coming artists Lucy Peach, Superego, Noah Dillon, Flossy, Reija Lee, Dulcie, The Money War, Butter and Jack Davies & The Bush Chooks have scored grants that will assist in their BIGSOUND venture.

All of those acts will also get access to premium rehearsal space at Freo.Social’s Entertainment Hall.

“We’re stoked to collaborate with WAM this year, to extend our reach and deliver big opportunities that will significantly impact emerging musical talent,” Otherside Brewing Co marketing manager Steve Finney said.

“I have no doubt that this will be a big stepping stone for the careers of each grant recipient, with some big names like Flume, Courtney Barnett, Tash Sultana and The Middle East all having played at BIGSOUND at the start of their musical journeys.

“We know it can be hard establishing a profile in the creative industries – there is a large talent pool with limited opportunity. Tapped By Otherside is a brand born from a love of music, festivals and creativity and a genuine desire to unearth and support emerging creative and musical talent.

“The program is our commitment to growing opportunities and capacity for local emerging musical and creative art talent through grants, artist collaborations and incubator programs.

Tapped By Otherwise has previously assisted the likes of Verge Collection, Koi Child and Stella Donnelly in their touring efforts.

The Music caught up with some of the local talent making the trip to BIGSOUND to get an idea of what to expect next month.

JACK DAVIES & THE BUSH CHOOKS

How will you make the most out of your BIGSOUND trip?

We are looking forward to making new friends, to meeting industry and other bands and feeling more connected to the Australian music industry. It’s also an opportunity to showcase our music live, in its true form, to an East Coast audience.

Why should people attend your showcase?

Our live show is something really different – it shows that violin can be rock’n’roll too!

LUCY PEACH

What does BIGSOUND mean to you as a musician and how will you make the most out of your BIGSOUND trip?

It’s a real honour to represent Perth on such a scale and to be part of a moment that is so representative of where the Australian music scene is right now.  I plan on making music until I’m 100, so I take the opportunities where they are and it's great, every now and again, to lean into some support. I’m so grateful to WAM and Otherside for supporting me to get there and the opportunities that it offers.

Why should people attend your showcase?

It’s a really honed live show. I’m accompanied by a very talented and intuitive band who are all respected musicians in their own right.  

What separates WA music from the rest?

We are so isolated here in WA that I believe there is more of an incubation process and people emerge fully formed. The local scene feels very much like a big family.  People collaborate and support one another and that is an important part of being creative – the connection to other creatives.

THE MONEY WAR

How will you make the most out of your BIGSOUND trip?

It’s the perfect opportunity to make new connections and to meet put a face to those in the industry that we have connected with but not met including musicians, promoters and publishers.

Why do you want to go?

It’s an opportunity to play to a national and international audience including industry. They don’t get to Perth very often so it’s the ideal chance to get in front of some pretty influential people.

Why should people attend your showcase?

Our show includes a lot of harmonies and we equally share the vocals so you hear both the female and male voice. We also have a lot of very short songs, so our playlist is long!

What separates WA music from the rest?

WA bands probably don’t get to the East often so when they do, they take it really seriously. It’s a big opportunity and one we have to work hard for.

NELSON MONDLANE, SUPEREGO

How will you make the most out of your BIGSOUND trip?

We are looking forward to performing and showing how we have evolved since our last BIGSOUND appearance. It’ll be great to see so many other bands perform and there are some major networking opportunities at BIGSOUND with other musicians and industry.  The last time we went we made a lot of contacts and ended up booking a heap of other shows.  It is a strong career step.

Why should people attend your showcase?

Our show will be very different to other shows at BIGSOUND. It’s a fusion show and super high-energy.

What separates WA music from the rest?

The isolation makes us quite unique. I think that East Coast opportunities aren’t that common so you really give it your all. There are so many people exploring different styles and sounds over here and I think WA really embraces that. On the East Coast, it's probably a bit more segmented and competitive. The WA music industry is very supportive and friendly, like a big family. I think that’s also pretty unique to WA.

Head to the BIGSOUND website for more information.

BIGSOUND returns to Brisbane's Fortitude Valley from 3-6 September.