The Soundwave Festival is renowned for its extensive range of international artists, but each year promoter AJ Maddah likes to throw in a handful of Australia’s best local talent into the mix as well.
Sydney residers Northlane have been lucky enough to secure a spot on the five-leg festival, joining the other Australian bands – The Amity Affliction who placed at no. 1 on the ARIA charts, Michael Crafter’s controversial Confession, as well as Milestones from Brisbane.
Northlane have exposed themselves within Australia’s music scene while touring their hugely successful album, 2011’s Discoveries, after being signed by We Are Unified.
Guitarist Josh Smith is stoked to have made it this far in his musical career and is so honoured to be a part of the 2013 Soundwave lineup.
“It’s extremely surreal. I’ve been to the festival every year except for last year, because we were on tour then so I missed Slayer who is my favourite band playing.” As stoked as he is, Smith is a strong believer to “take the risks and work hard, it will pay off in one way or another.”
Before the country’s newcomers take on one of Australia’s biggest music festivasl, they will be attacking the Parkway Drive’s mammoth Atlas tour, who are also joined by metalcore veterans – I Killed the Prom Queen.
“When they did the Sick Summer tour, we got given a few of the show’s support slots,” details Smith. During the tour, Northlane became good friends with Parkway Drive which led to their invite to be part of the Parkway Drive tour. “I used to go see I Killed the Prom Queen when I was a kid and to be sharing a stage with them is just mind blowing.” Joining these bands are Australian newcomers Survival.“I’m really excited that we’re doing a regional tour because I think those shows are the most fun to be honest.”
The Parkway Drive’s Sick Summer tour had a number of regional dates which is a part of touring that Smith endorses completely.
“After the first year we were together, when we recorded and released our EP, we went through a lot of trouble trying to get shows.” As the band wanted to go about things properly, “the only way for us to really build up a following was to play regional towns,” says Smith, “and that was how we managed to build up our fanbase.”
Smith is keen to emphasise the importance of including regional towns in the early touring stages. “A lot of bands really overlook it and even now when we play in capital cities, there are people that will travel hours from their town.”
“I’m really excited that we’re doing a regional tour because I think those shows are the most fun to be honest, and kids appreciate it so much more that you’re making all that effort.” The band has an extensive regional tour starting in Byron Bay and winding up in Dubbo at the end of January.
Despite having slowed up earlier this year, it is worth noting that Northlane joined August Burns Red and Blessthefall on a huge Australian tour.
“Obviously we’ve been fans of August Burns Red for years” – a huge musical influence for the group, says Smith, “but one band that really impressed me that I wasn’t expecting was Blessthefall.”
After not being too interested in the American post-hardcore group, Smith saw them live, “[and] it totally changed my mind. They are like one of the world’s best live bands.”“I think that the August Burns Red tour really helped us improve our live show performance… the way we composed ourselves.”
With Northlane supporting such big names in the industry, it causes them to push harder to live up to the notion that the bar has been raised – and they certainly succeed at that.
“I think that the August Burns Red tour really helped us improve our live show performance and not only that but just the way we composed ourselves was better on tour.” The Northlane lineup impressed themselves with their level of organisation during this time and add, “we are so grateful to have been a part of that tour.”
Of course if there is any metaphoric bar being raised it will be at the 2013 national Soundwave festival.
Smith admits he has an actual list of bands he would love to see during the festival besides Slayer: “Metallica of course, Anthrax, The Offspring, and Cancer Bats” who Smith met in Canada on tour – “they’re great guys, I saw them on the Australian tour with Bullet for My Valentine and Bring Me the Horizon a couple years ago.”
Smith also urges any festival goers to check out British outfit While She Sleeps. “They’re great newcomers for the hardcore fans and they’re getting huge in Europe.”
If there’s anything you can expect from Northlane at Soundwave, it’s “lots of surprises.” Rest assured, the mystery surrounding these metalcore men will be worth the wait if their history is anything to g0 by.
Discoveries is out now through We Are Unified. Northlane play Soundwave 2013 in February/March, full dates and details here.
