As we’ve written about again and again, there’s no question as to whether this country is bursting with exciting new upcoming talent. Within the scene of Aussie artists doing good, there seems to be a constant pattern of very young artists achieving impressive things.
From scoring spots on huge international film soundtracks, touring nationally and supporting international legends on just a mixtape release, or continuing to build a healthy and booming musical career on winning a competition it’s the young musicians that seem to be running rings around their more experienced compadres. Though youthfulness can be a huge benefit, it does face its own challenges; Often forgotten about by government and funding bodies, and unable to actually spend time inside they venues they’re performing, not to mention having to battle through extra hard to be taken seriously, growing up in the Aussie music industry is a very different experience to what most imagine.
We chatted to three (now of age) very talented though vastly different Aussie artists about their experiences growing up in the Aussie music industry.
Melbourne rapper Baro recently released his brand new EP titled 17/18 – a follow follow up to his acclaimed mixtape HOWGOODISGOOD and is about to go on a national tour in support of its release (tour dates below). Psych rockers Stonefield just finished a huge national tour in support of their new single ‘Golden Dream’ – a cut from their forthcoming LP and have been announced as supports for Fleetwood Mac. And producer/ musical wizard Japanese Wallpaper aka Gab Strum just wrapped up a national tour in support of his debut self-titled EP, he like Baro will be popping by Byron Bay this weekend to perform at Splendour In The Grass.
When They Started Making Music
Baro: “I think I was 12. I was making songs on a crappy microphone I got with a video game over old Eminem and Wayne beats.”
Amy (Stonefield): “When we started making music as a band, I was 15, Hannah 12, Sarah 11 and Holly was seven. Some of our first songs are scarily out in the universe somewhere on demo CDs that we handed out after playing at a battle of the bands.”
Gab (Japanese Wallpaper): “I started playing the piano when I was six, but I didn’t start writing music until I was 13. The idea of being able to record and produce music fascinated me, and I spent the next couple of years just experimenting with different sounds on Garageband trying to figure it out.”
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Major Influences
Baro: “Probably Tyler, or Kanye all round. They’re my major influences I guess.”
Amy (Stonefield): “Whoever we’re listening to at the time influences what comes out when we write, without even thinking about it. Lyrically I’m influenced by life in general, friends and family and their stories, movies and books. When we’re angry we write stoner or doom rock.
When we’re feeling delirious we write psychedelic, dreamy songs and when we’re frustrated it’s just punchy, straight out rock. Bands I’m loving at the moment are Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Alabama Shakes, Witch & Uncle Acid, as well as all the old usual classics.”
Gab (Japanese Wallpaper): “My biggest influences are Tycho, The Beach Boys and Sufjan Stevens – each of them have really different ways of conveying emotion through their music and there’s a lot to learn from such varied approaches.
Sufjan’s grandeur and confidence is pretty much unparalleled, as is the Beach Boys’ use of layering and harmonies and Tycho’s minimalist use of drums, using them to support melodic and harmonic elements rather than placing them at the forefront.”
The Major Difference Between Being An Artist Under 18 & Over 18
Baro: “All the same yo. Unless you’re playing shows and shit which I have been lucky enough to do and the biggest difference really is getting into the venue without the bouncers being fuckwits.”
Amy (Stonefield): “Some venues are stricter than others, but we have had to sit in HJ’s (Hungry Jacks’) until 15 minutes before our set and then be told we weren’t allowed in to our own show. After eventually being let in to play the gig, we had to leave literally straight after we played.
Getting a fluro wrist band is pretty usual at shows. Sometimes it seems more difficult to get people to take you seriously and you feel that you have to earn their respect, particularly from in-house sound engineers that haven’t met you before. Our parents travelled everywhere with us until a year or two ago. Travelling overseas now is difficult when mum and dad can’t come… police documents are necessary. It’s a slight pain in the ass to be honest!”
Gab (Japanese Wallpaper): “I haven’t noticed anything different, except that I can go and see more bands play. Age is something that a lot of people talk about in relation to my music but I’m just doing my thing – I don’t see the big deal.”
Any Overlooked Elements Of Playing Underage
Baro: “I guess being exposed to different things when you’re under 18. Like you go from not being able to do much to pretty much being able to do everything. So whatever it may be, life is subtly changing so whatever you may do creatively evolves.”
Amy (Stonefield): “Touring is the main one. It’s a little easier for us now that Holly is the only underage band member. Another difference is that as a child, contracts have to be signed by your parent or guardian instead of the musician. I can imagine that being an issue for really young musicians who aren’t old enough to know what they want.
Luckily for us our parents support what we do and we have always had a strong understanding of what it is we want. The other girls have also all been high school students while touring. Not only is it tough to juggle studies and being in a touring band, Holly is now at the age where she is missing out on social school events. I’m sure you can guess what she would rather be doing though!”
Weird & Funny Experiences Performing Underage
Baro: “Haha yeah, but some may not be that appropriate to talk about right now. The time me and my friend Bryce got kicked out of a venue we were playing at after drinking when the bouncer (who was a prick to us from the beginning) SPECIFICALLY TOLD US NOT TO DRINK. It was late as fuck too, so after that we left and while we were figuring what to do there was a party going on down the road.”
[include_post id=”411213″] Amy (Stonefield): “Before we won Triple J Unearthed there was a particular venue in Melbourne that we really wanted to play at. We contacted them about doing a show and they told us that it wasn’t possible at all because we were underage. A few months after winning unearthed high, that same venue contacted us about playing a show. That’s the biz?”
Gab (Japanese Wallpaper): “Once I almost wasn’t let into my own show! The bouncer thought I was lying and it took people coming up to ask for photos for him to realise that it was the truth, haha. Other than that everything has just been normal.
Maybe people have been a bit more supportive than they otherwise would’ve due to my age, but I try not to analyse that stuff and I guess I just hope that people like what I’m doing because they connect to the songs and not for any other reason.”
Are Your Contemporaries Older Or Similar Age?
Baro: “Older than me mostly. Not always waaaay older than me though. All the dudes in 90sRD are around my age, so most the ones i surround myself with are not much older or younger than me. Shout out to Sensible J, we the same age.”
Amy (Stonefield): “I think my sisters are definitely a lot younger than anyone that we play with. I don’t think we have ever played with anyone Holly’s age. The closest would be San Cisco, who we bonded with really well being a little closer in age. In saying that, us sisters seem to come in a package. We are all friends with each others friends, so most of the time you forget about the age difference!”
Misconceptions About Underage Musos?
Baro: “No clue. I think it’s more looked at and appreciated though. If you’re doing something better than someone who’s much older than you is doing it, it’s definitely more impressive to the average person. I’ve said that before, said it again.”
Amy (Stonefield): “In our earlier days of playing in the band, we most definitely felt we had to earn respect from people. It’s not as much of an issue now, but yes I think there is definitely a misconception about underage musos. You can’t judge a musician or a person in general on their age or sex. Everybody is different and that’s what makes musicians so unique and interesting.”
Gab (Japanese Wallpaper): “It’s interesting, I don’t think there are! I mean people like Lorde, and even Justin Bieber to an extent, have done a lot to kind of normalise the concept of being a capable musician in your teens. I think that if the songs hold their own, there’s no reason for an underage musician’s art to be taken any less seriously than their older contemporaries.”
Proudest Achievements
Baro: “THE EP! Seeing it in the stores is fucking mad.”
Amy (Stonefield): “Releasing our debut album, playing at Glastonbury and being able to tour around the country and overseas and actually have people turn up. That still gives us an incredible feeling.”
Gab (Japanese Wallpaper): “I’ve always found it hard to decide what my proudest achievements are – I think above all of the obvious perks like playing at big festivals, soundcloud statistics etc, just being able to meet so many people and make so many amazing new friends is the best part of it for me.”
How Has being Under 18 Affected Your Live Music Career?
Baro: “Knowing you don’t really need to get drunk before EVERRRY FUCKIN SHOW. But it’s cool cause when you’re 18+ you have the power to do that. I guess? that’s all I can think of. Everything’s the same as making music whether you’re 18 or 32, it’s all the same motive. Different drive.”
Amy (Stonefield): “Really it just means we got a kick start into touring at an earlier point in our lives. We got an insight into what it’s like to be a touring band at a young age and that has benefited us in getting our heads around how the whole thing works.”
Gab (Japanese Wallpaper): “All it’s meant is that I’ve been forced to take things slowly for a bit, but really that was a blessing in disguise. I think if I was just thrown into the deep end with touring rather than having a few years to really work on my show and feel comfortable with it, I would’ve burned out by now?”
Favourite Young Upcoming Acts
Baro: “I can recommend some young artists who are great. You got Charlie Threads, Nasty Mars, Marcus, Yobi, Sol’manic, KushDaddy$lavens. The list is endless. Open your eyes to 90sRD.”
Amy (Stonefield): “The Tiny Giants are pretty snazzy.”
Gab (Japanese Wallpaper): “Yes! Check out Portamento – she’s from Sydney and doing some really really incredible things at the moment. I also just came across Lastlings from Brisbane the other day, I’m excited to hear what they do as well.”
Is There Enough Support For Artists Under 18?
Baro: “Yeah definitely. The internet is all the support you need. Just utilise it to your best ability, have fun. I mean they should definitely have some free studios for the youth around to do what they like. Which my friend Mars was saying he’s going to do if he blows up. Real good idea.”
Amy (Stonefield): “Freeza is really great and a lot of open mics are open to underage musos. Still, it should be easier and it should also be easier for bands to put on underage gigs.”
Gab (Japanese Wallpaper): “I think so – between traditional avenues like Unearthed High and just uploading things on soundcloud and sending emails like everyone else, it’s not that hard if you spend time on it.”
Advice For Other Young Musos
Baro: “Be yourself and do it! Being at school doing music is kinda weird not because it’s school or anything, but because you’re surrounded by people who just don’t get it and who are so used to being a normal teenager and finding out what they want to do when they’re 23. U feel me.”
Amy (Stonefield): “Have confidence in what you do and don’t let anybody stop you from doing it. Also get used to having your parents tag along…”
Gab (Japanese Wallpaper): “Just practice heaps – there’s literally no other way to get good at anything unless you do it a lot. I’m sometimes really self-conscious about my work, but a good friend told me the other week that believing in what you do and defending it with your life is important too. So i guess, be confident but also never stop trying to get better and learn new things?”
Baro ’17/18′ Tour Dates
w/ Gill Bates and Marcus
July 25 – Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay NSW
July 30 – Goodgod Small Club, Sydney NSW (18+)
July 31 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane QLD (18+)
August 1 – Shebeen, Melbourne VIC (18+)
August 8 – Rocket Bar, Adelaide SA (18+)
Tickets www.baro.oztix.com.au
Both Baro and Stonefield will be performing as part of Bigsound 2015 line up and info at www.qmusic.com.au/bigsound
