The seventh edition of WA’s music and comedy festival Rottofest is happening this Saturday the 19th of September. A celebration and coming together of both comedy and music, 2015 the event features 18 comedy performers and 11 music acts set to perform across four venues from 11am to 11pm.
This year’s headline comedy acts feature triple j Breakfast presenter Matt Okine who returns to Rottofest after winning ‘Best Newcomer’ at the Festival in 2011, Irish-born bearded funny man Dave Callan, American comedian and TV star Eddie Ifft, and Australian comedy legend Fiona O’Loughlin just to name a couple.
While set to the beautiful backdrop of Thomson Bay, the music stage will host the talents of Sydney’s long-time favourite electronic dance trio Art vs Science and fellow Sydneysiders and hip-hop crew Jackie Onassis. Local rising talent includes hip-hop emcee Coin Banks, among so many others.
To celebrate the event, we caught up with comedy headliner and triple j host Matt Okine to discover a little about the records that have helped shape his life. Check them out below and for more info on ROttofest go to rottofest.com.au
The Streets – Original Pirate Material
2002, VICE/Atlantic
When he discovered this record: “2003 – First Year Uni.”
“Mike Skinner perfectly captured everything I liked doing at the time… except the whole ‘heroin’ thing in the last song.”
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Kanye West – The College Dropout
2004, Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam
When he discovered this record: “2004.”
“The first moment I heard Kanye West, I was playing pool in my friend Nic’s house. I was pressed up against the wall using his mini cue (the room was significantly too small for the table), and I stood up and said “Who the hell is this??” I’ve been a huge fan ever since.”
Jay Z – The Blueprint
2001, Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam
When he discovered this record: “2009.”
“Jay is in his zone on this one. He passed the ball to a 25-year-old Kanye West and the young gun set fire to it.
With Eminem as the only guest artist, Jay demands control, and gets it.”
Drake – Take Care
2011, Young Money/ Republic
When he discovered this record: “2012.”
I’m all about the first song on any album, and ‘Over My Dead Body’ won me over straight away.
It might be the simple keys and the open, honest lyrics, or it might just be cos “All the asian girls, let the lights dim sum” is one of my biggest lyrical guilty pleasures…
Childish Gambino – EP
2011, Glassnote
When he discovered this record: “2011.”
“Gambino just on the cusp. Still not being taken seriously, so he’s got a lot to prove here. As someone who does stand-up AND makes music, I got hell jealous when I first listened to this. One of those “why am I even bothering..?” moments.”
Jeff Buckley – Grace
1994, Columbia
When he discovered this record: “1998.”
“I remember when I broke up with my year 8 girlfriend, I went home and listened to “Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” for hours on repeat…
Nobody could understand dem feels.”
Radiohead – Ok Computer
1997, Parlophone/ Capitol
When he discovered this record: “1998.”
“I got this album for my 13th birthday, two days after my mum died, and it became the soundtrack to a difficult time in my life, but also a gateway into a love of alternative music.
It’s albums like this that I first heard on triple j, and the reason why I’m still so proud to be working on the station every day!”
Rottofest 2015
Saturday 19th September
Rottnest Island
Tickets and info: rottofest.com.au
Comedy
Matt Okine
Dave Callan
Eddie Ifft (USA)
Fiona O’Loughlin
Al Del Bene (USA)
Sami Shah
Chris Wainhouse
Rebecca De Unamuno
Colin Ebsworth
Rory Lowe
Danny McGinlay
Fabien Clark
Dilruk Jayasinha
Adam Peter Scott
Rachel Mills
Corey White
Cameron McLaren
Sam Cribb
Music
Art Vs Science
Jackie Onassis
Coin Banks
Lilt
Our Man in Berlin
Angus Dawson
Dianas
Jacob Diamond
