[scene report]

Perth, Australia

by Jesskah

Lately I’ve started to show more interest in the music around me, meaning the music in my home town… Perth. Its great coz it’s so cool to know what happening in your part of the world and seeing new things and discovering new sounds.
I found out a lot about Perth’s music when I started working in one the most popular local original music venues… The Rosemount Hotel. Open everyday with almost 7days entertainment… it soon became a place I loved to go and work.
As well as the Rosemount, there are a few other great venues that show local music. For starters, The Amplifier Bar, probably the most packed out venue on a Saturday night as far as original music… although sadly it gets busier after the bands finish at around midnight.
The Hyde Park hotel, a much beloved venue of local Perth goers. Open 7 days and only just up the road from the Rosemount. Has bands on nearly every night and has a great dingy look about it which I just love. Gives it that edge and character.
Another favorite situated up in Fremantle. A bit of a distance from Perth but also one of those great 7 days a week pubs that has bands on every night, and that is Mojo’s. There’s more to mention but id say these 4 are the ones that stand out the most.
In these venues you’ll find the likes of rock, indi pop, jazz, blues, folk, not so much heavy metal/death metal… there’s a whole new world separate for that.
I’d say the most popular style at the moment is the indi pop rock scene. With watchers having tight legged jeans with converse shoes, and a random shirt and longish shaggy hair.
Kind of cool look. But as always it’s been done b4. It doesn’t matter what u wear really if it’s a bit odd and different, and not too “mainstream”, then it should fit in.
Some of the most popular bands at the moment include, Harlequin League… who just one the Next Big Thing, our local band comp that allows the winner to play at the Big Day Out (huge festival with heaps of bands and heaps of stages) and whole bunch of other stuff like recording and video clips. The dirty secrets also a fave supporting M– USE and playing at festivals such as The Big day out and Southbound (like a big day out down south of Perth where u camp for 2 days). Sugar Army another local favorite… supporting the likes of Interpol, Wolf and Cub, and fellow Perth rockers Little Birdy. End of Fashion along with Eskimo Joe, Birds of Tokyo, The Sleepy Jackson, Karnivool and Gyroscope, and Little Birdy, all well established successful favorites of Perth. Sons of Rico… a great new comer… with the drummer from Birds of Tokyo… they play more rock than pop and have great vibe on stage.
The Silents, one of my favorites and one of the few that play psychedelic pop rock…. supporting the likes of The Vines and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
Can usually catch these acts around Perth in the venues I mentioned.
Circuits of the Sun, (you’ll see in my photo’s) a mixture of a few big name’s from Perth, including the Sleepy Jackson and Eskimo Joe… and other guests including the Silents.

In Perth there is currently a event that is taking place, and held every year called The Western Australian Music Industry Awards (commonly known as WAMi’s) which brings on a series of wami gigs around Perth… and brings together local music fans and members of local, national and international industry to acknowledge and celebrate another year of achievements for Western Australia. I recently attended a few wami gigs, the bands that I took photos of in this event include, Sugar army @ Becks music box, and The Silents, Red Jezebel and The Panics @ The Rosemount Hotel.