3D World Stage Rocks The Surry Hills Fest
By now you all know that we’re hosting our own stage again at this year’s Surry Hills Festival. We’re clear on that, right- So who is the talent we’ve got lined up to entertain yo’ asses on the day- Well read on, fair people, read on…
KILLAQUEENZ
First off, what exciting things are happening in your world, musically speaking-
Meet us at the SistarHood, it’s going down! Very excited about the up and coming KQ launch which is what you’re waiting for! We’ve been working on it while playing a string of shows, which has been a massive eye opener for us. I think it’s musically diverse because the producers brought a mixed bag of flavours to the sound.
What’s your favourite thing about the suburb of Surry Hills-
I wouldn’t mind living there just for the simple fact that once a year thousands of people are gonna be packing the streets to enjoy the music and different cultures! The strip is nice with the stores and restaurants. Gotta give it up it for the neighbourhood too.
What about the festival- What do you dig about community festivals like Surry Hills Fest-
It’s definitely different to most street festivals I’ve been to – it’s got it all. Having the different stages in the laneways is awesome, back in like ’04 or ’05 we played there with our boys DJ Jonah and Trip Trix (West Labz) for what was scheduled to be an hour-long gig, then we got back on and jammed from sunlight to sundown for about three hours and by the time we finished the crowed had reached right in front of us.
What do you reckon they should use some of the money raised to do in the suburb-
A few things: if we look at the important issues that need to make our communities better than I’d say invest it into more facilities for young people to keep ’em occupied and sane – for example putting it towards the arts or ways of improving the battle with Climate Change and energy saving strategies. The area has a hipness to it and friendly vibe so I think some money could go towards helping people who may be on the streets or are disadvantaged. Sharing is caring, ay.
Finally, what have you got planned for your set on the 3D World stage at Surry Hills Fest-
Since we have the SistarHood album launch that night we gotta save the new material for the band so we are giving you a straight up KQ jam, which is what we do best: beats and rhymes. Live all the way baby!
HUWSTON
First off, what exciting things are happening in your world, musically speaking-
Oh man, so much! My label Knowfool has a comp coming out from UK disco label Electric Minds, the new Cookin’ On 3 Burners album and one of our acts is signing a nice overseas deal. Other than that I’m just enjoying the sounds of exotica and I think boogie, broken beat and doo-wop are making a big come back via DJ Huwston sets.
What’s your favourite thing about the suburb of Slurry Hills-
I like Surry Hills because it’s on the fringe of suburbs like Newtown and Darlinghurst, which are both a little either too trendy or too hippy-like. Slurry’s right in the middle. I like things like 505, Gaelic, I used to have an office in Slurry... Hmm – what else- This is quite a literal answer, isn’t it-
What about the festival- What do you dig about community festivals like Surry Hills Fest-
There’s something rather egalitarian about the local government allowing people a bit of a drink, bit of a dance, really a celebration of the community that’s a nod to people doing the right thing and continuing to do so. You know, bit of give and take from the man.
What do you reckon they should use some of the money raised to do in the suburb-
I think initiatives to keep young people entertained and educated are always the go. Young people don’t get treated like people often, only as kids, and they’re growing up so quickly that they need a bit more of the responsibility thrust on them. When kids get bored, the go to pot (literally), so give ’em more skate parks, give ’em more workshops with musicians, and you’ll nurture a creative community.
Finally, what have you got planned for your set on the 3D World stage at Surry Hills Fest-
Well Burn and I are laying down 15 mins in between each other main acts, so we’ll prolly just switcheroo on the ol’ hip hop, funk, beats, boogie and whatnot – you know, a little something for everybody. And I’m MCing the day, so there will be a fair bit of chatter from me on the mic, calling out lost kids, etc.
BURN
First off, what exciting things are happening in your world, musically speaking-
The Start of 2009 saw the launch of my new night, 2 Oh 1 Oh. Hosted at Middlebar the night is a Darlinghurst/Surry Hills-centric party and features some of the best DJs from Sydney’s hottest crews, including Ro Sham Bo, Goodgod, Hoops, Dynamite and Healthclub just to name a few.
What’s your favourite thing about the suburb of Surry Hills-
Where do I begin- Hipsters, junkies, young ones, old ones, drunk ones, sober ones, gay ones, straight ones, rich ones and poor ones. There are few places in Sydney that have such a diverse mix of people and contrary to popular beliefs I really like people.
What about the festival- What do you dig about community festivals like Surry Hills Fest-
Well, there is always the sense of community that’s involved with bringing this rich diversity of people together. I’m also a big fan of getting drunk in parks – it was a skill I honed as a youth in the leafy suburbs of the north shore and I still like to do it every now and then just to remind me of where I come from.
What do you reckon they should use some of the money raised to do in the suburb-
I think scientific research would be good place to spend the money. It’s 2009 and I still have yet to see any research or development of hover boards. Come on science get with the program.
Finally, what have you got planned for your set on the 3D World stage at Surry Hills Fest-
Well my pyrotechnics show has been held up in customs so instead of explosions of fire I’ll have rely on some seriously dope tunes instead. Please bear in mind my partner in crime Huwston has a serious stage diving tendency so if you’re in the front row get ready to catch him.
MDX
First off, what exciting things are happening in your world, musically speaking-
My focus currently is on a new independent record label called Long Distance Recordings, which I launched late last year. We’ve had five releases so far, pressed to vinyl as well as digital singles, and the plan is to compile the singles into a DJ-mixed album later in the year for CD release. We’re receiving really enthusiastic support from local and international DJs, and it’ll be great to be able to put out a CD of the best stuff so far into the mainstream stores. The idea behind the label is to create an outlet for quality underground dance music from all local Aussie artists who have international style and focus, aiming to build an audience worldwide for them and the label. It’s rapidly gaining momentum, which is exciting!
What’s your favourite thing about the suburb of Surry Hills-
The food – there are some great restaurants along Crown St.
What about the festival- What do you dig about community festivals like Surry Hills Fest-
Well, this year is actually my first Surry Hills fest so I’m looking forward to finally getting amongst it... Last year’s Earthdance was the last Surry Hills outdoor festival I got along to; and it had a great vibe so I’m sure this will be no different.
What do you reckon they should use some of the money raised to do in the suburb-
Remove all the speed humps. It’s getting out of control!
Finally, what have you got planned for your set on the 3D World stage at Surry Hills Fest-
To me, open-air parties are a chance to get adventurous with the track selection rather than playing the usual club records, so I’ll probably mix it up style-wise... Plus it’s a good opportunity to spin some new homegrown tracks I’ve just signed, that were funnily enough produced in a studio in Surry Hills. Keeping it local.
NEIL TERRY
First off, what exciting things are happening in your world, musically speaking-
DJing at my residencies at Lost Baggage and A Disco Stole My Baby in Sydney, running the latter plus a new party entitled CO-OP which kicks of end of May with two exclusive internationals – Motorcitysoul from Germany and The Revenge from the UK – and playing dates in Brisbane and Melbourne in May. Basically, spending too much time listening to and playing deep disco and even deeper house.
What’s your favourite thing about the suburb of Surry Hills-
The abundance of places to eat good food, drink beer before eating good food and drink more beer after eating good food.
What about the festival- What do you dig about community festivals like Surry Hills Fest-
The fact that you can find an eclectic mix of people, dogs and stir fried meals in one place, plus a range of stuff to wander around looking at and listening to. It’s also pleasant that these things aren’t as full on as your typical messtival. Who needs minimal at 3pm anyway- Not I (unless I’m in Ibiza).
What do you reckon they should use some of the money raised to do in the suburb-
Buy the world’s biggest glitterball and set it up as a ‘talking point’ in the middle of The Block in Redfern, surely that’s what they really need rather than new housing and community infrastructure. And with any left over cash they could fix up some of the shit road surfacing that nearly costs me my life on a daily basis when cycling.
Finally, what have you got planned for your set on the 3D World stage at Surry Hills Fest-
Seeing as its at 1pm I can confirm I definitely won’t be playing anything over 120BPM as that would just be unpleasant. If I do, please beat me senseless with a copy of 3D. Keeping that in mind, let’s go for a bit of disco, a bit of Balearica and maybe a pitched-down house record or two (it’s the next big thing, according to me and probably nobody else).
PLUTO GONESKI
First off, what exciting things are happening in your world, musically speaking-
After winning Tropfest’s film music competition this year (Tropscore), I’ll be playing my score to a silent three-minute film live on Music Max Sessions with my usual live band plus a four-piece string quartet. I’ve never been this prolific with my song writing – every week a new Pluto Goneski song seems to pop up, I’ve recently collaborated with members of Wim, done some vocals for the Hey Now DJs and am also currently working on music for a couple of independent films and websites. I’ll be tying everything together in my debut album due out by the end of the year.
What’s your favourite thing about the suburb of Surry Hills-
I grew up in Redfern, near the border of Surry Hills (‘East Redfern’ as my mum liked to call it), so it’s been cool to see the changes in recent years. I love it how these old early 1900s terraces, former homes, are now being converted into design studios, film production offices and the like. You hear some locals slag off gentrification but, in the end, whether you call them posers or not, the influx of creative, open-minded, ambitious young people is a great thing for any suburb.
What about the festival- What do you dig about community festivals like Surry Hills Fest-
These things are always so much more relaxed than your more mainstream festivals. No one seems to have a plan and no one really cares – it’s just about people going about their day, checking out design stalls, music, enjoying themselves. Everything seems really incidental, which is cool. These things are also a great chance for emerging local acts like myself to get their stuff heard by a wider audience.
What do you reckon they should use some of the money raised to do in the suburb-
I’m going to give the musos two cents and say they should create a free (or at least very cheap) rehearsal and recording space for local bands – there’s plenty of poor creative types in need around Surry Hills. This suburb has the potential to house a really vibrant, creative musical community to rival Camden Town in London or Tacheles in Berlin. Build it and they will come.
Finally, what have you got planned for your set on the 3D World stage at Surry Hills Fest-
Half an hour of otherworldly laptop pop and cosmic jams. And a really wild instrument called the Theremin, which is tuned by the electricity in the air between an antenna and my fingers. It doesn’t need to be touched and gives the spookiest sound.
SOSUEME DJS
First off, what exciting things are happening in your world, musically speaking-
There’s the ballistic sounds of Kwaito tunes coming out of South African artists like Mujava & Cleo, but as we all know from 50 years of sci-fi films that time is not linear and does not run in a straight line. Next year could well be 1970 and The Meters could be releasing Look-Ka Py Py. We would be excited if next year was 1970.
What’s your favourite thing about the suburb of Slurry Hills-
Bah! Only one thing- Sosueme DJs give you their top five favourite things about Surry Hills! Mad Mex Mexican on Crown, The Lounge Cafe, The Hopetoun Hotel, all the honeys on Foveaux St during the weekdays and amazing, random warehouse parties on Cleveland St.
What about the festival- What do you dig about community festivals like Surry Hills Fest-
Attending community festivals is like taking a little snapshot of culture on that particular community... Unfortunately, someone’s gonna have to get a wider lens because of the amount of beautiful freaks, indie kids, trannies, models, musos, acid heads, wiz kids, bedroom bangers, models, etc. Luckily, Surry Hills has the highest ratio of professional photographers per capita than anywhere else in the world. Little known fact: Surry Hills also has the highest ratio of drummers to other musicians than anywhere else in Australia.
What do you reckon they should use some of the money raised to do in the suburb-
We reckon they buy a gigantic football stadium-sized dark room, where the photographers of Surry Hills can all discuss aperture and focal lengths. We also believe there will be a massive return to warehouse parties/raves, so the community should buy a warehouse and convert it into a world-class rave warehouse. Perhaps we could get a corporate sponsor for the Surry Hills Warehouse Party Space, and rename it the ANZ Warehouse Rave, or perhaps the Telstra Warehouse Stadium Arena, and we can import massive DJs to play at an opening ceremony.
Finally, what have you got planned for your set on the 3D World stage at Surry Hills Fest-
We are sure that the festival organisers will be cool with it, so we’ve organised a pyrotechnics team to rig Wheels and 2onajoyride with ‘Sparkler Wings’, and we have John Woo’s martial arts team rigging fly-wires over the entire festival, enabling the two DJs to gently glide over the community in a gesture of serenity and community peace. We have recently purchased a Siberian tiger, so Gussengarth & Hansom will be riding the beautiful beast through the festival and the last touring Cirque team will be wedging in a 15-minute slot of trampoline acrobatics. Oh No Kyoto will be swallowing swords, whilst we leave the DJing up to our good friend, Mr Richard Branson. Probably shouldn’t miss our set.
VICTIM
First off, what exciting things are happening in your world, musically speaking-
With dubstep it changes every week with either a new producer releasing a killer new record or established producers doing something completely different to the norm and taking the sound in new directions. Personally producers on this level are Starkey with distinct hip hop and US feel to all his beats, his melodies are spectacular, and Joker, who can be considered his UK sibling, is doing very similar things in Bristol but with a heavy grime influence. This is music that is still considered ‘dubstep’ but worlds apart from the early London strains of the sound. Goth Trad in Japan also ridiculously good at what he does.
What’s your favourite thing about the suburb of Surry Hills-
The layout, the factories, the lanes and the corners that I stumble on when walking through that I’ve not seen before. Unlike most areas of Sydney, Surry Hills has an element of surprise, it’s gritty grimey and very European. The street art, the posters, the people and bars. It’s one of my favourite spots in Sydney.
What about the festival- What do you dig about community festivals like Surry Hills Fest-
People come with the attitude to have a good time regardless of who or what is playing. It’s open day where anything goes: bring your dog, kids and whoever else. With community festivals of this nature you get the opportunity to check bands and DJs you wouldn’t normally get to and it’s all in the open air! Also the money goes to a good cause – it’s refreshing there is still a big community element in Sydney, it’s the mark of a flourishing music scene.
What do you reckon they should use some of the money raised to do in the suburb-
It should go straight back into the community. Feeding and housing the homeless. Providing spaces for artists and musicians to practice their trade. Unlike the majority of Sydney, Surry Hills has a unique built environment that can cater for so many different uses, it should be utilised to its full potential and in the interests of the local community.
Finally, what have you got planned for your set on the 3D World stage at Surry Hills Fest-
Like any other show I plan to pack my bag with the best and hottest dubstep and bass beats on the planet. No doubt you will hear me play some Joker and Starkey, some Goth Tad and new beats from the killer London duo The Others. I may even drop in some dancehall and old school breakbeat to change things up a bit. My influences are broad and I try to carry that into all my sets. One thing is for sure though, my sound will be very different to anyone else you will hear on the day!
LOS 3DJS
First off, what exciting things are happening in your world, musically speaking-
Writing these questions was pretty riveting stuff. Other than that, the ’90s.
What’s your favourite thing about the suburb of Surry Hills-
That its Alt-magnet makes the rest of Sydney hipster-free- Nah, for serious, walking down Crown St you see the best of what Sydney has to offer. You’ll usually have the scent of coffee in the air, too. Alternatively, a leafy stroll down Burke St is nice. Surry Hills is like its own ecosystem.
What about the festival- What do you dig about community festivals like Surry Hills Fest-
It’s walking distance from my house, which means I don’t have far to stroll home at the end of the day when I’m drunk tired. The community atmosphere is beautiful, too. Far too often people just stare at the ground, or talk on their phones, when they are out. People look and talk at community festivals.
What do you reckon they should use some of the money raised to do in the suburb-
Do up the Cleveland St end of Crown St – and most of Cleveland St while they’re at it. More wine bars a la Foveaux would be welcomed.
Finally, what have you got planned for your set on the 3D World stage at Surry Hills Fest-
We’re gonna play the Best-Ever Ultimate Crowd PleaserTM, and when we’ve got a couple of thousand people in front of us, hit the brown note. Sheeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiit.
WHAT: 3D World stage
WHERE: Surry Hills Festival, Prince Alfred Park
WHEN: Saturday 18 April
MORE: shnc.org/festival / threedworld.com.au