the partae

1. Where are you currently based?

A) We are currently based out of Edmonton, Canada.

2. What’s been happening recently?

A) We recently traveled to Toronto for our first showcase set at Canada Music Week/

3. Your latest single ‘In Stereo’ is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?

A) “In Stereo” is our attempt at splitting the difference between our New Wave and Pop Rock influences. Luke and I had been looking to write a song that incorporated dance elements with anthemic elements, while acting as a cornerstone in terms of sound to the rest of the music we’ve been recording. The verses pull influence from Dance-Rock icons like Talking Heads, Franz Ferdinand, and LCD Soundsystem; while the chorus leans towards arena Pop-Rock acts like The Killers, Tears for Fears, and The Cars.

4. How did you go about writing “In Stereo”?

A) Some songs come together really easily. From writing, to recording, to mixing, you can have them finished within a week or so. “In Stereo” was not one of those songs. I think it’s because of the dynamics of the arrangement. The verses stay quite small, groovy, dancey; and then the chorus lifts up into something anthemic. Getting that to work from a production standpoint was a hell of a time. I think the work was well worth it though, when I hear “In Stereo ” coming out of the speakers I feel it’s doing something truly unique.

5. Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with? A) “In Stereo” was recorded and produced in our home studio just like all of our other releases. Mastering was handled by our good friend Bryan Lowe over at Joao Carvalho in Toronto.

6. You’re performing at the Canadian Music Week at Bar Cathedral in Toronto on Saturday, June 10th, how did this show come about?

A) You know, the usual; You send an email, and then they send an email, and then you send an email, and then you’re in Toronto playing Canadian Music Week!

7. What can we expect from your performance?

A) A high energy, danceable sort of a show! We’re going to be debuting our new single “Broke Generation” which hits streaming the day

before. We’ve really enjoyed running through that track in practices so I’m looking forward to hitting the stage.

8. Who are you listening to at the moment?

A) Lately, Ghost (Impera), The Killers (Hot Fuss), Talking Heads (Remain in Light) and Alvvays (Blue Rev)

9. What’s planned for the remainder of 2023?

A) Lot’s to look forward to! We will be releasing a single every month leading up to our new EP coming out this fall. We have our “Retrofile Volume 1” vinyl shipping off in July, which is nearly sold out in Pre-Order. Also, we are heading off to the U.K. to play a handful of shows in September!

10. Favourite food and place to hangout?

A) We love grabbing breakfast at Route 99, just off of Whyte Avenue here in Edmonton. Good Diner food and the prices haven’t changed since ‘05.

Instagram: @retrofile

Facebook: /Retrofile

Website: https://www.retrofilemusic.com/

What’s been happening recently?

I think I could write you a novel here, it’s been the most exciting & busiest time of my life.   Last month I bought a van, packed my whole life up & drove over the country from Perth to Sydney. It was a very grounding experience, complete solitude with the road & vast nothingness of the Nullarbor.  

Some of my biggest ups & downs lately. Moving has not been easy & especially during a time where I had internet vitality skyrocketing my socials. Only a few months ago I was entirely independent, no management, agent, nothing. Having to independently deal with the viral craziness of my campaign promoting my single “Memory” was a lot more than most. I’ve been settling into city life here in Sydney – 

I’ve made a lot of sacrifices to move here, but I’m here for opportunity, so much is going on here & I want to be apart of it. It’s time to create some noise on this side of Australia. 

How did you come to be involved with One’s To Watch?

Through my absolute legend of a booking agent Jimmy! He’s from Select Music, we got in touch after my single “Memory” started making some noise from the vitality of my socials. Love the guy, we are still yet to get a skate in together!

What are your thoughts on your experience so far?

I’m very excited to be involved, I’ve obviously heard a lot about live nation & have been told some of the names who have appeared on Ones to Watch prior – I’m keen to join the ranks! 

You’ll be performing on the 22nd of June, 2023, can you give us a little taste of what we can expect

Don’t expect what you were expecting with me… A LOT has changed with my sonics recently, I’ve been drawing more and more influence from a larger & more diverse sound. Artists such as John Mayer, Leon Bridges, Lewis Capaldi, Taylor Swift & Olivia Dean to name a few. It feels like a strange spot to be in currently, my fans & the public associate my music with a “folky” sound, well…. I’ve been banking up a new record which is a more diverse & widely appreciated vibe. I am ITCHING to get it out to the world & show everyone I mean business.In terms of on a live scale – me & one of my best mates Ben Morgan have recently been taking advantage of busking together often in Sydney. He’s an artist himself and has been accompanying my songs with extra guitar and saxophone. It’s really lifted the vibe for the live side of things, especially having the sax. This will be our first time appearing together live on a proper stage.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

Usually I listen to John Mayer 24/7 but lately – I’ve really been digging the unexpected; Kanye’s The Collage Dropout, Mac Miller Circles, A LOT of Taylor Swift – which is the exact opposite side of her history with John Mayer, also the likes of Loyle Carner, Olivia Dean & the absolute gem that is Leif Vollebekk.

What’s planned for the remainder of 2023?

I’ve got huge goals & ambitions for my career, in saying so that means never ending hard work, so the rest of this year will involve a constant hustle! As I said, I’ve been working on a new record, a 5-6 track EP which I am extremely proud of. I have all confidence that we’ve got a hit or two on the record.I am bit of a perfectionist, so will prepare everything before I can even think of releasing the next single from the record.

I have all faith in this new music can’t wait to bring my A game with my smart marketing to make my music reach millions.I hope to release this record by the end of the year, in saying so; I’m on the lookout for the major labels now, I know that the combination of their large scale amplification & my ability to create smart music marketing will be a fool proof plan to get the record out into the world & go large!

Other than the EP; I plan to do some co writing over here in Sydney, aim to support some large acts, jump on a few festivals & keep improving, learning & growing.

Favourite food and place to hangout?

Although “I’ve been around Australia a couple times or maybe more” no place feels more like home than Western Australia. I was recently back home a few weeks ago to finish recording my EP, so visited all the best food spots; Daises Cottesloe, the best açai bowls ever, Peggy’s in Fremantle, a chicken snitty sandwich to die for, & Ruocco’s Fremantle, the best Italian in town. I find my home state hard to beat, I feel very grateful & privileged to have grown up in WA.

Everything is blissfully comfortable, more friendly people & so many insanely beautiful places that are just so quiet & peaceful. Margaret River will always feel like home to me, I lived there for a part of my life & will always dream of it. But really – anywhere where the spirits are high and my best friends are with me is always the best spot to hang out! 

Official Website  Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

Where are you currently based?

I live on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Castlemaine.

How did you first start playing music?

I started singing when I was five years old, but didn’t start writing songs ’till I was fifteen, when I was given a piano from a family friend who passed away. Writing songs was a way for me to express what I was feeling.

You’ve just got back from touring the UK, please tell us about the experience:

I toured with artist Ruth Lyon, who is an incredible performer and songwriter. We performed for the month of May across the UK, as well at The Great Escape Festival; I also did a show in London at the Aussie BBQ showcase, thanks to Sounds Australia. It was absolutely incredible performing alongside Ruth each night on tour, my favourite part was meeting the audiences at the end of the night and getting to connect with people as well as hearing Ruth sing!

Your latest single ‘Running Underwater’ is out now, how did this single come about?

I wrote ‘Running Underwater’ several years ago just on my piano. It was one of those songs that just pours out of you quickly. It’s about having a disability and being told that you should hide it to fit in. For a long time I thought I needed to hide it and the weight was really heavy. It felt like I was ‘Running Underwater’. I performed the song on ABC’s Q&A and so many people reached out saying they related to the song. When I started my new EP with producer Pip Norman, I knew it was one I needed to record. I’m really proud with how it turned out. It’s very anthemic.

Please tell us about the importance of this single and its significance for you when it comes to your advocacy work, being a champion for other musicians with disabilities: Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?

I feel ‘Running Underwater’ is important because disability is still greatly underrepresented in the music industry! That’s not because there isn’t talent out there, it’s because there are so many barriers. For instance it’s hard for musicians to tour and release music when they can’t get through the door! I hope that having a disability showcased like this, especially with the music video, that it can represent disability as something that shouldn’t be feared, or a deficit. In fact it’s something
to be celebrated.

Who are you listening to at the moment?

Odette, Ngaiire, Jen Cloher, Moreton.

What’s planned for the remainder of 2023?

I have a show at Melbourne Recital Centre in August as well as some shows in Sydney and Brisbane. Some other exciting things are underway as well. I will be releasing my EP later this year also.

Favourite food and place to hangout?

I love strawberries & watermelon! In winter, soups are my go to! I love hanging out at The Bridge Hotel in Castlemaine or my local cafe Saint Florian.

‘RUNNING UNDERWATER’ is out now
ELIZA HULL: Official Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Triple J Unearthed

Where are you currently based?

Wombarra

What’s the Wollongong music scene like at the moment?

The wollongong music scene at the moment is forever evolving with a tight community, some of our best friends and favourite bands to see

What’s been happening recently?

Drift released our new song “Begin”, we played our launch show this weekend which was sold out, we’re writing new material and we’re looking forward to announcing more cool stuff soon!

Your latest single “Begin” is out now, what influenced the sound and songwriting?

The biggest influence for “Begin” that was the sound I was looking for when writing the song was listening to 90s/00s emo bands like Sunny Day Real Estate, Mineral, MCR.

How did you go about writing “Begin”?

The main influence when writing the song came from a bunch of small events in my life that basically combined into one big idea of “moving on” and trying to be resilient and the importance of acknowledging when it’s appropriate to move on. I just got out of a relationship so I guess this song still applies to my life at the moment too with themes of “trying to let go” and “moving in without that person in your life”

Where and when did you record/produce/master and who did you work with?

We recorded “Begin” with Chris Peruch at the top of a local Wollongong record store Music Farmers. This was a match made in heaven as Chris loves the music that we are into and was super on board recreating and reimagining the shoegaze sound

What or who influenced the concept for the music video?

An online AI generator! We were looking for cool ideas and somehow “fairy and devil playing a game of chess” came up

Where and when did you film and who did you work with?

We filmed the music video in a shared creative workspace in Bellambi with our good friends Josh Fogarty and Liam Jordan . 

Any upcoming shows?

We have an upcoming show with dust in Sydney on Friday at OAF, we also have some super special unannounced shows coming up soon too

Who are you listening to at the moment?

I’m currently really into Narrowhead’s new album ‘Moments Of Clarity’ , Sunami and Linkin Park’s ‘Hybrid theory’

What’s planned for the remainder of 2023?

We plan to play heaps more shows and put out more music!!

Favourite food and place to hangout?

That would have to be Mexican food, specifically Gringas Tacos located in Tarrawanna in gong. Super dope place to hang out and also it’s connected to a super yummy brewery “Reub Goldberg Brewing Machine”