Ahead of Indie-Con and Adelaide’s SCOUTED event, we’re catching up with some of the Adelaide locals who will be hitting the stage! This little series focuses on those set to perform at Rocket Bar on Friday, July 27th on the AU Review stage: first cab off the rank, the incredible Bree Tranter.
With her debut album Another Night on Earth, the Sydney ex-pat introduced fans to an ethereal sound that came together over two years’ worth of writing and recording across the country. The multi-instrumentalist is well known already to fans of The Middle East and Matt Corby, but on her own, Tranter shines.
What do you think an event like Scouted means for a music community like Adelaide’s? If anything, it demonstrates the support network a lot of the city’s musicians provide each other.
Basically I would of point out the same point. A festival like this really does spotlight the support network that Adelaide’s musicians have, I see the size of Adelaide as a powerful positive because everyone can know everyone else and it really feels like a family. Another point I would say is that it gives musicians something to aim for on a higher level. Other than putting on their own show and exhausting themselves on logistics in organising a show they can instead spend their energy on playing music in a festival setting where everyone gets a chance to be heard.
You’re playing up at Rocket Bar; have you played the venue before and if so, what is one significant gig memory of the venue (as a performer or punter) that you can tell us about?
I have played the Rocket Bar once before, so I only have that memory on stage and from that experience I absolutely loved it. As a punter, I’ve been there a few times to dance but also seen a few bands and I mostly love how dark it is, so you are able to lose yourself in the music.
Do you find the idea of ‘performing for industry’ daunting at all?
I’ve fortunately had the opportunity to perform in front of a lot of industry before but mostly playing under other musicians, so this will be the first time performing my own music for the industry; I still have the tendency to get nervous before all my own shows. So I’ve accepted that has something that happens so to combat my nerves I have been focusing on meditating before my shows in order to try my best to not focus on fear or anxiety, but instead on the fact that everyone loves music and everyone is different and that is why, at the end of the day, why I play music.
How crucial do you think these types of showcases are for the smaller music communities in Australia (i.e. the ones that aren’t Melbourne/Sydney)?
I think these showcases are super important. Every city needs the opportunity to help young or inexperienced musicians to be able to understand what touring musicians do. Such as: how it is sharing a stage, quick change overs, playing on a stage with lights and so forth and getting to perhaps have a opportunity from the industry that might be interested in taking you to the next step.
In terms of your show – how would you say it has developed over the last year, and what are you looking forward to the most about performing on Friday night?
My show has developed mostly in a sense of working with new band members. I have only played my album songs for a year now and all up about four times in total. So mostly, the change has been working with different musicians and listening to how they like to play the songs live. I am looking forward to jamming out on the songs more comfortably this particular show, seeing I have more time to develop the set with the band.
Have you been working on any new music you can tell us about?
I am working on my second album at the moment, still in the writing phrase and hopefully will be work shopping and recording soon.
What has been a highlight for you creatively, so far this year?
A highlight this year for me has been buying more synths and getting to know them. It has really set my mind on a creative journey that I once before didn’t think about too deeply.
Where are you hoping to take your music by year’s end?
Hopefully tour around Australia more, but mostly do more shows in Adelaide while I record.
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Buy your SCOUTED tickets here. The event takes place throughout Adelaide’s CBD on Friday, July 27th.
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