The Fairgrounds Festival is coming to Berry in NSW this weekend, with some fantastic local and international artists set to perform over December 1st and 2nd. Two of those names happen to be the extremely talented Bec Sandridge and Ali Barter – both musicians having had great 2016’s so far.
Ahead of their Fairgrounds sets, Bec and Ali put the interviewer’s hat on themselves and found out what they’re both looking forward to the most about appearing on stage and heading to a festival such as this one as a punter, as well as a love for mayonnaise, podcasts and The Saddle Club.
BEC: Who are you most excited to see at Fairgrounds?
ALI: I am looking forward to seeing The Drones and Angel Olsen and your lovely self! Who are you most excited to see at Fairgrounds?
BEC: Ali Barter.
ALI: I see via social media that you are a lady who love a ‘boogie’. What five songs are on your all time party anthem boogie down playlist?
BEC: John Farnham – “Two Strong Hearts”, Vanessa Amorosi – “Absolutely Everybody”, Fleetwood Mac – “Everywhere”, The Strokes – “Someday”, Pat Benatar – “Love Is A Battlefield”.
BEC: What’s the weirdest thing you’ve done pre-show? Ie do you have any pre-show rituals?
ALI: I go to the toilet a million times (ha!) and I pray. Not a a religious prayer, it’s more an acknowledgement that I’m not doing this all myself. My body and voice is an instrument and it behaves differently every time I perform. I just say some words to whoever is listening out there, that I can be present and move with the energy on stage, rather than push against it.
BEC: I am told you love podcasts. Whats your favourite podcast?
ALI: My favourite podcast at the moment is the BBC World Book Club. It is a question and answer session between an author and an audience, as well as a reading from their book. I love hearing writers speak about their processes and the origins of their stories.
ALI: What is your after gig treat?
BEC: I have become a huge Creaming Soda and Sunkist fan.
ALI: I heard that you are a seasoned busking professional. Whats the weirdest thing that happened to you while busking?
BEC: Someone once put a very used ‘Scar’ Lion King stuffed toy in my guitar case and walked off with zero explanation…
BEC: I am also told to ask you about North Korea… What was your favourite memory in NK?
ALI: Ah, North Korea. I became a bit obsessed with watching documentaries about North Korea a couple of years ago. I was fascinated with the secrecy and idea that the country is totally brainwashed by their government. That cult of personality thing is pretty mind blowing. It’s an interesting one to watch. I wonder how it will all play out in the future, not that the internet and phones are becoming more common over there. They won’t live in that bubble for much longer.
BEC: What is the weirdest habit you have?
ALI: I love mayonnaise. I guess you could say that I have a mayonnaise ‘habit’.
ALI: Did you have any strange obsessions as a kid?
BEC: I was obsessed with Nicole Kidman post-Moulin Rouge and every single one of my books had her featuring. Also Saddle Club… I had the board game. Yes, that exists.
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Ali plays the Main Stage on Friday, December 2nd at 5:00pm while Bec hits the Newtown Social Club Stage on Saturday, December 3rd at 3:30pm. For more information about Fairgrounds 2016, visit www.fairgrounds.com.au.
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