As The Reverence Hotel in Footscray prepares to host one hell of an Australia Day party this weekend, we bring you another interview with one of the many artists set to perform! Jim Duggan of Initials tells us a bit about the band and what an audience at The Rev can be expecting from them at the special event, which is doubly awesome, as it is also raising funds to go toward worthy causes in Oxfam and the Refugee Council.
Tell us who you are, what band you’re from and where your band is from!
Jim from Initials. When the Rev forces is to go home, we’re from the inner west.
What is your latest single/album and where can we get it?
Our debut record Leave Expired is due out in a fortnight on Arrest Records. To say we’re stoked is a gross understatement! You can grab the first two tracks from it, “You Say We Can Breathe In” and “The Ticking Clock” at initialsmusic.bandcamp.com in the meantime.
Tour wise, what do you have in store for 2014?
We are up and down the east coast in Feb and March with many of our favourite bands and artists such as Speech Patterns, The Leap Year, Wil Wagner and others. No matter where you live, we will be in your town a couple of times this year. There’s going to be some long road trips listening to ‘St. Anger’ (not my choice…) and the Sugar Hill Gang (maybe my choice…)
How would you best describe your music?
Energetic, loud, intense. Both to play and to listen to.
How would you best describe your live show?
As above, but louder, with way more mic grabs and a VERY animated Adam Collins hitting the skins.
What can we expect from this set in particular? Anything special planned?
Yes!! This will be the first time we play the closing track from our new album, entitled “Between Lands”. We wanted to give something special for this show, and this one is about the terrifying journey so many are forced to make to escape torture and persecution only to be met with the same thanks to our current (mis)administration. We thought this was the best possible time to do it.
Anyone else you’re looking forward to seeing on the day?
Heck yes! Both days look HUGE!! Definitely Grenadiers, Ribbons Patterns and our good friends CERES. Also Outright and Luca Brasi. Some of Australia’s finest right there!
What do you think is the perfect way to spend Australia Day?
At the Reverence Hotel, surrounded by friends old and new, supporting both a great show, and two great institutions who support people in need.
You’re performing at an event that is supporting Oxfam and The Refugee Council… what does this mean to you?
It really means a lot. I think many people struggle with Australia Day for a number of reasons and I remember feeling so proud of the Melbourne punk and hardcore community when Tom first put these shows together four years ago. I just thought ‘what a fantastic way to turn a day which is so divisive into something so positive. Oxfam and The Refugee Council both do such great work with communities in need and are so positive in their support so it is a great honour to be able to give our time to contribute to their causes. It is really fantastic to be able to give back through music, and hopefully to continue to raise awareness around the rights of people in need to build a better quality life.
Since we all just voted in the Hottest 100, what was your favourite song for 2013?
I have not been able to get “Einmal Ist Keinmal” by Jen Buxton out of my head since I first put that 7” on, so it has to be that one for me…
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Don’t miss Initials at the Australia Day Weekend Fundraiser this Saturday and Sunday at the Reverence Hotel in Footscray. Details and tickets here: http://inkandlead.bigcartel.com/
