Now approaching its fifth year, the annual Australian Music Week will return to the sunny shores of Cronulla this November (6th-10th), with 150+ acts and a horde of industry heavyweights poised to celebrate and dissect the Aussie music industry.
Boasting a five-day programme of live showcases, panels and masterclass workshops, Australian Music Week comes armed as a non-genre specific music event for music lovers and tastemakers alike, with this year's event also featuring a keynote from American music industry legend, podcast and author Bob Lefsetz, as well as the recent epic announcement of Paul Kelly, Big Day Out co-founder Ken West and ARIA CEO Dan Rosen also joining the AMW festivities.
With over 150 acts from every corner of the musical realm lined up to take over Cronulla's local venues, there's something for everyone at this year's event. And in the lead-up to AMW kicking off, The Soundcheck's throwing down a little "getting to know you" feature with some of the incredible bands ready to rock and/or roll for the 2019 edition - and today we're chatting with incredible Sydney songstress Alannah Russack all things Aussie music, the industry and a secret or two. Interview below.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO APPLY TO SHOWCASE AT AUSTRALIAN MUSIC WEEK? AND HOW KEEN ARE YOU TO JUMP ONSTAGE FOR THE SHOWCASES?
ALANNAH RUSSACK: I saw it as a good opportunity to re-emerge as an artist. This is not my first rodeo.Really looking forward to playing. I still find I get excited for every gig I play. I am looking forward to some of the other acts on the bill too!
TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT YOURSELF – WHAT’S THE “TOO LONG, DIDN’T READ” VERSION OF HOW YOU STARTED PLAYING MUSIC?
ALANNAH: I begged my parents for a cello at age 3. There was no cello teacher near the farm I grew up on so I learned classical guitar. I figured out some rock songs with my brother when I was 12 and we landed a job as a duo on Friday and Saturday nights at a restaurant. My main aim was to go to art school and join a band. I both these in Sydney. COFA and the hummingbirds.My Entropy Band have organically come together from people I have met recently and people I have known for a long time. We are recording an LP at the moment with a single due November. It’s jangly, chunky in parts and at times a bit country.
FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHY ARE EVENTS LIKE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC WEEK SO IMPORTANT TO THE AUSSIE MUSIC INDUSTRY?
ALANNAH: Australian Music needs support. This is a great showcase opportunity to meet other bands and hear from industry experts.
AND WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL FOR YOURSELF IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY? DO YOU FEEL LIKE THERE ARE ENOUGH OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE TO ACHIEVE THAT DREAM?
ALANNAH: I would love to be known as a good songwriter. Playing my latest batch of songs with this band is exciting and challenging. I would like to play more shows....land some good supports and ultimately tour the release of our LP in February 2020.
WILL YOU BE HITTING UP SOME OF THE CONFERENCES THIS YEAR AT AMW? WHICH ONE/ONES ARE YOU MOST KEEN FOR?
ALANNAH: I’m not exactly sure which ones as my bush interwebs is so crappy I have to wait to find out. Should be fixed soon!
WHO IS YOUR CURRENT FAVOURITE AUSTRALIAN BAND/ARTIST?
ALANNAH: I have seen Donna Amini perform a few times. She is amazing! She sometimes sings a Persian folk song which if you close your eyes it transports you. Donna plays guitar and sings like she’s trying to discover something magical. Her live performances do achieve this.
AND FINALLY – WHAT’S ONE LITTLE KNOWN FACT ABOUT YOU OR YOUR BAND THAT YOU’RE WILLING TO SHARE WITH US TODAY?
ALANNAH: We are a very new fresh line up but collectively have many moons of experience.
ALANNAH RUSSACK WILL BE SHOWCASING AT THIS YEAR'S AUSTRALIAN MUSIC WEEK, MORE INFO BELOW:
ALANNAH RUSSACK'S ENTROPY BAND - AUSTRALIAN MUSIC WEEK SHOWCASE
FRIDAY NOV 8 at JD's w/ Leah Flanagan, Michael Burrows, Fenn Wilson, Madeline Leman and The Desert Swells, Froggy Prinze
SAILOR (ALANNAH RUSSACK)
FOR MORE ALANNAH RUSSACK INFO HEAD HERE,
AND FOR ALL THINGS AUSTRALIAN MUSIC WEEK, HEAD HERE.
BY TIANA SPETER