Comments on: thoughts on Big Sound Live – Day 2

By: ed

ed — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 11:33:37 +0000

Kyu were probably the best thing I saw. Maybe it was a shame they were the first band on for everything that came after them. Didn’t see either Halfway or Gin Club, seen them both plenty of times before, good bands.

But based on what I did see, and what I posted in Day 1 of this series, there was nothing that made me think “Our Band Could Be Your Life”. Do I have a better idea than most? I dunno. My nerdy spreadsheet tells me I’ve seen 235 bands this year, some have been really fucking great, a lot of the ones at Big Sound weren’t.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:59:55 +0000

Ed – you seem to be a man of impeccable taste, passing judgment from on high on the Australian music scene. You obviously think you have a better idea than most. Hmmm.

Well I saw some great sets. So tell me, you thought Halfway and Kyu were ordinary? Let’s throw The Gin Club in while we’re at it eh? We obviously have different tastes. So where does that leave us?

By: Darragh

Darragh — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 05:50:50 +0000

I didn’t go, because I thought my time would have been better spent elsewhere. Annoying that people have to pay money to go hear a message (i.e write good songs) that is completely obvious.

By: ed

ed — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 03:14:33 +0000

ET – have you read the Big Sound blog? http://bigsoundsummit.posterous.com/

By: Everett True

Everett True — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 23:21:38 +0000

Jodi, in fairness – I don’t think Big Sound in particular is losing relevance. I don’t like music industry conventions, per se. They’re not aimed at me – so why should I? Pretty much none of the bands that played this year’s Big Sound filled me with any enthusiasm but again, they’re not aimed at me – so why should they? Does it matter? There are plenty of other great bands, right here in Brisbane, for me to see. And these are ones don’t require a government grant or industry backhanders to exist.

By: ed

ed — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 23:02:59 +0000

And Hungry Kids also played in 2008 which obviously makes them the best band in Brisbane. Or something. The Optimen have also played 3 years in a row.

By: ed

ed — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 22:38:17 +0000

Hunz did play last year but so did The Optimen, Hungry Kids, Oh Mercy, Parades, The Cairos, Washington, Last Dinosaurs and My Fiction. I somehow managed to see 35 bands in the 2 days: not one really blew me away and a lot weren’t very good.

As for its relevancy, I guess it depends if you consider it a true representation of what’s going on in Brisbane or whether it just represents a very narrow range of music. Most of what gets said at the conference at any of the sessions is a repetition of “write some great songs, have great presence” if you want to be successful. It’s mostly relevant but most people could tell you that without having to pay a few hundred dollars to hear it from some guys from major labels and the industry establishment.

By: Tim

Tim — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 12:53:08 +0000

Bianca – Ball Park Music did play. They played the same night as this review in fact. Hunz played last year. Jodi – losing relevance? you gotta be kidding right? On what basis are you saying that? The line up this year was great – so many fantastic bands. What about Halfway, Kyu, Pikelet, Bridezilla, Disco Nap, Guineafowl etc… etc…??

By: Jodi Biddle

Jodi Biddle — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 06:06:19 +0000

I was surprised Ball Park Music didn’t make the cut, but maybe their popularity surged a little too late to put them on the bill this year. I love Lion Island but they might be served by waiting till next year, when they’re more established? It won’t hurt them anyway. Hunz, well, I have no answer, they/he should have been there. Hunz in singular form apparently killed it at the Pocket Music mini festival in Mana Bar though.

Maybe Everett’s been in my ear too much the last couple of weeks but I think the line up only backed up his opinion that Big Sound is losing relevance.

By: Bianca

Bianca — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 12:20:25 +0000

Some Brisbane bands I”m liking right now are Lion Island and Hunz, and of course Ball Park Music who I didn’t see at Big Sound. On a more national scale, Steering by Stars and Goodnight Owl are pretty good too.