Here are the last six of the twelve Melbourne Music Bank finalists. We have a chat to the emerging artists competing for the chance to break into the music industry.
B Cardamone
What song “speaks” to you?
You Sent Me Flying by Amy Winehouse, this song is very close to home. The lyrics ‘I’ve never hated myself for my age so much’ hit me hard.
Describe your sound in three words.
Sultry, Powerful, True
What does your song (entered for the comp) mean/what’s its backstory?
I was mistreated in my last relationship, and instead of walking away, I stooped to his level.
Sienna Wild
Describe your sound in three words.
Straight Up Rock.
What would you rather release on: digital, disc or vinyl?
While holding our own vinyl record in our hands would be something very special, we are lucky enough to live in a digital age – free from pops, scratches and dust. We just want to be heard, whatever the medium. It just has to be loud.
What does your song (entered for the comp) mean/what’s its backstory?
‘My Parade’ is about a relationship that was ending and the idea that everyone needs space and needs to separate themselves from the past.
Batz
When was the moment you realised you wanted to be a musician?
It’s always been there but just more recently the time has been right, and the Red Sea parted and the universe summoned the five of us to the same city, within a couple of suburbs of each other and told us to create punk for the people.
Describe your sound in three words.
Surf, Death and Party
What does your song (entered for the comp) mean/what’s its backstory?
The song we entered is called B.A.T.Z. We’re called BATZ. It’s basically our theme song and it’s a banger. You’ve been sitting in a park in the sunshine drinking with your friend’s all day but it’s getting dark and possums are running around, so you’ve gotta make your way home and have adventures on the way. It’s about creeping around in the night looking for debauchery and love.
Birdhouse
What song “speaks” to you?
It’s hard to choose a particular song, but the bands that correlated most with us were Arctic Monkeys and Blink-182. The whole youthful larrikin get-up was something we tried to emulate a lot as a teenagers growing up. Thank god we don’t do that anymore as 20 year olds…
Describe your sound in three words.
Blistering, Charming, Eclectic.
What does your song (entered for the comp) mean/what’s its backstory?
The song ‘Bitter’ was inspired by our desire to take a different approach to our music. By this, we wanted to explore unorthodox writing styles and lyrical themes, as well as creating a unique song structure. This is exemplified through the ghostly acapella sections scattered throughout the song, and the dynamics ranging from soaring guitar leads to timid finger picked progressions.
BLOOM
When was the moment you realised you wanted to be a musician?
I played at our school assembly and received a standing ovation. I was so happy and overwhelmed. It made me realise how much I love performing and wanted to become a musician.
Describe your sound in three words.
Ambient, polyphonic, soul fusion
What does your song (entered for the comp) mean/what’s its backstory?
‘Bitter Sweet’ was written about issues in a past relationship. I was put in a position where I had to decide if it was best for me to try and fix things, or let the person go.
YOBS
When was the moment you realised you wanted to be a musician?
I had been rapping just as a hobby. One night I was at this party and in one of the rooms there was a instrumental playing and people were taking turns free styling. I stole the lime light and told everyone to listen up. I completely destroyed it – every single person in that room started to yell my name for the rest of the night.
Describe your sound in three words.
Original, Conspicuous, Relatable
What does your song (entered for the comp) mean/what’s its backstory?
Marching into war is kind of like an introduction of myself entering the music industry. Letting everyone know that I am here and I am going to stay.
Read up on the other six finalists here before making your decision. To learn more about the finalists, check out their music, and cast a vote, visit the The Melbourne Music Bank website.
Voting closes October 9 with the winner announced October 25.
