Gold Haus: Events brand dishing out Melbourne’s best new dance parties
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24.05.2021

Gold Haus: Events brand dishing out Melbourne’s best new dance parties

Words by Paddy Coppinger

From the local soils of Barwon Heads to the big smoke of Melbourne, Gold Haus, the events brand making waves on the dance scene are kind of something you should know about

With humble beginnings appeasing mates with a dance party for the mere fun of it, to a genuinely serious events brand, selling out packed shows at venues like the Gaso, to The Third Day in North Melbourne, booking bright up-and-coming DJ’s in the city’s house-trance scene, Gold Haus are here, say hello.

Their roots are in Forte territory, meeting early in High School in Geelong, growing up around Barwon Heads, then moving to Melbourne. Gold Haus as a brand, began as an idea to facilitate what was already happening amongst those closest to them. Founded by Austin Snarskis and Cooper Fraser, it was a way of bringing friends together for something bigger than your run of the mill house party, as Austin speaks on,

“So I moved out of home, from Geelong, to Port Melbourne, in a share house, and was just surrounded by a really good group of friends, who were collectively really talented. I had housemates who loved to get behind the decks. We actually went to Larry’s first event, in Kew I think, in this backyard of a cafe. It was really chill, but such a good crew came down. And it was really inspiring. Me and my housemate were just like, we can do this.”

And so, taking that inspiration, the boys put on their first show at Nev’s in Hawthorn, with the same modesty as the show that sent the spark of inspiration. But their second show at The Gasometer Hotel in Collingwood, saw a not so humble 400 strong crowd, which helped settle the doubts about whether they could really put on the kind of events they wanted to. It was here that Larry Willet jumped on board, who clearly knows a good thing when he sees it. A DJ and producer himself, he now manages most of the music side of the brand, where Austin covers the design, management and branding.

“As a brand we’re pretty light-hearted, we don’t take it too seriously, but I think the main thing for us is providing a really cool, happy space for people to come and hang out and party, without trying to push anything on anyone,” mentions Larry.

This kind of sentiment is what has really helped propel Gold Haus into what it is today. With their Soundcloud curations of artist mixes consistently garnering over 1000 plays, to their After-Hours events, the club night relative of their day parties.

In speaking with Larry and Austin, it becomes pretty clear that although their brand began as a pretty informal idea out of a want to replicate the parties they were going to, they have their heads around the hard work, and what it takes to consistently put on shows and events that people want to go to. Which is being reflected back to them, as they reminisce about some of the early highlights that really got Gold Haus going.

“Larry and I were sitting in the green room at The Night Cat, a show we put on after the Gaso event, which was a really great launchpad for us. And this one was our first After Hours show, with a local line-up as well. One of our mates messaged us and said they couldn’t buy a ticket. We thought something was wrong with Eventbrite but within 3 hours of it kicking off we’d sold 260 tickets to sell out the Night Cat, that was a real holy shit moment for us.”

The attraction of a Gold Haus show comes from its feeling. There’s really a sense of ease and fun, that comes when the people behind the event are doing it for the right reasons, because it’s something they want to be a part of and want people to genuinely enjoy.

Now, they’re crafting their brand and cementing a vision and style that is now becoming synonymous with their parties, which was obvious at their recent Third Birthday Party at The Third Day in North Melbourne, with DJs like Toni Yotzi, Escape Artist and Suki.

What’s better, the pressure of maintaining momentum and hype around the brand doesn’t faze the boys, as Austin mentions,

“Larry and I are very driven, it’s not pressure, we work so well with the music and business side of things, because I think we’re on the same path. Larry is constantly checking out new artists and I’m constantly checking out new visuals and things to improve on.”

“I do feel like we are getting much classier, and things are much more thought out. I think we’re putting a lot more attention to detail in.”

Paralleled with the success of Gold Haus and its events, has been Larry’s own career as an artist. Producing music and performing under the alias Willem, Larry has played at the likes of Let Them Eat Cake festival, and the Novel event series React, at the Bourke Street Courtyard. His music and sets are as fun as they are clean, with an infectious energy. His release ‘Infinity Love’ as part of the mixtape for Falling Star Erotica highlights his chops as a producer, and his live sets are a credit to him as a performer.

Still, it’s early days for these boys. There’s always a lot to learn, and still a lot to come, but a lot of fun to be had. Things are only getting bigger for Austin and Larry, Gold Haus and After Hours. The one message they kept driving home was their appreciation for their friends. The people at these parties, creating the energy that Gold Haus are becoming known for. For Cooper getting them off the ground.

The dance scene in Melbourne, enriched by those coming from all over Victoria, is something growing into a space of immeasurable talent and class. So, approaching it with patience, a drive, and a genuine desire for people to have a good time, is what will set you apart. Gold Haus, you’ve got it in spades.

To get your Gold Haus fix, and updates on shows, check out their Facebook here.