The Delta Riggs
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The Delta Riggs

Five years on and The Delta Riggs show no sign of slowing down. Sure, they’ve had their ups and downs like most, but The Delta Riggs have forged their own iconic path in the music industry; self-producing psychedelic, rock infused, slash hip hop tracks and playing to thousands of people with the big dogs. Answering the phone on a cracking day in Sydney, Michael ‘Monte’ Tramonte likes to call the band ‘anti-genre’, expressing how stoked he is that their fans have followed them through what Monte calls a ‘sonic shift’.
“We used to be like a bluesy style band, and then we went back to our punk rock roots where we kind of all grew up. So we just are what we are, we are anti-genre and that’s why on the record you’ll hear a hip hop song, then a rock song, or a punk song – we just write the songs then leave them how they come out,” he says.
This is a rare quality in bands, but not surprising from a one in a 4-way relationship. Monte laughs at the thought before adding, “It’s like having a girlfriend or a full time relationship with three people that are all different, but we’ve come to a point now where everything’s at a good level and everyone respects each other.”
There’s no rest for the wicked and this year has been no exception, having gone on tour with the Foo Fighters, won the rolling stone award for Live Act of The Year, played a sold out Metro, and released a mini-album Dipz From The Zong, a must have continuation from the 2014 release Dipz Zebazios. The Delta Riggs and their big-balled rock and roll selves were born to exist on a stage.
“I remember the Metro show we played a couple months ago – it was the biggest show we’ve done, our own show, you know, sold out metro. I remember walking through the crowd, I felt so emotional, I couldn’t believe all these people were here to see us at a place I’ve seen so many bands at. We don’t take anything for granted in that respect,” Monte says.
Known for their high energy on stage and their ability to pull a crowd, Monte exclaims they’re stoked to be hitting the stage for the first ever StreetLife Festival as the headliner. StreetLife, hitting Geelong in November, will see artists perform down alleyways off Little Malop St.
“We’re pumped, I love that sorta shit. I love when a community comes together and does something different and brings culture to the table, that’s what they’re doing, shutting down the street. So when they asked us, we were like for sure, anyone that’s doing something different we champion for,” he says.
“The best thing about playing live or at a festival is it’s always going to be different,” he says.
“You’re still playing the same songs but something might go wrong or something might happen, or there might be the person in the front singing along to the song or someone gets on stage. There’s always that element of surprise and that’s exciting”
The Delta Riggs have grown their sonic palette to an exciting new realm and are a must see – Catch them at StreetLife Festival November, 14th.
Written by Jariah Travan
When & Where: StreetLife, Geelong – November 14