SHONTAY SNOW Artificial Intelligence
Balancing ballast with beauty, Shontay Snow is the new sweetheart of Perth pop. JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD chats to the young singer/ songwriter ahead of the launch of her new EP Artificial Love this Saturday, July 21, at Amplifier. Nineteen year old Perth songstress Shontay Snow is injecting some much needed legitimacy into the singer/songwriting tradition. Fusing crystal-clear vocals and wan, wafting melodies, Snow has been showcasing her particular blend of folk and pop on the local scene for more than four years. In September last year she was able to release her debut EP Just A Thought thanks to the fundraising efforts of her ever-growing fan base and now, little over six months later, she’s set to release a follow-up in Artificial Love. “This time because I had the profits I made from my first EP to fund my new one which is great because recording is one of the most satisfying parts about playing music. It’s awesome!” Snow says. “I feel a lot more confident with the sound I have created this time around, the songs turned out better than I envisioned them to be as I had some really talented people helping me out along the way… I was shocked at how quickly everything came together! I used a different recording studio and had a vision of how I wanted everything to sound. My producer, Matt Gerber, was full of great ideas and I really think that without him, my EP wouldn’t be what it is. I had jammed out a couple of songs with the band so when we jumped into the studio magic happened.” While Snow’s folk-tinged pop record would likely find her compared to the likes of Laura Marling, Lisa Mitchell or Julia Stone, in actuality the singer/songwriter’s musical influences are far more diverse. “My influences come from absolutely everywhere,” she explains. “I think my writing style is quite like Bob Dylan’s, sometimes there is absolutely no musical structure in my lyrics at all, but somehow it works. I idolise Eminem for his brutal honesty,
Shontay Snow it’s a funny person to look up to as my music is nothing like his, but I really am influenced by his music in one way or another.” As for lyrical inspirations, Snow admits she aims to craft music which communicates a deeply sincere and personal message.“Artificial Love [is] about making massive mistakes purely by acting on the wrong feelings. Artificial love is just not love at all. It’s lust, it’s man made, or forced or just completely fake,” she says. “When someone tells me a secret that affects me in one way or another, I’ll hide all of my unwanted opinions somewhere in my music; it’s a way of venting freely without offending anyone. Artificial Love came from a secret I will never be allowed to tell.” While Snow has been one of Perth’s best kept secrets up until now, a recent support set for rising folk troubadour Matt Corby is an indicator of the big things in store for this rising young talent. “Obviously knowing someone as talented as Matt Corby is sitting in the audience watching your set puts you under quite a bit of pressure, but it was still awesome. I actually had a cold that night and was really worried about singing, so he went into the kitchen and made me a lemon and honey tea, what a nice dude!” she says. Local music lovers can catch Snow’s beguiling live show when she takes to the stage at Amplifier next Saturday night to launch Artificial Love. “[Support acts] Soho, Bears And Dolls and Bedouin Sea are all amazing local acts. People should come down for them alone! People should expect a pub filled with great people and great music,” she concludes. “I love music, I love what I do, and it would be great to have the support.”
WILD AT HEART
This Sunday, July 22, help save the Kimberly at Mojo’s Bar. The Wilderness Society, with the help of Revert Entertainment have sourced a massive and awesome line-up of local acts for the betterment of WA’s state treasure - the Kimberly. The Morning Night, The Gypsie Howls, Raurke George, Kirsty Hulka, Dilip Parekh and Keir Nicoll have all dedicated their time to this noble cause. This Sunday session kicks off at 4pm through ‘til 10pm. Entry is $10 and all proceeds go towards the Wilderness Society of Western Australia.
Pond Stillwater Giants
THIS SIDE OF THE POND
Following the release of Beard, Wives, Denim earlier this year, Pond have have spent very little time on home turf. After being named ‘’the hottest new band in the world’’ by NME, they’re back in the country to play Splendour In The Grass and thought a warm up show was in order! This Friday, July 20, at the Norfolk Basement head down and check out the Pond show live in colour. Tickets on the door only from 8pm.
ON THE RADIO
A slew of Perth’s best and brightest (including Tomas Ford, Stillwater Giants,The Love Junkies, Sugarpuss and more) take on Radiohead’s best and brightest this Saturday, July 21, at the Rosemount Hotel. An absolute must for fans of Thom Yorke & co.
SEVERE TONES
TWICE AS NICE
Fresh off the back of a brand new EP, a national tour with San Cisco and recent supports with Van She and The Maccabees, electro popsters Voltaire Twins are throwing a party at the Bird this Saturday, July 21. Support comes from Hamjam and Lily Rossen.
Severtone are set to crash The Civic Backroom this Saturday, July 21, to launch their brand new EP Novus Initium. Support acts Blunt Force Trauma, At Depths and Alizarin Haze are also set to display their ferocious displays of playing technique for an evening which promises to burst eardrums and blow minds!
Only Hope
IT’S ACADEMIC
Ruby Boots
WINTER WONDERLAND
With wailing winds and showers predicted for this weekend, the interiors will seem all the more cozy as RTRFM take over Mojo’s Bar, the Railway Hotel and the Swan Hotel to showcase some locals in the midst of winter. This Saturday, July 21, RTRFM’s Fremantle Winter Music Festival will play host to 24 musical acts, including the likes of Felicity Groom, Usurper Of Modern Medicine, Ruby Boots, Rocket To Memphis, The Weapon Is Sound and heaps more! Pre-sale tickets are available now from rtrfm.com.au
GAGA FOR DADAS
Some of the local scene’s most loved musos are banding together for a fundraiser show at the Bakery to help the Dada Records Garage get new equipment so they can keep doing sweet gigs! Dada Records has steadily become an institution for some of the best live music in our fair city. The garage has become famous for regularly hosting completely free and all ages events in the humble back garage, showcasing local, national and international talents in a totally intimate space, completely dedicated to the artist and at no profit to itself (aside from the odd record sale). Sunday, July 22, will see Mink Mussel Creek, Drowning Horse, Usurper Of Modern Medicine, Frozen Ocean, Chris Cobilis, Sacred Flower Union and Craig McElhinney strutting their wares for this good cause. Entry is $10 and further donations will be accepted on the night. www.xpressmag.com.au
The fine folks at The Academy have hooked up three of Perth’s most underrated bands for a hump day celebration of epic proportions. Catch punk-rockers Only Hope (featuring members of We Are The Emergency and Foxes), metalcore purveyors Adrift and punk/metal heroes Statues tonight, Wednesday, July 18, at Amplifier.
BLUES BROTHERS
Still basking in the aftermath of critically acclaimed sets at the increasingly popular Darwin Blues Festival, WAMi award winner Junior Bowles and blues man Hollerin’ Matt Southon are combining for the Darwin Blues Festival Travelling Road Show. Promising to be an absolute treat for blues lovers, the dynamic duo will play the Indi Bar on Sunday, July 22.
CAN’T STOP THE POP
A lovable line-up of pop purveyors have just the treat to get your weekend started in the sweetest of ways when they take over the Beat Nightclub this Friday, July 20. The Prevues, The Insatiables, The Stanleys and Bears And Dolls are promising a “magical, mystical, super duper fantastical night of musical fun” which may, or may not, include slices of cake.
YARDS AHEAD
Punk rockers The Government Yard are launching new album Rock And Roll For The Reptile Mind at the Velvet Lounge this Friday, July 20. Support comes from The Scotch Of Saint James, The Order Of The Black Werewolf and Tuxedo Pig. Entry is $6 on the door. 41