Next Big Thing

Thu 18th Jun, 2009 in Features

The Next Big Thing competition has returned to cut the best from the rest of Western Australia’s emerging musicians. Metropolitan and regional heats began in early June in what will be a fierce contest for rock supremacy.

This week FasterLouder got in touch with the previous two year’s grinning winners and blushing bridesmaids to tell us their thoughts on the competition and what they got out of it.

Playing across supportive local venues the competition showcases selected entries from across the state to perform for local punters and a rotating panel of judges from within the music industry. The exposure gained along with the potential booty of prizes makes the NBT Western Australia’s richest original music showcase.

What were the highlights of the Next Big Thing competition for you and your band?

Harlequin League (Winner, 2007): I guess the exposure you get from it. We were a relatively unknown band before we won the NBT. So it definitely gives you a step-up. You get to play at a variety of venues, it’s well promoted, Perth punters really get behind it. I think it’s pretty spot on.

Project Mayhem (Winner, 2008): Playing to a packed out, fan crazed Rosemount Hotel!

Boys Boys Boys! (Bridesmaid, 2008): It was so great to get to meet the other bands that competed – the friendships we’ve made have been great fun and proved very valuable! Especially Benny Mayhem – I’ve never met anyone so keen to take his clothes off and pour beer on himself!

The Typhoons (Maid of Honour, 2008): Getting to know crew from other bands better.

The prizes have grown over the last few years, which opportunities were the most valuable?

Harlequin League: The festivals we got to play. Big Day Out, In The Pines & something else. I think there was something else. I really can’t remember. We also got a $50 voucher from Mega Music, which just goes to show how tight those guys are!

Project Mayhem: I’d say it’s pretty hard to pick one, but we were quite happy to get a video clip out there!

Boys Boys Boys!: The recording session was a great help, particularly since we were able to choose our own engineer to work with as this was the starting point for our album. We also received a lot of publicity as a direct result of the Next Big Thing event promotion and industry support which has been great for raising our profile.

The Typhoons: Recording time is always costly, so that is a really good one. They should also have a monkey present it. A monkey in a tux.

What suggestions would you give to other bands trying to successfully break into the Perth music scene?

Harlequin League: Play as much as you can & keep writing music

Project Mayhem: We’ve been asked this quite a bit recently and we tend to run with a belief in yourself, what you’re doing and a relentless work ethic are all beneficial. It also doesn’t hurt to party like a maniac.

Boys Boys Boys!: Be nice to other people. This is a networking industry and people are way more likely to be willing to help you if you are nice.

The Typhoons: There’s no such thing as overexposure.

What’s next for your band? More recording, gigs or swashbuckling adventures across the seven seas?

Harlequin League: We’re in the process of writing material for our debut LP. We have a few gigs & supports coming up over the course of the next few months. We don’t have a boat & 3 out of 4 band members get sea-sick, so adventures across the seven seas sounds pretty rubbish.

Project Mayhem: We are currently in the process of recording our debut (Self Titled) album. Expect to see it on the shelves around October!

Boys Boys Boys!: (no response, suspected cabin fever)

The Typhoons: We’re only travelling 4 of the 7 seas right now. We’re going to add the other 3 to the tour next year. Also we’re releasing our debut album in August.

In our bid for continued support of local music, FasterLouder will be covering the competition from opening lyrics to the final wails for a recount, keep up to date with all the Next Big Thing results and reviews here .