Discover New Australian Music

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

Our sound has developed quite a bit just through playing together and getting better at our instruments. Certain things like the lack of hi-hats and lots of toms in the drumming have arisen simply out of necessity; we didn't actually own any hi-hats in the beginning and now we've become attached to Ashley's jungle woman drumming style. The double vocals probably have as much to do with taste as with neither of us wanting to be a lead singer, and the melodic, intertwining guitar and bass lines from neither of us being a "real" bass player. Pretty much we just do whatever we think sounds good and are hopefully evolving musically with each thing we do...

What’s your greatest source of inspiration for making music?

Red wine and seeing awesome bands play from Perth and elsewhere.

What can punters expect from a Dianas live show?

Drums like a runaway train, awkward banter and instrument swapping that doesn't quite go smoothly.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given and who was it from?

"Easy on the ride" - Chris Wright, local sound engineer and drummer.

What Australian track would you play to cheer up someone who was crying?

The Saints 'Stranded'. Beaches 'Send Them Away'.

What Australian track would you play to someone to make them cry?

Rowland S. Howard 'Shut Me Down'.

You’re the DJ at a party. The dance floor is pumping. What Australian track do you put on next?

Kylie Minogue 'I Should Be So Lucky'. Flower Drums 'Birthday Girl'

What was the last local gig you went to? How was it?

Runner + Antelope + Place of Indigo instrumental show at The Bird. They were all very musically amazing and the lack of vocals wasn't lacking at all.

Tell us about the bands or people in the Perth music community that inspire you.

Two new favourite Perth bands are Kitchen People and The Pissedcolas who have been playing a fair few shows together alongside more established acts such Laurel Fixation, Shit Narnia, Aborted Tortoise and Catbrush. They seem to have developed a special (non-exclusive) kind of scene on their own. I think the most outstanding common thread between these bands is their emotionally earnest approach of writing and playing. The Perth music community is pretty inspiring in general :)

What are your plans for Dianas in 2014?

Write some new songs and record an album. Pretty classic band things. Hopefully play some shows in other cities!

Tell us about your music. How did you develop your sound?

I've been rapping quite some time now, ever since I was a lot younger just trying to get better and better at it. Over the past few years I've developed more of a interest in actual song writing and I think that's where I found my niche or style. Once I did that it all kinda began to take shape.

You we’re one of the winners of our NIDA video clip competition, and the clip made for your track 'Ride For Me (feat. Shadow Kitsune)' just premiered on rage. In it you channel Frank Sinatra, which looks fun. How did you find the experience of filming the video?

It was great fun, seeing a team of talented students all focusing on the one goal and outcome was pretty motivating. NIDA is a great institute, world class. It was a bit overwhelming arriving on set and seeing 20-30 extra's waiting to shoot their scene, I've definitely never had that before. I'm used to driving all my sets and props around in my car boot and shooting without permits. As soon as we started shooting it I knew it was going to turn out awesome, couldn't have asked for more.

What can an audience typically expect from a Ry live show?

Twerking (jokes), me performing any of my upbeat songs, some bad jokes from me and good ones from my DJ Jimmy, me rapping over a well known song by Phoenix or doing a Drake cover, then closing it all off with a tribute to Biggie Smalls.

What are you doing when you’re not making music?

Running my clothing label RYWS with my girlfriend, using my Dad's laundry to do my washing, or at my part time job awkwardly whispering voice memo's into my phone.

What else is coming up for you in 2013?

My new EP Amnesia comes out late October and then I'm off to the USA just for November. When I come back I'd love to tour a bit more and get straight into finishing off my album that's produced by Hamley!

Australian music is…?

Currently incredible. The music coming out of this country is just as good if not better than the worldwide standard and that goes for all genres. The sense of community has built as well and it's great to see artists crossing over and pushing the boundaries. It's exciting to be a part of it.