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Is there anything hotter than chicks with honeyed voices, belting out gutsy tunes, while strapped to guitars? Two of Perth’s most sassy singer-songwriters are joining forces during Pride Month, to bring you Siren’s Showcase at the Hyde Park Hotel Back Room.
Nat Ripepi and Rose Parker are both independently successful, with strong female followings and while they have been friends for a long time, have never really performed together.
‘We’ve done shows where we were up on stage together- where she’s gotten up and done a couple of harmonies when she’s been a guest in the audience, but this is the first time we thought- let’s just do a double bill concert,’ said Ripepi.
The two women met at a West Australian Music Industry function years ago, when Parker was playing with the Velvet Janes- a two piece outfit she formed with Martine Locke. The Velvet Janes released three albums of original music and toured extensively during their 12 years together.
In the microcosm that is the Perth music scene, everyone knows everyone and because Ripepi and Parker were playing a similar style, it didn’t take long for them to run into each other.
‘I was very new to the music scene, and the Velvet Janes had heard about me, so they came up and introduced themselves to me,’ said Ripepi.
‘They came to one of my gigs, I went to a couple of their gigs and we used to see each other mostly at different professional functions that were happening at the time.
But then I went to Melbourne, and then to England, so we never saw each other during all of that time.
‘It wasn’t until I came back to Perth that we happened to run into each other at the Blues and Roots Festival. We ended up having a dinner party and had mutual friends, and since then we’ve been quite good friends.’
Perth’s unique geographical isolation may be seen as a hindrance by many musicians but our seclusion also allows for innovative ideas to flourish without the influence or pressure of current trends.
‘We do our own thing, which is a good plus about being in Perth, but it does become a little bit more difficult to take your music to the bigger stage when you’re from Perth, because of the distance, the isolation and the small population.
‘But it seems to breed a uniqueness, that comes out of Perth music, and I think that’s why a lot of Perth bands end up breaking through and becoming quite successful.’
According to Ripepi, the Perth music scene is a tight-knit community and people are usually happy to support and help each other out.
‘I find Perth’s music community to be a nice big family, really,’ she said.
Her advice for young hopefuls trying to break into the industry is to be confident and believe in yourself.
‘You have to not let anyone tell you it can’t be done, you can’t let anyone tell you it’s too hard you can’t let anyone tell you it’s not a real job. If you want it, you’ve got to believe in yourself and you’ve got to keep plugging away till you get what you want.’
Both Parker and Ripepi are in production for their current albums, due for release later this year. For Siren’s Showcase the pair will be singing a set each of their own work, followed by a set together, all accompanied by a full band featuring Roy Martinez, Julius Lutero and Jason Smith.
‘It’s not often I get to play with a full band and do all my originals, and then having Rose on stage with me as well,’ said Ripepi.
‘We’re going to do some songs together and harmonise with each other. So I’m really looking forward to it, it’s going to be a great night of music.’
Siren’s Showcase will be rockin’ the Hyde Park Hotel Back Room on Friday, October 16. Show starts at 8pm and tickets are $15 on the door.
Amy Henderson and Scott-Patrick Mitchell
