26 December 2017

Art vs Science headlining at Canberra NYE celebrations

| Tim Benson
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Headliners at Canberra's NYE celebrations - Sydney based band Art vs Science. Members Dan Mac, Jim and Dan W. Photo by Angelo-Kehiagos.

Headliners at Canberra’s NYE celebrations – Sydney based band Art vs Science. Members Dan Mac, Jim and Dan W. Photo: Angelo-Kehiagos.

Sydney based ‘electro indie’ or ‘psychodellic dance’ band Art v Science will be headlining at Canberra’s NYE celebrations in Civic Square this year.

Other great acts including local favourite, Brass Knuckle Brass Band, will also be featuring (full program at the end of this article).

Canberra band Brass Knuckle Brass Band will also be featuring at Canberra's NYE celebrations.

Canberra band Brass Knuckle Brass Band will also be featuring at Canberra’s NYE celebrations. Photo: Supplied.

The RiotACT had the opportunity to speak to two of the three Art v Science members, Dan Mac and Jim, before they make their way to Canberra.

Most of the conversation took place over the phone with the boys in their Prius (after their band van broke down in the Sydney Harbour Tunnel).

RA: So you guys have had some great achievements over the years including winning Triple J’s Unearthed competition, ARIA nominations and gold record status, two AIR award nominations, ‘Parlez Vous Francais?’ reached No2 on the Triple J 100, a tour of the UK and Best Independent Release, Magic Fountain, in 2011 – and now you about to reach the zenith of your career by headlining at Canberra’s NYE celebrations. Are you excited?

Dan Mac: We know we have made it now – when you are on tour, sitting in your hotel room, you dream about doing NYE in Canberra. We don’t know what we are going to do after that.

RA: So, how would you describe your music?

Jim: ‘Psychedelic Dance’ – I don’t like putting our music into a category but ‘dance’ and ‘psychedelic’, sort of sum us up – maybe ‘Electro Indie’. The ‘electro’ because its keyboards and synthesizer music. We make strange sounds and are quite fond of nostalgic 80s robot references and galactic sci-fi themes.

RA: As professional musicians, you must be very busy. What have you been up to recently?

Dan Mac: we have been touring, writing new material and getting a catalogue together to put some new music out soon.

RA: The music industry has changed dramatically in the last decade. How do you launch a new song these days?

Dan Mac: We basically upload them to Spotify and YouTube, sit back, say a few Hail Marys, have a scotch and see what happens.

RA: Putting your music online is a great way to get people to listen to it – but is it lucrative?

Jim: I think we get .04 cents per spin through Spotify. To survive these days you need to be on the road touring or have your music in a movie.

Dan Mac: We also compose for ads and produce other artists. One of these is an emerging solo artist Pearl Herbert – she has Missy Higgins vibe. We have also been producing other acts including Comp the Unknown – with Jake Stone from Blue Juice.

RA: Have you been to Canberra before?

Jim: We usually visit Canberra when we go on tour. We do Transit Bar and ANU. We’ve also played at Stone Day at UC and Groovin the Moo.

RA: So, what is the highlight of coming to Canberra?

Dan Mac: The highlight of coming to Canberra is Mooseheads and their clientele. This is the sophisticated side of Canberra that most people don’t get to see.

RA: Where did the name ‘Art vs Science’ come from and which is winning?

Dan Mac: We stole it from another band. We wanted it and they didn’t. I reckon it’s a fiercely fought battle between ‘art’ and ‘science’.

RA: How would you like people to react to your music on NYE?

Dan Mac: I’d like people to look me in the eye. Don’t be shy when I look at you. Give me a smile and a laugh and then, when I give the signal, dance and jump about.

RA: Do have any other performances in Canberra on NYE?

Dan Mac: We will be DJing at Academy after playing in Civic Square. A limo will pick us up from the NYE gig and drive us over the road to Academy.

Canberra NYE Celebrations in Civic Square

Time: 7 pm-midnight
Fireworks: 9 pm + midnight
Date: Sunday 31 December
Location: Civic Square, Canberra Theatre Centre

Set times

7:00 pm Harry Carman
8:15 pm Brass Knuckle Brass Band
9:00 pm Fireworks
9:15 pm Brass Knuckle Brass Band
10:30 pm Art v Science
11:45 pm Exposure

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Looks as though the event hasn’t funded any female musicians?

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