Tim Phillips is on the line-up for the inaugural A HITCH TO THE STICKS bus trip with Rambunctious. He answers a few questions for us before the festival hits the road:
About A HITCH TO THE STICKS:
What does this mean to you?
It’s a great honour to be invited to play along-side a bunch of fantastic national and international artists, and celebrate music from our North-east Victoria region.
At what point of the bus trip are you performing?
At Down By The River in Wangaratta – Apex Park, Saturday March 17th from 4pm.
What can we expect from your performance?
Powerful acoustic grooves… Our first show in 6 years!
What excites you about appearing at this event?
Perfect opportunity for us to re-form as a band, get a little misty-eyed as we reminisce about our long lost glory days, and hopefully pull off a rockin’ show!
A bit about you:
Tell us about your new single/ album/ tour?
Who knows what might happen in the future. Our EP’s and Album “The Armchair Revolution” haven’t been available since they sold out 15 years ago. Unless you were lucky enough to find them on Ebay…
There should be some news on availability of our music very soon!
What’s your favourite work at this point in time?
Definitely working on our album – first released in 2002. We recorded at houses in the Buckland Valley and Warby Ranges. It was an epic journey for us as we did everything ourselves recording-wise.
Tell us a quick, on the road or studio, anecdote.
Let’s just say we had a fun time encouraging a flock of seagulls to intimidate our sound guy on one road trip to San Remo. Flicking hot chips behind him and above his head to make them swoop. Turns out he has a massive bird phobia. We wondered why he was so stressed about these sneaky birds. No idea he was about to have a heart attack. Perhaps a boring story, but much more palatable than some of the more questionable antics. What happens on the road…
What, or who, inspires you?
Our surroundings, the bush, our families.
What’s next for you?
Who knows?! Depending on how the gig goes, who’s knows what could happen!
What’s your scene?
Sounds a bit like a Hoodoo Guru’s song.
It’s been six years since Rambunctious last ventured down from the hills of NE Victoria, dusted off their instruments, and roared back into life at the 2013 Apollo Bay Music Festival. At that time, it had been more than ten years prior that the dynamic four-piece outfit had even jammed. Festival-goers filled the Apollo Bay Mechanics Hall, to witness a rare coming together for the group. So rare, that they didn’t even rehearse together before the show! (Lee had permission to learn the songs 15 mins prior to the gig, as he was busy).
Renowned for their powerful tuned-down acoustic grooves, blended with rock, blues, funk and folk, Rambunctious were at the forefront of the “roots” sound. The band existed in the days of dial-up internet, CD’s and almost MySpace. No Facebook, and to shoot a video required a $12,000 camera that weighed 10 kilos. You won’t find much around on the internet about them, except for the odd comment like:
“Put away the libertines and chill out to The Armchair Revolution. But one question. Why oh why do I not find any information about the band??????? Tour dates, releases and news are not to be found by the infalable[sic] Google!!!” – Franco: CD Baby
Thanks to the wonders of digital technology, their music will once again be available on digital platforms for purchase or steaming, with a full back catalogue re-release on March 14th, 2018!
Rambunctious has existed in four, three, and two-piece line-ups. Lee Rosser (Vocals/Guitar) and Tim Phillips (Drums/Sax), continued to tour the east coast for some time as a two-piece after guitarist, Peter Scott, and bassist, Luke Richardson answered other callings in their lives. Lee and Tim were both keen to never have real jobs, although, that was many moons ago.
Answering the call of powerhouse artist, Dallas Frasca, the band is once again re-forming for a special event. At A Hitch To The Sticks Festival, Rambunctious will again venture out as a four-piece in the original line-up, with a set of classic tunes from their Niche EP (2000) and album, The Armchair Revolution (2002). Head out to the Down By The River event on Saturday March 17th from 4pm-10pm, where they will join Dallas Frasca, Monique Brumby, Liv Cartledge, The Quick and the Dead and Tay Oskee. Don’t miss your chance to see a slice of retro Rambunctious!
[pullquote]”If you find yourself at the same party as Dallas, make sure you’re match fit.” Sarah McLeod, The Superjesus [/pullquote] Ever wanted to hitch a ride onboard your favourite band’s tour bus? Fantasised about starring in the next Almost Famous film? Well, listen up, because Dallas Frasca is about to give you precisely that chance with what is guaranteed to be one of the musical highlights of the year.
The powerhouse Aussie frontwoman and rock and roll icon is throwing a world-first music festival set to take punters on the road this March. Taking place over three days, A Hitch To The Sticks Music Festival is a unique band-tour-meets-VIP-experience that gives audiences a glimpse at a touring musician’s lifestyle in a three day regional bus tour of hand-curated music events, gigs and festivals. With Frasca as your guide, passengers will navigate some of North-East Victoria’s hidden musical gems and undiscovered live music venues and events all from the comfort of your own rowdy, airconditioned tour bus.
For 50 lucky ticket holders, the adventure begins in Melbourne’s CBD on Friday 16 March where the Hitch To The Sticks bus will commence boarding. From there the tour heads North to six secret locations and four public events across Violet Town, Lima, Myrrhee, Tatong, Thoona, Wangaratta and Moyhu until the musical safari touches back down in concrete town on Sunday 18 March.
Transporting passengers direct to the cream of the crop of Regional Victorian music and culture, Dallas has packed a massive lineup of local gigs, events, festivals and experiences into the three day tour, to shine an unforgettable light on the immense musical talent hidden in the quiet corners of our land. Some of the exclusive experiences along the way will include a hedge maze “artist hunt” where punters must follow the music to discover live local artists playing throughout the maze; a rock & roll slumber party in cabin style accommodation (limited VIP upgrades available); celebrity hitchhikers and an intimate live performance by a very special international guest.
“There is something special, indescribable, about experiencing live music in regional Victoria. A travelling music festival on wheels? Sign me up! Music Victoria loves regional live music.” Nick Cooper, Operations / Program Manager Music Victoria.
For those who can’t make it onboard the tour, there are plenty of opportunities to join the disembarking passengers and meet the legendary bus at four public events throughout the tour. This includes the sixth annual Wangaratta Down By The River Festival – a free event offering a kaleidoscope of flavour, music, activity and culture curated by Frasca herself, as well as a bunch of local ticketed events across the weekend.
With the full lineup dropping soon, Dallas and the Hitch To The Sticks team are excited to reveal the first couple of performers eager and ready to board the festival bus – conductor of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra and all-round reggae luminary Nicky Bomba and Beechworth-born singer songwriter Liv Cartledge.
At just 21 years old Liv’s oaky tones and disarming lyrics have captivated audiences around Australia and beyond, with her debut EP Timber an incredible first glimpse of a destined rising talent. Relentless traveller and performer Nicky Bomba is an absolute staple of the local reggae/funk/jazz scene and has contributed to just about as many musical endeavours as he has footprints on the earth. Liv’s regional Victorian roots and local knowledge together with Nicky’s worldly prowess and love of community are sure to make the inaugural A Hitch To The Sticks Music Festival one heck of a kumbaya.
So get ready to sit tight, buckle up and play corners with some new friends when the wheels on the Hitch To The Sticks bus go round and round this March.
3 days |10 music events | 30 acts | 710km | 1 bus
Hitch To The Sticks Festival 2018
Friday 16 March – Sunday 18 March
North-East Victoria
Tickets on sale now via www.ahitchtothesticks.com
Limited to only 50 tickets.
Accommodation, travel and some food and drinks provided.
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