NORTHEAST, BRINGING THE PARTY TO FALLS

Words: Brianstorm
Photos: Benjamin Frazer and Brianstorm
Video: Chase Burns

Last year we had these guys play at one of warehouse parties. They ripped it into shreds. We knew they would go far. (Judge them from the photos below). Now one year later, they are performing alongside the likes of Arctic Monkeys and Crystal Castles at Falls Festival. Melbourne’s very own Northeast Party House are taking their shows out of vacant houses and bringing their DIY party vibe to the Grand Theatre. We caught up with lead singer Zachary Hamilton-Reeves to get an idea of what to expect from their shows.

SPOOK: So Falls is almost here, how are you feeling about that?
Zachary: Pumped man, pretty amazing I remember when we first started the band, Jackson and I were just talking about festivals and how our goal would be to play festivals and falls came up, now we are playing falls two years later.

SPOOK: You’ve had experience at another new years festival last year, how was Pyramid Rock?
Zachary: Playing Pyramid was just as big. But we were at a level where we didn’t think we were close to playing festivals, although it was good to see people enjoying our music to that extent.

SPOOK: Have you been punters at any of them?
Zachary: No I haven’t. I’ve been too young!

SPOOK: First timer?
Zachary: Yeah I only turned 18 last year so I’ve been doing underage gigs and sneaking into stuff.

SPOOK: Much like a relationship, everyone has a story on how they came to be? What’s Northeast Party House’ story
Zachary: The story goes, true story by the way, our friend’s mum went away for a few weeks and he had to look after his house. He was 17 at the time. He told people one night that everyone should go back to his house for a party. But it ended up being a 2 week party, the place got absolutely trashed and Noddy from Big Brother was there – the most random people rocked up. Our mate who lived there worked at KFC so there was just KFC everywhere. It was amazing, but just a disaster. His mum was furious.

SPOOK: Didn’t see him for a while?
Zachary: Yeah he just disappeared.

SPOOK: But how did the band form?
Zachary: Well Jackson and Sean were playing together and it somehow came up that I would be singing and doing backing music on one of their tracks ‘Dusk’. We all went to school together as well.

SPOOK: How long they have been together for?
Zachary: For one and a half years now. Still going strong.

SPOOK: Did you write the lyrics for ‘Dusk’?
Zachary: Yeah I just stood behind the mic and just freestyled it I guess.

SPOOK: What would be your preferred type of gig: vacant houses/warehouse parties/festivals/clubs?
Zachary: I think the festival gig. I guess, you get to go to places people can’t go, meet other artists, and you are put up on a stage to expose your music. The only disadvantage is that it’s not as intimate as say a gig at a club would be.

SPOOK: In the new year you are starting the Triple Treat Tour, can you tell us about that?
Zachary: Yeah, we are a triple headliner and playing in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide and some other places. But it’s going to be great, we met Millions in Sydney and they were really sick and we were pretty pumped to meet Nantes too.

SPOOK: When can Melbournians who will miss you at Falls see you next?
Zachary: At the Poncho Party, something they are expanding into, from what I have heard they have got some great acts and some sick ideas so I’m looking forward to it.

SPOOK: You’ve been described as epic synth rock, with Gorillaz-esque style.How would YOU label yourselves?
Zachary: Oh really? Gorillaz? Sick. I think that’s a difficult question, but maybe like Indie Pop, but that isn’t accurate either. We are just a party band – we just want our gigs to be like a party.

SPOOK: You can download your latest EP on iTunes? But I’ve seen some of your songs on YouTube and on torrents? What is your feeling towards illegal downloading, good thing or bad thing?
Zachary: Probably benefits both ways. Torrents, while they don’t give you money and are illegal, they still spread music and people can hear it whenever they want to. Having said that though, the artist puts a lot of the time and effort into creating these albums.

SPOOK: New single coming out soon?
Zachary: We are hoping to release something around January/February.

SPOOK: Whereabouts in Melbourne do you guys live?
Zachary: We are all over the place, but mostly in Brunswick.

SPOOK: Okay the reason I asked that was because we want to know where best places to eat are?
Zachary: Oh man, I’m the worst one, I just follow the guys, where ever they want to go to eat. But if I had to say something, probably Viet Rose and Bimbos. Amazing places. Amazing Pizza.

SPOOK: Thanks so much Zach, can’t wait to see you at Falls!
Zachary: See ya there man!

Check out Northeast Party House at the I OH YOU vs SPOOK Party!

SPOOK vs I OH YOU from Chase Burns on Vimeo.

YOU CAN CATCH THEM ON THE FOLLOWING DATES:

Falls Festival, Grand Theatre – 31/12/2011 – 9:00pm – SOLD OUT

Poncho Party, Melbourne – 7/12/2012 – 9:00pm – $10.00

Triple Treat Tour (MEL), East Brunswick Club – $12.00/$15.00

Triple Treat Tour (ADL), Jive Bar – $12.00/$15.00

Triple Treat Tour (WOLLONGONG), O Party – $12.00/$15.00

Triple Treat Tour (SYD), Oxford Arts Factory – $12.00/$15.00

Triple Treat Tour (CAN), Transit Bar, – $12.00/$15.00

Triple Treat Tour (GC), Elsewhere, –  $12.00/$15.00