Music Without Borders

This weekend’s Decolonise Fest will celebrate Marrickville’s vibrant DIY culture. It’s probably also the only festival in Australia where you can get tips on getting your pushbike fixed. TIM SCOTT reports.

As a Melburnian, about the only thing I knew about Marrickville growing up was that it was the home to Jeff Fenech. In the intervening years the “Marrickville Mauler” has gone from world champion boxer to wrist watch thief, and the inner south-western suburb of Sydney has become a vibrant music and cultural precinct.

Amid the semi-industrial factories and warehouses has sprung a cluster of emerging, autonomous and independent venues and shop fronts that have become home to musicians, artists and activists alike.

Held over the upcoming Australia Day weekend (January 23-26), the Decolonise Fest is a celebration of Marrickville’s DIY culture featuring gigs, workshops, discussions, zine fairs and film screenings.

While the Big Day Out brouhaha is happening only a short distance away, Marrickville will play host to more than 20 bands including Naked on the Vague, Dead Farmers, Hee Haw, Truth From Facts and Inappropriate Tough Guy Behaviour.

Alex, a member of Hee Haw and part of a group of organisers of the festival, says greater freedom is gained when shows are booked at “non traditional venues” such as pubs, clubs and theatres.

“Aside from the cost of booking an event at orthodox venues, there are all kinds of limitations on what can occur. Most exclude under-18s in favour of overpriced drinks, creating the idea that you must be holding a beer to be watching something let alone enjoying it.

“When the emphasis is no longer on profit, so many more things become possible.”

“Secondly, you have to deal with the place's physical layout, sound system and sound person. These are set up to negate any kind of interesting atmosphere, so as not to alienate a mainstream audience. Being in control of your own space is the only effective way to do something different. It can become a centre of activity for a group of like-minded people, and potentially even the wider community,” he says.

“When the emphasis is no longer on profit, so many more things become possible. It's a shame that local councils don't see alternative spaces in the same way.”

The venues of Marrickville have not only become important in nurturing young bands in Sydney, a city that has a long history of venue closures and changes, they are also integral to the national DIY touring circuit.

“I've lost count as to how many times I’ve played in Marrickville”, says Jem Moloney, drummer for Melbourne's Inappropriate Tough Guy Behaviour. “I think it has been very lucky in that it is close to the city and yet industrial enough to have people make noise without too many people noticing.”

Decolonise Fest is not just about the music, however. Over the weekend, a number of workshops and activities will be held to help generate communication and understanding within the community.

“The main extra musical activity will hopefully be a large forum about the existing, emerging and retreating venues in the area,” adds Alex. “We will discuss ways to collaborate and turn our spaces into better, more durable vehicles. The zine fair should also be great. There is also a bike-fixing workshop, a sexual health workshop, film screenings and a lot more to be organised at the last minute.”

Daily festival programs can be picked up in Newtown from Paint It Black (Enmore Road), Black Rose (Enmore Road) or Repressed Records (King Street).

DECOLONISE FEST

January 23-26
Marrickville, Sydney, NSW

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