bec sandridge
WITH WOLLONGONG MUSO BEC SANDRIDGE.
What has been your most rock ‘n’ roll moment so far? Mardi Gras Fair Day this year was pretty unreal. Also, falling over backwards onstage and impaling my back with a guitar stand was probably the most rock ‘n’ roll I’ll ever accidentally get.
What’s your favourite thing about your hometown of Wollongong? Cheapish coffee, how quiet it is and walking along the beach in the morning (I know that’s three things, but it’s a package deal). There’s also a really neat emerging music scene. I’ve started working once a week at one of the venues as a bartender – so many amazing bands come through and play.
What’s been inspiring your songwriting lately? At the moment I’m obsessed with live piano. (I’m on a mad hunt on Gumtree for a free one…) I’ve been listening to a lot of OG Kate Nash and Regina Spektor, secretly anticipating that I’ll get to make my own acoustic piano pop record.
What did you learn while making your first album, TRY + SAVE ME?
That I can do it. I literally never thought I’d make an album, let alone put it out independently. I’ve never been so proud of something, which is schmick. Also, for some reason I thought creating an album had to be boring and rigid, but actually, I mostly finished it off in chunks on the weekend, and worked with friends, which was awesome.
What’s something big you’ve had to overcome? My addiction to fairy floss. I initially had fairy floss, Coca-cola and Crispy M&M’S on my band rider for live shows and festivals, but after my first year of proper touring around Australia, I realised how much energy I needed and how little the food I was addicted to provided said energy.
What gives you a belly laugh? Watching videos of Brussels Griffons on Instagram.
What was your fallback career option if music didn’t work out? I’d love to work with young women and non-binary people in the arts. I’ve been running a start-up program in Wollongong for young women/non-binary people in music, and it’s been really inspiring and neat. I’ve also got a teaching/arts degree in English literature and sociology, so maybe once I go fully grey I’ll lean into that.
What is your favourite dance move to pull onstage? I like doing this move that I’ve coined the ‘tippy-toe-road-runner-ridge’. It’s essentially me running on the spot as fast as I can, not dissimilar to the Looney Tunes character Road Runner.
What’s your go-to post-break-up mood booster? Sad songs, and long walks with a decent chocolate brownie and coffee at the ready. Also, Parks and Recreation and Pen15 are perfect viewing.
What’s an issue that’s super-important to you? As a queer, feminist, creative woman, I’m passionate about the representation and inclusion of LGBTQI youth and people more broadly. We’ve come a long way, but deeply ingrained misogyny, homophobia and racism still exist and need to change from the ground up. I first came out when I was 22 (I’m 28 now), and I feel like mental health and support has only just started to become a day-to-day conversation. Access to resources for minority groups, in particular, is still very limited.
What is your personal approach to fashion? I think I’ll forever be a fan of comfort and extreme texture clashes, like velvet with vinyl and leather. I also like working with friends when designing and making tour outfits. Lately, I’ve been working with VOVO – a two-person fashion label based in Melbourne and working out of their garage!