Q&A with Electric Fields
Electric Fields exploded on to the Australia music scene in 2017 by taking out New Talent of the Year at the National Indigenous Music Awards.
This year, they came oh so close representing Australia at Eurovision. We caught up with the talented electronic duo, Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross, who are hitting the Top End as part of their 2000 and Whatever tour.
Tell us all about Eurovision!
It was a beautiful experience! A bit spooky and nerve-racking with all the cameras, but the process ran super smoothly. The artists all had such camaraderie. There’s been a huge influx of energy from around the world that may not have happened without Eurovision.
What was the inspiration behind the song you performed, 2000 and Whatever?
We wanted to create a party song for New Year’s Eve that brought the past and future into the present. Some positive energy for the current generation, as each year flicks over in what is arguably a very short life.
You often talk about the energy of your music. How do you craft that element of your sound and translate it to your live shows?
For each track we just turn our antennas on and channel the idea. So, depending on what the song is, different electronic textures and ways of interpreting the lyrics will paint the energy to tell the story.
When we get on the stage, the audience fuels us. Each member of the audience has a kind of code to crack and when we’ve gotten through to one member, we move on to the next. There’s a spirit element that transforms the room into a queer, First Nations church of sorts.
This year is the UN Year of Indigenous Languages – how important is it for language to be recognised on such a scale, and to be contemporary performers sharing and celebrating Indigenous language on stage?
ZF: I love it – it gives me goose bumps to hear it sung. I grew up with the language being spoken in the community and by the Elders.
MR: I feel so honoured to be singing traditional language on stage and it breaks down a type of barrier. It shows that all of Australia can celebrate this land’s deep culture.
Darwin often gets left off the tour circuit – was it important for you to play in the Territory?
We have a lot of supporters in Darwin and it just felt right. The energy is very strong and we love it.
What can fans expect at the show?
We’re opening the night with First Nations drag queens, so it’s going to be a party! We’re bringing some new songs and look forward to having an audience we can give a bit more time to and connect with more than you can at a festival.
WHEN THU 20 JUN | 7PM
AT DARWIN RAILWAY CLUB
COST $35
INFO oztix.com.au
