Celebrating 40 Years Of RTRFM With Some Of WA's Finest Musos

This Sunday will see RTRFM celebrating 40 years of existence in massive fashion, with The Big 40 taking over the Perth Concert Hall with 34 acts hitting four different stages. The stacked lineup includes a talent-packed supergroup that will band together for RTRFM - A Musical History - a specially-commissioned projection and live show that combines audio, photos and video from the station’s rich archives with key songs from WA music history. The artists involved are:

Abbe May
Adem K (Turnstyle, Community Chest)
Alex Archer (Kill Devil Hills)
Felicity Groom
James Baker (The Victims, Beasts of Bourbon, The Painkillers, Hoodoo Gurus)
Joni Hogan
Kav Temperley & Stu Macleod (Eskimo Joe)
Libby Hammer
Luke and Ryan Dux (The Floors)
Mal Clark (The Sleepy Jackson)
Ofa Fotu (Odette Mercy & Her Sould Atomics)
Rachael Dease (Schvendes)
Timothy Nelson
Todd Pickett (The Kill Devil Hills)
Vanessa Thornton (Jebediah)
Vincent Buchanan (Hideous Sun Demon, Terrible Signal)

To get more info on the full lineup playing across all the stages you can head HERE, and below we've hit up a few of the acts involved to get some thoughts on RTRFM's legacy, and also what they're up to themselves:

Brendon Humphries (The Kill Devil Hills)

Who are you and what do you play?

Brendon Humphries, singer, The Kill Devil Hills.

What’s your favourite show on RTRFM?

Probably Out To Lunch, keeps your ears fresh. I like Giant Steps on a Sunday too.

Why is community radio important to you?

I first knew of this station back in 1990, and used to co-host a graveyard shift metal/goth show sometimes… It's scary to think what the airwaves would be without it - diversity, plurality, independent thought, cool new shit, the calibre of people it draws out, all some of the big reasons why this thing works.

What are you looking forward to the most at the BIG 40th?

Kinda just seeing how the day plays out, I like to be surprised and caught unawares by something I haven't heard before, especially in a different sort of performance space.

What’s on the cards for 2018 and beyond?

We're recording new songs soon, and heading over to Europe in June, things will evolve from there I guess...

Tanaya Harper

Who are you and what do you play?

My name is Tanaya Harper. I am the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Bells Rapids. I also play solo under my own name.

What’s your favourite show on RTRFM?

Ambient Zone is my favourite. Most people who know me don’t realise how much I love ambient electronic music, I don’t personally produce the genre I enjoy so dearly – that particular creative side of me is usually expressed only when I collaborate with other artists like The Cyclist. Whenever I tune into Ambient Zone I’m in total bliss.

Why is community radio important to you?

Community radio is so important because everyone gets the chance to have their music shared and heard by a vast audience whom may never have found them otherwise. You don’t have to play a certain kind of music to be aired, everyone is welcome so there’s endless variety. It’s inspiring to hear sounds from all over the world, so it’s not just important for the local community, but for the global music community as well.

What are you looking forward to the most at the BIG 40th?

I’m so excited for Abbe May with WAJO. I already find her music so phenomenal with its usual instrumentation and structure, so it’s pretty unimaginable that her songs could get even better! I also am really excited for the Difficult Listening Stage and I just don’t know how I’m going to deal with the cross-over of set times throughout the duration of the event.

What’s one song you’re looking forward to busting out at the BIG 40th?

Well the Slightly Odway band I’m in (with Jack Gaby, Carla Geneve and Elle Walsh) are performing both Ubu by Methyl Ethel and The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter by Rag n’ Bone, and I actually can’t pick. They’re both so unique and difficult in their own ways, but if I HAVE to pick one, then I’ll say Ubu for its pop mastery.

What’s on the cards for 2018 and beyond?

I’m currently recording my first solo EP which I thought would be released by now, but I grossly underestimated how long it actually takes to complete recording (rookie move), so I now expect to be releasing early 2018. I could still be a rookie by then though, so let’s wait and see what happens. I’m also super excited for when Bells Rapids reconvene to start writing and gigging together again. I miss them so much (Talya Valenti, Stella Donnelly and Sara Jane McPherson). We’ve been on break for a while and will continue to be for a few months more, so there’s that plus also finishing recording our future release with Dave Parkin. There’s lots of exciting things to come in 2018! It’s going to be a big year.

Gina Williams

Who are you and what do you play?

Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse. Contemporary Songs in Noongar language.

What’s your favourite show on RTRFM?

That’s a tough one! We love Moorditj Mag, but also Breakfast with Caitlin, Talk the Talk and Drastic on Plastic.

Why is community radio important to you?

Community radio is immensely important in this day and age, not just because it’s one of the few places where you’d get to hear our music, but we are under constant deluge from mass media, which doesn’t give us an alternative perspective. It’s important to have a voice that strays from the usual propaganda.

What are you looking forward to the most at the BIG 40th?

Being able to be part of the celebrations and honouring the significant contribution RTRFM has made to our city over the past 40 years. It’s going to be huge.

What’s one song you’re looking forward to busting out at the BIG 40th?

Can’t choose between our favourite kids ;-)

What’s on the cards for 2018 and beyond?

We’re launching a new album, touring nationally and, fingers crossed, taking our music overseas.

Glenn Palmer (Mt Mountain)

Who are you and what do you play?

Glenn Palmer from Mt Mountain - guitar.

What’s your favourite show on RTRFM?

Out To Lunch.

Why is community radio important to you?

Community radio supports bands from their beginnings and throughout all their weirdest adventures whilst introducing them to a very special audience that also has a true love for supporting local and independent musicians.

What are you looking forward to the most at the BIG 40th?

Seeing all bands with choirs/orchestras/extended lineups inside the auditorium will definitely be a highlight not to be missed.

What’s one song you’re looking forward to busting out at the BIG 40th?

Floating Eyes.

What’s on the cards for 2018 and beyond?

A new album and tours coming very soon – but can't say too much just yet.

Follow RTRFM: FM