Meet the artists bringing their dulcet tones to Hush at The Toff this October

This Wednesday and every Wednesday for the rest of October will see Hush: An Evening Of Quiet Music take over Melbourne's The Toff In Town, featuring a bunch of exciting young artists playing music to an audience who must remain pin-drop silent. The award-winning series has staged shows in Cathedrals, town halls and even the Victorian Parliament Building, but this will be the first time in a venue that's supposed to be a little bit rowdy - a pub! We sent a few questions to some of the artists playing to find out what we can expect from them, and who else they're looking forward to seeing (check the full run on the poster down the bottom).

JIM LAWRIE

Please tell us a bit about yourself:

My name is Jim Lawrie. I released my third album this year. It is called Slacker Of The Year. I have a dog called Franky. My favourite colour is baby blue. My favourite food is watermelon. If I could have any other job in the world it would be wicketkeeper for the Australian test cricket team.

What's your favourite "quiet" track of all time:

My current favourite is Lay Thy Hand by local band Big Smoke. It says so much in such little time and gets me every time. There's a beautiful story behind the guitar solo too if you ever get the chance to ask them... My all time fave is Love by John Lennon. He had such a great way of conveying the most complex ideas in the simplest ways - "Love is real, real is love". What more is there to say about it...

How will your live setup differ to normal at Hush?

I'm pretty used to stripping back to acoustic and doing the whole voice and guitar thing... so just to do something different I'm going to take some of my heavier, rockier tunes and try to do something a little softer with them. I'm also going to try some new songs and maybe a cover too.

Who else on the Hush lineup are you looking forward to seeing?

I'm really keen on seeing East Brunswick All Girls Choir. They're such a rocking full bodied band when they play live so it will be interesting to see what they do in their quiet re-imagining... Closet Straights is always an interesting one too, Alex always thinks outside the box no matter what he's doing so it will be fun to watch what he chooses to do.

EMMA RUSSACK

Please tell us a bit about yourself:

I'm just a gal who's been quietly plodding along in the music biz... Riding the wave, or so to speak. I've released five albums through Spunk, and my latest Permanent Vacation came out a couple of months ago. I enjoy playing music with my friends - and always have. For me, it's all about keepin' it real.

What's your favourite "quiet" track of all time:

Maybe the version of Sugar Mountain that Neil Young plays in his live concert film Rust Never Sleeps. It kills me.

How will your live setup differ to normal at Hush?

It'll just be me on guitar and singing and I'll have my friend, Dylan, playing guitar and singing with me. Usually I play with a drummer and a bassist, so just having two guitars on stage, with some harmonies thrown in will be interesting and, I think, lovely.

Who else on the Hush lineup are you looking forward to seeing?

I'm actually looking forward to seeing all of the acts that night. I think it's a really strong lineup and I feel very honoured to be part of it.

BATTS

Please tell us a bit about yourself:

My name is Tanya Batt and I make music under the name BATTS. I was born in the UK and lived there until I was 13 and then moved to Australia so I have a weird accent. I’m a huge space lover and do weekly space facts on my Instagram, so if you fancy copping some knowledge on a weekly basis throw me a follow @battsmusic.

What's your favourite "quiet" track of all time:

Phwoar of all time… I definitely can’t answer that, but right now my favourite quiet acoustic track is Matthew Kenneally - Would You Do It Again?

How will your live setup differ to normal at Hush?

Well I currently have a broken thumb and have a badly bruised the bone and tendons in my wrist on my strumming hand sooo… there’s attempting to play with that… and also I think I’ll have to get a friend to help me out on keys too to take off the pressure of playing. It’s thrown a spanner in the works so whatever people see will definitely be different to normal.

Who else on the Hush lineup are you looking forward to seeing?

Pretty much everyone to be honest, it’s such a stunning residency line-up every week and I can’t wait to attend them. I’m really looking forward to seeing Hachiku, Braille Face, Davey Lane and yeah everyone really. I’m also super excited to see Closet Straights the first week when I'm playing because I love their guitar tone and want to suss out what they use haha.

BRAILLE FACE

Please tell us a bit about yourself:

My name is Jordan, I’m from Melbourne. I make introspective electronic pop music.

What's your favourite "quiet" track of all time:

Way too many rush to mind, but Westward Bound by Mark Hollis is a masterclass in intimacy.

How will your live setup differ to normal at Hush?

I’ll be joined by my friends Ed and Mara, who will be making beautiful noises.

Who else on the Hush lineup are you looking forward to seeing?

Everyone is great. The whole lineup is such a wonderful barometer for what’s being made in the city at the moment. I am particularly excited to see East Brunswick All Girls Choir because they’re very old friends and I am keen to peak behind the bravado of loud guitars to the heartbroken songwriting.

LIZ MITCHELL (TOTALLY MILD)

Please tell us a bit about yourself:

I'm in a band called Totally Mild. We are about to release a new album called Her. I write about people and my feelings towards them. I enjoy picnics, drinking bubbles and muting group chats.

What's your favourite "quiet" track of all time:

Two that I always go back to: Pissing In A River by Patti Smith and No Need To Argue by The Cranberries.

How will your live setup differ to normal at Hush?

I'm going to play mostly new songs, it's good to do tender ones when people have to listen.

Who else on the Hush lineup are you looking forward to seeing?

Everyone, intimacy is special for all.

Head to The Toff's WEBSITE for more info/tickets.

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