Project Description

‘Amnplify Snapshot’

DALLAS FRASCA

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Dallas Frasca

 

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Australian rock legend

Dallas Frasca

announces first-of-its-kind

music Festival on wheels

and reveals trickles of the

inaugural lineup and events

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Ever wanted to hitch a ride onboard your favourite band’s tour bus? Fantasised about starring in the next Almost Famous film? Well, listen up, because Dallas Frasca is about to give you precisely that chance with what is guaranteed to be one of the musical highlights of the year.

The powerhouse Aussie frontwoman and rock and roll icon is throwing a world-first music festival set to take punters on the road this March. Taking place over three days, A Hitch To The Sticks Music Festival is a unique band-tour-meets-VIP-experience that gives audiences a glimpse at a touring musician’s lifestyle in a three day regional bus tour of hand-curated music events, gigs and festivals. With Frasca as your guide, passengers will navigate some of North-East Victoria’s hidden musical gems and undiscovered live music venues and events all from the comfort of your own rowdy, airconditioned tour bus.

Transporting passengers direct to the cream of the crop of Regional Victorian music and culture, Dallas has packed a massive lineup of local gigs, events, festivals and experiences into the three-day tour, to shine an unforgettable light on the immense musical talent hidden in the quiet corners of our land. Some of the exclusive experiences along the way will include a hedge maze “artist hunt” where punters must follow the music to discover live local artists playing throughout the maze; a rock & roll slumber party in cabin style accommodation (limited VIP upgrades available); celebrity hitchhikers and an intimate live performance by a very special international guest.

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“There is something special, indescribable, about experiencing live music in regional Victoria. A travelling music festival on wheels? Sign me up! Music Victoria loves regional live music.”Nick Cooper, Operations / Program Manager Music Victoria

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For those who can’t make it onboard the tour, there are plenty of opportunities to join the disembarking passengers and meet the legendary bus at four public events throughout the tour. This includes the sixth annual Wangaratta Down By The River Festival – a free event offering a kaleidoscope of flavour, music, activity and culture curated by Frasca herself, as well as a bunch of local ticketed events across the weekend.

With the full lineup dropping soon, Dallas and the Hitch To The Sticks team are excited to reveal the first couple of performers eager and ready to board the festival bus – conductor of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra and all-around reggae luminary Nicky Bomba and Beechworth-born singer-songwriter Liv Cartledge.

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So get ready to sit tight, buckle up and play corners with some new friends when the wheels on the Hitch To The Sticks bus go round and round this March. Amnplify interviewer Brianna Denmeade got the chance to ask Dallas Frasca some questions about the forthcoming tour…

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You are the one who is bringing A Hitch To The Sticks Music Festival to life! What has it been like curating your own music festival?

A great challenge I’ve embraced with my good mate Renee Delahunty to bring an entire audience in the road with me over 3 days, including 10 music events  (6 secret locations, 4 open to the public) 20+ acts, 710 km  all on one bus. The kick ass line up (to be announced shortly , eeeekkkkk) encompasses the great hidden musical gems of North East Victoria plus some big names and one international very special guest!! The coolest thing is I’ve also had no restrictions on imagining and creating crazy band-tour like experiences, like; celebrity hitchhikers, sprinkling buskers in the largest hedge maze in the southern hemisphere for the punters to discover and rad campfire jams with some superstars!

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Why did you feel there was space in the market for this unique festival, what would you say is its main objective / ethos?

I suppose the idea came from wanting to helping regional areas that need a bit of a hand putting originals live music on and it’s turns out, it’s a World-first concept which is pretty cool!! A Hitch To The Sticks Festival wants to reinforce the value that live music can bring to the venues and community in regional areas as well as offering the amazing local talent a platform to play and in turn creating new touring circuits and pathways  in those regions..

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Will this festival be an annual event, or is that yet to be decided?

We are already planning two more ‘A Hitch To The Sticks Festivals’ in N.E Victoria in the next 12 months as well as one each in Gippsland and the South Coast in Vic. We’ve already had offers to franchise in QLD & N.S.W.  Exciting times ahead, but one step at a time.

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DALLAS FRASCA

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How would you describe your journey in the music industry so far, and where do you want to go from here with your music?

I have been given so much on my musical journey, the band has spent most of their time touring Europe in the past few years and maybe that’s why I’m feeling it’s time to give a little back.

A part from the festival  I’ve got several other projects I’m working in the background, I’m currently songwriting for our next record in the Artsbox residency in Footscray. To be honest I’m feeling the most creative I have in years. I think time off the road will do that to you (Jeff and I have played over 900 shows together), I’ve planted my first veggie garden in 12 years, we have tomatoes a plenty!!

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When did you know you wanted to make music, and perform as your career?

Maybe when I watched the film Crossroads (soundtrack by RY Cooder) when I was 13 yrs old. I was completely struck and begged Mum for guitar lessons.

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Who have been your musical influences or artists you have admired growing up?

Too many to choose from but maybe: Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Rosetta Tharpe (they say she invented rock n roll, a black queer woman!!!!), Gladys Knight, Robert Johnson, BB King.

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DALLAS FRASCA

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Are there any artists or musicians that you have been so impacted by that it changed your view on life or mentality toward music?

Completely, there are too many to name. Art is life right, I’m constantly inspired by music; the radio playing a song in the background; my favorite singers, to the strong woman voicing their opinions in our current music climate paving paths. I love people who stand up humans.

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How do you feel your sound has developed over your time releasing music?

Well Jeff and I started playing as a kinda heavy roots duo around 12 years ago and over time that developed into, bigger amps, then electric guitars, it was a natural progression for us. They say that blues had a baby and called it rock and roll – wow I think I just sounded like my Dad, shit?

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What are your goals for 2018 as far as your music is concerned?

To continue to do what makes me happy.I have been playing guitar, A LOT! You can never stop learning… I’ve been getting guitar tips from all my budding players, I have a strong hunger at the moment to become a better player.  Contie work on our next record (in our own time), no doubt the songs will speak to us when they are  ready to be released.

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You’ve played at some pretty massive events the last year, what performance was the most surreal for you and why?

Maybe touring Europe in a double story bus for a month with our childhood heroes Ugly Kid Joe was pretty rad, they are such great humans and killer band. There are so many amazing experiences we are pretty grateful for, no doubt supporting the great Patti Smith on Corsica Island in France was a true honour as well x

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DALLAS FRASCA

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What’s one song fans might be surprised you really like?

Patti Labelle’s live version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Those Nails!!!!!!! Those shoulder pads!!! That vocal range!!!!

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If you were not working in the music industry what else do you think you would be doing?

Asking you these questions.

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If you could choose only one muso, artist or band to collaborate with the rest of your career who would it be?

That’s hard, can they be dead? Maybe a few one off collabs could be cool with the following; Peaches, Rosetta Tharpe, Royal Blood, Valerie June, Vika Bull, Buddy Guy, Jack White, Dan Auerbach, Aretha Franklin, Janis!!

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And, if you had to listen to one song on repeat the rest of your life what song and why?

I’m not sure I would stay sane if I had to listen to the same song on repeat for the rest of my life would.

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A Hitch To The Sticks Festival 2018

3 days |10 music events | 30 acts | 710km | 1 bus

Friday 16 March – Sunday 18 March

North-East Victoria

Tickets on sale now HERE

Limited to only 50 tickets

Accommodation, travel and some food and drinks provided.

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AMNPLIFY – DB