Interview: Stonefield – Young, Inspiring and Glastonbury bound!

Interview: Lauren Sherritt
Stonefield have been turning heads since performing late last year at Perth’s One Movement Festival and taking out triple j’s Unearthed High competition.

Currently playing a string of special shows throughout Australia – Lauren Sherritt (LS) caught up with Stonefield’s Lead Vocalist & Drummer Amy Findlay (AF) before the band travels to the UK to rock the Glastonbury and Great Escape Festivals.

LS – Now that you’ve had some great opportunities and really launched your career, what’s your next big plan? Where would you like to head next?
AF – We plan to keep writing and playing shows, release another EP or Double A side and then an album. The big plan is to have our music take us to more places across the world, inspire other young musicians and to hopefully be able to make a living from our music.
 
LS – You’re playing Glastonbury this year, which is just incredible! How are you preparing?
AF – It’s very exciting, especially now that it’s not so far away! We have just been playing a lot of shows, working on becoming a stronger, tougher band. Our Tote residency helped a lot with that. We have a headline show at the Northcote Social Club on April 1st, which will also be a good preparation gig as the pressure is on to own it!
 
LS – As sisters and as a band, you’ve managed to compile a pretty succinct ‘look’ or style, was there a discussion about how you would present yourselves when you formed as a band, or has it been a more natural progression from your usual style?
AF – It’s really been a natural progression. We love the 70s style, there’s some amazing colours and cuts. We definitely do step it up when playing shows though. We figure that when people make the effort to get out and see a band, they want to be entertained. I think our look adds to that and makes it a whole lot more interesting than if we were standing there wearing plain shirts and jeans. That’s no fun!
 
LS – Tell us about your process of song writing, is it the same for each song or does it differ?
AF – Most of our songs start out with someone having a small idea – a riff, chord progression, lyrics or a melody. We then bring that to the band and basically jam it out, trying a whole heap of ideas and adding layers until we have a song.
 
LS – Where do your draw your inspiration from?
AF – Musically we draw inspiration from whatever we are listening to at the time.. sometimes subconsciously which is always cool. Our biggest influence is Led Zeppelin, but really we’re inspired by anything we hear. Lyrically I draw inspiration from everyday things that happen in life. I also love getting idea from movies.
 

LS – Obviously there are still school and education commitments for the band, is playing music top priority at home, or does it have to be scheduled behind homework and study?
AF – Hannah and I have finished our schooling, which has worked out nicely. I just finished my music degree last year and Hannah finished year 12. Sarah and Holly are beginning to feel a bit more pressure trying to juggle the two. School is very important, but we don’t reject any band opportunities for it, we just do our best to juggle. Sarah and Holly squeeze in homework after school or in the car driving places. Their school has been very supportive and offered a lot of assistance, which has been great.
 
LS – Do you feel like you’ve become role models for other young musicians? What advice would you give to others around your ages who wanted to make it big?
AF – Recently quite a few young musicians have approached us and asked questions after shows. It’s a pretty good feeling knowing that we have been an inspiration because in my opinion music is essential whether you play it or just listen to it. Our advice has been to stick at it, talk to as many people you can to source information and play every opportunity you are given. Always play the music you love rather than falling into a fad.
 
LS – If you could choose to play live with any band or musician, who would it be, where would you play and what song?
AF – Led Zeppelin. Whole Lotta Love. Glastonbury.
 
LS – Three words to describe the last year? Three for how you feel about the year ahead?
AF – The last year has been amazing, exciting and educational! We are feeling determined, passionate and keen for the year ahead.
 
Interview: Lauren Sherritt


Band Members:
Amy Findlay – Lead Vocals & Drums
Hannah Findlay – Guitar & Backing Vocals
Sarah Findlay – Keys & Backing Vocals
Holly Findlay – Bass & Backing Vocals


If you haven’t heard Stonefield yet, now is the time to take notice.

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