Long Way To The Top End: what the artists got out of it, Part II.

[Megan Spencer]

Jess Ribeiro and her band The Bone Collectors (Jess - vocals/guitar, Damo Meoli drums/percussion, Rob Law guitar and many other stringed instruments), launched their first EP 'Pilgrimage' at the Adelaide Fringe, and were a thriving part of the Long Way To The Top End tour.

Aside from the ‘Long Way’ dates, The Bone Collectors also headlined at the Wheatsheaf on Saturday March 8. The Bone Collectors were also feature artists at the Fuse Music Conference showcase, ‘Explode’. There they played infront of peers, punters and music reps from all over the country and overseas. From all reports they created the kind of industry "buzz" that other bands envy; their names were 'dropped' on a number of panels and the excitement around their musical potential was palpable.

And why wouldn't it be.... Anyone who has seen her perform around the various Darwin venues like Happy Yess and Mindil Beach markets knows - Jess has a voice 'to die for', and songwriting maturity well beyond her 25 years. She and The Bone Collectors are clearly well on their way. Jess was a ‘Next Crop’ artist on triple j at the end of 2008; ‘Pilgrimmage’ was given the thumbs up by triple j Music Director Richard Kingsmill as reviewed on the Unearthed site, and their new CD is selling aplenty at their live shows.

Jess talks about her experience with Long Way To The Top End, and what it might mean to her at this point in her musical career…

Music NT: How was it?! Tell us about your ‘Long Way’ experience…

Jess Ribeiro: The Bone Collectors drove from Darwin to Adelaide and everywhere inbetween. Besides almost killing each other on the way to Adelaide, we had a good time - much respect to this land and to the Indigenous people that used to - and still - inhabit such harsh dry country!

I didn’t go through all of the stress, admin. and organization that Alice Rae had to endure, (whose creative birth child this was). Hats off to Alice and her family for everything they did – I would have no friends left if it was me trying to organize everyone!!

MNT: What did you get out of the ‘Long Way’ tour?

JR: I got enough money to get a well-needed colon hydrotherapy session (true!) as well as amazing accomodation in a five star caravan, at in Alice’s parents’ house. Their hospitality and support was grand and we will be forever grateful!!!

In my eyes ‘Long Way’ tour was a great success in regards to forming strong bonds with other bands within the NT.

News just in: The 2009 FUSE Music Conference was scheduled to coincide with the Adelaide Fringe, and was attended by several of the Long Way bands. The Bone Collectors were the only band to play on the Explode music showcase bill. Kylie Masin, conference worker, posted this in her last FUSE news:

“Explode was taken to a whole new level by moving outdoors to Rymill Park. Around 600 people saw FisherKing, Poetikool Justice, The Sundance Kids, Jess Ribeiro and The Bone Collectors, The Touch, Cloud Control, The Shiny Brights, and Behind Crimson Eyes grace the stage and it didn’t even rain. Woo!”

MNT: You also played at the Fuse Music Conference - what did you get out of that?
JR: A big stage, free beer, free weed, some business cards and then paranoia from the weed.

MNT: Did you receive any interest from the music industry? If so, do you think being part of the ‘Long Way’ tour assisted you in any way? And how?

JR: The tour assisted in getting us some industry attention, but I think that’s mainly due to the efforts of Alice, because she was the person who invited us to be a part of the tour and to attend the music conference… Which we did after I twisted my band’s apprehensive and suspicious bones to go along. And then when they did they liked it – the bastards better listen to me in the future!

MNT: What did you learn/gain from being part of the Long Way tour?

JR: I learnt about better organization and communication amongst band members and venues, and also about being in small confined spaces with other people - respect space or die!

MNT: What was the best part of being involved and the 'most difficult'..?!

JR: The best part of the tour was making money (joke - there was none) and how close we all became. The worst part of the tour was thestinky foot smells that kept lingering in the caravan - for god’s sake tend to your feet problems and throw dead shoes out!

MNT: Do you think the ‘Long Way’ tour should happen again next year? If so, why?

JR: Darwin bands should go back to the Adelaide Fringe next year – I suppose it will get bigger and better and perhaps branch out to other venues in the city - The Aviators would have been gold in the city !!!

MNT: What's your take on the Darwin music scene as it stands now?

JR: The Darwin music scene is solid. More young bands need to keep at it and not let their music dwindle away - fuck working for the government! I reckon NT musicians need more support to develop as professional artists; people from other states seem to be very interested in what’s coming out of the weird and wonderful Top End…

MNT: What are The Bone Collectors' plans for the rest of the year?

JR: We will be wandering around the traps while working on our debut album- our drummer is currently on some kind of vision quest in NSW and our guitarist is making love to his woman on a mountaintop in some cold Victorian place where there is no phone reception. So I'm currently hanging around Down South, waiting for those dreamers to return while trying to get enough money to print a few posters and book a flight back to Darwin in june for the Dry season.

So if any of you have any free money perhaps you could swing it my way - although I know I already owe some of you already, and I promise I will get it back to you (you know who you are!)

The Bone Collectors are touring Eastern states and their EP 'Pilgrimage' is out now. For more information click here

Thanks to Deb Hudson for the photos.

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