One of the Bandboozled team, James Sherley, is also a writer for online publication Backyard Opera. He got a chance to catch up with Joanna Syme of award-winning alt-pop duo Big Scary. Consisting of Joanna Syme and Tom Iansek, the band hail from Melbourne and started out independently in 2006, originally using multiple platforms to broadcast their music including Triple J Unearthed. Since then they have gradually garnered attention, eventually releasing a slew of EP’s and albums since then, all too critical acclaim.

The duo has even managed to start up their own independent label Pieater, and release their latest LP ‘Not Art’ through it. Always self-sufficient and deeply talented, their hard work has paid off, currently having nominations for ‘Best Album’ in the Music Victoria Awards, performing at this year’s Independent Music Awards, and receiving ARIA nominations for ‘Breakthrough Artist’ and ‘Best Independent Release’. With community radio stations such as Bandboozled favourite, FBi, obviously having supported the music of Big Scary’s, we asked Joanna what her thoughts were on what these organisations did for up and coming artists, and how they are utilised.

So the last I saw you guys live was at a lunch break gig for FBi Social, what’s your thoughts on what these community stations are doing in the way of support for the industry at the moment?

“Oh I think they’re invaluable, they’re amazing, and it’s a different market to something like what triple J does. Triple J are beneficial because they unite a whole country, and I don’t know any other country that has something like that. But the smaller ones, the local ones, it’s incredible that people just want to feel connected, and I think that these stations provide that. You get shocked at how many people do; you know they just get you aware of what’s going on around you and how lucky you are in your own cities. Places like Sydney and Melbourne and a lot of other Australian cities have got so much going on, but it’s not supported, I think it’s unfair to say it’s not entirely supported by the government… but the community stations really really push an important part of our culture.”

To check out the full interview, head over to Backyard Opera to have a read.

Big Scary have currently still got upcoming shows including at Falls Festival and Southbound. For more info on the guys check out their Facebook and make sure to give them a Like.

– James Sherley