The Australian Voices' switch between contemporary choral, rap, classical radio, political speeches and theatre.
'Boombox', is vocal music as you have never heard it before, it's part concert, part performance, part insane genius, with musical works by Gordon Hamilton, Lisa Young, Isabella Gerometta and Nigel Butterley.
Triple j Uneathed musician and member of The Australian Voices, Georgia Mae Hahn pens an open letter:
“After writing some irresistibly corny pop lyrics for a Los Angeles film/ television music company, packing the car with my behemoth load of equipment for my show tonight, and scoffing some 'Star Wars'-themed cereal, I check the dreaded ‘eeeemailsss’. But wait, yay! Gordon Hamilton, Artistic Director of The Australian Voices, has sent the (better known as) ‘TAV’ 2016 season calendar! This is kind of a big deal.
As I read, I stoop closer and closer to the screen, my jaw drooping lower and lower from awe and excitement at the musical diversity and extensive international travel that is 2016 with TAV. Perhaps one of our most anticipated performances of the year is 'Boombox' at Adelaide Fringe Festival, so accurately described as 'the ultimate skirmish between human voice and machine.' Word.
Within my own electronic pop (Georgia Mae) music world, the main aim has always been to disseminate fun and, in some small capacity, to pioneer a new ‘sound’. Well, who knows if the ‘fun’ and ‘pioneer’ things are working for me, but being a part of 'Boombox' means I can sleep peacefully at night knowing that as a collective we’re definitely ticking the ‘fun’ and ‘pioneer’ boxes. 'Boombox' is a new breed of performance that WILL make you have fun (and also laugh, feel awkward, gasp and cry), and it WILL take you places you’ve never been before (and that you certainly did not expect to go).
As I read, I stoop closer and closer to the screen, my jaw drooping lower and lower from awe and excitement at the musical diversity and extensive international travel that is 2016 with TAV. Perhaps one of our most anticipated performances of the year is 'Boombox' at Adelaide Fringe Festival, so accurately described as 'the ultimate skirmish between human voice and machine.' Word.
Within my own electronic pop (Georgia Mae) music world, the main aim has always been to disseminate fun and, in some small capacity, to pioneer a new ‘sound’. Well, who knows if the ‘fun’ and ‘pioneer’ things are working for me, but being a part of 'Boombox' means I can sleep peacefully at night knowing that as a collective we’re definitely ticking the ‘fun’ and ‘pioneer’ boxes. 'Boombox' is a new breed of performance that WILL make you have fun (and also laugh, feel awkward, gasp and cry), and it WILL take you places you’ve never been before (and that you certainly did not expect to go).
Gordon and Jenna Koda introduced the choir to the idea of 'Boombox' early in 2015, drawing on the production talents of TAV members Samuel Boyd and Jacob Ballard. A seemingly insane musical/ theatrical/ comedic/ dramatic undertaking began to flower as we fused pieces from the likes of Lisa Young, Nigel Butterly, old school rappers (yes, we rap and simultaneously dance/ awkwardly hip sway for the non-dancers). Also TAV’s own Isabella Gerometta and Gordon Hamilton, with a relaxed, truthful and sometimes brazen style of performance.
I’m kind of finding it hard to describe. Anyone who saw our performances last year in Melbourne, Hobart, New York, or at Brisbane will know what I mean. All I can say is that I’m insanely proud to be a part of this outlandish, beautiful and daring expedition called 'Boombox'. And I love how it completely challenges the audience’s perception and expectation of the identity of a choir. I’d like to think those haterz – the jocks, cheerleaders and goths – from high school (who am I kidding, there were none…didn’t go to school in America) who would see this and say 'wow, radical! And the 'Boombox' was such, like, a totally sick idea.' #whatatimetobealive”
– Georgia Mae Hahn
I’m kind of finding it hard to describe. Anyone who saw our performances last year in Melbourne, Hobart, New York, or at Brisbane will know what I mean. All I can say is that I’m insanely proud to be a part of this outlandish, beautiful and daring expedition called 'Boombox'. And I love how it completely challenges the audience’s perception and expectation of the identity of a choir. I’d like to think those haterz – the jocks, cheerleaders and goths – from high school (who am I kidding, there were none…didn’t go to school in America) who would see this and say 'wow, radical! And the 'Boombox' was such, like, a totally sick idea.' #whatatimetobealive”
– Georgia Mae Hahn
'Boombox' performs Adelaide Town Hall 1-5 March as part of Adelaide Fringe Festival which runs 12 February – 14 March.
