River Fest artist spotlight...Katanak
The 2023 edition of Rockhampton’s River Fest kicks off at the end of this month, with a huge roster of Australian artists and bands from a variety of genres. The town centre is set to come alive over three days for this Family Friendly & FREE event for a jammed packed program of Music, Art Installations, Workshops, market stalls and local food trucks. We caught up with a few of the acts on the lineup to ask them about their River Fest preparations, what can fans look forward to and who they are excited to see from the extensive lineup. First Up…Katanak.
You are one of the acts announced for the 2023 River Fest happening in Rockhampton from the 28th - 30th of July. Are you excited to be a part of this huge line-up of musical talent?
I’m super excited to be involved in the Rockhampton River Festival! As for the talent involved in this festival, it’s amazing. As the announcement for each act came out, I was like ‘awesome, been wanting to catch their set’, then the next one was announced and I just kept on going ‘no way, so good!’ It just kept getting better with each announcement. The overall lineup is incredible and Rockhampton, you have a treat coming up over these 3 festival days!
“The overall lineup is incredible and Rockhampton, you have a treat coming up over these 3 festival days! ”
How do you prepare yourself for a festival event like River Fest?
I’m still relatively new to the festival world, but I love everything about them. Before I start, huge shout out to the festival organisers as they are always the unsung heroes. I wouldn’t be coming along if it wasn’t for them.
I’ll always think hard about the set list to make sure I’ve got it exactly how I want it and we practice only that set list in the lead up so we are super tight.
Getting to know the other bands and to support them in their sets is something I always like to do as well.
What can punters expect from your upcoming performance in sunny Rockhampton?
My website says ‘Fresh, fun and indie’ which I think covers my music perfectly. I like to write fun songs that make you want to move. Genre isn’t such a big thing for me and I can cross from indie rock to indie pop. Not all the words are upbeat but I like to keep the melody and music upbeat to counter the words.
A festival is time for fun, so come have fun with me.
If you could jump on stage and collab with any artist or band from the River Fest line-up, who would it be and why?
Super hard question Michelle as the choices are endless here, and I can’t pick only one! I’ve recently played with Weathered – super tight, and I’m keen to see Pete Gray’s full band Owls of Neptune as he has an amazing voice.
So I’m going to have to list a few - Lucid Safari, Mitch King, Sunday Lemonade and of course Weathered and Owls of Neptune.
“I’ve recently played with Weathered – super tight, and I’m keen to see Pete Gray’s full band Owls of Neptune as he has an amazing voice. ”
What's your favourite festival memory either as a scheduled act or as an attendee?
When I was studying sound production at TAFE I got the opportunity to work on both Bluesfest and the Gympie Country Muster for the entirety of both festivals. It was a massive effort working 6 or 7 days straight from load in to load out. So my best memory is basically how awesome it was to work alongside the real heroes of putting a music festival together. Plus, seriously, how much better can it get then to view a festival side of stage!
Do you find festivals are a good way to expand your fanbase as you can showcase your music to people who haven’t heard you before?
The crowd is always there for a good time and prepared to discover new music, so they are always open to what each band brings. Rockhampton will be the same and we are keen! It’s up to us to get the crowd wanting to follow us, so we’ll be working hard doing that.
Hot Tip: Anyone coming along to the festival, jump on to each bands Spotify and have a listen to the music. Not only does it support the band and local live original music, but you might just find some new music for your playlist.
What’s the one song from your catalogue that you HAVE to include in a festival set?
Well, it’s actually called ‘Festival’, haha! I wrote the song 7 years ago with the intention of one day playing it at a festival and said I would only change the name when I played at a festival. I’m now stuck because I don’t want to change the name, haha. It’s the best song to finish our set on and showcases the musical geniuses that play with me. It’s also just outright good fun. Some good old railroad rock!
Do you have a message for the attendees that are coming to see you play at River Fest?
Just, come have some fun with us! Come early and catch all the acts playing before us. See you Saturday, 6pm on the Tununba Stage.
Jump on to my socials - @katanakmusic, or website - https://www.katanakmusic.com to discover more about Katanak. Links to music and all socials are there. Then, come up and say hey and have a chat. I’m always up for meeting and chatting to the people that are supporting me along this music journey.
For more information : www.rockhamptonriverfestival.com.au
Interview by Michelle Symes
July 2023