Busted Head Racket — DIY BABES ZINE

The Community’s Getting a Little Bigger Here

“The project isn't really just about the music for me; I do most of the art and music videos as well. It feels kinda like an art project and personal diary.”

Check out my convo with Arden Guff that we did via email!

By Billie Estrine

Thurs. Aug 1 2024

Credit: Marta Peix Auquer

Where are you from?

I’m originally from the Riverina, which is known to be a farming area in New South Wales, Australia. I was born in Wagga Wagga (so nice, they named it twice) and grew up in Leeton. I didn’t really like it there so much, so when I was 17, I moved into my first sharehouse in Sydney’s Inner West. After 5 or so years of living in Sydney, I moved to where I live now, which is in Newcastle.

When did you start making music?

I started with piano lessons when I was around 8; I didn't want to sit piano exams, so I quit. Then, in high school, I got my first guitar. I wanted to learn how to write my own songs, but my teacher would only want me to play Pink Floyd, Guns N Roses, and Dream Theatre, so I also quit. Still, till this day, I don't really know how to play guitar, only Paradise City - GNR and Money - Pink Floyd. Then around 2019 (living in Sydney), I started playing drums in a band called Dog Dick Pink. After that band ended, I started mucking around with the bass and started Busted Head Racket (BHR).

When did you start playing live?

There's a crazy (embarrassing) video of me playing "Money" by Pink Floyd at a school music night with a high school band. I wouldn't really count that, though. I guess in 2019, when Dog Dick Pink started playing shows.

What's the most considerable creative difference between Busted Head Racket as a solo project and BHR now making music as a band?

There's not really much difference; I guess having live drums over a drum machine gives me more 'punk' sounding ideas for songs, but I still am the only one who writes for BHR. The project isn't really just about the music for me; I do most of the art and music videos as well. It feels kinda like an art project and personal diary.

Credit: Marta Peix Auquer

Can you tell me about your decision to record your new album, Go Go Go! lo-fi on an 8-track tape machine?

One of my closest friend's Teo, once said to me - relating to recording and mixing your own music - "A painter doesn't draw something and then let someone put the colour on it." Even though this comment was kinda silly and not too serious, it really inspired me and made me think about my own process, so I decided to purchase an 8-track. They are fairly easy to use, and the mixing isn't overly complicated. Tape also sounds pretty badass, all my favourite musicians use tape.

I went from Junk Food and other releases, having so many people included in the process - by the time the songs came out, they lost a personal feel. I wanted to avoid that feeling, and this might sound lame, but I feel like, especially being a woman/femme, we are constantly made to feel like we can't do things, and I wanted to regain that power and do it myself.

These songs are more personal to me then other releases - I've been a bit shy expressing this in the past - and I feel like that energy of rage and control comes through. I'm constantly working on my skills and who knows what the next record will sound like.

Photo via Busted Head Racket

Can you walk me through the process of booking the UK shows on your latest tour yourself?

Sadly, we didn't get to play UK as I got really ill physically and mentally, both reasons out of my control.

But it really just started with help from the community and friends - being put onto a chain of contacts until I eventually found someone [who] liked BHR and was excited and keen to put on a show.

In an interview with Newcastle Live! You talked about the Australian music community and how when you're touring, you love being able to stay with friends. Have you met most of these people through making music as Busted Head Racket?

Yes and No. Some friends I knew before BHR, others I met through BHR; hard to tell the ratio! But I will say most of my closest friends I have made through making music.

How does the Australian underground music community support each other's ability to tour?

I think at least within the circle of people I know I can't speak for everyone. If you need a show or are looking for a show in any city, people are willing to help make it happen. It's super cool and supportive. The Australian music community has NOTHING on the hospitality of Europeans, though. Sadly, I think the lack of being able to put on DIY shows - due to government, police, landlords, corporations, rules, older generations that hate noise - makes that kinda difficult, but a lot of people are trying hard to make it happen, and that's pretty cool.

Do you think it’s political to create community through underground music?

Whether people like to admit it or not, I think it is. But I think, ultimately, community within an underground music scene is just kinda natural. A bunch of people with common interests, you are bound to band together to make a 'scene'; otherwise, they'd be nothing at all.

Check out Busted Head Rack on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bustedheadracket/#

Billie Estrine

Naarm/Melbourne, Australia

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