When you think ‘Canberra,’ your immediate thought may not be ‘the heart of electronic music production in Australia.’ However, that’s a perception that Jamie Green and Bo Percival, the masterminds behind AMPLIDYNE, are looking to change.
Having noticed the distinct lack of opportunities for local electronic music producers to play live, Bo and Jamie decided to take matters into their own hands and host an event giving new producers a chance to gain some experience. “People get gun-shy about giving gigs to producers because they play original tunes and people might not know them,” Jamie explains, when I question the meager amount of opportunities available.
Luckily, Knightsbridge Penthouse has a delightfully open mind and has agreed to host the guys’ event on Sunday April 11. ‘Click-to-Click,’ as the show is called, will feature around eight to nine different producers playing live sets to get the crowd dancing.
As well as rookie producers, Amplidyne will also grace the stage. The production duo come from distinctly different backgrounds; Jamie started his music career by playing drums in jazz bands and Bo is also a DJ, but they started playing together about a year and a half ago and immediately clicked musically.
“It’s a really great relationship, music-wise. Bo and I both like kind of more minimal, progressive electronic stuff,” Jamie says, excitement spilling into his voice as he lists his favorite musicians. I’m surprised to hear Nina Simone make the list, but that’s clearly just the kind of complex guy he is!
“We don’t really have set roles in the band. I have a studio at home and we just rock up with nothing in mind, sync up our computers and start with a beat. Then we just start layering and go from there,” Jamie adds. I laugh at how casually he describes it. Nothing seems more complicated to me than electronic music. Jamie, noticing my confusion, puts it into layman’s terms for me. “It’s pretty raw – a bit like painting. You slap the first part down and then work on fine-tuning it.” It does seem to be a fine art form and Amplidyne have clearly got their technique down.
Although they’re hoping to make Click-to-Click bi-monthly, the event has to fit in around both guys’ busy schedules. Jamie has a lot going on, with both a family and his music to keep up with, and Bo has “a finger in ten different pies!”
To top it all off, all the proceeds raised from Click-to-Click (the event is essentially free, but a small donation is welcome upon entry) will go towards Profitless Productions, Bo’s charitable brainchild, that aims to assist struggling youths avoid substance abuse and channel their energies positively.
With a great cause like that, not to mention awesome music and the cozy surrounds of Knightsbridge to lure you in, how could you possibly not attend? Click-to-Click is on Sunday April 11 and kicks off at around 4pm, till late. Be there or be left behind! Also, check out www.amplidyne.com.au!
