The Thousands

Too young to be iconic, too old to be the new kid on the block; 3 years could’ve been a difficult age. But OAF are just steadily building on their solid foundation of quality acts, from local up-and-comers to cult figures. And with old dawg Hopetoun still in purgatory, all the more reason to nurture this little brat.

Parades, Howl, Guineafowl, Circle Pit, Traps, The Joysticks, Rapids, Whipped Cream Chargers, Sticky Fingers, La Mancha Negra and more take over the entire venue for this birthday free-for-all.

What makes the best mixtape?
I’m a sucker for a bit of sentimentality in a mixtape, to be honest. Love a love song. If the mixtape isn’t romantically themed (boooooo), then I reckon it needs some good surprises, some deep cuts as well as the A sides, and not to be scared to smoosh some rap music up against some shoegaze, or whatever your preferred genre version of that analogy is.

What’s your favourite song on this one, and why?
That’s too hard for me to answer – it’s a funny one when you’re acquainted with so many of the musicians on a mixtape! I love Another Trick by Circle Pit because it feels like a serious summer driving in the car anthem – one of those songs that sounds fresh but still really familiar, it’s like the faded black t-shirt of songs. I love Jesus Hound by the Whipped Cream Chargers because that big heavy tempo drag and the howling vocals make me feel like having sex. Something Happens by The Straight Arrows gives me involuntary dance-twitches, so does It Makes Me Sick by The Joysticks, and El Mole by La Mancha Negra. I really like them all!

What’s OAF getting for his/her 3rd birthday? DA approval!?
Fingers crossed it’s a DA Approval! The wish list also includes a billion people at our birthday party, and an ever growing community of people who go out and see live music.

You’ve got a massive line up, but who’re your favourites?
I know that fence sitting makes for boring interview answers, but seriously, the line-up is a really carefully groomed selection of bands that are shit hot. It’s fire from beginning to end – from Dark Bells, who are the first band on in the Gallery, through to Parades, who are wrapping things up in the big room. We love them all. Maybe in that situation the hot tip is to go see a band you might not have heard of? Choose your own adventure style.

Finally, why should we go to the birthday bash?
It’s free. We’ll be serving complimentary drinks from 7pm. The bands are great, and you deserve a treat for being a patron of Sydney’s live music scene.