Sydney electronic rockers No Illuminati have spent the last three years playing at warehouse parties in the inner city.
In light of the recent lockout laws and with aspects of our nightlife diminishing, they believe a faith in the DIY ethic has led to larger audiences and a safer, more colourful environment in which to play and party.
“When we started with our own shows, we were playing the more traditional venues almost everywhere in the Inner West and on Oxford Street,” says guitarist Lishan Ang. “We were keeping our options open, and when [record label and party promoters] Surveillance Party took off we thought, ‘Well, if these ones are going to bring great crowds, we can’t be bothered playing those shitty pub gigs that no-one comes to.’
“We’re not bad-mouthing anyone, it’s just easier for us to be under the umbrella of Surveillance Party because there’s a guaranteed crowd there. If you need to get people to the shows, it’s a lot harder when you don’t have the [label] behind you.”
Founded by producers Haptic and Xan Müller in 2013, the Newtown-based ‘cultural hub’ that is Surveillance Party has been developing a diverse roster of techno, trance, drum and bass, as well as rock and indie acts. Since a chance meeting with Müller, the band has played all but one of the four warehouse parties hosted by Surveillance.
“We met Xan at a Chicks With Tits show at the Townie,” says Ang. “We started playing shows with Surveillance and they were very small, in pubs and that sort of thing. Xan was living in a warehouse at the time. He actually went and got a lease to live there and put two parties on.”
Although the State Government’s current nightlife laws suggest dangerous alcohol consumption and antisocial behavior is endemic to our culture, and police frequently shut down unregulated parties, the Surveillance crew has created a safe and respectful environment for artists and audiences alike.
“People enjoy going to these warehouse gigs a lot more than conventional venues because they don’t feel as restricted,” says No Illuminati singer Cat Robinson.
“I feel like there’s not a huge focus on alcohol. People just rock up with thermoses of tea and they’re just chilling out doing their own thing. Because the parties are private, and they’re DIY and it’s BYO, there’s not a focus on booze sales … It’s an excellent mix of people. There are all your geeks and your nerds. And there are fascinating people who look incredible in dedicated costumes. They’re drinking, they’re partying, but in a respectful way.”
No Illuminati’s faith in the DIY ethic extends to their recordings. Ang will undertake production responsibilities for their upcoming album, set for release this year, and the band will record in the comfort of home.
“A few years ago I went and bought all the microphones, Cubase and mixing gear to make a record myself,” Ang says. “Now we don’t have to pay for the stupidly high production costs to put an mp3 on the internet for people to download for free.”
When asked if the venue hosting the next Surveillance Party, Oxford Art Factory – a location with tighter security and within the lockout zone – will have an impact on the underground atmosphere No Illuminati have become accustomed to, Robinson has no concerns.
“Oxford Art is one of the most incredible venues in Sydney, and obviously it’s going to be the same. I’ve loved what we’ve done in the past but I’m nothing but excited for this.”
[No Illuminati photo by Hannah Anderson]
No Illuminati play the Surveillance Party Radar, Oxford Art Factory on Saturday March 26, with Mirella’s Inferno, Wonky, Xan Müller, Froyo, La Luz Music, Dotmicro and more.
