hissyfit

GIRL.COM.AU - 'STARS OF TOMORROW' SERIES

Take five slinky women. Dress them in fancy pants and a whole lotta shoes. Give one a drumkit and something to hit it with; another a bass and a voice and a song; the next a guitar and rock sensibility; another a sax and a penchant for punk; the last a sweet voice and a story to match. Add four parts pop, two parts folk, three part harmony and a dash of ska and you have the very unique hissyfit.

Melbourne all-girl band hissyfit have been rockin audiences all over Melbourne for the last three years and 2001 saw the release of their debut EP stars without make-up.

Our 'Stars of Tomorrow' spotlight is on band members Jan (sax) and Rach (guitar) of hissyfit.

Stage Name: Jan & Rach
Age: 27 & 28

Location: Melbourne

Music Genre: Indie pop/rock (and a bit of ska and punk and folk and stuff).

When did you realise that music was your passion?

Rach: When I was three. Music is my life, seriously my day job, hobby and way to relax through dancing or singing around the camp fire. Ever since I was a teenager I wanted to be in an all girl band, so my dream has come true becoming a part of hissyfit.

Jan: There was never any sudden 'moment of awakening' for me. Like Rach, I'd always listened to and played music. We always tried to form bands at school, but being at an all-girl school there weren't a whole lot of guitarists around, and only one drummer, so nothing ever really came of it! There are a lot more young chicks rockin' nowadays – it's great to see all-girl high school bands getting out there.

List three musical influences:

Jan: Only three?!! Punk, metal, jazz.

Rach: Sibelius, hardcore, indie rock.

How many years have you been performing?

Jan: In bands for about 4 years.

Rach: Onstage since I was five. In rock bands for about 6 years.

Do you write your own material?

Jan: Yes. We write all our own songs; Erica (bass guitar) and I are the main songwriters, but all hissyfit's songs are collaborative efforts.

Have you found the Internet to be helpful/useful in fast-tracking your music career?

Jan: Definitely. Apart from conducting a lot of business via email, we use resources ranging from government web sites to news groups. We've also recently purchased our own domain, hissyfit.com.au, and hopefully our online presence will make us accessible to more people.

In following your dream, who has helped you along the way? Oh, so many people help out! All the band's brothers and partners and parents and friends have been really supportive.

Is there anything you wish you could change about the music industry?

Jan: The music industry can still be really difficult for women. I'd like to see girls judged on their merits as musicians, rather than being seen as chicks first and musicians second, if at all.

Rach: It shouldn't be about the size of our boobs or waist.

What advice can you offer to other budding young artists?

Jan: Just have fun!

Rach: Rock out.

Where do you envision yourself in 5 years time? Man, I have no idea! But I'd rather be a pop star than a suit in an office!

Where can people purchase/listen to your music?

In Melbourne, you can buy our EP, Stars Without Makeup at Greville Records, Missing Link, Gaslight and Polyester Music, or at our shows (check the gig guide on www.hissyfit.com.au). We're hoping to organise some underage shows in the near future, so stay tuned. Elsewhere, you can buy online at www.chaosmusic.com.

GIRL'S 60 SECOND QUIZ

Full Name: Janet Brunckhorst
Nickname(s): Janakin
Star Sign: Aries

Fave Food: Dim sum
Fave Film: Today? Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Fave Actor: Michelle Yeoh, Jet Li
Fave Animal: Tiger

Describe Yourself In 3 Words: Random, fierce, resilient
Best Feature: I'm pretty tough. And I can cook!
Worst Feature: Nasty temper
Person You Would Most Like To Meet: Gore Vidal
Hobbies/Interests:Kung fu, hiking, reading geek magazines, web design

First Job: Shop assistant at a drum and guitar shop
A Talent You Wish You Had: Flying
The Best Advice Given To You: Remember it's not as bad as it feels
What Can You Never Leave Home Without: Empty-handed is all good! There's nothing I really can't do without.
If you were a cartoon character, which one would you be? Batman
If you were told you had a minute to live, what would you do? Sing

GIRL'S 60 SECOND QUIZ

Full Name: Rachel Clare Nendick
Nickname(s): Rach
Star Sign: Capricorn

Fave Food: Custard tarts
Fave Film: Rabbit Proof Fence
Fave Actor: Johnny Depp
Fave Animal: Dog

Describe Yourself In 3 Words: Crazy, warm, vague
Best Feature: My Dancing Feet
Worst Feature: Smelly shoes (especially after dancing)
Person You Would Most Like To Meet: David Suzuki
Hobbies/Interests: Reading, playing music, bush walking, sewing

First Job: Pharmacy assistant
A Talent You Wish You Had: To be able go fast on a skateboard without being
scared
The Best Advice Given To You: "I think you need to talk about it"
What Can You Never Leave Home Without: My keys
If you were a cartoon character, which one would you be? Ren
If you were told you had a minute to live, what would you do? Pash my man

Visit the official website - http://www.hissyfit.com.au


N.B.: If you would like to nominate a Star of Tomorrow, email michelle@girl.com.au, include a brief biography of the person you are nominating and tell us why they are the next big thing!