RELIVING an era when grunge, alt-rock and pop music were equally celebrated, local duo Tamara Seeley and Marie Holmes will bring their interactive Adelaide Fringe show to Mount Gambier for one night this month.
Covering the biggest Australian hits of the decade, My ’90s Mixtape will feature tongue-in-cheek interactive elements and a number of unexpected “twists and turns”.
The duo spoke to The Border Watch ahead of their first performance at Adelaide’s Kent Town Hotel tomorrow night.
“Tamara asked me if I would be interested in doing a Fringe show and she already had the idea of doing a show with ’90s music and all Australian artists,” Ms Holmes said.
“We started brainstorming ideas in May last year and once we had finalised the set list I started writing the music in August – listening to the recordings and transcribing for the musicians.
“I only finished about a month ago – it was a big job.”
Backed by James Owen on drums, Laura Small on bass and Diane Turner on guitar, the five piece will cover a diverse mix of Australian artists from Silverchair to Tina Arena while Jase Scheidl will act as host.
“This is an interactive show – it’s not just a cover band tribute act – there will be twists and turns and lots of fun,” Ms Seeley said.
“Jase will be our compere and he will run the interactive segments, but people who do not want to participate are welcome to sit and enjoy.”
For those eager to participate, Ms Holmes hinted it might be an idea to bring along a few iconic ’90s dance moves.
“If people want to dress up, we would completely embrace that,” she said.
“Start searching YouTube to remember those ’90s dance moves if you have forgotten.”
Ms Seeley said the theme was inspired by the current ’90s resurgence.
“Everyone is on this nostalgic trip at the moment – I had the opportunity to support Sarah McLeod from The Superjesus last year and a lot of these ’90s bands are coming back to tour,” she said.
“I thought it would be cool to do a ’90s show focused on Australian artists because so much good music came out of this country in that decade.
“It could have been a six hour show – it was so hard to cut it down to an hour and we may go slightly over an hour.”
When asked about their own favourite Australian artists of the ’90s, both Ms Seeley and Ms Holmes said it was difficult to narrow down the list.
“I love Wendy Matthews and I have a soft spot for Girlfriend – that was the first concert I went to when I was 10,” Ms Seeley said.
Ms Holmes said she was a Savage Garden fan.
“I loved Kylie too, she was very big at the time and she features a little in our show,” she
added.
“We have covered all genres and the songs are not always the most obvious choices – there will be unexpected songs where people will go ‘oh I have not heard that for years.’
“People are welcome to stick around after the show for more ’90s music that did not make the mixtape.”
My ’90s Mixtape will be held under the stars at the Mount Gambier Golf Club Attamurra on March 16.
Live music will start from 7pm with support acts to be confirmed.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic rug or a deck chair.
A licensed bar will be open and light snacks available for purchase
Tickets are available at stickytickets.com – search My 90’s Mixtape.
