All in the family: Stonefield’s Findlay sisters hope to return to Geelong soon.
By Cherie Donnellan
LIFE is actually a good reality for the Findlay sisters of hit rock band Stonefield.
The ’70s-inspired rock foursome have released Australia’s first interactive music video for new EP Bad Reality.
Eldest sister Amy, the band’s lead singer and drummer, spoke to the Independent about rock music and touring with her sisters.
“Shooting the clip for Bad Reality was so much fun,” she enthused.
“We wanted to be able to give our fans something extra than what they’d see on a regular video hits show.”
Findlay said the two-night shoot in Sydney was challenging but “so much fun”.
“We started at about 6pm each night and filmed until 4am.
“There’s a lot of action in the clip so we had cameras with harnesses attached to our bodies and there were stunt people doing fancy tricks as well.
“The wardrobe was fantastic, too.”
Stonefield has been making waves in the music world since winning a 2010 Triple J Unearthed competition.
Part of the prize was a chance to play at England’s Glastonbury Festival, the world’s largest music event.
“It was our first overseas gig, so it was a pretty huge deal,” Findlay remembered.
“We got to play in front of thousands of people. It was the most nervous we’ve ever been but the feeling of walking up on stage at Glastonbury was so cool.”
The band has since toured around Australia, playing to packed houses including several gigs in Geelong.
The girls plan to wow Geelong fans again with music from their new album, set for release later this year.
“We’re hoping to finish the album in September. Then we’ll tour again,” Findlay said, “so we’ll probably be coming to Geelong soon”.
Findlay described an atypical touring structure for the Stonefield girls.
“Holly and Sarah are still underage so our parents tour with us,” she said.
“And even though Hannah and I are over 18, we concentrate on the music when we tour, so we’re not into the traditional party scene.
“We just think you go on tour to play, not to party.”
Findlay considered playing in a band with her sisters a “good thing”.
“We all know each other really well, which helps when we tour.
“And we’re all inspired by the same music. We grew up with bands like Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac and idols like Jimi Hendrix.”
Findlay said the girls most enjoyed “jamming” and writing new music in a shed on their rural Victorian home in Darrawiet Guim.
Stonefield releases Bad Reality this Friday.
