October 29, 2019

Here’s what went down when Rackett AKA Bec Callander road-tested her new direction in Japan.

If you’ve noticed a Rackett-shaped hole in the Australian music scene recently you’re not alone. Fans of the group’s indie-punk tunes and raucous live shows will be well aware that it’s been nearly a year since Bec Callander and co have graced the stage. Recently, however, Rackett has re-emerged with a brand new single ‘Machinations’ marking a move into the realm of electronica whilst still retaining the brash punk attitude.

Before we even had a chance to get familiar with this new incarnation, Bec jetted off to Japan for a run of shows which she says was part of her metamorphic process. “Heading to Japan for the first time, my pilgrimage to the centre of alternative, forward-thinking culture, technology and fashion is one that has been a long time coming,” she says. “I needed to see neon. I needed to go to a place as close to what I imagined my new music to be; quirky, compact energy. I want to show my music where it was born. In my mind, there is a neon-lit, digital future with synthetic fruit and I think Japan is the closest place to that.”

But fear not, you can get your Rackett fix when she performs live at the Chippendale hotel on November 16th (info here) and at Pride Of Our Footscray November 22nd (info here). For now though, check out her snaps, vids and words from Japan below:

My first impression of Japan is shocking. I imagined, based on the pure volume of humans populating this small island, that it would be utter chaos. But in fact, Japan is the most organised, clean and courteous country I’m yet to visit. When I arrive at my first show I am greeted by the staff and other bands with bows and applause.

After sign-ins, there is a pre-show meeting where each band on the bill is introduced and applauded for their artistic contribution. Everything works to the minute, no one is late for soundcheck, everyone is respectful of each others time and the basic stage set up, even for the smallest venue, is equipped with a stadium-size lighting rig and sound system. After the show, there is a mandatory after-party hosted at the venue by the owner with dinner and drinks for the bands. The only ‘up one’ Australia has on the Japanese live set up is ‘free drinks’ during the night (priorities).

Here are some of the support bands I have to share (in order of appearance)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5mzThO-zpE&feature=youtu.be

It was hard to follow some of these bands with my new live set. Over this last year, I have created a new live show with all new songs, heavily relying on Ableton Live and midi triggers and that has probably been the most nerve-wracking part of the tour, relying on technology, that seems hell-bent on running its own program.

Each venue, no matter the size, has TV screens of the performance throughout the venue. Here’s me on a tiny TV performing at HEAVENS DOOR (SANGENJAYA)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r7jIsKbbbI&feature=youtu.be

Getting to and from the gig was the most exhausting part. Trains are the most popular and efficient way to get to and from a gig, or anywhere in Japan. This meant that we’d be travelling for up to two hours with the gear.