We catch up with the rising star to get the drop on her year and the citywide festival…
Western Sydney’s Becca Hatch is an artist who’s risen through the ranks of Sydney music over the past couple of years, the R&B songstress drawing critical acclaim for her unique vintage of R&B and soul. Lately, she’s ventured into the dance sphere with recent single ‘Without You’, and has cut her teeth opening for the likes of Spacey Jane, George Alice, and now Vera Blue.
Now, in the midst of her hectic schedule, she’s slated to play the newly announced Sydney All-Nighter just next week, playing an intimate set with fellow muso Montaigne at Sydney Opera Bar. It’s definitely going to be a big day of gigs (Northeast Party House, Harvey Sutherland to name a few), but rest assured, Becca and Montaigne are two acts you definitely don’t want to miss.
So, we figured we’d catch up with the rising star to get the drop on Sydney All-Nighter, her year so far and even her most memorable all-nighters. Check it below.
You’re set to play Sydney All-Nighter, how are you feeling for it?
Yeah, I’m feeling really excited. I’ve been a fan of Montaigne for a while, so it’s pretty cool that I get to play a show with her. Should be good!
You’ve been pretty busy on the touring front this year, playing with artists like George Alice, Spacey Jane and now Vera Blue. How are we feeling on the energy levels going into Sydney All-Nighter?
It’s been a lot [laughs]. It was kind of a shock going from no shows during lockdown last year to touring multiple times with different artists. It felt like it all happened at once. But yeah, it’s been good. It’s a bit hectic but the last few months I’ve just been trying to train myself to keep up with it all. I started swimming and dancing just mentally discipline myself and physically get ready for the craziness. It’s good to just be able to play in front of people and connect with everyone.
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While on all of those tours, you’ve been road-testing a new song in ‘Without You’. What’s the reaction been like to it?
It’s been cool! When I did the Spacey Jane run, I didn’t have that song out yet but I was playing it just to test it out. And then that was the one song that I found that a lot of people, from all different kinds of crowds, vibed with. I think because it’s very easy, floor to the floor song that isn’t hard to dance to or anything. It was when I played that Spacey Jane tour where I realized that people really messed with that. I ended up putting it out after that run purely because of that. Just that connection with people who are actually able to move to it. So that really influenced me in putting it out.
It’s definitely a much more dancier track than your previous releases. What’s it been like playing with that genre?
Like I said before, that kind of music is really accessible for a lot of different crowds. I also found that that more dancey house music is what I actually enjoy playing live. I feel like that influenced the direction in which I was heading. But yeah, I’ve always really loved dance and electronic music. I just feel like I have haven’t really put it out or showed that side of my artistry, until recently. So it’s been cool to head down that path now.
I also wanna touch on the Archie Roach ‘Like A Version’ you were part of. That looked like a really special moment. What was that like?
It was really special. Archie is a legend. He’s someone that I’ve always looked up to as an artist, as a First Nations artist. So being able to actually meet him and be in that room and sing with him was so special. I honestly was holding back Teras when I was doing that Like a Version because of how special it felt to be there. But rest in peace to Archie, he’s such a legend. And I just feel so grateful that I was able to be part of that moment with him.
You got to do your own ‘Like a Version’ with John Farnham’s ‘Burn For You’. What was it like ticking that off the bucket list?
I think Like a Version is one of those things that’s on every artist’s bucket list. It was really crazy to do that. When I got to pick the song, I was just thinking to myself, “I’m going to pick the most stereotypical Australian song and squish it into my own and add a little sauce onto it.” So yeah, that’s kind of why I went for that song. Because it’s actually a really beautiful song as well.
I remember seeing you at that Firefight fundraiser at the Enmore in 2019. You’ve played so many big and small stages since then and often go between the two. Are there any specific differences or similarities between those types of gigs?
Wow, that was such a long time ago [laughs]. I have two different kinds of gigs or shows that I do all of the time. It’s either a band show where I’ll bring the full band and we’ll just go crazy on it. Or I’ll just have me and a DJ. But for both of the shows, I always try my hardest to, no matter how big the crowd is, I always try my hardest to give the same energy for both. Whether it’s there’s three people. I’m like, “I don’t give a fuck”, these three people are going to be moshing with me [laughs]. We’re going to be going just as hard as if it’s hundreds of people.
So yeah, it’s pretty interesting. I felt like this year was a huge mixture of playing Enmore and then playing Reunion Park with Spacey Jane as well as Veer East and Mary’s Underground with Kian last week. It’s really interesting, but I just try my best to give a hundred percent for both, because for me, I just want people to have the exact same experience coming to any of the shows.
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Now, for Sydney All-Nighter, where can fans expect to find you on the day?
I’m playing at the Sydney Opera House Bar with Montaigne and it’s going to be really dope. I’m not sure exactly what time I’m on, but that gig will be really sick because I’m bringing the full band. So it’ll be a little band show. Plenty of good vibes.
Do you have any surprises or unreleased tracks in store for your set?
For all of my band shows I’ve been playing a few unreleased tunes. But one new one that will be coming out in October called ‘Bless’ is one I’m excited to play. So that should be a really good vibe. But yeah, it’s really interesting to be able to play unreleased songs and see how people react to them, and just see everyone move even though they don’t know what the song is. So yeah, it should be good.
What else is on the cards for you for the rest of this year?
So I’m about to go on tour in October for Grapevine Festival, which should be really sick. I’m really keen for that because the Veronicas are playing. And you don’t realize how many bangers that they have until you listen to their songs and then you’re like, “Holy shit, this is my childhood.”
So I’m really keen to go watch that show on tour. Then I’ll be going on tour in November and December with Vera Blue, which will be really sick as well. I’m also a huge fan of hers.
Lastly, what’s the most memorable all-nighter you’ve had while out and about in Sydney?
Every time I’ve really sent a night, I always end up at the Imperial in Erskenville [laughs]. It’s so random but I really love that place. So yeah, if you’re having an all nighter in Sydney, you should go the Imperial because it’s a good vibe. It’s just one of those places where if everywhere else is dead, it’ll always be the one place that’s always going to be on.
No matter what the time is or what day it is, it could even be in the middle of the week. Everywhere else could be closed, but you can go there and it’ll always be the same energy. So maybe that’s why it’s a good vibe [laughs].
Becca Hatch is set to play Sydney All-Nighter next week. Be sure to catch her at the Opera Bar with Montaigne. You can visit the Sydney All-Nighter website for more information.
