“STRAB is different because it feels like a good friend of yours is having a massive party…”

A reverb-rich three-piece (Schulie Van Heerden, Keegan Oxley-Oxland, Jon Pentreath) inspired by the Floyd’s Dave Gilmour manage to make something that sounds like hardcore art rock.

Your singles are all coupled with arty black and white photographs – do you think there is an important link between music and art?

Music and photography are different lenses with which to view our world. A link only exists if one is established – but, yes, one can greatly augment the other.

You say you have a “drummer inspired by hip-hop”. Drop a few names regarding this inspiration…

His influences vary… From Tony Royster Jr. to Drumlines to Top Secret to Supa Hot Beats. Massive Travis Barker fan, obviously.

What does your new album sounds like?

It’s often difficult to describe your own music because you are very close to it, but I would say that it is ‘rock’ in genre, introspective in nature and technical in execution. But dirty in tone. Dirty, technical emo-rock?

How would you describe the band’s dynamic onstage?

Band dynamic onstage is something we are still working on. Interpersonally it is very good but we tend to withdraw into ourselves and our instruments. Our interaction with our audience, our performance, is something which must still evolve and improve … but I suppose that is the case with most bands.

In your opinion, what makes STRAB different from other music festivals?

STRAB is different because it feels like a good friend of yours is having a massive party, instead of a business hosting an event. In many ways, this is actually the case … but that doesn’t take away from the skill it must take by the STRAB team to balance intimacy and profit as well as they do. All of that and the location… The beach is a winner.