They’re been mentioned by UK music tastemakers in the same breath as Mercury Music Prize winners Alt J, their hit tune Seven was played on BBC1 last night and now Apes are set for one of the biggest gigs of their short career.
Apes member Benjamin Dowd, of Bacchus Marsh, will play to thousands of potential new fans on May 4 after the garage rockers were added to Bendigo’s Groovin The Moo bill this morning.
After opening the Big Day Out in January on the back of winning Triple J’s Unearthed competition for upcoming bands and musicians, Dowd said he was stoked the band’s talent and work ethic had been acknowledged by GTM organisers.
‘‘I’m really proud we made it on our own merit, rather than through Triple J,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s a great opportunity to network with other bands, to talk to them and see how they handle it (the big festivals).’’
Dowd said it was good to finally spill the beans to his friends and family after being sworn to secrecy by GTM.
‘‘I found out a few days ago so I’ve had to keep my lips tied a bit,’’ he said.
‘‘I was getting out of the car when the message came through from our managaer, it was either Sunday or Monday, and I was just like ‘sweet!’.’’
Dowd says Apes’ approach to GTM will be no different to any other gig: ‘‘We’ll approach it in the same way, whether we’re playing to ten people or a thousand people’’.
Meanwhile Apes have been declared ‘‘a band you need in your life’’ by UK radio station Amazing Radio.
Ape’s breakthrough hit Seven was crowned winner by a panel of industry experts on the station’s It’s Amazing show.
The station annually takes a punt on which music will blow up over the next twelve months, with its list last year including Mercury Music Prize winners Alt-J.
