Exclusive: Rob Carroll on Rare Finds new East Coast tour circuit

In a move to provide more opportunities for promising emerging acts, Sydney-based boutique PR & artist management company Rare Finds this morning announced a new East Coast touring circuit would be launched in January.

It will be an extension of the successful indie nights Rare Finds has been running for the past two years in Brisbane and Sydney, extending to Melbourne.

“The Rare Finds nights aim to foster a scene within the local indie community and provide a unique touring opportunity for emerging artists,” Managing Director Rob Carroll tells TMN.

“We’re able to put artists in front of ready-made crowds, which are largely made up of industry, tastemakers and fans of the genre.

“Touring can be a bit hit-and-miss at the early stages of an artist’s career.

“By providing this platform across the three key markets, we’re making touring a lot more achievable and sustainable for new independent acts.”

Carroll adds that what has been most gratifying about Rare Find’s clubs nights in Brisbane and Sydney was the sense of discovery by the audiences.

Winston Surfshirt and Polish Club opened their first two events in a 200-capacity venue, and have moved on to larger rooms.

Among other acts receiving profile at the club nights were Alex Lahey, Ocean Alley, WAAX, Good Boy, Dear Seattle and more recently, buzz acts like Samsaruh and Taj Ralph.

“It’s the discovery element, for sure,” Carroll agrees. “Any promoter, manager or agent would agree that there’s an incredible amount of job satisfaction in seeing new artists connect with music fans.

“Growing up, I was heavily immersed in the alternative club night scene in Sydney and on the Central Coast.

“I discovered so many of my favourite bands by attending these nights.

“Over the years, these types of events have gone by the wayside, which is really sad. We’re working hard to revive the concept.”

The first of the tours will be headlined by Sunshine Coast-based singer-songwriter and musician Ayla, whose new single ‘Porcelain Doll’ has set up expectations for the January 12-due Let’s Talk, produced by Sam Cromack (Ball Park Music).

The dates and venues are:

Friday January 12, Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane, Ayla + Royal & Southern Echo, Asha Jefferies and DJ Tom Bloomfield

Friday January 19, The Penny Black, Melbourne, Ayla + Otious, Magnets and British India DJs.

Saturday January 20, OAF Gallery Bar, Sydney, Ayla + Aikonawena, The Longboys and Rare Finds DJs.

Future tours will continue to curate more unknown acts with a spark.

Carroll concludes, “I find new acts through a variety of different platforms. Through word-of-mouth, social media, triple j Unearthed, being out at other shows or even having artists, agents and managers reach out to us directly.

“I’m continually impressed by the quality of our local artists. Almost every day something pop’s up on our radar that blows us away. The future is bright for our music industry.”