By JESSE GRAHAM
A THREE-piece Yarra Valley band has been announced as a finalist in a career-changing competition, and is asking for public support to bring them out on top.
Under the Arch, a band made up of Yarra Valley residents, Kate Fyander, Darcy Haag and Aidan King, were recently announced in the top 12 finalists in the Bank of Melbourne’s Melbourne Music Bank competition.
The competition, which asks musicians and bands to submit an original song inspired by Victoria’s capital city, has been whittled down to the top 12 entrants, and the songs are now open for public voting.
Under the Arch’s song, Free, is about the freedom that Melbournites have in their city.
“It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor you can fall in love with this great city and get lost in a dream,” their profile reads.
After the round of public voting finished on 12 October, the 12 finalists will be cut down to the top four, who will perform at the Melbourne Recital Centre on 29 October.
A panel of judges will then select the overall winner, who will have 500 CDs recorded and printed, a film-clip recorded, as well as marketing and publicity advice, their song featured in an advert for the bank and performance opportunities.
Kate, who sings and plays guitar in Under the Arch, told the Mail that the band was trying to rally as much public support as possible, to try and get into the top spot.
She said that the band did not have information on how many votes they had collected thus far, but were relying on friends, family and music-lovers to give them a leg-up.
“We’ve just got to trust that people like us and are voting for us,” she said.
Under the Arch’s musical style is inspired by John Butler, Angus and Julia Stone and Iron and Wine, and the song was written in just four days for the competition.
The song was recorded at Badger Creek’s Momentum Studios by Michael Hardinge.
To listen to Free, and to vote in the Melbourne Music Bank competition, visit webapps.bankofmelbourne.com.au/melbmusicbank.
Voting closes on 12 October.
