Wall of Sound presents: “2021 YEAR IN REVIEW” – by Amends’ Ellen Tamp
Sydney alt/rockers Amends released their album, Tales of Love, Loss and Outlaws in 2021, which saw the band produce some unique, gritty emo-ridden rock. If you’re after a song that sounds like nothing else on your playlist this week, definitely don’t go past the track ‘Walking Backwards’ featuring Against Me!’s Laura Jane Grace.
The band are gearing up for some cool festival shows in 2022, like a stint on Yours & Owls and the Hunter Valley’s Dashville Skyline, both incredible opportunities for the Western Sydney outfit to spread their distinctive sound. To feel a little bit closer to the band in anticipation, we caught up with bassist/violinist Ellen Tamp on what other music releases had her hitting repeat in 2021…
TOP 5 ALBUMS OF 2021?
#5 Lucy Dacus – Home Video
#4 Regional Justice Center – Crime and Punishment
#3 Torso – Home Wrecked
#2 Raccoon City – For Nobody, Nowhere
#1 Mannequin Pussy – Perfect
TOP 5 SONGS OF 2021?
#5 The World Is A Beautiful Place – ‘Infinite Josh’
#4 Drug Church – ‘Million Miles of Fun’
#3 Lucero – ‘Back In Ohio’
#2 Turnstile – ‘T.L.C’
#1 Drain – ‘Watch You Burn’
BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF 2021?
Lil Nas X – ‘THAT’S WHAT I WANT’
LAST GIG YOU PLAYED BEFORE COVID HIT?
We played supporting The Menzingers and Press Club at back in March 2020. In the weeks leading up it seemed so likely it was gonna be canned, but we just slid through. That show was literally 2 days before NSW banned events with 500+ people, and then less than a week after that we were in our first hard lockdown.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT RETURNING TO THE STAGE?
I’m very aware that everyone (performers, crew, punters) have been through a lot the past 2 years, so I don’t expect everything to be entirely like it was 2 years ago… it might take us all some time to get back into it. But in saying that, I can’t wait. I am ready to get out and play. There’s nothing like that buzz!
HOW DID YOU STAY BUSY THROUGHOUT THE PAST TWO YEARS?
We wrote and recorded our 2nd full length in 2020, and the record came out in April of this year. So although we haven’t played a lot, we have been busy! Myself and the others all have regular day jobs, so we’ve just been working and waiting for things to open back up.
BEST ADVICE GOING INTO 2022?
The music industry has been completely broken to pieces because of this pandemic. As we all start booking shows and tours again, we have an incredible opportunity to rebuild the music scene into what it should be. I’m talking diverse crews and line ups, having venues and shows being safe and inclusive environments, not just booking your friends’ bands who look exactly the same as you. Now’s the time to show progress and change, not just slip into old habits.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2022?
Touring! Seeing interstate friends/bands! Getting sweaty in a small capacity room! We have a few cool festivals and tours already lined up for next year, I can’t bloody wait.
Written by Ellen Tamp
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