Making Friends Along the Way
It’s a balmy Bunuru Friday night and the small venue courtyard is packed with happy punters, enjoying good company and eager to see Bribes launch their latest long player, Caught in the Corners. The band are relishing the chance to catch up with friends and fans, with a little anxious energy floating through the DJ’s music. Bribes are seasoned musicians though, and when they hit the stage, it becomes a celebration of the hard work they’ve put in.
Guitarist, singer and front-one Ange and bassist/vocalist Ronan met in utero and have been writing songs ever since. Starting out with fun jingles as kids, they eventually did what many teenagers before them have done — formed a real band. Wound Honey, an excellent band with beautifully melodious songs, marked their entry into the Perth/Boorloo scene, with Aaron soon joining the songwriting fold.
While Ange explored a wilder side in punk band Sooks, the urge to keep writing indie-folk never faded. That thread carried through to Bribes, with school friend Danyon joining the jam and bringing enough synth energy to help lock in the now solidified lineup.
After the first album was driven largely by Ange’s songwriting, the band has evolved into a more collaborative effort — and it shows in the diverse range of songs. The strength of the band’s friendship is the glue that holds it all together. It’s a big call, but they claim to be the number one friendship-rock band in town. Watch out Didion’s Bible.
Like most bands in Perth/Boorloo, Bribes are gigging regularly and building a loyal base of friends and fans. One of the biggest challenges in this isolated city is finding ways to play outside the box. With only a handful of small to mid-sized venues, success often means branching out into alternative spaces. Thankfully, there are plenty of creatives willing to do just that. As Ange puts it, “It can be more work for the artists themselves, but I think we might see a shift to DIY shows and spaces to fill in those gaps.” Amen.
Nothing comes without hard work, and the rewards are clear when you see a packed room of eager fans wanting nothing more than to watch a band give it everything. The album launch is a success, and Bribes send their songs out into the ether — already looking toward what comes next.
Caught in the Corners is out now.
