Home

Electro masters are ready to rave

Jackson Lavell-LeeAugusta Margaret River Times
Elise Reitze-Swensen and Rosie Taylor are Feels performing their infectious, experimental electronic music to Settlers Tavern next Friday
Camera IconElise Reitze-Swensen and Rosie Taylor are Feels performing their infectious, experimental electronic music to Settlers Tavern next Friday Credit: Picture:, Supplied

Award-winning electro duo Feels are bringing their “rave cave” to Settlers Tavern next Friday.

Elise Reitze-Swensen and Rosie Taylor burst onto the WA music scene as classically trained percussionists with an unconventional performance style, using one four-octave electronic marimba/xylophone, 11 different drum pads and a cymbal.

The twosome quickly became one of Perth’s favourite alternative live acts, famed for their mesmerising continuous loop of electronic sounds inspired by a DJ’s desire to maintain movement on the dance floor.

Last year, on the back of winning their third WAM award in a row for best electronic producer, the pair released their latest album, Water Level.

The 11-track record leads listeners on a futuristic journey of self-discovery which embodies the path that Feels have walked on their whirlwind musical adventure.

“Releasing our debut album was a very big moment for us,” Reitze-Swensen said.

“What makes the cut, and does this body of work represent us?

“It’s a lot of work but cool and exciting.”

“If you’re not writing for yourself you don’t fully appreciate the final product,” Taylor said.

“It’s a very personal experience.”

Elise Reitze-Swensen and Rosie Taylor are Feels performing their infectious, experimental electronic music to Settlers Tavern next Friday
Camera IconElise Reitze-Swensen and Rosie Taylor are Feels performing their infectious, experimental electronic music to Settlers Tavern next Friday Credit: Supplied

Their shared passion for experimental electronic music has led the duo to found Women of Music Production Perth — a platform for female, trans and non-binary musicians to explore musical production.

The WOMPP initiative has led to a Perth TedxTalk about the gender disparity in the electronic music scene, which has garnered further acclaim.

Reitze-Swensen and Taylor have come a long way since they first met as 14-year-olds and decided to form Feels after an improvisational percussion workshop at WAAPA.

The two still use orchestration techniques when writing music, and during live performances, to offer an eclectic array of sounds.

Feels have played Listen Out, Falls Festival, Laneway Festival, Groovin The Moo and SXSW, and in 2020 they will perform at the Grampians Festival in Victoria, the Melbourne Fashion Festival and the international music summit Ableton Loop 2020 in Berlin. “The Settlers show is our last show in WA for a while so we want to put on something really special,” Taylor said.

“We like to keep the party going and keep people dancing.”

Feels play at Settlers Tavern on Friday, January 24.

Entry is free.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails