This summer has felt more like Katy Perry’s ‘Hot N Cold’ than a sun-drenched scene from André Aciman’s Call Me By Your Name. Fortunately, that hasn’t stopped me from romanticising the season at any given opportunity. Equipping myself with meticulously crafted playlists and a sundowner to boot, my summer has been informed by my music, rather than the weather outside.
Discover more about Australia’s musical talent in FJ’s Music section.
Last Thursday, as the skies over Sydney oscillated between moody greys and light mistings, I traded my iPhone’s precision lens for the grainy charm of a film camera. The mission? To document BWS’s Summer crawl in collaboration with Astral People in homage to their latest release, the Nice Drops System Sound speaker – a meticulously crafted music system that’s limited to just 10 in rotation. The speaker is the latest instalment in BWS Nice Drops, an initiative that creates unexpected collaborations to celebrate the intersection of drinks culture with art, fashion, music and technology.
Keep scrolling to see how the night went down.
My first stop was at the head office of creative growth firm, Present Company. With Google Maps as my guiding North Star, I traipse down the road toward the sound of muffled laughter until I find the vibrant orange emblematic of BWS.
The industrial office space in Surry Hills boasted an expansive, open-plan configuration with the walls plastered with enigmatic creative. The Nice Drops System Sounds system was splashing the room with vibrant hues of orange, an instant uplift from the moody, dreary weather that made the energy inside feel more intimate. The live music undulating throughout the space only fed my excitement for the night ahead.
My eyes scan the office, darting between the chatting guests until I spot my refreshments for the evening. There’s plenty on offer, and as someone who loves sticking to what he enjoys, maybe this was the perfect night to try something different?
Wrong! I went with a tried-and-tested favourite, Fellr Watermelon Seltzer. Whoever created the glorious seltzer, I thank you.
6pm, time for the panel. I take my seat with my seltzer in one hand and my iPhone Notes App in the other. I love a lecture, especially when it involves music, so I was particularly excited for this part of the evening.
The panel was composed of innovators within the Sydney DIY music scene. They spoke about the importance of the community in allowing them to operate with autonomy and cultural interest. But they also emphasised its function as a way to bypass industry gatekeepers that keep them buoyed to staid commercial structures. The scene was described as having a ‘rebellious spirit’, which seemed fitting and inspiring.
Off to the next stop!! But first, it’d be rude of me to not snap this picture of an esteemed guest. Definitely a good omen for the evening ahead.
Spotted: Nice Drops System Sound sitting idly in anticipation of the tunes ahead. It’s so special to know each one of these was handmade for moments of community and joy.
I’m surprised by the arrival of an old friend – everyone say hello to Luba! Naturally, a yap off ensues, but we’re both excited for the upcoming performance by Ella Haber.
The performance was just incredible. Ella Haber’s gifted voice hushed the crowd into contemplative awe. I’m always going to opt for a speakeasy, live Jazz experience, so I was transfixed by the entire set.
And we’re off, again! I’ve got my best friend Madi, Luba, and new friend Sonny in tow. We’re walking down Oxford Street toward Theeca where we’re expected to finish the night. We discuss Luba’s kitten heels the entire way.
We arrive and secure the goods. Madi and I love a chilled red, so when we find out Doom Juice Rouge is on offer, it’s a no-brainer. There’s something about a chilled red on a summer’s evening that’s so gratifying. Chin-chin!
Before we lock-in for a night of dancing, we plant ourselves down to finish our wines and have a bite to eat. A feast of honey-drizzled flatbread, crudites, oysters and tiger prawns is laid out before us. Not pictured: the food. Can you blame us?
Now for the main event. Madi is on constant ‘vibe patrol’, so she’s surveying the best spot to set up for the set. Walking into a space with unbridled anticipation and having the sound envelop you is a feeling next to none. As someone with a penchant for overthinking, I latch onto these moments. A night of good music with friends is sometimes all the heart needs.
Energy is noticeably high on the dancefloor and Madi seems to have caught the eye of a special audiophile. Ooh, la la!
Okay, enough silly business. Back to the pièce de résistance of the afterparty: a DJ set by Harvery Sutherland. I’m surrounded by good music, good people and an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I’m positive at one stage I said “I love being in my 20s in Sydney”, and I stand on that truth.
Unfortunately, it is a school night and I do in fact have a 9am call in the morning, so, Madi and I bid adieu to our new friends and make our way home. As the evening sky mists us with rain, we feel undeniably thankful that we live in a city abounding with creative minds that make it shine.
To find out more about the Nice Drops System Sound speaker and to win, head here.
This article Photo Diary: A summer night’s music crawl in Sydney for the BWS Nice Drops launch appeared first on Fashion Journal.
2025-02-07 06:06:00
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