Sydney singer songwriter Domenica has the right idea when it comes to preparing for the finals: rehearsal, rehearsal, rehearsal. Making sure she has all her bases covered so she can relax and focus 100% of her energy on her performance is her way of ensuring everything goes smoothly. Her main goal is connecting with her audience, so she really shouldn’t have any trouble winning them over again in the finals at The Metro Theatre. Be sure to be there on December 14th when she battles it out, and in the meantime, you can hear what the artist has to say in her own words:

SO, DO YOU THINK YOU'RE READY FOR THE BIG NIGHT?
I don’t think music will ever be ready because it’s constantly evolving. Every time I rehearse there’ll be something new to add or a lyric to change. There’s just a point where you have to step back and know that you have to give it 120% and cross your fingers that the audience digs your sound.

WHAT’S THE BAND DOING TO GET READY FOR THE FINALS? REHEARSING MUCH?
Rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing until every song becomes second nature so you can really focus on the performance you give and not on trying to remember lyrics!

WHAT, IF ANY, CHANGES HAVE YOU MADE TO YOUR STAGE SET-UP OR YOUR LIVE PERFORMANCE WITH THE FINALS IN MIND?
For this round, I want to focus on the experience of live music. It’s one thing to play music that you can nod your head or tap your feet to, but it’s the atmosphere of an artist interacting with their audience and creating an experience for them that’s important. I create music for people to listen to it, so the performance will always be for them.

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE BIG NIGHT?
I want to know that I’ve put on a great show, which has added to an even greater night of live music for the audience. I’m performing alongside some incredible bands, and I can’t wait to see their sets and do a bit of my own head nodding and foot tapping.

WHAT EFFECT DO YOU THINK WINNING WOULD HAVE ON THE BAND?
Winning would be insane, and to be able to play the music you love at an international festival from halfway across the world is an experience that not everybody has in a lifetime. Also, it would be a great way to kick off my last year of school!

CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE FESTIVAL SO FAR? ANY FUNNY ANECDOTES FROM YOUR PREVIOUS SHOWS OR REHEARSALS LEADING UP TO THE FINALS?
I think it’s great that two of the bands that were in the first round with me at The Lair have also made it through, Darkness Reigns and Merlin Twist, and we all get to go through to the grand finals together.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST ABOUT PLAYING THE METRO THEATRE IN SYDNEY?
I’ve spent a lot of time at The Metro seeing all my favourite artists rock out on that stage for years. It’ll be a bit surreal sharing a stage which people like Jeff Buckley and Muse have played on. A few nights ago, I went to see Franz Ferdinand and couldn’t believe I was going to be up there in less than a month.

WHAT IS GOING TO SET YOU APART FROM THE OTHER BANDS AND SECURE A WIN FOR YOUR BAND?
My sound is very stripped back and raw; I want to bring the audience back to basics. I hope my set is different from the others in giving the audience what I think is music in its most simple and pure form.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO BANDS THAT ARE CONSIDERING SIGNING UP FOR THE FESTIVAL NEXT YEAR?
Do it! There’s absolutely nothing to lose as, even by the first round, you’re exposed to new venues, new bands, and the chance to play for a live audience – an experience that every musician wants.

IF YOU HAVE THE DESIRE TO SHOUT OUT TO ANY OF THE BANDS OR SAY ANY THANKS, DO SO HERE:
Good luck everyone!