As Melbourne band Ash Archer and The Spitfires are gearing up for another round of Emergenza Festival Australia at The Espy this Thursday, October 9th, they take a moment to sit down with us. While you’re waiting for them to go on for the semi-finals, hear what the band had to say about the first round and what their expectations are for the semis.

FOR THOSE WHO DIDN’T GET TO SEE YOU IN THE FIRST ROUND, CAN YOU INTRODUCE US TO YOUR BAND ASH ARCHER AND THE SPITFIRES?
Ash Archer & The Spitfires is a five-piece band with myself, Ash Archer, on lead vocals, harmonica and acoustic guitar, Daniel Marsh on drums, Connor Macaulay on bass guitar, and finally, Daniel Farmer and Jordan McSwain on guitars. We're a pop/rock band from Werribee inspired by artists such as Bon Jovi, INXS, Maroon 5 and Nickelback. Our first album, "Ride Like The Wind" was released March 11 this year, and features some of our staple songs live, including "Let It Burn", "Thursday The 21st" and "I (Black Eyes)."

WHAT WAS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE FIRST ROUND FOR YOU?
For me, it was the positive reaction from the crowd after each song in the set, and them singing along to the choruses. That is the response I always hope to have, in the people receiving the meaning of the song and responding to that.

OUT OF ALL THE SONGS YOU PLAYED, WHICH ONE GOT THE BIGGEST REACTION OUT OF THE CROWD AND WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS?
I reckon "Hot Girls" got a great reaction. It's a catchy, funky song I always dedicate to the ladies in the crowd, and I reckon they enjoy the audience-frontman interaction as much as I do. It's fun to share that moment with members of the audience, even if it is in a flirtatious way!

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE FIRST ROUND AND WHAT YOU LEARNED FROM IT?
There was a couple of clumsy moments for us in the first round, first me forgetting my harmonica in my guitar case, and our bass player tripping over the foldback system, although we laughed both situations off. We definitely learnt to play tighter and be more careful of our surroundings and having our equipment ready in case of any problems.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN UP TO BETWEEN GIGS AND WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING TO PREPARE FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF THE COMPETITION?
We've been rehearsing weekly to be at our best for the next round, and I reckon we certainly are! On the side, we've started a fortnightly residency at the Footscray Hotel on Friday nights, started recording our first few music videos for the songs off the album, as well as performing at several Relay For Life events. It's been getting busier and busier, but we enjoy the adventure very much.

SO HOW DOES IT FEEL BEING ONE STEP CLOSER TO THE EMERGENZA FINALS?
Very excited! I'm hoping we impress everyone at the next round, and make it one step up, but we're focusing on the task at hand and making sure that even if we don't make it through, that we give the audience a great show they won't forget.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR UPCOMING CONCERT AT THE ESPY?
We hope a couple more people enjoy what we have to offer, and we make some new fans that we can continue to share our adventure with and give them something more to enjoy in their lives—that's why we do what we do.

For more details on the show at The Espy, October 9th, click here.