The second annual To The Lost Festival in Australia is happening this summer! Created as a fundraising effort for the Black Dog Institute, the festival, akin to Cold Waves in the US, celebrates and honours the lives of those lost to suicide, and aims to prevent further loss.
The event, which promises a “sonic barrage of abrasive noise, heart and soul,” will take place in Sydney on Saturday, June 22nd, and in Melbourne on August 3rd.
The To The Lost Festival aims to normalize the discussion surrounding suicide, to break the stigma associated, and to inspire a passion-fuelled approach toward the quality of life that exists outside of despair.
“We will do this vulnerably with community and noise,” says Enclave’s Pat McCarthy, organizer of the event, who says the proceeds will be split evenly between the performers and Black Dog Institute.
The following acts are slated for Sydney at the Marrickville Bowling Club.
In Melbourne, you can see the following acts at The Tote:
Grab your tickets and more information here.
If you can’t get to Australia, you can still make a difference by donating to the cause here.
Enclave is the brainchild of Pat McCarthy, teaming up with bassist Ryan Adamson, synth player Nina Carter, guitarist Lachland Vercoe, and drummer Kerim Toner. This Sydney-based band is on a mission to forge genuine connections with their audience through heartfelt music.
Rooted in the Australian noise rock tradition, Enclave tips their hat to legendary acts like The Birthday Party and Lubricated Goat. Their unique sound echoes the raw energy of Scratch Acid and packs the intense punch of black metal.
Enclave’s Pat McCarthy was kind enough to talk with Post-Punk.com about the To The Lost Festival:
Music is the only way I know how. We have a platform worth utilising to bring attention to problems that either affect us directly or affect the world outside of ourselves.
I have this romantic image in my head that To The L0st will make enough noise that even our lost loved ones will hear. But at the very least, it starts a conversation. The intention for me is as simple as that. It’s a safe bet that every artist on both lineups has experience with suicide or has struggled with mental health. I believe it’s a cause that resonates with most. There are ways to develop foundations to bring ourselves out of our darkest moments, I hope conversation can bring that to light.
To The Lost donates proceeds to Black Dog Institute, a not-for-profit medical research institute focusing on mental health across the lifespan. What led you to select this particular organization, and do you plan to maintain this partnership for future events?
I researched many organisations over the years, as To The Lost was a strong intention before it was brought to life. I chose Black Dog Institute as they’re a not-for-profit organisation, but specifically for its attention towards our First Nations brothers and sisters and our LGBTQ+ community. They have an ear to the ground with all struggling worlds. It feels right that in Australia we donate to Black Dog. I intend to take it overseas, and when we do we’ll branch out.
Your last EP featured a song titled To The Lost. What inspired you to name this festival after the same song, and could you explain the intention behind this connection?
Like the song, the intention is in the title. We’re connected to our lost loved ones physically and spiritually. I feel this in my core. Their presence in our lives breathes its way into everything we do. This festival is as much about reviving the memory of all those we’ve ever lost, just as much as it is about preventing the act of taking one’s own life.
Enclave’s music has been described as abrasive and vulnerable. How do you channel such raw emotion into your sound and what do you hope listeners take away from your songs?
Honestly, I’d be lying if I said I had a ‘one method suits all’ approach. The only constant is the discipline in writing, individually and collectively. As we grow, each song says more about me or my values than the last, and it says everything about which part of ourselves we’re giving individually in that moment.
We’re writing new material, it’s very different. But at the same time it feels like a genuine progression from our last iteration.
If our listeners take away anything at all then they’ve felt a fraction of what’s been put into what we’ve crafted, and that means we’ve committed to our roles as artists. The role music has played in my life has gone through many evolutions since I was a child. From refuge, saving grace, identity and attitude – to purpose, compulsion and felt responsibility. I feel an overwhelming responsibility to create, even if it isn’t meant for anyone else.
As long as we’re making people think or feel anything at all, isn’t that all there is? Even if it’s hated, I’d welcome that. It was never meant for everyone. And if they feel something even reminiscent of what was intended when the songs were written, then that puts a kick in my step.
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