Granite Island Discs: Dakota Griffiths

Interviews
Written By Tobias Handke
 

South Aussie music content creator and champion of the local scene Dakota Griffiths, aka Band Banta, fills us in on her top five songs, favourite album and most memorable music moment.

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What five songs would you take to a desert island?

In no particular order:

1. Spacey Jane – ‘Weightless’

I had to pick a Spacey Jane song. They were one of the first Australian bands I started really following back in High School. ‘Weightless’ is my most-streamed track by them, so naturally it seemed like the right choice haha.

2. Slowly Slowly – ‘Daisy Chain’

My mum and I went for a 14-hour road trip to a regional festival in NSW, and Slowly Slowly were on the lineup. I remember we rinsed the Daisy Chain album in the car ride. This song, being the title track, holds a lot of special memories from that trip!

3. Purée – ‘Other Hand’

There are so many great memories associated with this song. It’s also just a great track that I will never get sick of listening to.

4. Hey So Hungry – ‘Another Lover’

Hey So Hungry are an emerging act from WA that I really love. It was tricky to choose which song of theirs I would take with me, because I would take all of them if I could!

5. My Chemical Romance – ‘Famous Last Words’

Bit of a wild card considering the above choices hahaha. But I have such distinct memories of my dad blasting this track while we cleaned the house on a Sunday morning, or on my way to school. The Black Parade was one of the first CDs I owned, and I still have it in my collection and chuck it on every now and then.

If you could only pick one, what would it be?

That’s like asking to pick a favourite child… but I’m going to go with ‘Weightless’ by Spacey Jane.

What’s your favourite album?

The answer to this question changes each week! I’ve been relistening to Lustre by The Buoys, and I really enjoy this album, so I would probably say that Lustre is my favourite at the moment. But some honourable mentions include Old Mervs by Old Mervs and Go Nowhere by EGOISM.

What’s your favourite song by an SA artist or band?

This is so tricky to choose! We have so much talent in SA, it’s actually crazy. I feel like my favourite SA song is changing each week. At the moment, it would have to be ‘Do You Like Me Now’ by The Tullamarines. Their new EP Safety Blanket is a standout, but that song in particular is just perfect.

Favourite music-related memory?

I’ve got so many! I’m really grateful to have had the opportunity to interview incredible bands and artists and partner with events, so I hold those memories dear. But my favourite music-related memories would have to be all the times I made a new friend along my Band Banta journey. From my best friends I met at concerts, to the bands I’ve become close with, and the industry professionals who are my mentors, I really cherish the memories of connecting with everyone.

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