When Hannah Brookes, 18, and Liv Ritchie, 17, who play together as alt-rock duo Kim's Laundry, heard that the organisers of Fairgrounds were looking for local acts, they "pulled on their big girl undies" and emailed the festival's management team.
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"We figured it couldn't hurt," says singer and guitarist Hannah. "It can be really daunting to put yourselves out there as artists, but this taught us how rewarding it can be."
So rewarding that Kim's Laundry will join the likes of Liam Gallagher, Kasey Chambers, Dope Lemon, DMA's, The Lemonheads and more on stage at Berry Showground on December 6 and 7.
"We are so excited about opening the festival for some crazy awesome artists that we both look up to," says Hannah.
Hannah and Liv met at St John's High School, Nowra, and have been playing together since 2014, first in Ultraviolet, and then forming Kim's Laundry in 2018. The catchy name has its origins in their rehearsal space - Liv's mum's (Kim's) laundry - and Kim's Laundry plays regularly at venues and festivals from Nowra to Wollongong, including Yours & Owls earlier this year.
Kim's Laundry released their debut single 'Deserve It' in August 2018, and it was included in the week 7 '2019 Unearthed High Report Card' as one of the top singles uploaded for the Triple J Unearthed High competition in that week.
Asked to describe their sound, drummer Liv says: "It's rock'n'roll with a side of funk and attitude. We are heavily inspired by the sounds of 1980s and 90s female rock, and the noisy alt-rock sounds of today."
Their second single, 'Believe', recorded at Forces and Fury, Marrickville, will be released across all platforms on 29 November, and Kim's Laundry are planning to put out their first EP in 2020.
In the meantime, though, these seasoned young performers can't wait to get on stage at Fairgrounds. "We love sharing our original music with people who support the live local music scene," says Liv.
"We also have the best time performing our own musical creations," adds Hannah. "I love the fact that I get to play with my best mate on stage."
Catch Kim's Laundry at Fairgrounds on Friday 6 December (4.40pm) or download their new single 'Believe' on your favourite streaming platform on 29 November. For updates, find them on Instagram (@kimslaundryband) or Facebook.