Section 8 has a birthday coming up, and Elle Shimada has curated an eclectic lineup to help celebrate.
Melbourne’s much-loved container bar Section 8 is turning 17, can you believe it? Soon it will legally be allowed to drink! To celebrate, the containers are throwing a music-filled celebration featuring a mixture of live performances and DJ sets, headlined by French producer and DJ GUTS.
The bill will also feature live sets from Plastiq, Sai Galaxy and DJ sets from Nay Nay, Crybaby, Shelley, Mothafunk, Zjoso, and Pookie. In addition to the music, there will be dance shows, drink specials from Beefeater Gin, Hop Nation, and Jameson and plenty of good times.
One of the highlights will be a performance from local legend, violinist, producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Elle Shimada. We caught up with her to chat about the upcoming show and how things have been in her very busy world of late.
A Tokyo-born violinist, producer, and DJ, Shimada has called Melbourne home for a while now, and her first solo album, HOME ≠ LOCATION, challenges what we think of as ‘home’ beautifully.
Since the record’s release in July 2022, Elle has been busy playing shows around the world, releasing vinyl, and dropping remixes. Yet, somehow, she also managed to put together a diverse bill to help Section 8 celebrate its birthday in style. “Curating the lineup for Section 8’s birthday weekend was honestly so much fun,” claims Elle, “I got to put together the local musicians, dancers, and DJs all doing some fresh things and breaking boundaries in their own right, in my favourite iconic venue.”
Shimada will also be performing alongside incredible dancers Ate Cheska, Senuri and Romaine, with Plastiq, Zjoso, Solomon.C, Bakri and Got The Gat. After lots of international touring last year, she says that curating this stellar party helped her come to appreciate how unique the scene is here in Naarm.
“In places like London or New York, people are very productive, but they’re all on their hustle. Music is amazing over there because they have a deep history. What is really exciting here in Naarm is that we are still on the uprising. We, as young QTBIPOC artists, are setting a tone, creating new sounds, narratives and dancefloors as we speak right now.
“I think we should be more proud of our sound and culture while paying homage to the original creators of music. I’m so invested and in love with what is being created and re-invented each and every day in our city. It’s such a joy to be involved, supporting and witnessing.”
Shimada has built a great community of artists around her work, with collaborations forming a significant part of her output. She speaks to this, claiming that connection should be at the core of any business, and authentic artistic collaborations come from getting in the studio, sharing experiences and genuine conversation.
She also offers some helpful words of advice for people looking to build a similar artistic community. “If you’re just starting out, go really deep in knowing what you can offer to the world. It doesn’t have to be something epic, just any genuine offering. Music is a spiritual act, and it’s an act of service. Get out there, being ready to offer your gift!
“Go out to gigs, get in people’s DMs with demos, go to jam sessions and be unapologetically you. Some people will fuck with you, some won’t, but as long as you believe in what you do, the result will follow sooner or later.”
Along with Section 8’s birthday party, Shimada will be performing songs off the new album on March 24 at the NGV and March 25 at Collingwood Yards. After this run of shows, she plans on getting back in the studio to create some new music, a new live set with choreography and more touring.
“Since the release of my debut album HOME ≠ LOCATION, last year, I’ve been so humbled and overjoyed by the response, and I feel proud of it. I’m most excited about the opportunity to tour Asia, as I’m craving some motherland spices!”
Follow Elle Shimada on Instagram and Spotify to keep updated and celebrate with her at Section 8’s birthday, which will span three days from Friday, March 17 to Sunday, March 19 (Shimada performs on Saturday, the 18th) from 3pm until late each evening.
For all the details, check out the event page here.
This article was made in partnership with Section 8.
