Rise of retro rockers Stonefield

THEY may struggle to share a bathroom, but when these four sisters meet in their back shed they create an exciting sound.

stonefield

THEY may struggle to share a bathroom, but when these four sisters meet in their back shed they create an exciting sound.

In the face of recent teen sensations, the young four-piece band Stonefield have shied from the generic pop sound so beloved by many of their generation and made a name for themselves with a fresh take on classic rock.

Things really took off when they won Triple J's 2010 Unearthed contest with their last-minute entry, Foreign Lover.

The band had its beginnings seven years ago when the Findlay siblings slowly began to pick up their instruments - Amy, 22, drums, Hannah, 19, guitar, Sarah, 17, keys and Holly, 14, bass. They forged their sound while growing up in rural Victoria and rehearsing in the shed behind their home.

Lead singer, drummer and eldest sister Amy says she and her siblings were raised on a diet of 1970s rock by their parents.

"Our main inspirations are Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa and (Jimi) Hendrix," Amy says. "We're inspired by that sort of music, but we have a modern touch."

Through a series of Christmas presents, the girls were armed with their respective instruments and the band started honing their craft in the family's shed and on stage at pub gigs.

"We did our fair share of little country pubs," Amy says.

Now after years of working on their songs in the back shed - they still rehearse there - Stonefield had a breakthrough year in 2011 that included a performance at Glastonbury music festival in the UK.

Guitarist Hannah says the band works so well because of their close relationship: "It's an advantage. We're not afraid to tell each other what we think."

The sisters have played with bands such as Children Collide and will join other Triple J favourites such as Matt Corby for the One Night Stand in Dalby in June. But Hannah says they still get a buzz hearing themselves on the radio.

"It's a good feeling, but it's still pretty crazy," she says. "I don't know if we'll ever get used to it."

With the support of their parents, the quartet hopes to continue making music for a long time yet.

"Mum and Dad always said to make sure the career you follow is what you love doing," Amy says. "We've always loved music ... and hopefully we'll be able to keep making it."

HEAR Bad Reality (Wunderkind) is out now

SEE Stonefield

QLD The Zoo, Fortitude Valley, April 20; Kings Beach Tavern, Caloundra, April 21; Coolangatta Hotel, April 22. Book through www.oztix.com.au

VIC Rock In The Vine, Rutherglen, April 8, $109.95, Ticketmaster; Eastbank Centre Shepparton, April 14, $29, ph: [phone]; Northcote Social Club, April 24 and 25, $15 + bf, Corner Box Office, 1300 724 867.

NSW Great Northern Hotel, Byron Bay, April 19, $15.30 +bf; The Patch, Fairy Meadow April 26, $15.30 +bf; The Standard, Darlinghurst, April 27, $15.30; Cambridge Hotel, Newcastle West, April 28, $12 +bf.