Stonefield sisters score Glastonbury coup

THEY are four sisters who live on a cattle farm but they have sparked a stampede in the music game.

Holly, Sarah, Amy and Hannah Findlay. Picture: Ian Currie

THEY are four sisters who live on a cattle farm.

And Amy, Hannah, Sarah and Holly Findlay, who perform as Stonefield, have sparked a stampede in the music game.

The sisters have no record deal and their parents, Chris and Janette, are the band's roadies.

But Stonefield has been asked to rock the world's biggest music festival, Glastonbury, in May.

"It still doesn't feel real," said Sarah, 16, keyboardist and backing singer.

"It's like a dream," said Hannah, 17, the band's guitarist.

"We are really excited," said Amy, 20, drummer and lead singer. "But it hasn't processed yet."

Stonefield, who live in sleepy Darraweit Guim, north of Melbourne, are on the brink of a breakthrough.

Their songs, Through The Clover and Foreign Lover, recorded last-minute for Amy's university assignment, won a new talent award on Triple J. Music director Richard Kingsmill said: "A future as big as their choruses awaits these sisters."

When Stonefield played at a recent music industry conference in Perth, promoters for Glastonbury and major European festival The Great Escape were in the crowd.

They asked, on the spot, that Stonefield play at both festivals.

"We're excited about everything," Amy said.

"We have so much to look forward to."

Stonefield started five years ago when the sisters began music lessons with a neighbour. Soon after, they won a band competition in nearby Kilmore.

"It took us a while to find our style," says bassist Holly, 12. "Our first songs were really heavy."

Holly smiles brightly as the sisters disagree with the comment, then rolls her eyes: "What-ever."

Their soulful, almost psychedelic rock sound reflects a musical upbringing of Led Zeppelin, Frank Zappa, Jimi Hendrix and Fleetwood Mac.

As the music industry buzz intensifies, Amy, the main songwriter, is working on new material. But, jamming intently in a farm shed that is now a permanent rehearsal room, Stonefield is clearly a family affair.

"We're sisters, so we can be honest with each other," Hannah said.