At the close of 2019, one Sydney group is doubling down on the work and ringing in the New Year with some serious momentum. Sneaky Sound System exploded onto the Sydney’s house scene back in 2006 and have been making music ever since. Their most recent hit, “We Belong” has received airtime on the BBC and last year’s “Can't Help The Way That I Feel" peaked at #1 on the UK dance charts. They have their eyes set on a huge 2020, making the most of this momentum. With more than a decade of fireworks, parties and music, Backyard Opera was able to sit down with Connie Mitchell from Sneaky Sound System to discuss their plans for the rest of the year. 

“This time of year is always busy for us, ever since 2006,” said Connie. 

The end of the year holds numerous parties for Sneaky Sound System, including annual gigs around the state, with Connie naming Byron Bay shows as her favourite, the events they host themselves, both at home and under the Sneaky Sundays banner, or huge events like NYE In the Park. 

At this festival, Sneaky Sound System will be joined by names like Hermitude, Bag Raiders and Client Liason. Connie herself is looking forward to Van She Tech, calling them pioneers of their sound, Owl Eyes, giving “props to her for being a genuine person”, and close personal friend Michael Di Francesco, performing as Touch Sensitive. 

The latter, as Connie explained, is a must-see act because “he’s an absolute gem of a person. Just such a cool dude, especially with a name like Michael Di Francesco.” 

With such incredible acts as Sneaky Sound System, the festival is shaping up to be the biggest event of the night. Connie herself is excited for Sydney’s New Year’s Eve festivities, planning to get out on the harbour in a tinnie with a bottle of champagne in hand. 

“I don’t care how old or young or daggy or uninterested in New Year’s Eve you are,” explained Connie. “You can’t deny how good the fireworks are in Sydney. It’s like balloons to a kid.”

While the group are gearing up for the festivities of New Year’s Eve, it’s because they are looking ahead to 2020 instead of back on 2019. Sneaky Sound System, even after thirteen years in the spotlight, are still on the grind. The new decade will start with an East Coast tour of the US, followed by a quick return down under for a residency and then another tour across Europe. Connie hopes to fit in a trip to Japan somewhere amongst this crazy schedule, calling Osaka “Disneyland for adults.” The group also hope to release more quality house music. Connie, who released “UFO”, “I Love It” and “Pictures” on her very first album, says she wants to make at least one classic in her career. Sneaky Sound System are always looking to innovate and evolve, with the other half, Angus McDonald, supplying the group with a constant stream of new releases and influences in order to stay up to date. According to Connie, there are a few key ingredients that go into a quality house song.

“You need a good groove,” she explained. “A good groove and some sick sounds so I have something to dance to. I like something tribal; something that takes you on a bit of a journey, you know what I’m saying?”

With all this planned for 2019, Connie explained that she might be excited for a big NYE, but is more excited for a big New Year’s Day, ready to embrace all the momentum that Sneaky Sound System have gathered. However, she did have a quick word of warning to any NYE In the Park attendees. Naming the “complete desolation of Sydney nightlife” as the biggest change in her time as an artist, she noted that the younger generation she sees now have responded to “a myriad of rules” with a rebellious tendency to take things too far.

“If someone tells me I can’t have a drink, I’ll have 10. The youth are just looking for somewhere to go, but you can party any weekend, you know?” explained Connie. “You don’t have to say ‘New Year’s is the one time I can do this, I’m going to wreck myself’. Wake up and enjoy the first day of the new year. Experience all the excitement that the new year brings instead of just being wrecked in bed.”

Sneaky Sound System are just one of many artists playing at NYE In the Park this year. Other names include Crooked Colours, SAFIA and Young Franco. For ticket information, visit here: https://nyeinthepark.iwannaticket.com.au/event/nye-in-the-park-2019

As Connie says, “it’s in a park, it’s outside, it’s in Marrickville; it’s a hit list of everything you could want plus great music.”