Feature / One Question Interviews
The Clever References

Words: Rizkan A.M. • December 1, 2022

The Clever References
The Clever References

Ash (The Clever References – guitar/vocals)

SPB: How important is TikTok platform for a DIY band?

Ash: It's a lottery ticket. You can do everything right on that platform, and find that the algorithm has changed and it's kinda left you behind. Alternatively, a piece of content you make might skyrocket you to fame that risks you being a passenger of unplanned notoriety.

As a platform, we found that the clock app is the most unpredictable in disseminating its content, but remains the only platform that lets people discover new acts, rather than just be fed a fraction of their following list and digital advertising. Although this is a function of how the clock app still needs to build up its cultural cache as "the place to be", where other platforms have more pressing monetary concerns on their minds (hence all the emphasis on ads).

Tl;dr, you can get lucky, you can get very lucky on the clock app. The only platform that grants you that possibility in 2022, this will not be the case in the near future we predict.

-----------

Listen to "Christ, Is It That Time of Year Again?"

The Clever References
The Clever References

Related features

Sell The Heart Records – History 101

Music / History 101 • August 3, 2025

Like most independent labels, Sell The Heart started to document a scene without really asking themselves “Where do you see yourself in 15 years?” In 2010, founder Andy Pohl was barely even thinking about vinyl. In “History 101” tradition, Scene Point Blank picked out some of the label's notable releases … Read more

The Planet Smashers

One Question Interviews • July 23, 2025

Matt Smasher (The Planet Smashers) SPB: How did the collabs on the new album come to be? Did you reach out to the artist with a specific idea, or just ask “hey is there something you want to do here?” Matt: It started out super simple, just a “would you … Read more

Fortitude Valley

One Question Interviews • July 22, 2025

Laura (Fortitude Valley) SPB: What do you remember, or alternately what stands out the most, about playing the first live show with Fortitude Valley? Laura: It was January 2020, and I remember being very nervous about having to talk to the crowd and being the front person -- something that … Read more

City Speak

One Question Interviews • July 21, 2025

Cornelius (City Speak – bass / Keep it a Secret Records) SPB What is the longest (in terms of time) tour that you have ever been on? Would you do it again? Cornelius: We in City Speak don't do long tours -- work, pets, life, the usual. The longest we've … Read more

God Bullies

One Question Interviews • July 16, 2025

Mike Hard (God Bullies) SPB: Have you played any familiar locations that survived since your last tour and, if so, what struck you on revising them? If not, is there a city or highway that gave similar "flashbacks" or surprises? Hard: The first city that comes to mind is Dubuque … Read more

Related reviews

The Clever References

Hamish's House
Independent (2022)

Some say Australia is a very nice place to spend your life, saying it's the safest place on earth with its protective system for its citizens. I know it's kind of dumb for thinking that any band that is from a more "wealthy place", like Australia, will always have its own privilege to get known wider around the globe though … Read more

More from this section

The Planet Smashers

One Question Interviews • July 23, 2025

Matt Smasher (The Planet Smashers) SPB: How did the collabs on the new album come to be? Did you reach out to the artist with a specific idea, or just ask “hey is there something you want to do here?” Matt: It started out super simple, just a “would you … Read more

Fortitude Valley

One Question Interviews • July 22, 2025

Laura (Fortitude Valley) SPB: What do you remember, or alternately what stands out the most, about playing the first live show with Fortitude Valley? Laura: It was January 2020, and I remember being very nervous about having to talk to the crowd and being the front person -- something that … Read more

City Speak

One Question Interviews • July 21, 2025

Cornelius (City Speak – bass / Keep it a Secret Records) SPB What is the longest (in terms of time) tour that you have ever been on? Would you do it again? Cornelius: We in City Speak don't do long tours -- work, pets, life, the usual. The longest we've … Read more