GIDGEGANNUP band Gidge Rock has released their newest single Gidgestock Calling ahead of the Gidgestock music festival, hoping to raise funds for the festival’s charities.

Gidge Rock is a band made up of musicians living in Gidgegannup and Toodyay.

Band vocalist and lead guitarist Alan Rose said he and his brother had played music in their childhood and the band was 50 years in the making.

“We formed the band in January last year, but the concept was 50 years in the making since me and my brother Jeff were kids in Newport, Wales,” he said.

“Jeff has played in some massive bands in the UK, and we all pull our weight in the band but it’s been really good having Jeff with us.

“He’s recognised in the industry, having played in big bands like Dub War and Skindred, so that makes it easier for us to make connections and start the conversation.”

After Alan travelled to Perth and built his own recording studio, he was joined by his brother Jeff and Gidge Rock grew from there with drummer Cain Munns and bass player Robbie Corbet joining too.

Alan said while the band respected artists who did covers, they were interested in releasing original music.

“There’s a difference between playing in a pub with people talking over your songs and as an artist, you feel a bit like background music and I suppose that’s what they’re there for, but there’s a difference between that and writing original songs,” he said.

“We’ve done the pub gigs and cover songs but I think we’re more interested in Gidgestock and bringing out fresh music and our own originals.

“And it’s going to a good cause, we’ve helped raise $250,000 for the Royal Flying Doctors service before.”

He said while Spotify was a good platform for exposure, for an up and coming band it paid next to nothing and revenue had to be found in other ways.

“Our solution was to use Bandcamp but that can be a bit of a platform not enough people know about.

“On there you can buy a track at a low price or you can pay however much you think it’s worth.

“Funds earned on our Bandcamp will also go to the Gidgestock charities.”

The band released their latest album Wabi Sabi in June, with CDs and vinyl copies produced, and held a live performance at the Midland Records.

The band’s new rock single Gidgestock Calling is now available on Spotify and Bandcamp with proceeds to be donated to charities.

Gidgestock music festival will start on Friday, October 9 and run until Sunday, October 11.

Gidge Rock is scheduled to play at 2pm on Saturday, October 10.

Tickets and further information may be found at www.gidge stock.com.au