Through their hexagonal glasses, beneath a trimming of dirty blonde baby bangs, Lilith Malloy grins at Bella Veith, whose razor-edged eyeliner eclipses their visage. They are both glad that they haven’t accidentally worn the exact same outfit today (which apparently happens with alarming frequency at the various business meetings that they attend together). They do, however, order the exact same coffee.
The two (Bella, 18, and Lilith, 17, about a week off officially finishing high school) form a steadfast team. Together, they founded Runt Records: the independent events collective that places an emphasis on supporting women and gender-nonconforming people in the music industry, both onstage and behind the scenes.
“We did a music course last year together,” Bella explains when I ask how the collective came to be. They were instructed in the course to create a micro business. “We had already organised gigs together, just from playing in bands.”
It seemed natural to bring that expertise into the course. And so the two put on a gig at the uni bar, which sold far beyond their expectations.
Lilith says they said to themselves, “This is kind of fun. We can do this. So we decided to do Runt Records.” It was natural for them to focus their work on female and gender-nonconforming artists. “These are the people that I want to be surrounding myself with, and that I enjoy working with, as much as it is also about giving and helping them have opportunities to do their own thing.”
The name of the collective is quite self-explanatory. Being a gender non-conforming person trying to thrive in the music industry very much feels, to Bella and Lilith, “like being the runt of the litter.” So there is certainly a sense of reclamation to the way that they have branded themselves.
“The Adelaide scene at the moment is in a very crazy place,” Lilith says. “A lot of the bands that we grew up going to see and playing with aren’t around anymore.”
“They keep breaking up!” Bella laughs. “ I feel like we’re in an in-between zone right now.” The scene is in a liminal state, they posit, perhaps on the verge of entering a New Wave. “But we’re putting on gigs, we’re promoting.” Essentially, they are doing what they can to confidently usher in this new era in Adelaide.
The arts scene in Adelaide has allowed them to expand themselves, expand their talents, expand their social circles. “I love my friends,” Bella says, many of whom they have met through playing and organising gigs.
Lilith says, “I love getting to see people I really admire and who have affected my own artistry and to get to know them well. I think the Adelaide scene is really…” They consider their words for a moment. “You’re allowed to get to know people in a really nice way. It’s open. If you’re at a gig and you go outside there will be someone to talk to.”
“There are so many amazing artists, and they’re so easy to find,” Bella adds. “You’re surrounded by it all the time.”
But there is, of course, always room for improvement.
“I think there need to be more venues. Venues that are run well,” Bella says firmly. “There are some aspects of the culture that I wish we could change, with the line-ups. I’m so sick of seeing the same four bands play shows together and then wonder why no one is coming to their gigs. It’s very cliquey.
“Like, the hardcore scene is the hardcore scene – you don’t see any of those bands play with bands from the indie or the folk scenes. Or the punk scene – not to call them out, but I feel like they’re very gatekeep-y.” They think it could be “interesting” to see more overlap, more “merging” of the individual pockets within the scene
Lilith believes there should be far “more opportunities and resources for people who are in the scene. Not only for personal development, but it affects the way you work with other people. And having more information and knowledge would make it a much more enjoyable, safe atmosphere. It’s really hard for a lot of people.”
Bella agrees. “You feel bad if you ask for help…I think also being not-a-dude in the music industry – you have to work so much harder. Guys – they’re allowed to be sloppy, they’re allowed to be disorganised, because they’re learning.” The pair find that they’re not always afforded the same luxury.
The two continue to expand their talents through these tribulations. They have been taking on more curation and marketing gigs, hosting single launches for bands, organising markets and art exchanges, and working with other businesses. Lilith is hosting a zine-making workshop for Carclew, and together the two have been asked to curate a line-up for Carclew’s rebranding.
“We want to be lots of things!” Lilith says.
They have a Noise Exchange event coming up in late October, hosted by interim recording studios, which will see several artists selling goods and merch and will exhibit performances from Cagefly, Jess Johns, and Perfect 50.
They are also organising a double-day mini-festival in collaboration with Gloss – who Lilith calls “the Runt Records of DJs” set to be held at Ancient World in December.
“We’re doing a DJ set,” Bella says, frothing with excitement.
“We don’t know how to DJ yet,” Lilith clarifies, but is nonetheless also extremely enthusiastic about the upcoming event, which they call a “Runt Records end-of-year send-off.”
Motivated and ambitious, starry-eyed but determined, the pair behind Runt Records have their hands on the reins, and are sure to usher in this new era in Adelaide of untapped potential and musical promise.
You can keep up with all things Runt Records on Instagram.
