THE HUM of washing machines at North Hill Laundromat will be drowned out by The Ironing Maidens.
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Electronic music duo Patty Preece and Melania Jack have turned the humble ironing board and iron into instruments.
“It started when we were talking about the 50’s in general and looking at what was going on in terms of technology,” Melania Jack said.
“I was cutting together footage of a woman banging an ironing board with an iron to music and I thought – I wonder if we could do that.
“So we developed the irons into instruments.”
The Ironing Maidens started four years ago when Ms Preece was producing for Ms Jack – who was creating acoustic music at the time.
The duo toured Europe before coming back for their first Australian tour.
Creating electronic music is an entirely different process, Ms Jack said.
“Before when I was personally writing songs it was about how I was feeling and how I could express that,” Ms Jack said.
“Whereas with The Ironing Maidens it’s much more specific.
“Some of the topics we touch on are around domestic labour and it’s place in history.
“The songs also play homage to female electronic producers themselves.”
The gimmick is, in a way, a feminist statement for the pair.
Ms Jack said they had noticed a lack of women in the industry.
“We think it’s very important for women to be celebrated for the impact they have on the industry," she said.
“They deserve to be acknowledged and known about – because the work they’re doing is fascinating.”
The music is an upbeat, house, pop-style.
The decision to use laundromats as a venue has been just as interesting to the owners of them.
”I think the Laundromat itself is a really wonderful venue experience for people as well – it conjures up the smell of the washing liquid and the humming of the machines, the warmth of being in the laundromat creates a tangible experience for people,” Ms Jack said.
“That was really interesting actually, phoning and trying to explain it.
“We’ve been so lucky because all of the laundromats have been really interested and supportive.”
The Ironing Maidens will perform at the North Hill Laundromat on January 17.
For more information visit ironingmaidens.com.au.