Tomorrow Wollongong-based indie pop group Pirra will make their Vivid LIVE debut at the Sydney Opera House.

Named for the Luritja word for “moon”, Pirra is a quartet featuring Luritja-descended singer-songwriter Jess Beck, guitarist James McKendry and twin brothers, bassist Curtis Argent and drummer Jeffrey Argent.

Thanks to Jess Beck for taking the time to tell us more about the band, their latest album and some local favourites.

Please tell us a bit about yourself.

I live in the beautiful suburb of East Corrimal. I moved down here just before Covid lockdowns in March 2020 and it was pure coincidence with the timing. I grew up on a sheep farm near Mt Gambier in South Australia, so I think the slightly slower pace of Wollongong suits me. I’ve fallen in love with Wollongong and see myself living here for a while!

When and where did Pirra begin?

We started out doing Jazz gigs in bars around Sydney and corporate gigs before I began sharing my original tunes with the boys. They boys helped me rearrange the songs and we recorded an EP under Jess Beck. Soon James and Curt were writing a heap of tunes and our music had really changed. We realised that we were essentially a new act and the infamous hunt for a band name began.

You’re now set to play the Sydney Opera House during Vivid. What can fans expect?

We have put in some extra special preparation for this show. We’ll be playing the best of Pirra and performing with local musician Freyja Garbett on keys as well as Vixen Strings who are a string quartet. We’ll also be joined by James’ sister Emily McKendry and another Wollongong musician Glenn Whitehall on backup vocals. It’s going to be an epic sound.

Any Wollongong-inspired songs on your latest album, Spirals?

Yes, quite a few on the Spirals album actually. One song that really comes to mind is Stealing From Tomorrow. We had attended the Yours and Owls Festival together as a band. It was when Running Touch was playing their set and the tempo dropped, the crowd really took to this particular tempo. We jumped on an iPhone app and tapped the tempo out and realised it was 116. I said we have to make a song at this tempo. We had such an awesome time at that festival and were laughing about how we were stealing from tomorrow with the fun that we were having. The next few days, the song was created.

Where are some of your favourite places, including live music venues, in the Illawarra?

I have to say that I love Seeker Brewery considering it’s owned by our rhythm section! But honestly it’s an awesome new venue with award-winning beer, wood-fired pizza and live music. I’m also a big fan of La La La’s, North Gong on a Sunday and Towradgi Beach Hotel on a Friday night. My local beach in East Corrimal is an off-lead dog beach, so I love walking my little Pug Marlot there. Bellambi pool is great for swimming when you don’t feel like tackling waves.

When’s your next gig in your hometown?

We are really excited about Vivid at the Sydney Opera House, Riverside Theatre at Parramatta and The Cambridge Hotel in Newcastle.

We have an exciting Wollongong show to come, but we have to be tight-lipped for now!

As part of Vivid Live, Pirra will perform in the Utzon Room at Sydney Opera House at 7pm on Thursday, June 1, tickets from $29. 

Keep an eye on Pirra's website, follow them on Instagram @pirratheband and check out their latest single, Forget About It, in the YouTube video below.